Omega WB-WORKMATE User guide

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Features at a Glance

Highlights of the WB-WORKMA TE

Maximum Speed

200 kHz, Single Channel

200 kHz, Multi-Channel

Maximum Resolution

14 Bits (.006%)

Analog Input Gain Ranges

13 selectable Ranges

Front Matter

iv

All WB-WORKMATEs Feature

16 Single-Ended or 8 Differential Analog Input

channels · 13 software selectable gain ranges · Eight

Digital I/O lines, user configurable · Input protection to

30 Volts, operating · Low noise sampling mode · Two

Analog Output channels · On-board pacer clock · Wide

acceptance of sensor devices · On-board

counter/timer · Factory guaranteed accuracy for two

years from date of purchase

INTRODUCTION

General Information

Chapter 1: Introduction to the
WorkMate

Thank you for selecting the WB-WORKMATE for your project!
Our primary objective is to provide you with data acquisition systems that

are easy to install, operate, and maintain. W e also strive to furnish the perfor­mance you need at the lowest overall cost. The benefits for you are increased
productivity, data you can count on, and, of course, meeting your budget.

W e manufacture the WB-WORKMA TE as an enhancement board that r eadily
mounts in an ISA expansion slot in an IBM PC, or -compatible, computer.

This product’s high speed and guaranteed long term stability, make it ideal
for speed-critical applications in both the laboratory and harsh industrial en­vironments.

Using the WB-WORKMATE board together with our graphical interface ap­plication software (such as WorkBench PC™ for Windows or DOS, or
QuickLog™ PC), you can easily and very quickly implement a broad spec­trum of research and commercial tasks, in a wide variety of settings. You can,
for example,

· Display and log data

· Measure temperature, pressure, flow

· Perform scale, offset, or complex calculations

· Monitor and control processes

· Set alarm limits

· Control devices at preset levels

· Control devices from digital input

· Gather data unattended

You can use the system interactively, operating controls or modifying your
setup while the system is running.

to disk for later analysis,

and most other analog inputs

from sensors and instruments,

on a measurement,

,

on any input,

(fans, pumps, heaters, etc.),

(e. g., from switches or TTL

signals), and

.

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

DEVELOPMENT

EXPANDABILITY

RANGES/

DATA

HALF-FLASH

General Information

People who decide, on the other hand, to write their own software

SYSTEM

(rather than using an off-the-shelf application) can employ the
Analog Connection Development System™ hardware driver to
address all features of the WB-WORKMATE board from within a
program they design and code for their specific purpose.

A WB-WORKMATE product has eight differential (or 16 sin­gle-ended) analog input channels; and you can add one board at
a time to your computer, for as many as 15 boards with a total of
120 analog input channels (240 single-ended),120 digital in­put/output lines and 30 analog output channels!

stallation is limited to five boards when using our DOS software.)

The 13 input ranges of the WB-WORKMATE span from ±50 mil-

UNITS OF MEASURE

liVolts through ± 5V, capable of accepting data from almost any
sensor. Its high conversion rate also makes the WB-WORKMATE
ideal for highspeed measurement in the plant or laboratory.

The WB-WORKMA TE together with our software – such as Work­Bench PC for Windows or DOS and QuickLog PC – make it easy
to specify engineering units (degrees, V olts, milliAmperes, etc.) for
measurements, as well as which ranges to use.

(Note that the in-

PRESENTATION

CONVERTER

Chapter 1 Introduction

1 – 2

(You can measure temperature, for example, by selecting from
among 11 different thermocouple types. With our application
software, the process simply consists of selecting the type of sens­ing device from a menu – the driver automatically handles cold
junction compensation and linearization.)

The combination of our hardware and application software
(WorkBench PC for Windows or DOS or QuickLog PC) enables
both the display of data on the screen, and the logging of data to
disk for later analysis.

The system is capable of showing data on the monitor in a variety
of formats, including graphical meters. Charts can indicate trends
for comparison of actual measurements on several channels, or for
setting data points or alarms.

Your WB-WORKMATE incorporates Strawberry Tree’s unique
“Half Flash” converter, greatly improving the board’s speed.

In analog to digital conversion, the highest speed designs use
what is called a “flash” converter. Flash converters are unique in
that they use comparators – one for each bit – to detect whether
an analog input signal is higher or lower than a particular refer­ence point. The output of all comparators is encoded by digital
logic to then yield the digital output. Because the conversion

INTRODUCTION

General Information

takes only as long as it takes for the comparators to detect the
input level, conversion rates of greater than 50 nanoseconds are
easily achieved.

Despite their speed, flash converters are rarely used in data acqui­sition products. Because there are as many comparators as there
are bits (an 8-bit converter has 28 = 256 comparators!), they are
quite expensive to produce.

For the WB-WORKMATE boards, Strawberry Tree developed a
unique “half flash” converter which overcomes the expense and
complexity of a full flash converter. With the half flash converter,
the A/D conversion takes place in two steps: 1) a rough approxi­mation of the digital code is generated, and 2) the approximation
is adjusted to the correct value.

While this two step process is slower than the flash converter, it
will still yield conversion rates of up to 200kHz. Because of this
unique process, the WB-WORKMATE is the best perfor­mance/price data acquisition board in the industry!

