National Instruments SC-2043-SG User Manual
SC-2043-SG
User Manual
Eight-Channel Strain Gauge Signal Conditioning Accessory
August 1996 Edition
Part Number 320995B-01
© Copyright 1995, 1996 National Instruments Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
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Limited Warranty
The SC-2043-SG 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.
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 manual 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
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OF
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LabVIEW®, NI-DAQ®, RTSI®, DAQCard™, and DAQPad™ are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.
Product names and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
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Contents
About This Manual
Organization of This Manual ............................................................................................ ix
Conventions Used in This Manual.................................................................................... x
National Instruments Documentation ............................................................................... x
Related Documentation .................................................................................................... xi
Customer Communication ................................................................................................ xi
............................................................................................................... ix
Chapter 1
Introduction
About the SC-2043-SG .................................................................................................. 1-1
What You Need to Get Started ...................................................................................... 1-1
Software Programming Choices .................................................................................... 1-2
Optional Equipment ....................................................................................................... 1-3
Unpacking ...................................................................................................................... 1-4
.......................................................................................................................... 1-1
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI Application Software .................................. 1-2
NI-DAQ Driver Software................................................................................... 1-2
Register-Level Programming............................................................................. 1-3
Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration
Installation...................................................................................................................... 2-1
Board Configuration ...................................................................................................... 2-1
Power Supply Selection ..................................................................................... 2-3
Onboard/External Excitation Selection.............................................................. 2-4
Local Excitation Sense Selection....................................................................... 2-5
MIO or MIO E Series Boards ................................................................ 2-5
Lab/1200 Series Boards ......................................................................... 2-6
Bridge Completion Selection............................................................................. 2-7
Chapter 3
Signal Connections
I/O Connector Pin Description....................................................................................... 3-1
Screw Terminal Description .......................................................................................... 3-6
Analog Input Connections ................................................................................. 3-7
Offset Nulling ................................................................................................................ 3-9
Offset Nulling Adjustment................................................................................. 3-9
Nulling Range Adjustment................................................................................. 3-10
Other Connection Considerations .................................................................................. 3-11
............................................................................................................. 3-1
Sensor Connection to the SC-2043-SG.................................................. 3-7
Full-Bridge Connection.............................................................. 3-8
Half-Bridge Connection............................................................. 3-8
Quarter-Bridge Connection........................................................ 3-9
....................................................................................... 2-1
© National Instruments Corporation v SC-2043-SG User Manual
Contents
Chapter 4
Theory of Operation
Functional Overview...................................................................................................... 4-1
Bridge Completion Network.......................................................................................... 4-3
Amplification ................................................................................................................. 4-3
Offset Nulling ................................................................................................................ 4-3
Filtering.......................................................................................................................... 4-4
I/O Connectors and Breakout Screw Terminals ............................................................ 4-4
Excitation Voltage Source ............................................................................................. 4-4
Power Supply ................................................................................................................. 4-4
.......................................................................................................... 4-1
Chapter 5
Calibration Procedures
Excitation Adjustment.................................................................................................... 5-1
Onboard Excitation Source ................................................................................ 5-1
External Excitation Source................................................................................. 5-2
Appendix A
Specifications
........................................................................................................................ A-1
..................................................................................................... 5-1
Appendix B
