National Instruments E Series User Manual

DAQ E Series

E Series User Manual

February 2007 370503K-01

Support

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

ni.com

National Instruments Corporate Headquarters

11500 North Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas 787593504 USA Tel: 512 683 0100

Worldwide Offices

Australia 1800 300 800, Austria 43 662 457990-0, Belgium 32 (0) 2 757 0020, Brazil 55 11 3262 3599, Canada 800 433 3488, China 86 21 5050 9800, Czech Republic 420 224 235 774, Denmark 45 45 76 26 00, Finland 385 (0) 9 725 72511, France 33 (0) 1 48 14 24 24, Germany 49 89 7413130, India 91 80 41190000, Israel 972 3 6393737, Italy 39 02 413091, Japan 81 3 5472 2970, Korea 82 02 3451 3400, Lebanon 961 (0) 1 33 28 28, Malaysia 1800 887710, Mexico 01 800 010 0793, Netherlands 31 (0) 348 433 466, New Zealand 0800 553 322, Norway 47 (0) 66 90 76 60, Poland 48 22 3390150, Portugal 351 210 311 210, Russia 7 495 783 6851, Singapore 1800 226 5886, Slovenia 386 3 425 42 00, South Africa 27 0 11 805 8197, Spain 34 91 640 0085, Sweden 46 (0) 8 587 895 00, Switzerland 41 56 2005151, Taiwan 886 02 2377 2222, Thailand 662 278 6777, Turkey 90 212 279 3031, United Kingdom 44 (0) 1635 523545

For further support information, refer to the Technical Support and Professional Services appendix. To comment on National Instruments documentation, refer to the National Instruments Web site at the info code

feedback.

ni.com/info and enter

Important Information

Warranty

The E Series devices are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instruc tions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warranty.

National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed for technical accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves the right to make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.

XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN, NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF

MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL

NSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING

FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. This limitation of

the liability of National Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including negligence. Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not cover damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the National Instruments installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product; owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside reasonable control.

Copyright

Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National Instruments Corporation.

National Instruments respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our users to do the same. NI software is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Where NI software may be used to reproduce software or other materials belonging to others, you may use NI software only to reproduce materials that you may reproduce in accordance with the terms of any applicable license or other legal restriction.

Trademarks

National Instruments, NI, ni.com, and LabVIEW are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation. Refer to the Terms of Use section on ni.com/legal for more information about National Instruments trademarks.

FireWire

is the registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names

of their respective companies.

Members of the National Instruments Alliance Partner Program are business entities independent from National Instruments and have no agency, partnership, or joint-venture relationship with National Instruments.

Patents

For patents covering National Instruments products, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your CD, or

ni.com/patents.

WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL OF RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A HUMAN.

(2) IN ANY APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE ABOVE, RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS CAN BE IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY, COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FITNESS, FITNESS OF COMPILERS AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DEVELOP AN APPLICATION, INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE), UNANTICIPATED USES OR MISUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF THE USER OR APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE ARE HEREAFTER COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”). ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH) SHOULD NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MUST TAKE REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS. BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS FROM NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' TESTING PLATFORMS AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MAY USE NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A MANNER NOT EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED BY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING THE SUITABILITY OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS WHENEVER NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE INCORPORATED IN A SYSTEM OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN, PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.

Compliance

Compliance with FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference Regulations

Determining FCC Class

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference. The FCC places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial commercial locations only) or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). All National Instruments (NI) products are FCC Class A products.

Depending on where it is operated, this Class A product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the Department of Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the same way.) Digital electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless products.

All Class A products display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and undesired operation. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations where FCC Class A products can be operated.

Consult the FCC Web site at

FCC/DOC Warnings

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions in this manual and the CE marking Declaration of Conformity*, may cause interference to radio and television reception. Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department of Communications (DOC).

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by NI could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the FCC Rules.

Class A

Federal Communications Commission

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user is required to correct the interference at their own expense.

www.fcc.gov for more information.

Canadian Department of Communications

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

Compliance with EU Directives

Users in the European Union (EU) should refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information* pertaining to the CE marking. Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.

* The CE marking Declaration of Conformity contains important supplementary information and instructions for the user or

installer.

ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,

About This Manual

Conventions ...................................................................................................................xv

Related Documentation..................................................................................................xvi

NI-DAQ for Windows.....................................................................................xvi

NI-DAQmx for Linux......................................................................................xvi

NI-DAQmx Base.............................................................................................xvii

LabVIEW ........................................................................................................xvii

LabWindows/CVI............................................................................................xviii

Measurement Studio........................................................................................xviii

ANSI C without NI Application Software ......................................................xix

.NET Languages without NI Application Software ........................................xix

Device Documentation and Specifications......................................................xx

Training Courses .............................................................................................xx

Technical Support on the Web ........................................................................xx

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

DAQ Hardware ..............................................................................................................1-2

DAQ-STC........................................................................................................1-3

Calibration Circuitry........................................................................................1-3

Internal or Self-Calibration ...............................................................1-4

External Calibration ..........................................................................1-4

Signal Conditioning .......................................................................................................1-4

Sensors and Transducers .................................................................................1-4

Signal Conditioning Options ...........................................................................1-5

SCXI..................................................................................................1-5

SCC ...................................................................................................1-6

5B Series ...........................................................................................1-6

Cables and Accessories..................................................................................................1-6

Using Accessories with Devices .....................................................................1-7

Custom Cabling ...............................................................................................1-9

Programming Devices in Software ................................................................................1-10

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions ................................................................................1-11

Terminal Name Equivalents ..........................................................................................1-14

+5 V Power Source ........................................................................................................1-16

Contents

Chapter 2 Analog Input

Analog Input Circuitry .................................................................................................. 2-1

Input Polarity and Range ............................................................................................... 2-2

Analog Input Terminal Configuration........................................................................... 2-5

Dither............................................................................................................................. 2-8

Multichannel Scanning Considerations ......................................................................... 2-9

Analog Input Triggering................................................................................................ 2-14

Connecting Analog Input Signals.................................................................................. 2-20

Mux ................................................................................................................. 2-1

Instrumentation Amplifier (NI-PGIA) ............................................................ 2-2

A/D Converter................................................................................................. 2-2

AI FIFO........................................................................................................... 2-2

Analog Trigger................................................................................................ 2-2

AI Timing Signals........................................................................................... 2-2

Use Low Impedance Sources.......................................................................... 2-10

Use Short High-Quality Cabling.....................................................................2-11

Carefully Choose the Channel Scanning Order ..............................................2-11

Avoid Switching from a Large to a Small Input Range ................... 2-11

Insert Grounded Channel between Signal Channels ........................ 2-11

Minimize Voltage Step between Adjacent Channels ....................... 2-12

Avoid Scanning Faster than Necessary........................................................... 2-12

Example 1 ......................................................................................... 2-12

Example 2 ......................................................................................... 2-13

AI Data Acquisition Methods .........................................................................2-13

Software-Timed Acquisitions........................................................... 2-13

Hardware-Timed Acquisitions ......................................................... 2-13

AI Start Trigger Signal.................................................................................... 2-15

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 2-15

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 2-15

Outputting the AI Start Trigger Signal ........................................................... 2-16

AI Reference Trigger Signal ........................................................................... 2-16

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 2-18

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 2-18

Outputting the AI Reference Trigger Signal .................................... 2-18

AI Pause Trigger Signal.................................................................................. 2-19

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 2-19

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 2-19

Types of Signal Sources.................................................................................. 2-22

Floating Signal Sources .................................................................... 2-22

Ground-Referenced Signal Sources.................................................. 2-22

E Series User Manual viii ni.com

Contents

Differential Connection Considerations ........................................................................2-22

Differential Connections for Ground-Referenced Signal Sources ..................2-23

Common-Mode Signal Rejection Considerations.............................2-24

Differential Connections for Non-Referenced or

Floating Signal Sources................................................................................2-24

Single-Ended Connection Considerations .....................................................................2-26

Common-Mode Signal Rejection Considerations ...........................................2-26

Single-Ended Connections for Floating Signal Sources

(RSE Configuration).....................................................................................2-27

Single-Ended Connections for Grounded Signal Sources

(NRSE Configuration)..................................................................................2-27

Field Wiring Considerations..........................................................................................2-28

Configuring AI Modes in Software ...............................................................................2-29

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy).........................................................................2-29

NI-DAQmx......................................................................................................2-29

Analog Input Timing Signals.........................................................................................2-30

AI Start Trigger Signal ....................................................................................2-32

Using a Digital Source ......................................................................2-33

Using an Analog Source ...................................................................2-33

Outputting the AI Start Trigger Signal .............................................2-33

AI Reference Trigger Signal ...........................................................................2-34

Using a Digital Source ......................................................................2-35

Using an Analog Source ...................................................................2-36

Outputting the AI Reference Trigger Signal.....................................2-36