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

ANALOG

RESOLUTION

DATA ACQUISITION

RANGES

SENSORS

NOISE REJECTION

ACCURACY

INPUT

PROTECTION

ANALOG OUTPUT

DIGITAL I/O

COUNTER/TIMER

TERMINAL

Features and Configurations

Features and Configurations

All WB-WORKMATE boards possess these features:
The WB-WORKMA TE can be set for either eight differential or 16

INPUT CHANNELS

SELECTIONS

single-ended analog inputs.
The resolution of the WB-WORKMATE is selectable in software,

ranging from 12 through 14 bits.
The maximum single-channel and/or multichannel acquisition

rate for the WB-WORKMATE is 200kHz.

SPEED

The WB-WORKMATE features 13 voltage ranges, from ± 50mV
up to ±5V, all selectable individually for each analog input
channel.

Each WB-WORKMATE provides accurate cold junction compen­sation and linearization for thermocouple devices.

The WB-WORKMATE features a “low noise mode” which, when
selected in DOS software, can sample at 50 or 60Hz to reject
power line frequency noise.

CHANNELS

Chapter 1 Introduction

1 – 4

PANELS

We guarantee the factory calibration of the WB-WORKMATE for
a period of two years from the date of purchase. (If it is ever nec­essary, the user can recalibrate the board with precision through
the use of software utilities we provide with every product.)

Built-in circuitry assures protection of analog input channels for
±30 Volts operating, or ± 20 Volts non-operating.

TheWB-WORKMA TE includes two analog output channels, with
a fixed ± 5V output range.

The WB-WORKMATE features eight digital input/output chan­nels that the user can configure individually to be input or out­put.

Every WB-WORKMATE board includes a counter/timer for pre­cise timing (for counting pulses or other events) which you can
use as a pulse output.

Other available accessories for the WB-WORKMA TE include your
choice of screw fastener terminal panels for connecting sensors.
They include general purpose and thermocouple terminal panels,
most of which accept digital opto-isolators.

FOR MORE

INFORMATION

WB-WORKMATE

SYSTEM

REQUIREMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Features and Configurations

For more information about the capabilities of your WB-WORK­MATE, please see “Product Specifications” in Chapter 3.

For instructions on controlling the board with our interface soft­ware (such as WorkBench PC for Windows or DOS or QuickLog
PC), refer to the appropriate software manual.

To learn more about data acquisition and process control in gen­eral, and how to use our products together to accomplish every­day tasks, consult our

Applications

manual.

And, last but not least, if you’re creating your own program to
address the WB-WORKMATE for a custom purpose, please see
the

Analog Connection Development System Manual.

Before installing the WB-WORKMATE, make sure the computer
system fulfills these minimum requirements:

Hardware –

· IBM PC XT, AT, (or higher), or -compatible

, with at least

640k system RAM and full-size ISA slot,

· Floppy disk drive

Software Environment –

· DOS 3.0

(or higher, depending on the application software),

· Application software

QuickLog PC, the Analog Connection Development Sys­tem, or other compatible proprietary software; please see
your software manual for directions for using it with the
hardware).

and a hard drive.

(WorkBench PC for Windows or DOS,

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Chapter 1 Introduction

1 – 6

INSTALLATION

Chapter 2: Installing the WorkMate

Getting your WB-WORKMATE data acquisition and process control board
up and running is a straightforward process; you only need to

Overview

· Verify the board’s switch settings

system addressing of OMEGA products (see page 2 – 2),

· Physically insert the board

(page 2 – 4; and illustration on 2 – 3),

· Connect a terminal panel to the board

and for digital outputs from the WB-WORKMATE; see page 2 –

4), and

· Load and start up the software

As the scope of this manual focuses on the WB-WORKMATE board, this
chapter discusses board’s switch settings, and the physical insertion of the
board.

Please see your terminal panel manual for full instructions regarding its
attachment to the WB-WORKMATE, as well as for how to connect sensors
to the panel.

Guidelines for loading the software, and for starting up, depend on the
application program you are going to use (such as our WorkBench PC for
Windows or DOS, or QuickLog PC, or a package by a third party developer
who has our authorization).

The program you are going to use with the WB-WORKMATE might even be
unique and proprietary, a product of your organization. (The Analog Con­nection Development System is a powerful set of utilities making it possible
for software engineers to design and develop their own programs to exploit
the WB-WORKMATE’s many features.)

that control board identity and

into a slot of the personal computer

(to attach sensing devices

to be used for the project.

In any event, please refer to the software provider’s installation manual, or
user guide, for specific information on how to load and run the particular
program.

Troubleshooting –

to the “Troubleshooting” section in Chapter 3.

If you have any difficulty getting your board to work, refer

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

SINGLE BOARD

MULTIPLE

PREVIOUSLY

Verifying Switch Settings

Verifying WB-WORKMATE Switch Settings

When you purchase a data acquisition board new from our com­pany, the product’ s switch settings alr eady are corr ect to operate a

single

board with our software (WorkBench PC for Windows or
DOS, QuickLog PC, the Analog Connection Development Sys­tem, and all others).

This means the factory switch settings are right for the purpose of
using only one board, and you can skip the task of confirming
them. You can go directly to the “Physical Board Installation” sec­tion on page 2 – 4 in this chapter, and begin to follow the steps
there.

If you are using more than one board at a time, set the individual

BOARDS

boards’ Board Number Switch first (refer to “Setting the Board
Number Switch” on page 2 – 6), then go on to perform the physi­cal installation.

IN USE

Otherwise, there’s no reason to be concerned about the board’s
switch settings, except in the unlikely event you encounter a
problem in getting your product to operate. (If you experience a
problem, refer to “Troubleshooting” in Chapter 3).