Customer Communication
............................................................................................... B-1
Glossary.................................................................................................................................. G-1
Index ........................................................................................................................................ I-1
SC-2043-SG User Manual vi © National Instruments Corporation
Contents
Figures
Figure 1-1. The Relationship between the Programming Environment,
NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware ............................................................................. 1-3
Figure 2-1. SC-2043-SG Parts Locator Diagram ................................................................... 2-2
Figure 3-1. Full-Bridge Connection to the SC-2043-SG........................................................ 3-8
Figure 3-2. Half-Bridge Connection to the SC-2043-SG....................................................... 3-8
Figure 3-3. Quarter-Bridge Connection to the SC-2043-SG.................................................. 3-9
Figure 4-1. SC-2043-SG Block Diagram ............................................................................... 4-2
Tables
Table 2-1. Installation and Cabling Options for the SC-2043-SG........................................ 2-1
Table 2-2. Power Supply Selection....................................................................................... 2-3
Table 2-3. Onboard/External Excitation Jumpers................................................................. 2-4
Table 2-4. Local Excitation Sense Jumper Settings for MIO and MIO E Series Boards ..... 2-5
Table 2-5. Local Excitation Sense Jumper Settings for Lab/1200 Series Boards................. 2-6
Table 2-6. Half-Bridge Completion Jumper Settings ........................................................... 2-7
Table 2-7. Half-Bridge Completion Jumpers and Corresponding Channels ........................ 2-7
Table 2-8. Quarter-Bridge Completion Resistors and Corresponding Channels.................. 2-8
Table 3-1. Pin Assignments for the MIO I/O Connectors .................................................... 3-2
Table 3-2. Pin Assignments for the Lab/1200 I/O Connector .............................................. 3-4
Table 3-3. MIO (J10) I/O Connectors Signal Summary....................................................... 3-5
Table 3-4. Lab/1200 (J9) Signal Summary........................................................................... 3-6
Table 3-5. Screw Terminals J1–J6 Signal Summary ............................................................ 3-7
Table 3-6. Offset Nulling Adjust Potentiometer and Corresponding Channel..................... 3-9
Table 3-7. Nulling Resistor and Corresponding Channel..................................................... 3-10
© National Instruments Corporation vii SC-2043-SG User Manual
About This Manual
This manual describes the electrical and mechanical aspects of the SC-2043-SG and contains
information concerning its configuration and operation. The SC-2043-SG is an eight-channel
strain gauge signal conditioning accessory for National Instruments DAQ boards. The
conditioned strain gauge signals are routed directly to the analog input channels of the DAQ
board via a 50-pin connector. The SC-2043-SG also has breakout screw terminals for additional
analog inputs (MIO and MIO E Series boards only), analog outputs, and digital and timing I/O
pins on the DAQ board I/O connector.
Organization of This Manual
The SC-2043-SG User Manual is organized as follows:
• Chapter 1, Introduction, describes the SC-2043-SG, lists what you need to get started with
your SC-2043-SG, describes the optional software and optional equipment, and explains how
to unpack your SC-2043-SG.
• Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration, describes the installation and configuration of
your SC-2043-SG. The topics discussed are connection of the SC-2043-SG to the DAQ
board and switch and jumper configuration for your SC-2043-SG.
• Chapter 3, Signal Connections, describes the signal connections to the SC-2043-SG board.
• Chapter 4, Theory of Operation, contains a functional overview of the SC-2043-SG board
and explains the operation of each functional unit making up the SC-2043-SG.
• Chapter 5, Calibration Procedures, discusses the calibration procedures for the SC-2043-SG.
• Appendix A, Specifications, lists the specifications for the SC-2043-SG.
• Appendix B, Customer Communication, contains forms you can use to request help from
National Instruments or to comment on our products.
• The Glossary contains an alphabetical list and description of terms used in this manual,
including abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes, mnemonics, and symbols.
• The Index contains an alphabetical list of key terms and topics used in this manual, including
the page where you can find each one.
© National Instruments Corporation ix SC-2043-SG User Manual
About This Manual
Conventions Used in This Manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:
bold italic Bold, italic text denotes a note, caution, or warning.
italic Italic text denotes emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction to a key
concept.
Lab/1200 Lab/1200 refers to the National Instruments Lab-PC+, DAQPad-1200, and
DAQCard-1200 products unless otherwise noted.
MIO MIO refers to the National Instruments AT-MIO-16/64 and
NB-MIO-16/64 (except the -16H and -DH) DAQ boards unless otherwise
noted.
MIO E MIO E refers to the National Instruments MIO E Series of DAQ boards
unless otherwise noted.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that are to be literally input
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, variables, filenames, and extensions, and for statements and
comments taken from program code.
Abbreviations, acronyms, metric prefixes, mnemonics, symbols, and terms are listed in the
Glossary.
National Instruments Documentation
The SC-2043-SG User Manual is one piece of the documentation set for your system. You could
have any of several types of manuals, depending on the hardware and software in your system.
Use the manuals you have as follows:
• Your DAQ hardware user manuals–These manuals have detailed information about the DAQ
hardware that plugs into or is connected to your computer. Use these manuals for hardware
installation and configuration instructions, specification information about your DAQ
hardware, and application hints.
• Software manuals–Examples of software manuals you might have are the LabVIEW and
LabWindows
system, use either the application software (LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI) manuals or the
NI-DAQ manuals to help you write your application. If you have a large and complicated
system, it is worthwhile to look through the software manuals before you configure your
hardware.
