National Instruments RT User Manual

RT Series

DAQ Device User Manual

RT Series DAQ Device User Manual

April 2000 Edition

Part Number 322635A-01

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

www.ni.com

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For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the
documentation, send e-mail to [e-mail]

© Copyright 1999, 2000 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important Information

Warranty

The RT Series DAQ hardware 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 equip ment
that proves to be defective during the warranty period. Th is warrant y in cludes 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 sh ipmen t, as evid enced b y receipt s o r other
documentation. National Instruments will, at its op ti on , repair or repl ace soft ware me dia th at do not ex ecu te pr ogram mi ng
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 uni nterrup ted 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 warrant y.

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 withou t p rio r no ti ce to hold ers o f thi s ed itio n. The read er sh ou ld consul t
National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no even t shall Nati on al Inst rum ents be l iable fo r any dama ges aris in g o ut of
or related to this document or the information contained in it.

XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN

E

WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER

NSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR

I

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF

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 co ver d amag es, defects,
malfunctions, or service failures caused by ow ner’s fai lu re t o foll ow th e Nation al Inst rum ent s in stal l ation, op erat i on, or
maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the pro du ct; ow ner’s abus e, m isus e, or negligent acts; and po wer failure or
surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside reasonable control.

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY

, N

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 informatio n retriev al s ystem, o r t ran sl ating , in who le or i n p art, wit ho ut t he prior written
consent of National Instruments Corporation.

USTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR

. C

. This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will

. N

ATIONAL

Trademarks

LabVIEW™, MITE™, National Instruments™, ni.com™, NI-DAQ™, PXI™, RTSI™, and SCXI™ are trademarks of
National Instruments Corporati on.

Product and company names mentioned herein are trad emarks o r trad e name s of thei r respect ive compan ies .

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, I NCLUDING THE ABOVE , RELIABILITY OF OP ERATION OF THE SOFT WARE 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 DE VEL OP AN APPLICAT ION,
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 ELECTRON IC SYSTE M DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM
FAILURE. TO AVOID DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNE R MU ST T AKE
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 A PPLICATION DE SIGNER IS
ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING THE SUITAB ILITY OF NA TIONAL
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

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 industrial­commercial 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 labelled 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.

The curious reader can consult the FCC web site
information.

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 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.

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.

http://www.fcc.gov for more

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.

European Union - Compliance to EEC Directives

Readers in the EU/EEC/EEA 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.

* 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.

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions ...................................................................................................................xi

Related Documentation........................................... .................................. .....................xii

Chapter 1
Introduction

About the RT Series.......................................................................................................1-1

What You Need to Get Started......................................................................................1-2

Unpacking......................................................................................................................1-2

Software Programming Choices....................................................................................1-3

Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration

Hardware Installation.....................................................................................................2-1

PCI Installation................................................................................................2-1

PXI Installation................................................................................................2-2

Board Configuration ......................................................................................................2-2

Chapter 3
Hardware Overview

Processor Board............................................................................................................. 3-2

DAQ Daughterboard......................................................................................................3-3

Host-to-RT Series DAQ Board Communication...........................................................3-4

RTSI...............................................................................................................................3-4

LEDs..............................................................................................................................3-4

Chapter 4
LabVIEW RT Programming

Targeting LabVIEW RT and Downloading VIs............................................................4-1

Resetting the RT Series DAQ Board...............................................................4-2

Creating Stand-Alone Executables................................................................................4-2

Embedded Applications...................................................................................4-2

Command-Line Arguments.............................................................................4-2

Programming LabVIEW RT..........................................................................................4-3

© National Instruments Corporation vii RT Series DAQ Device User Manual

Contents

Real-Time Programming............................................................................................... 4-4

Running a VI at Time-Critical Priority

without the RT Development System..........................................................4-4

Use of Shared Memory...................................................................................4-4

Configuration Issues ................................. .................................. ....................4-4

RT Series DAQ Functions.............................................................................................4-6

RT Series DAQ VIs ........................................................................................4-6

RT Board Utilities VIs......................................................................4-7

RT Shared Memory Read Write VIs................................................ 4-8

RT Peek Poke with Error Cluster VIs ..............................................4-8

RT Low-Level Peek/Poke VIs..........................................................4-8

Appendix A
Specifications

Appendix B
Technical Support Resources

Glossary

Index

Figures

Figure 2-1. Measurement & Automation Explorer..................................................2-3

Figure 3-1. PCI RT Series Real-Time Data Acquisition Hardware ........................ 3-1

Figure 3-2. PXI RT Series Real-Time Data Acquisition Hardware ........................ 3-2

Figure 3-3. RT Series Processor Board Diagram .......................... ..........................3-3

Figure 4-1. Select Target Platform Dialog Box.......................................................4-1

Figure 4-2. RT Series DAQ Functions Palette ........................................................4-7

Tables

Table 1-1. RT Series DAQ Board and Corresponding DAQ Device Manual ......1-1

Activities

Activity 4-1. Communicating with an Embedded VI.................................................4-5

RT Series DAQ Device User Manual viii www.ni.com

About This Manual

This manual contains information about the RT Series Data Acquisition
(DAQ) devices and working with LabVIEW RT. The RT Series DAQ
hardware consists of the following devices:

• PCI-7030/6040E

• PCI-7030/6030E

• PCI-7030/6533

• PXI-7030/6040E

• PXI-7030/6030E

• PXI-7030/6533
The R T Series DAQ family of boards are multifunction I/O boards with an

embedded processor. You can use LabVIEW RT and NI-DAQ to create
embedded, real-time applications that run on the RT Series DAQ board.

