PASCO CI-6400 User Manual

Instruction Sheet
for the PASCO
Model CI-6400

SCIENCEWORKSHOP® 500 INTERFACE

Logging
button

Digital
channels

500

PASCO

scientific

Interface

ANALOG CHANNELS

PASCO

scientific

Science Workshop DATA LOGGING INSTRUCTIONS

Science

Workshop

300

Interface

012-07915A

Back panel of the 500 interface

Indicator light

Analog input channels

Introduction

The PASCO CI-6400 Science Workshop® 500 Interface
is a data acquisition computer interface designed for
use with DataStudio™ software and ScienceWorkshop®
sensors.

Equipment included:

• ScienceWorkshop® 500 Interface (1)

• 9 V AC adapter (1)

• Serial cables (2), 6 ft. each., one for a Windows -

compatible PC, and one for a Macintosh

Additional Equipment Required:

• Computer, with Windows 3.1 or later operating

system, 1 MB RAM available; OR 1 Macintosh,
operating system 7.0 or later, and Color Quickdraw

• PC or MAC serial cable, with USB and R232

adapter for Macintosh iMAC and Power
Macintosh G-3 computers

• One copy of DataStudio software per interface

• 4 AA batteries (for standalone operation)

• At least 1 ScienceWorkshop® sensor

9 V AC adapter

Features:

Data Logging Capability - The 500 ScienceWorkshop

Interface is a portable datalogger for taking measurements
in the laboratory or field. To record data, all you need is the
interface and a sensor. Students can set up an experiment
using the 500 interface, disconnect the computer to collect
data at their lab table or out of the classroom, and then
reconnect the interface to the computer to upload data for
analysis inside DataStudio.

50 KB Storage Buffer - The interface uses a 50 KB storage

buffer to store multiple data runs and experiment setup
information.

Cross-platform Compatible - Logged data will open on

either a Macintosh or Windows-compatible computer. The
interface stores the ScienceWorkshop sensor and data display
information so it knows what experiment setup to open.

Portability and Plug-in - You can carry the interface in the

field or plug the interface into your computer. The interface
operates on 4 “AA” cell batteries or a 9 V AC adapter.

© 2001 PASCO scientific

Science Workshop

®

500 Interface 012-07915A

Specifications

Analog Inputs:

A: Differential input - 2MW impedance; gain = 1or 10
B: Single-Ended input- 200 k
C: Single-Ended input - 200 k

Analog output capability:
Analog range

no
+/- 10 V range (+/- 0.02 V + 0.1% of reading), 5 mV resolution

Analog-to-Digital Conversion: 12-bit
Battery option:
Crystal-controlled timebase:
Data storage:

yes

50 microsecond timing resolution

50 KB data storage buffer, with multiple data runs,

collects up to 17,000 data points in Data Log mode

Digital channels:
Momentary overvoltage protection (ESD):
Power supply:
Host connection:
Remote data measurement:
Sampling rate (maximum):

(Note: The speed of the computer is a
factor, especially if it is busy with many
displays.)

2 channels, 0.1 millisecond

yes

9V @ 500 mA DC supply or 4AA batteries
Serial, RS232

yes
One or two analog channels, burst mode: 20,000 Hz

One or two analog channels, sustained rate: 200 Hz
Three analog channels, burst mode:10,000 Hz
Three analog channels, sustained rate:100 Hz
Any combination of analog and digital sensors: 10,000 Hz

W

impedance; gain = 1 or 10

W

impedance; gain=1

Selectable gain (analog channels A and B):

1x, 10x

Setup Procedures

Connecting the
Interface to a IBM­compatible Windows PC:

1. With your computer turned off,

locate the serial port on the
back of your computer. The
serial port may have 25 pins or
9 pins or the symbol “10101” next to it.

2. Connect and secure the serial cable to the back of the

computer. The cable is keyed so that you cannot plug
it in incorrectly.

3. Connect the other end of the serial cable to the port

labeled “TO COMPUTER” on the back of the 500
interface box.

4. Insert the AC adapter plug into the “Power” port on

the back of the 500 interface. Plug the AC adapter
into a standard AC power outlet (a grounded
electrical receptacle).

ScienceWorkshop®

9-pin serial
port

500

Back panel of the

ScienceWorkshop®

500 Interface

5. Switch the interface on using the power switch on the

back of the interface. The green light will illuminate
on the front on the interface.

6. Turn on the computer and run DataStudio to install

the Science Workshop 500 interface.