If, on the other hand, your board has been in use previously in
another computer, or if your company uses its own proprietary
software, the present switch positions might differ from the fac­tory settings.

If your company uses such a program, making changes to factory
switch settings might be necessary to accommodate it. Please con­sult the administrator of your internal system, or the provider of
third party software, to determine their recommendations for any
unusual switch setting.

To check and restore the factory values, please read “Board Num­ber Switch Settings” on 2 – 8 in this chapter.

Chapter 2 Installation

2 – 2

Board Number

switch (detail:)

–

INSTALLATION

WB-WORKMATE Board

Attach

cable

connector

from

terminal

panel

here

Back

panel

mounting

bracket

D

C

E

B

F

A

0

9

1

8

2

7

3

6

4

5

SW1

Base Address

switches (detail:)

SW2

Interrupt Jumpers

insert; seat firmly

PC ISA expansion slot

Figure1. Illustration of WorkMate Data Acquisition Board, Showing Physical Installation

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

TERMINAL PANEL

PHYSICAL

Physical Installation

Physical Board Installation

Installation very simply consists of inserting the board into an
open ISA AT peripheral (expansion) slot inside your computer.

(There are, for example, five available slots in the IBM PC, and
eight in the IBM XT or AT. IBM and other companies sell expan­sion chassis that can accept even more analog cards. Our Win­dows software supports as many as 15 WB-WORKMATE boards
at one time. Up to five boards can be installed for use with our
DOS software.)

When using a terminal panel with the WB-WORKMA TE (to con-

CONNECTIONS

nect external devices: sensors and digital input/output) you are
going to be using a single ribbon cable from the terminal panel.
This cable plugs into a 50 pin connector at the back panel of the
WB-WORKMA TE and, at its far end, plugs into a 50 pin connec­tor at the terminal panel. Each 50 pin cable connector has a key
on one side that mates with a socket on the device; be sure to
observe polarity when attaching.

(Refer to the illustration on page 2 – 3. Also see “Pinouts,” on
page 3 – 2 of this manual, for a description of the signals.)

INSTALLATION

Chapter 2 Installation

2 – 4

To Install the WB-WORKMATE Board –

1.

TURN THE COMPUTER OFF!

computer without first turning its power switch to the “off”
position.

2.

Open the Computer.

appropriate, refer to your computer’s owner’s manual for
more information about removing the cover and installing
enhancement boards.)

3.

Ground Y ourself.

touch the metal chassis of the computer to discharge any
static electricity that might be on the surface of your body.

This is important, as static electricity can damage electronic
parts. (Likewise, if you ever remove the board from the com­puter, always store it in its protective shipping bag.)

4.

Remove

unscrew and remove the narrow dust cover plate that is
directly behind the expansion slot you want to use. (Keep
this screw handy.)

the Dust Cover.

Remove the cover of the computer. (If

While holding the board, before installing it,

Never remove the cover of the

At the back panel of the computer,

INSTALLATION

CAUTION

NEXT STEPS

Physical Installation

5.

Insert the Board.

Push the edge of the WB-WORKMATE board
having “gold fingers” down and into a twin connector expan­sion slot (socket) on the chassis so that the contacts align with
the socket, then plug it in by pushing the board straight
down.

6.

Fasten the Board to the Chassis.

Install the “left over” screw
from step 4. Place it in the original hole, through the WB­WORKMATE board’s bracket, so that it fastens the top of the
bracket to the computer’s back panel.

7.

Connect the Cable to Board and T erminal

Panel.

Plug the cable into
the data acquisition board, and the connector on its far end
into the socket on the terminal panel (please refer to your ter­minal panel’s manual, if you are unsure about the correct
position).

Incorrect installation of these cables can damage the data
acquisition board or the terminal panel. (If you are uncertain
about proper placement, please see “Terminal Panel Connec­tions” at the beginning of this discussion, and inspect the dia­gram on page 2 – 3.)

Single Board Usage –

If you intend to run with a single data acqui­sition board in your system, you are now ready to install your ap­plication software and to connect sensors to your terminal panel.

Multiple Board Usage –

If you are going to use more than one data
acquisition board, now it’s time to set each Board Number Switch
to an unique number. Follow the steps in the “Setting the Board
Number Switch” section in this chapter on page 2 – 6.

Installing the Software –

For information on loading and configur­ing our WorkBench PC for Windows or DOS or QuickLog PC
please refer to the user guide for that application package.

IMPORTANT! Setting the Analog Input Mode –

You must set the Ana­log Input mode in the software before using the WB-WORK­MATE. See “Single-Ended vs. Differential Inputs” on page 2 – 10.

Installing the T erminal Panels –

T o learn how to connect experiments
to the terminal panel see your terminal panel owner’s manual, or
our Applications manual (which discusses data acquisition and
control in general and provides examples of uses for the pr oducts).

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

MULTIPLE BOARDS

SINGLE BOARD

DISABLING BOARDS

SETTING

Setting the Board Number Switch

Setting Board Number Switch

When you are using multiple boards in your installation, each
board needs to have an identity for the software to recognize it as
an “individual.”

The Board Number switch on a board accomplishes this, as it
enables you to set an identifying number for the board (see the
illustration on page 2 – 3).

This number determines, among other things, the sequence in
which the software reads multiple boards. OMEGA programs can
address as many as 15 boards total (but if you are working in
DOS, no more than 5 of these boards can be from the high speed
family, i.e. WB-WORKMATE or WB-FLASH12 boards).