AI Pause Trigger Signal ..................................................................................2-36

Using a Digital Source ......................................................................2-36

Using an Analog Source ...................................................................2-37

AI Sample Clock Signal ..................................................................................2-37

Using an Internal Source...................................................................2-37

Using an External Source..................................................................2-37

Outputting the AI Sample Clock Signal ...........................................2-38

Other Timing Requirements..............................................................2-39

AI Sample Clock Timebase Signal..................................................................2-40

AI Convert Clock Signal .................................................................................2-41

Using an Internal Source...................................................................2-41

Using an External Source..................................................................2-42

Outputting the AI Convert Clock Signal...........................................2-42

Using a Delay from Sample Clock to Convert Clock.......................2-43

Other Timing Requirements..............................................................2-43

AI Convert Clock Timebase Signal.................................................................2-45

Master Timebase Signal ..................................................................................2-45

AI Hold Complete Event Signal......................................................................2-46

External Strobe Signal.....................................................................................2-46

Getting Started with AI Applications in Software.........................................................2-47

Contents

Chapter 3 Analog Output

Analog Output Circuitry................................................................................................ 3-1

DACs............................................................................................................... 3-1

DAC FIFO....................................................................................................... 3-1

AO Sample Clock ........................................................................................... 3-2

Polarity and Reference Selection .................................................................... 3-2

Reference Selection ....................................................................................................... 3-2

Polarity Selection........................................................................................................... 3-3

Reglitch Selection.......................................................................................................... 3-3

Minimizing Glitches on the Output Signal.................................................................... 3-3

AO Data Generation Methods ....................................................................................... 3-4

Software-Timed Generations .......................................................................... 3-4

Hardware-Timed Generations......................................................................... 3-4

Analog Output Triggering .............................................................................................3-5

AO Start Trigger Signal .................................................................................. 3-6

AO Pause Trigger Signal ................................................................................ 3-7

Connecting Analog Output Signals ............................................................................... 3-8

Waveform Generation Timing Signals.......................................................................... 3-9

AO Start Trigger Signal .................................................................................. 3-9

AO Pause Trigger Signal ................................................................................3-10

AO Sample Clock Signal ................................................................................ 3-11

AO Sample Clock Timebase Signal................................................................ 3-13

Master Timebase Signal.................................................................................. 3-14

Getting Started with AO Applications in Software....................................................... 3-15

Buffered ............................................................................................ 3-4

Non-Buffered.................................................................................... 3-5

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 3-6

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 3-6

Outputting the AO Start Trigger Signal ...........................................3-6

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 3-7

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 3-7

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 3-9

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 3-10

Outputting the AO Start Trigger Signal ...........................................3-10

Using a Digital Source...................................................................... 3-10

Using an Analog Source ................................................................... 3-11

Using an Internal Source .................................................................. 3-11

Using an External Source ................................................................. 3-11

Outputting the AO Sample Clock Signal ......................................... 3-12

Other Timing Requirements ............................................................. 3-12

E Series User Manual x ni.com

Chapter 4 Digital I/O

Extended Digital I/O......................................................................................................4-2

Power-On States of the PFI and DIO Lines...................................................................4-9

Connecting Digital I/O Signals......................................................................................4-9

Getting Started with DIO Applications in Software......................................................4-10

Chapter 5 Counters

Counter Triggering ........................................................................................................5-1

Counter Timing Signals.................................................................................................5-2

Getting Started with Counter Applications in Software ................................................5-10

Contents

Port 3 Signal Assignments...............................................................................4-2

Power-On State................................................................................................4-3

Changing DIO Power-On State to Pulled Low .................................4-3

Timing Specifications......................................................................................4-4

Mode 1 Input Timing.......................................................................................4-6

Mode 1 Output Timing....................................................................................4-7

Mode 2 Bidirectional Timing ..........................................................................4-8

Start Trigger.....................................................................................................5-1

Pause Trigger...................................................................................................5-2

Counter 0 Source Signal..................................................................................5-3

Counter 0 Gate Signal .....................................................................................5-4

Counter 0 Internal Output Signal ....................................................................5-5

CTR 0 OUT Pin ................................................................................5-6

Counter 0 Up/Down Signal .............................................................................5-6

Counter 1 Source Signal..................................................................................5-6

Counter 1 Gate Signal .....................................................................................5-7

Counter 1 Internal Output Signal ....................................................................5-8

Counter 1 Up/Down Signal .............................................................................5-9

Frequency Output Signal.................................................................................5-9