®
/CVI manual sets and the NI-DAQ manuals. After you set up your hardware
SC-2043-SG User Manual x © National Instruments Corporation
About This Manual
• Accessory manuals–If you are using accessory products, read the terminal block and cable
assembly installation guides or accessory board user manuals. They explain how to
physically connect the relevant pieces of the system together. Consult these guides when you
are making your connections.
Related Documentation
The following document contains information that you may find helpful as you read this manual:
• Your DAQ hardware user manual
Customer Communication
National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products and manuals. We are
interested in the applications you develop with our products, and we want to help if you have
problems with them. To make it easy for you to contact us, this manual contains comment and
configuration forms for you to complete. These forms are in Appendix B, Customer
Communication, at the end of this manual.
© National Instruments Corporation xi SC-2043-SG User Manual
Chapter 1 Introduction
This chapter describes the SC-2043-SG, lists what you need to get started with your
SC-2043-SG, describes the optional software and optional equipment, and explains how to
unpack your SC-2043-SG.
About the SC-2043-SG
The SC-2043-SG is an eight-channel signal conditioning board that interfaces strain gauge
signals to National Instruments DAQ boards. Each channel includes half-bridge completion with
jumper disable for full-bridge connections, sockets for quarter-bridge completion resistors,
amplifier gain of 10, buffered single pole 1.6 kHz filter, offset nulling circuit, and screw terminal
connections to accommodate strain gauge bridge measurements. Output voltage excitation leads
and input signal leads are attached at the screw terminals. An onboard excitation voltage source
is provided, along with screw terminal connections for optional (user-supplied) external
excitation, and is common to all channels. The conditioned strain gauge signals are routed to
eight single-ended analog inputs on the DAQ board.
Note: The NB-MIO-16H and AT-MIO-16H series boards have a maximum gain of 8 and
are not intended for interfacing to low-level signals. Therefore, you should not use
these boards with the SC-2043-SG.
The SC-2043-SG has additional breakout screw terminals for convenient signal termination of
additional analog inputs, analog outputs, and digital and timing I/O lines on the DAQ board
interfacing connector.
The SC-2043-SG is a circuitboard assembly that is placed on a workbench or mounted in a 19-in.
rack. The SC-2043-SG draws power from the DAQ board via the 50-pin interfacing connector.
A green LED indicates when the board is powered on.
What You Need to Get Started
To set up and use your SC-2043-SG, you will need the following components:
SC-2043-SG board
SC-2043-SG User Manual
SC-2043-SG screw terminal labels
One of the following software packages and documentation:
LabVIEW for Macintosh
LabVIEW for Windows
LabWindows/CVI for Windows
NI-DAQ for Macintosh
NI-DAQ for PC compatibles
© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 SC-2043-SG User Manual
Introduction Chapter 1
One of the following:
SH6850 cable or R6850 cable assembly kit (MIO E Series DAQ board)
NB-1 cable (MIO Series, Lab-PC+, or DAQPad-1200 board)
PR50-50F cable (DAQCard-1200)
Detailed specifications of the SC-2043-SG are in Appendix A, Specifications.
Software Programming Choices
There are several options to choose from when programming your National Instruments DAQ
and SCXI hardware. You can use LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, NI-DAQ, or register-level
programming.
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI Application Software
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI are innovative program development software packages for
data acquisition and control applications. LabVIEW uses graphical programming, whereas
LabWindows/CVI enhances traditional programming languages. Both packages include
extensive libraries for data acquisition, instrument control, data analysis, and graphical data
presentation.
LabVIEW features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and a powerful graphical
programming language. The LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Library, a series of VIs for using
LabVIEW with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is included with LabVIEW. The
LabVIEW Data Acquisition VI Libraries are functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
LabWindows/CVI features interactive graphics, a state-of-the-art user interface, and uses the
ANSI standard C programming language. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition Library, a
series of functions for using LabWindows/CVI with National Instruments DAQ hardware, is
included with LabWindows/CVI. The LabWindows/CVI Data Acquisition libraries are
functionally equivalent to the NI-DAQ software.
Using LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI software will greatly reduce the development time for
your data acquisition and control application.
NI-DAQ Driver Software
The NI-DAQ driver software is included at no charge with all National Instruments DAQ
hardware. NI-DAQ is not packaged with SCXI or accessory products, except for the
SCXI-1200. NI-DAQ has an extensive library of functions that you can call from your
application programming environment. These functions include routines for analog input
(A/D conversion), buffered data acquisition (high-speed A/D conversion), analog output
(D/A conversion), waveform generation, digital I/O, counter/timer operations, SCXI, RTSI,
self calibration, messaging, and acquiring data to extended memory.