When using more than one OMEGA product in your installation,
every board’s Board Number switch needs to have a different
number setting, and all switches are to be in number sequence
(1, 2, 3, for example, if you are using three boards).

THE SWITCH

(If you are working in DOS and there are also WB-AAI/F AI family
boards in your installation, then their Board Numbers need to be
at the low end of the number sequence.)

If your system includes just a single data acquisition board, then
you don’t need to have much concern about the Board Number
switch.

When your WB-WORKMATE leaves our manufacturing facility,
we set the Board Number switch to 1, and this is the setting we
recommend for most purposes when you are using only one
board in your installation.

If you want to disable the board, for any reason, set its Board
Number switch to 0. (This is handy if you want to use fewer
boards for a while: that way you don’t have to r emove them from
the computer.)

To Set the Board Number Switch –

1.

Locate

the Switch.

examine the illustration on page 2 – 3 in this chapter and find
the “Board Number Switch” on the WB-WORKMATE.

On the printed circuit board, this is a rotary switch with the

label “SW1.”

With the cover of your computer removed,

Chapter 2 Installation

2 – 6

INSTALLATION

Setting the Board Number Switch

2.

Make

the Setting.

Note that the switch has 16 possible positions:

numbers on the detents are 0 through 9 and A through F.
Determine which is to be the First Board. (This is easy, if it is

the sole board.) Then turn its dial to 1. Determine which is to
be the Second Board, then set its switch to 2. Continue this
process until all of the boards have been assigned and set to a
unique number.

If you are working in DOS –

The software interprets First Board
to use system installation digital I/O channels 1-8 and analog
input channels 1 through 8 (or channels 1 through 16 for
single-ended inputs). The program then recognizes the Sec­ond Board to use system installation digital I/O channels 9-16
and analog input channels 9 through 16 (for differential
inputs), or system installation analog input channels 17
through 32 (if the inputs are single-ended).

3.

Set

All Switches.

Continue to set the switches for all boards in
your installation to unique numerical values in an unbroken
sequence.

(As various models of our boards use different kinds of

switches, please see their operator’s manuals for an explana­tion of how to set switches.)

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

SETTING WB-WORK

Setting the Base Address

Setting the Base Address

The Base Address determines the logical system address where
the personal computer expects to find all data acquisition boards.
Base Addresses must be the same

The factory setting for all of our data acquisition products is
300H (in hexadecimal format).

It is rarely necessary, but if you have difficulty getting the board
to work you can change these switches to values different from
the factory settings. (Another device in your PC, for example,
might be trying to use the same Base Address.)

on all boards.

Indications of this are: if the program reports it cannot find your
board, or if it reports fewer boards than you really have, or if
another board starts to work improperly after you install the WB­WORKMATE.

These problems indicate interference with another board using
the same base address as the WB-WORKMATE product.

Remedy the problem by changing the switches of all WB-WORK­MATE boards to an address that has no conflict. (If you have
boards other than WB-WORKMATEs in your system, please refer
to their operator’s manuals for instructions.)

To Set the Base Address –

-

MATE

1.

Locate

the Address Switches.

puter over the data acquisition board, and find the location of
the Base Address switches. Refer to the board illustration on
page 2 – 3 in this chapter and find “Base Address Switches”
on the WB-WORKMATE diagram.

On the printed circuit board itself, this is a block of four DIP

switches labeled “SW2.”

(NOTE: Depending the space available in your installation, it

might be necessary to remove the board to reach the Base
Address Switches. If so, please follow the same precautions as
in “Physical Installation” on page 2 – 4 in this chapter.)

2.

Change

the Setting.

sists of all four DIP switches’ being in the “up” position (when
the board is sitting in the computer’s expansion slot).

Remove the cover of your com-

300H is the normal base address. It con-

Chapter 2 Installation

2 – 8

The DIP switches have the labels “1” through “4.” Sliding a

switch to the “down” position adds

a value to 300H:

INSTALLATION

Setting the Base Address

WB-WORKMATE Base Address Switch Additive* Values –

Switch Position To 300H Add

1 Down 10H
2 Down 20H
3 Down 40H
4 Down 80H

* As the switches are additive, your sliding

Switches 1 and 4 down, for example, is going to
add 10H and 80H to the 300H, equalling 390H.

If you are having a problem with Base Address, we recom­mend first trying 340H as an alternative to the factory setting
of 300H.

CAUTION

Values to Avoid –

There are several Base Address values you
need to avoid, that we know can cause interference with
other devices in some PC installations:

WB-WORKMATE Base Addresses to Avoid –

Value

320H – U U D
370H – U D D

3C0H – D D U

3F0H – D D D

* U = Up D = Down – = any position

Switch Positions*

1 2 3 4

Can Interfere With

Hard disk drive
Parallel printer

Color Monitor

Floppy disk drive

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

MULTIPLE BOARDS

IN DOS

Single-Ended vs. Differential Inputs

Single-Ended vs. Differential Inputs

In the Single-Ended mode, the WB-WORKMATE has 16 analog
input channels, each of which can measure a different voltage rel­ative to ground.There are eight analog input channels available in
Differential mode; each channel can measure the difference volt­age between the positive and negative inputs.

The WB-WORKMATE is shipped from the factory in Differential
Mode. Follow the instructions below if you wish to change this.