Master Timebase Signal ..................................................................................5-9

Chapter 6 Programmable Function Interfaces (PFI)

Inputs .............................................................................................................................6-1

Outputs...........................................................................................................................6-1

Contents

Chapter 7 Digital Routing

Timing Signal Routing .................................................................................................. 7-1

Connecting Timing Signals ...........................................................................................7-4

Routing Signals in Software.......................................................................................... 7-5

Chapter 8 Real-Time System Integration Bus (RTSI)

RTSI Triggers................................................................................................................ 8-1

PCI E Series Devices ...................................................................................... 8-1

PXI E Series Devices ...................................................................................... 8-2

Device and RTSI Clocks ............................................................................................... 8-4

Synchronizing Multiple Devices ................................................................................... 8-4

Chapter 9 Bus Interface

MITE and DAQPnP ...................................................................................................... 9-1

Using PXI with CompactPCI ........................................................................................ 9-1

Data Transfer Methods .................................................................................................. 9-2

Direct Memory Access (DMA)....................................................................... 9-2

Interrupt Request (IRQ) .................................................................................. 9-2

Programmed I/O.............................................................................................. 9-2

Changing Data Transfer Methods between DMA and IRQ............................ 9-3

Chapter 10 Triggering

Triggering with a Digital Source................................................................................... 10-1

Triggering with an Analog Source ................................................................................ 10-2

PFI 0/AI START TRIG Pin ............................................................................ 10-3

Analog Input Channel ..................................................................................... 10-3

Analog Trigger Actions .................................................................................. 10-3

Analog Trigger Types.................................................................................................... 10-4

Level Triggering ............................................................................................. 10-4

Level Triggering with Hysteresis.................................................................... 10-5

Window Triggering......................................................................................... 10-5

Analog Trigger Accuracy ..............................................................................................10-6

Appendix A Device-Specific Information

E Series User Manual xii ni.com

Appendix B I/O Connector Pinouts

Appendix C Troubleshooting

Appendix D Technical Support and Professional Services

Glossary

Index

Contents

About This Manual

The E Series User Manual contains information about using the National Instruments E Series and several B Series data acquisition (DAQ) devices with NI-DAQ 8.0 or later. E Series devices feature up to 64 analog input (AI) channels, two counters, eight or 32 lines of digital input/output (DIO), and up to two analog output (AO) channels. The B Series devices discussed in this document are similar to E Series devices, but do not support SCXI, RTSI, or referenced single-ended AI mode.

Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

<> Angle brackets indicate function keys. Angle brackets that contain numbers

separated by an ellipsis represent a range of values associated with a bit or signal name—for example, P0.<3..0>.

» The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options

to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.

This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.

This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash. When this symbol is marked on the product, refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference document shipped with the product for precautions to take.

bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such

as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter names.

italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction

to a key concept. Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value that you must supply.

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters you should enter from the

keyboard, the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories, programs, functions, filenames, and extensions.

About This Manual

monospace italic

Platform Text in this font denotes a specific platform and indicates that the text

Italic text in this font denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value that you must supply.

following it applies only to that platform.

Figure 1-1. DAQ System Overview

DAQ Hardware

DAQ hardware digitizes signals, performs D/A conversions to generate analog output signals, and measures and controls digital I/O signals.

E Series User Manual 1-2 ni.com

DAQ-STC

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

E Series devices use the National Instruments DAQ system timing controller (DAQ-STC) for time-related functions. The DAQ-STC consists of the following timing groups.

• AI—Two 24-bit, two 16-bit counters

• AO—Three 24-bit, one 16-bit counter

• General-purpose counter/timer functions —Two 24-bit counters

You can independently configure the groups for timing resolutions of 50 ns or 10 μs. With the DAQ-STC, you can interconnect a wide variety of internal timing signals to other internal blocks. The interconnection scheme is flexible and completely software-configurable.

The DAQ-STC offers PFI lines to import external timing and trigger signals or to export internally generated clocks and triggers. The DAQ-STC also supports buffered operations, such as buffered waveform acquisition, buffered waveform generation, and buffered period measurement. It also supports numerous non-buffered operations, such as single pulse or pulse train generation, digital input, and digital output.

Calibration Circuitry

Calibration is the process of making adjustments to a measurement device to reduce errors associated with measurements. Without calibration, the measurement results of your device will drift over time and temperature. Calibration adjusts for these changes to improve measurement accuracy and ensure that your product meets its required specifications.

