Computer-Based
Instruments
NI 5620 User Manual
Digitizer for PXI
NI 5620 User Manual
June 2001 Edition
Part Number 322949B-01
Support
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For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the
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Copyright © 2001 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
Important Information
Warranty
The NI 5620 is 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 instructions 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 W ARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF
E
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
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. This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will apply regardless ofthe form of action,whether in contract ortort, including
THEREOF
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shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not cover
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, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
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Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
.CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF
WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS
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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
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PROCESS AND SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.
Compliance
FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference Compliance*
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). Depending on where it is operated, this 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. By
examining the product you purchased, you can determine the FCC Class and therefore which of the two FCC/DOC Warnings
apply in the following sections. (Some products may not be labeled at all for FCC; if so, the reader should then assume these are
Class A devices.)
FCC Class A products only display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and undesired
operation. Most of our products are FCC Class A. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations where FCC Class A
products can be operated.
FCC Class B products display either a FCC ID code, starting with the letters EXN,
or the FCC Class B compliance mark that appears as shown here on the right.
Consult the FCC web site
http://www.fcc.gov
FCC/DOC Warnings
This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energyand, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions
in this manual and the CE Mark 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 National Instruments could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment under the FCC Rules.
for more information.
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 will be required to correct
the interference at his own expense.
Canadian Department of Communications
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Class B
Federal Communications Commission
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Canadian Department of Communications
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Compliance to EU Directives
Readers in the European Union (EU) must refer to the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information**
pertaining to the CE Mark compliance scheme. The Manufacturer includes a DoC for most every hardware product except for
those bought for OEMs, if also available from an original manufacturer that also markets in the EU, or where compliance is not
required as for electrically benign apparatus or cables.
To obtain the DoC for this product, click Declaration of Conformity at
by product family. Select the appropriate product family, followed by your product, and a link to the DoC appears in Adobe
Acrobat format. Click the Acrobat icon to download or read the DoC.
* Certain exemptions may apply in the USA, see FCC Rules §15.103 Exempted devices,and§15.105(c). Also available in
sections of CFR 47.
** The CE Mark Declaration of Conformity will contain important supplementary information and instructions for the user or
installer.
ni.com/hardref.nsf/
. This website lists the DoCs
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
<> Angle brackets that contain numbers separated by an ellipsis represent a
range of values associated with a bit or signal name—for example,
DBIO<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.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click on 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. This font 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 that you should enter from the
keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames and extensions, and code excerpts.
Contents
Chapter 1
Taking Measurements with the NI 5620
Installing the Software and Hardware ...........................................................................1-1
Acquiring Data with Your NI 5620 ...............................................................................1-2
Programmatically Controlling Your NI 5620..................................................1-2
Safety Information .........................................................................................................1-2
Chapter 2
Hardware Overview
How the NI 5620 Works................................................................................................2-1
Connecting Signals..........................................................................................2-2
Conditioning the Signal—Impedance, Dither, Gain, and AC Coupling.........2-3
Input Impedance................................................................................2-3
Dither ................................................................................................2-3
Digitizing the Signal—The ADC .................................................................... 2-3
Incorporating the DDC....................................................................................2-4
Storing Data in Memory.................................................................................. 2-4
Block Diagram...............................................................................................................2-5
Other Features................................................................................................................2-6
Multiple-Record Acquisitions ......................................................................... 2-6
Triggering ........................................................................................................2-7
Calibration .....................................................................................................................2-7
Synchronizing Multiple PXI Devices ............................................................................ 2-8
Appendix A
Specifications
Appendix B
Technical Support Resources
Glossary
Index
© National Instruments Corporation vii NI 5620 User Manual
Taking Measurements
with the NI 5620
Thank you for buying a National Instruments (NI) 5620 digitizer.
This chapter provides information on installing, connecting signals to,
and acquiring data from the NI 5620.
The NI 5620 has the following features:
• One 14-bit, 64 MS/s analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
• Deep onboard sample memory (amount varies depending on model)
Installing the Software and Hardware
For step-by-step instructions for installing the NI-SCOPE software and the
NI 5620, see the Where to Start with Your NI 5620 Digitizer document.
There are two main steps involved in installation:
1. Install the NI-SCOPE driver. You use NI-SCOPE to write programs
to control your NI 5620 in different application development
environments (ADEs).
2. Install your Spectral Measurements Toolset (SMT) CD, if included.
The SMT provides frequency-domain functionality and examples.
3. Install your NI 5620. See the Where to Start with Your NI 5620
Digitizer document.
1
© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 NI 5620 User Manual
Chapter 1 Taking Measurements with the NI 5620
Acquiring Data with Your NI 5620
You can acquire data programmatically either by writing an application for
your NI 5620 or using one of the examples that ships with NI-SCOPE.
Programmatically Controlling Your NI 5620
To help you get started programming your NI 5620, the software comes
with examples that you can use or modify.
For time-domain examples, go to the following default locations:
• LabVIEW—Open the Functions palette, and go to Instrument I/O»
Instrument Drivers»NI SCOPE»IF Digitizers.