NI-DAQ has both high-level DAQ I/O functions for maximum ease of use and low-level DAQ
I/O functions for maximum flexibility and performance. Examples of high-level functions are
streaming data to disk or acquiring a certain number of data points. An example of a low-level
function is writing directly to registers on the DAQ device. NI-DAQ does not sacrifice the
performance of National Instruments DAQ devices because it lets multiple devices operate at
their peak performance.
NI-DAQ also internally addresses many of the complex issues between the computer and the
DAQ hardware such as programming the PC interrupt and DMA controllers. NI-DAQ maintains
a consistent software interface among its different versions so that you can change platforms with
SC-2043-SG User Manual 1-2 © National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 1 Introduction
minimal modifications to your code. Figure 1-1 illustrates the relationship between NI-DAQ and
LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI.
Conventional
Programming
Environment
(PC, Macintosh, or
Sun SPARCstation)
DAQ or
SCXI Hardware
Figure 1-1. The Relationship between the Programming Environment,
NI-DAQ, and Your Hardware
Register-Level Programming
LabVIEW
(PC, Macintosh, or
Sun SPARCstation)
NI-DAQ
Driver Software
LabWindows/CVI
(PC or
Sun SPARCstation)
Personal
Computer
or
Workstation
The final option for programming any National Instruments DAQ hardware is to write registerlevel software. Writing register-level programming software can be very time-consuming and
inefficient and is not recommended for most users.
Even if you are an experienced register-level programmer, consider using NI-DAQ, LabVIEW,
or LabWindows/CVI to program your National Instruments DAQ hardware. Using the NI-DAQ,
LabVIEW, or LabWindows/CVI software is easier than and as flexible as register-level
programming and can save you weeks of development time.
Optional Equipment
Contact National Instruments to order the following optional equipment:
• Single or double height rack-mount kit with acrylic plastic cover
• Single or double height rack-mount kit with metal wraparound cover
• 120 Ω (0.1%, 10 ppm/°C) quarter-bridge completion resistors (eight per package)
• 350 Ω (0.1%, 10 ppm/°C) quarter-bridge completion resistors (eight per package)
© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 SC-2043-SG User Manual
Introduction Chapter 1
Unpacking
Your SC-2043-SG 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 via a grounding strap or by holding a grounded chassis such as a computer
chassis.
• 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.
SC-2043-SG User Manual 1-4 © National Instruments Corporation
Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration
This chapter describes the installation and configuration of your SC-2043-SG. The topics
discussed are connection of the SC-2043-SG to the DAQ board and switch and jumper
configuration for your SC-2043-SG.
Installation
Note: You must power off your computer—and the SC-2043-SG if externally powered—
before installing or making any connection to the SC-2043-SG.
The SC-2043-SG includes two 50-pin cable connectors for signal connection to a DAQ board.
Connect the SC-2043-SG to your DAQ board I/O connector using the appropriate cable and
SC-2043-SG 50-pin connector. Table 2-1 lists the required cables and connectors to use with
each DAQ board option.
Table 2-1. Installation and Cabling Options for the SC-2043-SG
DAQ Board Required Cabling SC-2043-SG 50-Pin Connector
68-pin MIO E Series
boards
50-pin MIO boards
100-pin MIO boards
Lab-PC+, DAQPad-1200 NB1 Lab/1200 (J9)
DAQCard-1200 PR50-50F Lab/1200 (J9)
1
To install the SC-2043-SG with any of these boards, refer to the installation guide of the cable kit for instructions.
2
The NB-MIO-16H and AT-MIO-16H boards have a maximum gain of 8 and are not intended for interfacing to low-level
signals. Therefore, you should not use these boards with the SC-2043-SG.
3
The SC-2043-SG connects only to pins 1–50 (ACH<0..15>) of the 100-pin MIO boards.
You can mount the SC-2043-SG in a rack-mount chassis using the mounting holes in the four
corners of the SC-2043-SG board.
The SC-2043-SG is installed. You are now ready to install and configure your software. If you
are using NI-DAQ, LabVIEW, or LabWindows/CVI, refer to the installation instructions to
install and configure your software.
1
2
3
R6850 or SH6850 MIO (J10)
NB1 MIO (J10)
R1005050 MIO (J10)
Board Configuration
Note: You must configure your DAQ board analog channels for NRSE (nonreferenced
single-ended) inputs for use with the SC-2043-SG.
© National Instruments Corporation 2-1 SC-2043-SG User Manual
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