DAQ devices have high precision analog circuits that must be adjusted to obtain optimum accuracy in your measurements. Calibration determines what adjustments these analog circuits should make to the device measurements. During calibration, the value of a known, high precision measurement source is compared to the value your device acquires or generates. The adjustment values needed to minimize the difference between the known and measured values are stored in the EEPROM of the device as calibration constants. Before performing a measurement, these constants are read out of the EEPROM and are used to adjust the calibration hardware on the device. NI-DAQ determines when this is necessary and does it automatically. If you are not using NI-DAQ, you must load these values yourself.

You can calibrate E Series devices using either internal calibration or external calibration.

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Internal or Self-Calibration

Self-calibration is a process to adjust the device relative to a highly accurate and stable internal reference on the device. Self-calibration is similar to the auto-calibration or auto-zero found on some instruments. You should perform a self-calibration whenever environmental conditions, such as ambient temperature, change significantly. To perform self-calibration, use the self-calibrate function or VI that is included with your driver software. Self-calibration requires no external connections.

External Calibration

External calibration is a process to adjust the device relative to a traceable, high precision calibration standard. The accuracy specifications of your device change depending on how long it has been since your last external calibration. National Instruments recommends that you calibrate your device at least as often as the intervals listed in the accuracy specifications.

For a detailed calibration procedure for E Series devices (and B Series devices such as the NI 6013, NI 6014, NI 6015, and NI 6016) using NI-DAQmx, refer to the E/S/M/B Series Calibration Procedure for NI-DAQmx. For a detailed calibration procedure for B/E Series devices using Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy), refer to the E Series Calibration

Procedure. These documents can be found by selecting Manual Calibration Procedures at

ni.com/calibration.

Signal Conditioning

Many sensors and transducers require signal conditioning before a computer-based measurement system can effectively and accurately acquire the signal. The front-end signal conditioning system can include functions such as signal amplification, attenuation, filtering, electrical isolation, simultaneous sampling, and multiplexing. In addition, many transducers require excitation currents or voltages, bridge completion, linearization, or high amplification for proper and accurate operation. Therefore, most computer-based measurement systems include some form of signal conditioning in addition to plug-in data acquisition DAQ devices.

Sensors and Transducers

Sensors can generate electrical signals to measure physical phenomena, such as temperature, force, sound, or light. Some commonly used sensors are strain gauges, thermocouples, thermistors, angular encoders, linear encoders, and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs).

E Series User Manual 1-4 ni.com

To measure signals from these various transducers, you must convert them into a form that a DAQ device can accept. For example, the output voltage of most thermocouples is very small and susceptible to noise. Therefore, you may need to amplify or filter the thermocouple output before digitizing it. The manipulation of signals to prepare them for digitizing is called signal conditioning.

For more information about sensors, refer to the following documents.

• For general information about sensors, visit

• If you are using LabVIEW, refer to the LabVIEW Help by selecting Help»Search the LabVIEW Help in LabVIEW, and then navigate to the Taking Measurements book on the Contents tab.

• If you are using other application software, refer to Common Sensors in the NI-DAQmx Help, which you can access from Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help, or the LabVIEW 8.x Help.

Signal Conditioning Options

SCXI

SCXI is a front-end signal conditioning and switching system for various measurement devices, including E Series devices. An SCXI system consists of a rugged chassis that houses shielded signal conditioning modules that amplify, filter, isolate, and multiplex analog signals from thermocouples or other transducers. SCXI is designed for large measurement systems or systems requiring high-speed acquisition.

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

ni.com/sensors.

System features include:

• Modular architecture—Choose your measurement technology

• Expandability—Expand your system to 3,072 channels

• Integration—Combine analog input, analog output, digital I/O, and switching into a single, unified platform

• High bandwidth—Acquire signals at an aggregate rate of up to 333 kHz

• Connectivity—Select from SCXI modules with thermocouple connectors or terminal blocks

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

SCC

SCC is a front-end signal conditioning system for E Series plug-in data acquisition devices. A SCC system consists of a shielded carrier that holds up to 20 single or dual-channel SCC modules for conditioning thermocouples and other transducers. SCC is designed for small measurement systems where you need only a few channels of each signal type, or for portable applications. SCC systems also offer the most comprehensive and flexible signal connectivity options.