SETTING THE

ANALOG INPUT

MODE IN DOS

To Set the Analog Input Mode (if you are using DOS) –

1. Install the Driver Software.

with both driver and application software (QuickLog PC or
WorkBench PC for Windows or DOS). The driver software
resides on both the QuickLog and the WorkBench disk, and
will be automatically installed when you run either installa­tion program. (Please consult the appropriate software man­ual for further information on installation.)

2. Run the GFIND Program.

S.” This will tell the GFIND program to show you the current
configuration of all cards in your computer.

3. Type the Board Number.

WORKMATE in your installation must be set individually.

4. Select the Analog Input Mode.

for Differential mode. To write the changes to the boards’
EEPROMs, you must type “W” after making your selection.

5. Quit the Program.

“Q” at the prompt.

The new settings will be remembered by each board until it is
reprogrammed.

When you are using multiple boards in your installation, the soft­ware automatically numbers the analog and digital input and out­put channels in a sequential order, beginning with the channels
on Board Number 1.

You may now exit the program by typing

All WB-WORKMATE boards ship

At the DOS prompt, type “GFIND –

The Analog Input Mode for each WB-

Type “S” for Single-Ended or “D”

Chapter 2 Installation

2 – 10

For example, if you have installed two WB-WORKMA TE boards,
both set in Differential mode, the software will assign Board 1
analog input channels 1 through 8 and digital I/O channels 1
through 8. Board 2 will be assigned analog input channels 9 to 16

INSTALLATION

Single-Ended vs. Differential Inputs

and digital input channels 9 to 16. Because both boards are set in
Differential mode, the channel assignment is fairly straightfor­ward.

If your installation includes boards that are set in different modes,
however, the channel numbering can be a bit more complicated.
The following Channel Locator Chart defines possible analog
input channel assignments in multiple (up to 3) board setups:

Channel Locator Chart –

Analog Input Channel Assignments

Total # Board 1 Board 2 Board 3
Boards Diff. Single Diff. Single Diff. Single

11 to 8–––––
1–1 to 16––––
2 1 to 8 – 9 to 16 – – –
2 1 to 8 – – 9 to 24 – –
2 – 1 to 16 17 to 24 – – –
2 – 1 to 16 – 17 to 32 – –
3 1 to 8 – 9 to 16 – 17 to 24 –
3 1 to 8 – – 9 to 24 25 to 32 –
3 1 to 8 – 9 to 16 – – 17 to 32
3 1 to 8 – – 9 to 24 – 25 to 40
3 – 1 to 16 17 to 24 – 25 to 32 –
3 – 1 to 16 – 17 to 32 33 to 40 –
3 – 1 to 16 17 to 24 – – 25 to 40
3 – 1 to 16 – 17 to 32 – 33 to 48

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Chapter 2 Installation

2 – 12

TECHNICAL NOTES

General Information

Chapter 3: Technical Notes

Although operations in this chapter are seldom necessary during everyday
data acquisition, you might want to refer to them at certain times during
operation of the WB-WORKMATE. They are

· Pinouts (at the board’s connectors, in the event you want to connect ana­log or digital signals directly, without using a terminal
panel; please refer to page 3–2);

· Block diagram of the WB-WORKMATE showing on-board process­ing (please see page 3–3);

· Using EDITCAL to accommodate changes to your installation, (on pages
3–4 to 3–5);

· Changing hardware interrupts in order to use programs such as
WorkBench PC for Windows (please see page 3–6);

· Troubleshooting: some possible problems and solutions after install­ing, and during operation of the WB-WORKMATE
(beginning at page 3–7);

· Specifications: complete specifications of the WB-WORKMATE (begin­ning at page 3–10).

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WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Pin Assignments

Figure 2. Pinouts of the WorkMate at Back Panel Connector –

Single-Ended / Differential Differential / Single-Ended

channel 9 / channel 1 –

channel 10 / channel 2 –
channel 11 / channel 3 –

channel 12 / channel 4 –
channel 13 / channel 5 –

channel 14 / channel 6 –
channel 15 / channel 7 –

channel 16 / channel 8 –

Analog ground

Cold junction sensor (+)

Analog Ground

Connector

Analog Ground

key notch

N/C (do not connect)

Conversion gate

Analog Output 1

– 12 Volts

2

1

4

3

6

5

8

7

10

9

12

11

14

13

16

15

18

17

20

19

22

21

24

23

26

25
27

28

29

30

31

32

channel 1 + / channel 1
channel 2 + / channel 2

channel 3 + / channel 3
channel 4 + / channel 4
channel 5 + / channel 5
channel 6 + / channel 6

channel 7 + / channel 7
channel 8 + / channel 8
Analog ground

+6.666 Volt Ultra-Stable Reference
+ 5 Volts
Analog ground

+ 12 Volts

N/C (do not connect)
Analog trigger input

Analog Output 2

(CT Gate) digital I/O 8

(CT Trig) digital I/O 7

(CT In) digital I/O 6

(CT Out) digital I/O 5

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 2

digital I/O 4
digital I/O 3
digital I/O 2

digital I/O 1

+ 5 Volts

34

33

36

35

38

37

40

39

42

41

44

43

46

45

48

47

50

49

digital ground
digital ground
digital ground

digital ground
digital ground

digital ground
digital ground
digital ground
Digital trigger input

Figure 3. Block Diagram of WorkMate –

TECHNICAL NOTES

Block Diagram of WB-WORKMATE

+5V, ±12V

16 se or 8 diff

Analog Inputs

Real World

8 Digital

I/O Lines

2 Analog

Outputs

Reference

Voltage

Amplifier

MUX

I/O

Latches

Counter/

Timer

Two 12-bit

D/A Converters

Pacer
Clock

Re-Circulating

Flash Converter

Gain & Channel

Control

Trigger &

Trigger Counters

Computer Bus

Computer Bus

Interface

WB-WORKMATE Operator’s Manual

3 – 3

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

EDITING

CALIBRATION VALUES

THERMOCOUPLES

STARTING EDITCAL

Using EDITCAL

Using EDITCAL

Your WB-WORKMATE uses an exclusive calibration technology
to achieve great stability, requiring no adjustment for years. (As a
reflection of this, we guarantee the factory tolerances for two
years from the date of purchase.)