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012-07915A Science Workshop

Setup Procedures (continued)

®

500 Interface

Connecting the

ScienceWorkshop

® 500 Interface to a

MacIntosh Computer

1. With your computer turned off, locate the modem or printer port on

the back of your computer.

2. Connect either end of the modem/printer cable( mini DIN 8- pin to

mini DIN 8-pin cable included with the 500 interface) to the port on
your computer. The cable is keyed so that you cannot plug it in
incorrectly.

NOTE: For the iMac, iBook, or the new G3/G4 or new PowerBook,
you will need a ‘USB-to-serial adapter’ (such as PASCO’s CI-6654
USB Port Adapter). Connect one end of the interface cable into the
adapter. Connect the other end into the back of the interface box.

3. Connect the other end of the modem/printer cable to the port labeled

“TO COMPUTER” on the back of the 500 interface box.

4. Insert the AC adapter plug into the back of the 500 interface. Plug

the AC adapter into a standard AC power outlet.

5. Switch the interface on using the power switch on the back of the

interface. The green light will illuminate on the front on the
interface.

printer port

modem port

6. Turn on the computer and run DataStudio to install the Science Workshop 500® interface software.

If you have any difficulties, see the Troubleshooting section of this manual or the DataStudio online help.

Interface Operation

Turning on the
Interface

1. Turn on the interface (with the power switch on the

back). A green light-emitting diode (LED) on the
front panel should light.

Note: If the LED does not turn on, check the power

connections.

2. Turn on the computer and start DataStudio.

3. In the “Welcome to DataStudio™” window, select

“Create Experiment.”

4. When the DataStudio window asks whether you

want the program to scan for an interface or to pick
one to use for setup, click Scan to continue.
Result: If the program is able to find the interface,
the Experiment Setup window opens. You are ready
to begin collecting or retrieving data.

ScienceWorkshop

500

Unable to Find the Interface?

If the program can’t find the interface, the program asks

whether you want to scan again or to pick an interface.
Check the connections between the interface and the
computer, make sure the power is on, and then click Scan
Again. If the program fails again, see the Troubleshooting
section in this manual.

Collecting Data

1. Plug a sensor into the appropriate interface channel

(analog or digital). When you are ready to collect
data, press the LOG button on the front of the 500
Interface. Result: The green LED flashes slowly for
10 seconds and then flashes quickly. When the light
flashes quickly, data is being recorded.

2. Press the LOG button to stop recording data.
Result: The green LED resumes flashing very

slowly, indicating the interface box is in a “sleep”
mode.”

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®

Science Workshop

500 Interface 012-07915A

Interface Operation (continued)

Reconnecting the Interface to the Computer
and Retrieving Data

1. Reconnect your 500 Interface to the computer, and
press the Connect button on the Setup toolbar.

2. In the Retrieved Data From the Interface dialog,
click “Yes.” Result: Your run(s) appear in the Data
List and in any open DataStudio displays.

Note: To set up DataStudio for remote data logging,
go to the Experiment menu and select “Disconnect
for Data Logging.” To set up DataStudio to receive
the remotely logged data, go to the Experiment
menu and click “Connect to Interface.”

Using a

ScienceWorkshop®

500 Interface

with DataStudio

Note: Before you can use the interface with DataStudio,
you must have DataStudio installed on your computer, the
interface connected to a power supply, and the power supply
to the interface turned on.

1. Connect a sensor to the ScienceWorkshop® interface.

2. Start DataStudio. In the Sensors list, double-click

the sensor to associate the sensor with the interface
channel.

3. In the Displays list, double-click the display’s icon to

open a display window.

4. To collect some data, click the Start button
(

in real-time on the Graph display.

5. To stop collecting data, go to the main toolbar and
click the Stop button

For more information about operating the interface with
DataStudio, see the DataStudio online help.

) on the main toolbar. Result: Data appears

( ).

Example: Connect a Temperature Sensor to analog channel

A.

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012-07915A Science Workshop

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting the 500 Interface—PC

1. Is the green LED on the front of the interface lit when the power is turned on? If not, substitute the AC

power adapter with 4 AA batteries. If after making the substitution, the green LED does not come on,
contact Technical Support . If the green LED does come on, you have a defective AC adapter. Contact
Technical Support for a replacement.

2. Make sure that all your cable connections are secure. Verify that there are no bent pins at either end of the

cable. Is there a device, such as a modem, connected to the same COM port? Contact your computer
administrator of Technical Support if you need help determining how your computer is configured.