System features include:

• Modular architecture—Select your measurement technology on a

• Small-channel systems—Condition up to 16 analog input and eight

• Low-profile/portable—Integrates well with other laptop computer

• High bandwidth—Acquire signals at rates up to 1.25 MHz

• Connectivity—Incorporates panelette technology to offer custom

per-channel basis

digital I/O lines

measurement technologies

connectivity to thermocouple, BNC, LEMO Spec connectors

™

(B Series), and MIL

5B Series

5B is a front-end signal conditioning system for plug-in data acquisition devices. A 5B system consists of eight or 16 single-channel modules that plug into a backplane for conditioning thermocouples and other analog signals. National Instruments offers a complete line of 5B modules, carriers, backplanes, and accessories.

Note For more information about SCXI, SCC, and 5B series products, refer to ni.com/

signalconditioning

Cables and Accessories

NI offers a variety of products to use with E Series devices, such as:

• Cables and cable assemblies, shielded and ribbon

• Connector blocks, shielded and unshielded 50- and 68-pin screw terminals

• RTSI bus cables

E Series User Manual 1-6 ni.com

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

• SCXI modules and accessories for isolating, amplifying, exciting, and multiplexing signals for relays and analog output; with SCXI you can condition and acquire up to 3,072 channels

• Low-channel-count signal conditioning modules, devices, and accessories, including conditioning for strain gauges and RTDs, simultaneous sample-and-hold circuitry, and relays

For more specific information about these products, refer to

Using Accessories with Devices

Complete the following steps to choose a cable to connect an E Series device and an accessory:

1. Select an E Series device.

2. Using Table 1-1 or Table 1-2 as a guide, determine which accessories are appropriate for that device. Select an accessory. Table 1-3 provides descriptions for E Series device accessories.

3. Using Table 1-1 or Table 1-2 as a guide, determine which cable is required to connect your selected device and accessory.

Table 1-1. 68-Pin and DAQCard E Series Accessories and Recommended Cables

TBX-68, CB-68LP,

CB-68LPR, DAQ Signal

Accessory, CA-1000, BNC-2110, BNC-2111, BNC-2120, BNC-2090,

Device

68-pin E Series (except DAQCard)

SH6868EP (shielded) R6868 (unshielded)

Acessories and Recommended Cables

SCB-68

Connects directly to the device (PXI only

TB-2705

)

ni.com.

E Series DAQCards: NI 6024E, NI 6036E, NI 6062E

SHC6868EP/M (shielded) RC6868 (unshielded

)

—

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Table 1-2. 100-Pin E Series Accessories and Recommended Cables

TBX-68,

CB-68LP, CB-68LPR, DAQ Signal

Accessory,

CA-1000,

BNC-2110, BNC-2111, BNC-2120, BNC-2090,

Device

SCB-68

Acessories and Recommended Cables

TBX-68,

CB-68LP,

CB-68LPR,

CA-1000,

BNC-2115

SCB-68

SCB-100

100-pin E Series with 64 AI channels: NI 6071E, NI 6031E, NI 6033E

100-pin E Series with 16 AI channels and 32 DIO lines: NI PCI-6025E

SH1006868 (shielded); splits into two 68-pin connectors; these accessories are used with the first 68-pin connector

Table 1-3. E Series DAQ Accessories Overview

SH1006868 (shielded); splits into two 68-pin connectors; these accessories are used with the second 68-pin connector

SH100100 (shielded)

Accessory Description

SCXI Signal Conditioning High-channel-count signal conditioning platform

SCC Modular Signal Conditioning Single or dual-channel signal conditioning modules

AMUX-64T, 5B, SSR, ER, and

External signal conditioning accessories

SC-204x Signal Conditioning

BNC-2110 BNC accessory for 68-pin E Series devices

E Series User Manual 1-8 ni.com

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Table 1-3. E Series DAQ Accessories Overview (Continued)

Accessory Description

BNC-2111 BNC accessory for 68- or 100-pin E Series devices

BNC-2115 BNC accessory for extended I/O on 100-pin E Series

devices

BNC-2120 BNC accessory with function generator

(for 68-pin E Series devices)

BNC-2090 Rack-mountable BNC accessory (for 68-pin E Series

devices)

CA-1000 enclosure Configurable connectivity enclosure

TB-2705 Latching screw terminal block for PXI E Series modules

SCB-100 100-pin, shielded screw terminal block with breadboard

areas

SCB-68 68-pin, shielded screw terminal block with breadboard

areas

TBX-68 68-pin, DIN rail-mountable screw terminal block

CB-68LP, CB-68LPR 68-pin, low-cost screw terminal block

Signal Source and Demo Accessory DAQ signal accessory to demo and test analog, digital,

and counter/timer functions

Custom Cabling

NI offers a variety of cables and accessories to help you prototype your application or to use if you frequently change device interconnections.