Instead of employing adjustment potentiometers to calibrate the
boards, our technicians test and calibrate each WB-WORKMATE
after assembly. That board’s unique calibration number values
reside on-board, in Electrically Erasable Programmable Read
Only Memory – EEPROM – chips.

Though recalibration is seldom necessary (and not recommended
unless you have the proper equipment), it may be necessary to
edit calibration numbers to accommodate other changes in your
data acquisition setup. For DOS users, EDITCAL.EXE (or EDIT­CAL for short) is the utility program that simplifies the modification
of these values. (EDITCAL can be found on the QuickLog PC disk.)

IN DOS

Thermocouple Terminal Panel Calibration –

for thermocouples have thermal isolation blocks and factory cali­bration for accurate measurements, as the CCAL number on the
label on the panel. CCAL is the value controlling the cold junc­tion compensation temperature.

If you change from one isothermal terminal panel to another,
even if they are the same model number , it might be necessary to
enter a new calibration number (CCAL). Check the calibration
value on the two panels’ labels. If they differ (which is likely), use
EDITCAL to change the appropriate value to the new figure.

Similarly, if you are experiencing inaccurate measurements with a
thermocouple, you can use EDITCAL to adjust the CCAL up or
down until the temperature the board reports is correct. (Increas­ing the CCAL figure by 75 points increases the temperature read­ing by approximately 1° C.)

For more information, please refer to your terminal panel manual.

Make sure the EDITCAL.EXE program file is in the same sub­directory as the OMEGA Engineering, Inc. application programs.
Load the EDITCAL.EXE program from the keyboard:

Terminal panels suitable

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 4

TECHNICAL NOTES

EDITCAL

Using EDITCAL

SELECTIONS

To Start Up EDITCAL.EXE –

1.

At the DOS prompt, enter EDITCAL, then press the [ENTER]
key. (This invokes the utility.)

EDITCAL Main Menu –

EDITCAL

CALIBRATION UTILITIES

This program allows for the creation or modification of
calibration data files or hardware EEPROM data on analog
and digital boards. You may create and merge existing
CALIB.DAT or CALOUT.DAT files for multiple boards. You may
update an existing calibration file to add, delete or modify
data. Or you may view or modify EEPROM data or boards.

Do you want to work with calibration data files, view/edit
EEPROM on Analog Connection, highspeed or DATAshuttle boards?

→

use and keys to choose then press ENTER

DATA FILES AC EEPROM HS EEPROM DS EEPROM QUIT

Press the F1 Key at anytime for online help

To Select a Function –

1.

Use the arrow keys to navigate among these menu selections:

→

DATA FILES To merge calibration files supplied from the factory

into a single file for systems that have multiple boards,
or to update existing calibration files.

AC EEPROM To view or modify calibration data on Analog Connec-

tion boards that have non-volatile on-boar d EEPROMS.

HS EEPROMS To view or modify calibration data on high speed

boards EEPROM, such as WB-WORKMATE or WB­FLASH12.

DS EEPROMS To view or modify calibration data on DATAshut-

tles’ EEPROM.

QUIT Ends this EDITCAL session.

2.

Move the arrow keys until the selection you want is flashing.

3.

Press [ENTER].

WB-WORKMATE Operator’s Manual

3 – 5

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Changing Hardware Interrupts

Changing Hardware Interrupts

For users of programs that employ hardware interrupts, the WB­WORKMA TE board provides for changing the interrupt number,
if necessary.

OMEGA Engineering, Inc. customers using DOS have no
requirement for this feature, and do not have to change hardware
interrupts.

The illustration of the WB-WORKMATE on page 2 – 3 in Chap­ter 2 identifies the jumper block. (It is labeled as “interrupt jump­ers.”)

By repositioning the jumper, which is a plug, to another socket
on the block, you can select another of these interrupts: IRQ2,
IRQ4, IRQ5, IRQ6, or IRQ7.

(Remember that on AT computers the IRQ2 selection is actually
the IRQ9 line.)

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 6

TECHNICAL NOTES

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting: Installation

If you experience difficulty in getting your data acquisition board
up and running, please check to see that the installation is
according to the descriptions in Chapter 2.

If the software reports a board failure, or that it cannot find a
board, then try these remedies:

1. Confirm that the board is seated properly

(reseat it, if necessary; see the illustration on page 2 – 3).

in the PC expansion slot

2. Verify the Board Number switch

2 – 6).

3. Use a different Base Address.

your installation is trying to use the same Base Address
(please see the explanation on page 2 – 8).

is not set to “0.” (Refer to page

It is possible that another device in

4. If there is more than one OMEGA data acquisition board in your instal­lation

, make sure they all have the same Base Address, but dif-

ferent Board Numbers.

5. Install the board in another open slot

tions on page 2 – 4).

6. Remove other devices

whether or not they are conflicting with your data acquisition
board.

from expansion slots in your PC to check

7. If possible, install the board in another computer

operation.