3. Is your COM port enabled? After checking, try running DataStudio again.

4. If step 3 does not work, try communicating with the interface box using Hyperterminal. Make sure that

your interface is connected to the computer and that it is turned on (green light on the front is lit). To open
Hyperterminal, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Hyperterminal, Hyperterminal. Give any name and
select any icon. Choose the appropriate COM port for the connection. Then set the following:

®

500 Interface

Bits per Second 19,200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Flow Control None

5. Click OK, and a blank screen appears. Press Control-A. Tthe screen will say what device is connected to

your COM port. If you receive a message and DataStudio cannot boot the interface, then you have a
software problem. Contact Technical Support.

6. If none of the above suggestion help, contact Technical Support at 800-772-8700.

Troubleshooting the 500 Interface—Mac

1. Is the green LED on the front of the interface lit when the power is turned on? If not, substitute the AC

power adapter with 4 AA batteries. If after making the substitution, the green LED does not come on,
contact Technical Support. If the green LED does come on, you have a defective AC adapter. Contact
Technical Support for a replacement.

2. Make sure that all your cable connections are secure. Verify that there are no bent pins at either end of the

cable.

3. On some Macs, you may need to turn off AppleTalk for DataStudio to communicate with the interface. Try

turning off AppleTalk, and then run DataStudio.

4. If none of the above suggestion help, contact Technical Support at 800-772-8700.

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®

Science Workshop

500 Interface 012-07915A

Electromagnetic Compatibility of the

ScienceWorkshop®

➤ ➤

➤

Note: 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.

The PASCO Model CI-6400 500 ScienceWorkshop
Computer Interface has been tested and complies
with the essential protection requirements of
Council Directive 89/336/EEC on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to electromagnetic compatibility.
Assessment of compliance of the product with the
requirements relating to electromagnetic
compatibility was based on the following
Directives and Standards:

• EN 50081-1 Electromagnetic compatibility
generic emission standard

• EN 55022, CISPR 22 Class A Limits and
methods of measurements of radio interference
characteristics of information technology
equipment

• EN 50082-1 Electromagnetic compatibility
generic immunity standard

• IEC 801-2 Electrostatic discharge requirements

• IEC 801-3 Radiated electromagnetic field
requirements

• IEC 801-4 Electrical fast transient/burst
requirements

500 Interface

500 Interface CI-6400

Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

Limited Warranty

PASCO scientific warrants the product to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one year from the date of shipment to the customer.
PASCO will repair or replace, at its option, any part of
the product which is deemed to be defective in
material or workmanship. The warranty does not
cover damage to the product caused by abuse or
improper use. Determination of whether a product
failure is the result of a manufacturing defect or
improper use by the customer shall be made solely by
PASCO scientific. Responsibility for the return of
equipment for warranty repair belongs to the
customer. Equipment must be properly packed to
prevent damage and shipped postage or freight
prepaid. (Damage caused by improper packing of the
equipment for return shipment will not be covered by
the warranty.) Shipping costs for returning the
equipment after repair will be paid by PASCO
scientific.

Address: PASCO scientific

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747-7100

Phone: [phone]

Or 1-800-772-8700 (toll free in U.S.)

FAX: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Web: www.pasco.com

The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user of
important operating and safety instructions
that will help prevent damage to the
equipment or injury to the user.

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012-07915A Science Workshop

Technical Support

®

500 Interface

Feedback

If you have any comments about this product or this
manual, please let us know. If you have any suggestions
on alternate experiments or find a problem in the manual,
please tell us. PASCO appreciates any customer
feedback. Your input helps us evaluate and improve our
product.

To reach PASCO

For Technical Support:

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Web: www.pasco.com
Phone: [phone] (toll-free in U.S.)

or [phone]

Contacting Technical Support

Before you call the PASCO Technical Support staff, it
would be helpful to prepare the following
information:

• If your problem is computer/software related, note:

-Title and Revision Date of software

-Type of Computer (Make, Model, Speed)

-Type of external Cables/Peripherals

If your problem is with the PASCO apparatus,
note:

-Title and Model number (usually listed on the
label)

-Approximate age of apparatus

-A detailed description of the problem/sequence
of events. (In case you can't call PASCO
right away, you won't lose valuable data.)

-If possible, have the apparatus within reach when
calling. This makes descriptions of individual parts
much easier.

• If your problem relates to the instruction manual, note:

-Part number and Revision (listed by month and
year on the front cover)

-Have the manual at hand to discuss your questions.

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