• C and Visual Basic—Go to
• LabWindows/CVI—Go to
cvi\samples\Niscope
vxipnp\winXX\Niscope\Examples
.
.
For frequency-domain LabVIEW examples, go to
Spectral Measurements Toolset
go to
For more detailed function reference help, see the NI-SCOPE VI Reference
Help, located at Start»Programs»National Instruments»NI-SCOPE.
Safety Information
The following paragraphs contain important safety information that must
be followed during installation and use of the device.
Caution
of the device may result in a hazard. The safety protection built into the device may be
compromised if it is damaged in any way. If the device is damaged, return it to NI for repair.
Caution
60 VDC), you must connect a safety earth ground wire. See Appendix A, Specifications,
for maximum voltage ratings.
Caution
modules, accessories, and cables specified in the installation instructions. All covers and
filler panels must be installed during operation of the device.
Do not operate the device in a manner not specified in the user manual. Misuse
If the device is rated for use with hazardous voltages ( >30 Vrms, 42.4 Vpp, or
Do not substitute parts or modify the device. Use the device only with chassis,
cvi\samples\smt
LabVIEW 6\examples\
. For LabWindows/CVI examples,
.
NI 5620 User Manual 1-2 ni.com
Chapter 1 Taking Measurements with the NI 5620
Caution
Do not operate the device in an explosive atmosphere or where there may be
flammable gases or fumes. The device can only be operated at or below pollution degree 2,
as stated in Appendix A, Specifications. Pollution is foreign matter, solid, liquid, or gas that
may produce a reduction of dielectric strength or surface resistivity. The following is a
description of pollution degrees:
• Pollution degree 1: No pollution or only dry, non-conductive pollution
occurs. The pollution has no influence.
• Pollution degree 2: Normally only non-conductive pollution occurs.
Occasionally, however, a temporary conductivity caused by
condensation must be expected.
• Pollution degree 3: Conductive pollution occurs, or dry,
non-conductive pollution occurs, which becomes conductive due to
condensation.
Caution
Signal connections must be insulated for the maximum voltage for which the
device is rated. Do not exceed the maximum ratings for the device. Remove power from
signal lines before connection to or disconnection from the device.
Caution
This device can only be operated at installation category I, as stated in
Appendix A, Specifications. The following is a description of installation categories:
• Installation category IV is for measurements performed at the source
of the low-voltage installation. Examples are electricity meters and
measurements on primary over current protection devices and ripple
control units.
• Installation category III is for measurements performed in the building
installation. Examples are measurements on distribution boards,
circuit-breakers, wiring, including cables, bus-bars, junction boxes,
switches, socket-outlets in the fixed installation, and equipment for
industrial use and some other equipment such as stationary motors
with permanent connection to the fixed installation.
• Installation category II is for measurements performed on circuits
directly connected to the low voltage installation. Examples are
measurements on household appliances, portable tools and similar
equipment.
• Installation category I is for measurements performed on circuits not
directly connected to MAINS. Examples are measurements on circuits
not derived from MAINS, and specially protected (internal)
MAINS-derived circuits.
Caution
Clean the device with a soft non-metallic brush. The device must be completely
dry and free from contaminants before returning it to service.
© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 NI 5620 User Manual
Hardware Overview
This chapter provides an overview of the features and functionality of the
NI 5620.
How the NI 5620 Works
A signal follows this path through the NI 5620 to your host computer:
1. The signal enters the NI 5620 through the analog front panel
connector, INPUT. To find more about the front panel, see the
Connecting Signals section later in this chapter.
2. The signal is filtered and conditioned. Gain and dither are applied to
the signal. See the Conditioning the Signal—Impedance, Dither, Gain,
and AC Coupling section for more information.
3. The ADC converts the signal from analog to digital. Refer to the
Digitizing the Signal—The ADC section for more information.
4. (Optional) The digital downconverter (DDC) digitally “zooms in”
on data. See the Incorporating the DDC section.
5. The data is sent to onboard memory (the buffer). See the Storing Data
in Memory section for additional information.
6. The data is transferred to your host computer.
2
Analog
Input
Filtering/
Conditioning
© National Instruments Corporation 2-1 NI 5620 User Manual
ADC
DDC
(Optional)
Figure 2-1. Basic Signal Flow
Onboard
Memory
P
X
I
B
u
s
Chapter 2 Hardware Overview
Connecting Signals
Figure 2-2 shows the NI 5620 front panel, which contains three
connectors—two SMA connectors and an SMB connector.
One ofthe SMA connectors, INPUT, is for attaching the analog input signal
you wish to measure. The second SMA connector, REF CLK IN, is a
50 Ω,10 MHz, AC-coupled reference input. The SMB connector, PFI1,
is for external digital triggers.
5620
64 MS/s Digitizer
INPUT
50
+20 dBm MAX
REF CLK IN
50
+16 dBm MAX
PFI 1
Figure 2-2. NI 5620 Front Panel
NI 5620 User Manual 2-2 ni.com
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