Conventions

The following conventions appear in this manual:

» 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 the beginning of an activity.

This icon denotes the end of an activity.

This icon denotes a tip, which alerts you to advisory information.

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

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.

© National Instruments Corporation ix RT Series DAQ Device User Manual

About This Manual

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 w ord
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.

Related Documentation

The following documents contain information that you might find helpful
as you read this manual:

• LabVIEW RT User Manual

• LabVIEW RT Release Notes

• LabVIEW RT Help, available by selecting Help»LabVIEW RT Help

• LabVIEW QuickStart Guide

• LabVIEW User Manual

• G Programming Reference Manual

• LabVIEW Data Acquisition Basics Manual

• LabVIEW Online Reference, available by selecting

Help»Online Reference

Refer to the hardware user manual for the specific I/O board attached to
your RT Series board for more information about the I/O portion of your
hardware. For example, if you are using the PXI-7030/6040E, refer to the
PXI E Series User Manual for information on the 6040E daughterboard.

RT Series DAQ Device User Manual x www.ni.com

Introduction

This chapter describes the RT Series DAQ boards, lists what you need
to get started, explains how to unpack your RT Series DAQ board, and
describes the software you need to use.

About the RT Series

The RT Series DAQ boards are multifunction DAQ boards with an
embedded processor. The RT Series DAQ board, along with LabVIEW RT
and NI-DAQ, provide an easy-to-use system for real-time applications.

Each RT Series D A Q board is made up of two parts—a processor board and
a DA Q daughterboard. The processor board contains a microprocessor that
runs real-time, embedded LabVIEW R T applications. The RT Series D AQ
board provides the same high-performance data acquisition as other
National Instruments DAQ boards. For example, the PXI-7030/6040E
contains a DAQ board that is equivalent to the PXI-6040E.

This manual does not contain detailed information about the DAQ
component of the RT Series DAQ boards. Refer to the appropriate DAQ
hardware user manual for more information, including optional equipment
and custom cabling for your DAQ device. Table 1-1 lists the appropriate
DAQ board user manual for each of the RT Series DAQ boards.

1

Table 1-1.

RT Series DAQ Board DAQ Manual

PXI-7030/6040E PXI E Series User Manual
PXI-7030/6030E PXI E Series User Manual
PXI-7030/6533 DIO 6533 User Manual
PCI-7030/6040E PCI E Series User Manual
PCI-7030/6030E PCI E Series User Manual
PCI-7030/6533 DIO 6533 User Manual

© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 RT Series DAQ Device User Manual

RT Series DAQ Board and Corresponding DAQ Device Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use your RT Series DAQ board, you need the following:

❑ One of the following boards:

– PXI-7030/6XXX
– PCI-7030/6XXX

❑ This manual
❑ Hardware user manual for your DAQ daughterboard, shown

in Table 1-1

❑ LabVIEW RT
❑ LabVIEW RT User Manual
❑ LabVIEW RT Release Notes
❑ NI-DAQ and the NI-DAQ documentation installed with the software
❑ Your computer

Unpacking

Your RT Series DAQ board is shipped in an antistatic package to prevent
electrostatic damage to the board. Electrostatic discharge can damage
several components on the board. To avoid such damage in handling the
board, take the following precautions:

• Ground yourself by using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object.

• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer chassis
before removing the board from the package.

• Remove the board from the package and inspect the board for
loose components or any other sign of damage. Notify National
Instruments if the board appears damaged in any way. Do not install
a damaged board into your computer.

• Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.

RT Series DAQ Device User Manual 1-2 www.ni.com

Software Programming Choices

You can use the RT Series DAQ boards with LabVIEW RT and NI-DAQ.
NI-DAQ is included with LabVIEW RT and you can install it during the
LabVIEW RT installation. For specific information on LabVIEW RT and
NI-DAQ version compatibility, refer to your LabVIEW RT Release Notes.
Refer to Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration, for more information
about installing your RT Series hardware.

Chapter 1 Introduction

© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 RT Series DAQ Device User Manual

Installation and Configuration

This chapter explains how to install and configure your RT Series DAQ
hardware.

Hardware Installation

You can install the RT Series DAQ board in any available expansion slot
in your computer or PXI chassis. However, to reduce noise, leave as much
room as possible between the RT Series DAQ board and other boards and
hardware. The following are general installation instructions, so refer to
your computer user manual or technical reference manual for specific
instructions and warnings about installing hardware.

Note

Install LabVIEW RT and NI-D A Q before you install your R T Series D A Q hardware.
Refer to Chapter 2, Installation, of the LabVIEW RT User Manual for more information
about installing LabVIEW RT and NI-DAQ.

PCI Installation

Complete the following steps to install your RT Series PCI board:

1. Write down the RT Series DAQ board serial number for future
reference.

2. Power off and unplug your computer.

3. Remove the cover to your computer.

4. Remove the expansion slot cover on the back panel of the computer.

5. Insert the RT Series DAQ board into a 5 V PCI slot. Gently rock the
board to ease it into place. It may be a tight fit, but do not force the
board into place.

6. Screw the mounting bracket of the RT Series DAQ board to the back
panel rail of the computer.

7. Replace the cover.

8. Plug in and power on your computer.

2

Your RT Series DAQ device is installed. You are now ready to configure
your software.

© National Instruments Corporation 2-1 RT Series DAQ Device User Manual