8. Verify that the software is up to date

the board you are using. Contact us, or your software pro­vider).

9. Remove other terminate and stay resident (TSR)

your system’s AUTOEXEC.BAT file, temporarily.

10. Replace the Z8536 chip

our Technical Services department for testing.

on the board, or return the product to

in the PC (follow the instruc-

to verify its correct

(a version compatible with

programs from

(Please call our Technical Support line before returning a board – we
hope to assist you with your problem via telephone.)

WB-WORKMATE Operator’s Manual

3 – 7

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

HINTS

OPERATING

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting: Operation

During operation, it’s good practice to short all analog input chan­nels you’re not using; to do this, connect + to – to Com.

It’s essential to have exactly one ground reference per channel.
This single connection to ground makes sure you don’ t exceed the
common mode range of input.

(More than one connection per channel can lead to ground loops,
causing errors or erratic readings. Connecting the – to the Com
terminal provides a single ground. Your sensor might also provide
another ground. If you’re not sure that your sensor is grounded,
try connecting the – to Com, and not, and see which works best.)

Remember that if speed is not critical, selecting the “low noise
mode” in software always provides the best accuracy and resolu­tion with your data acquisition board.

Here are mini “case studies” of difficulties, along with some easy

Qs AND As

solutions:

Problem: I read a voltage with my multimeter at the analog input termi-

nals, with nothing connected.

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 8

None. Any voltage between – 12V and + 12V is possible,

Action:

when nothing is connected.

Problem: My board reads analog input wrong.

Try shorting + to – to Com: the boar d should return a read-

Action:

ing around 0V.

Problem: My board reads the thermocouple as a very negative tempera-

ture.

Verify the connections are secure. Opens read as negative

Action:

temperature.

Problem: My board reads thermocouple input wrong.

Using EDITCAL, confirm that the CCAL number matches

Action:

the number on the terminal panel’s calibration label (see
pages 3–4 through 3–5).

(If you need to use a general purpose terminal panel – one
that doesn’t have a factory CCAL number – with a thermo­couple, you can achieve approximate results by entering a

IF YOU NEED

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

TECHNICAL NOTES

Troubleshooting

CCAL of 2300. Then change the figure by about 75 points
for each degree C. that you want to raise the temperature.)

Problem: My readings are noisy.

Try using the low noise mode (see your software manual

Action:

for more information).

Problem: My board used to work, but now the software cannot find it, or

reports an error.

Check to make sure the Board Number switch is not set to

Action:

“0.”

What to do before calling technical support, to help us serve you better:

Have the part numbers of your boards and terminal panels

1.

ready.

2.

Have the type and version number of the software you’re

using.

3.

Have your computer’s type, model, and the version of the

operating system.

WB-WORKMATE Operator’s Manual

3 – 9

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

ANALOG INPUT

ACCURACY

Product Specifications

Specifications of the WB-WORKMATE

The WB-WORKMA TE has 16 available analog inputs when set to
single-ended mode; eight analog inputs are available in differential
mode. (See page 2–10 for instructions on setting the Analog Input

Mode.)

WB-WORKMATE GENERAL CONDITIONS ACCURACY –

Unipolar Full

Scale Range*

N/A ± 5V 2.44mV ± 5mV (.05%)

0 to 5V ± 2.5V 1.22mV ± 2.5mV (.05%)

0 to 2 V ± 1V 488µV ± 1mV (.05%)

0 to 1V ± 500mV 244µV ± 0.75mV (.075%)

0 to 500mV ± 250mV 122µV ± 0.375mV (.075%)

VOLTAGE

0 to 200mV ± 100mV 48.8µV ± 0.2mV (.1%)
0 to 100mV ± 50mV 24.4µV ± 0.1mV (.1%)

* Due to automatic calibration, actual maximum and minimum

voltage can be 1.5% above or below the stated value.

General Conditions –

self-calibration. From 15°C to 35°C at the interface board. Source
resistance less than 1k Ohms. Includes linearity, drift, offset, and
calibration errors.

WB-WORKMATE RTD ACCURACY –

We do not recommend using the WB-WORKMATE for RTD or
strain gauge measurements. The reference voltage does not sup­ply enough current to accurately support these type of measure­ments.

Bipolar Full

Scale Range*

12-bit (0.024%) resolution, after automatic

Resolution

Accuracy

(% of full scale)

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 10

TECHNICAL NOTES

Product Specifications

WB-WORKMATE THERMOCOUPLE ACCURACY –

Type Range (°C.)

-100 to 880 0.6 0.15 ± 3

J

12-Bit

Resolution (°C)

Resolution (°C)

-210 to -100 1.0 0.25 ± 6

K

-75 to 1370 0.6 0.15 ± 3

-260 to -75 0.8 to 8 0.2 to 2 ± 4 to 35
0 to 1000 0.4 0.1 ± 2.5

E

-200 to 0 0.5 to 1 0.125 to 0.25 ± 5

-270 to -200 1 to 6 0.25 to 1.5 ± 5 to 30
0 to 400 0.6 0.15 ± 3

T

-200 to 0 0.6 to 1 0.15 to 0.25 ± 3 to 6

-270 to -200 1 to 6 0.25 to 1.5 ± 6 to 30

S

0 to 300 3 to 5 0.75 to 1.25 20

300 to 1770 2 to 3 0.5 to 0.75 12

R

0 to 200 3 to 5 0.75 to 1.25 20

200 to 1770 2 to 3 0.5 to 0.75 12

200 to 400 6 to 12 1.5 to 3.0 50

B

400 to 800 3 to 6 0.75 to 1.5 25

800 to 1820 2 to 3 0.5 to 0.75 13

G

25 to 200 3 to 12 0.75 to 3 50

200 to 2315 2 to 3 0.5 to 0.75 15

D

-20 to 2315 1.7 to 3 0.4 to 0.75 12

C

-20 to 2315 1.5 to 3 0.38 to 0.75 12

N

-100 to 200 0.8 to 1.3 0.2 to 0.3 ± 5

200 to 1300 0.8 0.2 ± 3

14-Bit

Accuracy

(°C.)