However, if you want to develop your own cable, adhere to the following guidelines for best results.

• Use shielded twisted-pair wires for each differential AI pair. Connect the shield for each signal pair to the ground reference at the source.

• Route the analog lines separately from the digital lines.

• When using a cable shield, use separate shields for the analog and digital halves of the cable. Failure to do so results in noise coupling into the analog signals from transient digital signals.

Mating connectors and a back-shell kit for making custom 68-pin cables are available from NI. For more information about the 68- and 100-pin

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

connectors used for DAQ devices, refer to the KnowledgeBase document, Specifications and Manufacturers for Board Mating Connectors.

Programming Devices in Software

National Instruments measurement devices are packaged with NI-DAQ driver software, an extensive library of functions and VIs you can call from your application software, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI, to program all the features of your NI measurement devices. Driver software has an application programming interface (API), which is a library of VIs, functions, classes, attributes, and properties for creating applications for your device.

NI-DAQ includes two NI-DAQ drivers, Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx. Each driver has its own API, hardware configuration, and software configuration. Refer to the DAQ Getting Started Guide for more information about the two drivers.

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) and NI-DAQmx each include a collection of programming examples to help you get started developing an application. You can modify example code and save it in an application. You can use examples to develop a new application or add example code to an existing application.

To locate LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI examples, open the National Instruments Example Finder:

• In LabVIEW, select Help»Find Examples.

• In LabWindows/CVI, select Help»NI Example Finder.

Measurement Studio, Visual Basic, and ANSI C examples are in the following directories:

• NI-DAQmx examples for Measurement Studio-supported languages are in the following directories:

– MeasurementStudio\VCNET\Examples\NI-DAQ

– MeasurementStudio\DotNET\Examples\NI-DAQ

• Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) examples for Visual Basic are in the following two directories:

–

NI-DAQ\Examples\Visual Basic with Measurement

Studio

for use with Measurement Studio

E Series User Manual 1-10 ni.com

directory contains a link to the ActiveX control examples

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

– NI-DAQ\Examples\VBasic directory contains the examples not

associated with Measurement Studio

• NI-DAQmx examples for ANSI C are in the

DAQmx ANSI C Dev

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions

Table 1-4 describes the signals found on the I/O connectors. For a summary of the I/O signals by device family, refer to the specifications document for your device. Refer to Appendix A, Device-Specific Information, for the I/O pinout for your device.

Table 1-4. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions

Signal Name Reference Direction Description

AI GND — — AI Ground—These pins are the reference point for

AI <0..15> AI GND Input AI Channels 0 through 15—You can configure each

AI <16..63> AI GND Input AI Channels 16 through 63

single-ended AI measurements in RSE mode and the bias current return point for DIFF measurements. All three ground references—AI GND, AO GND, and D GND—are connected on the device.

channel pair, AI <i, i+8> (i = 0..7), as either one differential input or two single-ended inputs.

(NI PCI-6031E/6033E/6071E only)—Each channel pair, AI <i, i +8> (i = 16..23, 32..39, 48..55), can be configured as either one differential input or two single-ended inputs.

AI SENSE — Input AI Sense—This pin is the reference node for AI <0..15> in

AI SENSE 2 — Input AI Sense 2—This pin is the reference node for

AO 0 AO GND Output Analog Channel 0 Output—This pin supplies the voltage

AO 1 AO GND Output Analog Channel 1 Output—This pin supplies the voltage

AO GND — — AO Ground—The AO voltages are referenced to these

NRSE mode.

AI <16..63> in NRSE mode.

output of AO channel 0.

output of AO channel 1.

pins. All three ground references—AI GND, AO GND, and D GND—are connected on the device.

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Table 1-4. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions (Continued)

Signal Name Reference Direction Description

D GND — — Digital Ground—These pins supply the reference for the

digital signals at the I/O connector as well as the +5 VDC supply. All three ground references—AI GND, AO GND, and D GND—are connected on the device.

P0.<0..7> D GND Input or

AO EXT REF AO GND Input External Reference—This is the external reference input

P1.<0..7> D GND Input or

P2.<0..7> D GND Input or

P3.<0..7> D GND Input or

+5 V D GND Output +5 V Power Source—These pins provide +5 V power.