Thermocouple Conditions –

Same as General Conditions. Does not
include the accuracy of the thermocouple itself (cold junction
error must be added in; cold junction compensation with T21
terminal panel only; please see your terminal panel manual’s
specifications for cold junction compensation error). Accuracy is
approximate because resolution varies with temperature.

Thermocouples use the 50 mV range. For inputs below -5 mV
(below approximately -100 degrees C.) use the +/-25 mV range.
For the best resolution use the 50 mV range above -5 mV.

WB-WORKMATE Operator’s Manual

3 – 11

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

INPUT IMPEDANCE

NOISE REJECTION

INPUT PROTECTION

RESOLUTION/

Product Specifications

All analog inputs have an impedance rating of >100gΩ.

CMRR –

Conditions for Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR):
DC to 1k Hz, common mode input. This specification applies
even when one or more nonmeasured channels exceeds the oper­ating common mode range.

COMMON MODE RANGE

SCAN RATE

WB-WORKMATE NOISE REJECTION –

Unipolar

Range

Bipolar

Range

CMRR

Typical Internal Noise*

(RMS)

N/A ± 5V > 86 dB 150 µV

0 to 5V ± 2.5V > 86 dB 100 µV

0 to 2 V ± 1V > 86 dB 100 µV

0 to 1V ± 500mV > 92 dB 50 µV
0 to 500mV ± 250mV > 98 dB 25 µV
0 to 200mV ± 100mV > 98 dB 20 µV
0 to 100mV ± 50mV > 98 dB 10 µV

* Low noise mode.

No input may exceed ± 10.5 Volts.

Operating –
Nonoperating –

± 30 Volts, maximum.

± 20 Volts, maximum.

Selectable in software:

WB-WORKMATE RESOLUTION AND SCAN RATE* –

Resolution

Scan Rate

(Single Channel)

Scan Rate

(Multiple Channels)

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 12

low noise mode: 0.006 % 50 or 60 Hz 50 or 60 Hz

14 bits: 0.006 % 50 kHz 50 kHz
13 bits: 0.012 % 100 kHz 100 kHz
12 bits: 0.024 % 200 kHz 200 kHz

* Burst mode with DOS software. Rates with Windows soft-

ware or continuous sampling will be lower.

NOTE: The multiple channel scan rate depends on the com­puter speed, minimum of 100kHz on PC AT. Divide the rate
by 4 for 13-bit resolution and by 16 for 14-bit resolution; scan
rate is settled to 0.25%. Rate is never less than 40kHz at 13
bits or 20kHz at 14 bits.

TECHNICAL NOTES

DIGITAL I/O

COUNTER/TIMER

ANALOG OUTPUT

PHYSICAL

PHYSICAL

GENERAL

Product Specifications

CHANNELS

Scan Rate –

Scan rate is the rate in Hertz (or, samples per second)
to read data into memory, including the time it takes to switch
channels and ranges. To calculate the total scan time for all chan­nels, divide the rate by the number of channels.
(After placing a burst of data into memory, and depending on
your computer and software, the system requires additional pro­cessing time before the data are available to you, or before you
can collect more data.)

The WB-WORKMATE has 8 digital I/O lines, with each line indi­vidually selectable as input or output. Inputs are 5 Volt TTL-com­patible.

Their outputs are also 5 Volt TTL-compatible, or high voltage
open collector on the terminal panel.

(Please see the specifications in your terminal panel owner’s manual.)

The WB-WORKMATE has one on-board 16-bit counter/timer
with a 2 MHz internal clock. The counter timer is connected to
Digital I/O lines 5 through 8.

There are two analog outputs available on the WB-WORKMATE.

WB-WORKMATE ANALOG OUTPUT ACCURACY –

Output Voltage

Voltage

Resolution

Accuracy

(% of full scale)

DIMENSIONS

DIMENSIONS

CONDITIONS

± 5V 1.22mV ± 7mV(.07%)

General Conditions –

12-bit (0.024%) resolution. Includes linearity,

offset, and initial calibration.

Output Protection –
Output Impedance –
Output Current –
Temperature Drift –

May be shorted to any voltage within ± 12V.

<0.5Ω.

±5mA minimum.

<0.004% per degree Celsius, maximum.

The WB-WORKMATE is a full-size PC board measuring 13.0" by

4.2" (33.0cm by 10.7cm).

Auxiliary Power Output –

+5v, +12V, or -12V, direct from the com-

puter’s power supply, unfused. It is not to exceed 1A.

Reference Voltage Output –
Operating Temperature Ambient –

6.667V, ±1%; 1kΩ output impedance.
0 to 50 degrees Celsius.

WB-WORKMATE Operator’s Manual

3 – 13

WB-WORKMATE OPERATOR’S MANUAL

Power Consumption –

8.8W

Chapter 3 Technical Notes

3 – 14