AI HOLD COMP D GND Output AI Hold Complete Event Signal—When enabled, this

EXT STROBE D GND Output External Strobe Signal—You can toggle this output with

PFI 0/AI START TRIG

D GND Input PFI 0—As an input, this pin is a programmable function

Output

Output AI Start Trigger Signal—As an output, this pin is the

Digital I/O Signals—You can individually configure each signal as an input or output. P0.6 and P0.7 can also control the up/down signal of Counters 0 and 1, respectively.

for the AO circuitry.

NI 6025E only—Port 1 bidirectional digital data lines for the 82C55A programmable peripheral interface. P1.7 is the most significant bit (MSB). P1.0 is the least significant bit (LSB).

NI 6025E only—Port 2 bidirectional digital data lines for the 82C55A programmable peripheral interface. P2.7 is the MSB. P2.0 is the LSB.

NI 6025E only—Port 3 bidirectional digital data lines for the 82C55A programmable peripheral interface. P3.7 is the MSB. P3.0 is the LSB.

signal pulses once for each A/D conversion in sampling mode. The low-to-high edge indicates when the input signal can be removed from the input or switched to another signal.

software controls to latch signals or trigger events on external devices. This functionality is not available in LabVIEW or NI-DAQ. EXT STROBE is used for controlling SCXI chassis, and it is not a general-purpose signal. If you want to use or control this signal, you must perform register-level programming.

interface (PFI).

ai/StartTrigger signal. In post-trigger DAQ sequences, a low-to-high transition indicates the initiation of the acquisition sequence. In applications with pre-trigger samples, a low-to-high transition indicates the initiation of the pre-trigger samples.

E Series User Manual 1-12 ni.com

Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

Table 1-4. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions (Continued)

Signal Name Reference Direction Description

PFI 1/AI REF TRIG, PFI 1

D GND Input PFI 1—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

Output AI Reference Trigger Signal—As an output, this pin is

the ai/ReferenceTrigger signal. In applications with pre-trigger samples, a low-to-high transition indicates the initiation of the post-trigger samples. AI Reference Trigger is not used in applications with post-trigger samples.

PFI 2/AI CONV CLK

PFI 3/CTR 1 SRC D GND Input PFI 3—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

PFI 4/CTR 1 GATE

CTR 1 OUT D GND Input CTR 1 OUT—As an input, this pin can be used to route

PFI 5/AO SAMP CLK

PFI 6/AO START TRIG

D GND Input PFI 2—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

Output AI Convert Clock Signal—As an output, this pin is the

ai/ConvertClock signal. A high-to-low edge on AI CONV indicates that an A/D conversion is occurring.

Output Counter 1 Source Signal—As an output, this pin is the

Ctr1Source signal. This signal reflects the actual source connected to the general-purpose Counter 1.

D GND Input PFI 4—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

Output Counter 1 Gate Signal—As an output, this pin is the

Ctr1Gate signal. This signal reflects the actual gate signal connected to the general-purpose Counter 1.

signals directly to the RTSI bus.

Output Counter 1 Output Signal—As an output, this pin emits

the Ctr1InternalOutput signal.

D GND Input PFI 5—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

Output AO Sample Clock Signal—As an output, this pin is the

ao/SampleClock signal. A high-to-low edge on AO SAMP indicates that the AO primary group is being updated.

D GND Input PFI 6—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

Output AO Start Trigger Signal—As an output, this pin is the

ao/StartTrigger signal. In timed AO sequences, a low-to-high transition indicates the initiation of the waveform generation.

PFI 7/AI SAMP CLK

D GND Input PFI 7—As an input, this pin is a PFI.

Output AI Sample Clock Signal—As an output, this pin is the

ai/SampleClock signal. This pin pulses once at the start of each AI sample in the interval sample. A low-to-high transition indicates the start of the sample.

+ 234 hidden pages

National Instruments E Series User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

E Series User Manual

Support

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

National Instruments Corporate Headquarters

Worldwide Offices

Important Information

Warranty

Copyright

Trademarks

Patents

WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

Contents

About This Manual

Figure 1-1. DAQ System Overview

DAQ Hardware

DAQ-STC

Calibration Circuitry

Internal or Self-Calibration

External Calibration

Signal Conditioning

Sensors and Transducers

Signal Conditioning Options

SCXI

5B Series

Cables and Accessories

Using Accessories with Devices

Table 1-1. 68-Pin and DAQCard E Series Accessories and Recommended Cables

Table 1-2. 100-Pin E Series Accessories and Recommended Cables

Table 1-3. E Series DAQ Accessories Overview

Custom Cabling

Programming Devices in Software

I/O Connector Signal Descriptions

Table 1-4. I/O Connector Signal Descriptions