Tektronix KUSB-3100 User manual

KUSB-3100

Getting Started Manual

KUSB3100-903-01 Rev. A / January 2005

www.keithley.com

A GREATER MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE

WARRANTY

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 3 years from
date of shipment.

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants the following items for 90 days from the date of shipment: probes, cables, rechargeable batteries,
diskettes, and documentation.

During the warranty period, we will, at our option, either repair or replace any product that proves to be defective.

To exercise this warranty, write or call your local Keithley representative, or contact Keithley headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.
You will be given prompt assistance and return instructions. Send the product, transportation prepaid, to the indicated service facil
ity. Repairs will be made and the product returned, transportation prepaid. Repaired or replaced products are warranted for the bal­ance of the original warranty period, or at least 90 days.

LIMITATION OF WARRANTY

This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modification without Keithley’s express written consent, or misuse
of any product or part. This warranty also does not apply to fuses, software, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leak
age, or problems arising from normal wear or failure to follow instructions.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN
ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.

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NEITHER KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC. NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF ITS INSTRU
MENTS AND SOFTWARE EVEN IF KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC., HAS BEEN ADVISED IN ADVANCE OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SUCH EXCLUDED DAMAGES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
COSTS OF REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION, LOSSES SUSTAINED AS THE RESULT OF INJURY TO ANY PERSON,
OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

A G R E A T E R M E A S U R E O F C O N F I D E N C E

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

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Corporate Headquarters • 28775 Aurora Road • Cleveland, Ohio 44139

440-248-0400 • Fax: [phone] • 1-888-KEITHLEY (534-8453) • www.keithley.com

12/04

KUSB-3100

Getting Started Manual

©2005, Keithley Instruments, Inc.

All rights reserved.

First Printing, January 2005

Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

Document Number: KUSB3100-903-01

Rev. A

Manual Print History

The print history shown below lists the printing dates of all Revisions and Addenda created for this manual. The Revi­sion Level letter increases alphabetically as the manual undergoes subsequent updates. Addenda, which are released
between Revisions, contain important change information that the user should incorporate immediately into the manual.
Addenda are numbered sequentially. When a new Revision is created, all Addenda associated with the previous Revision
of the manual are incorporated into the new Revision of the manual. Each new Revision includes a revised copy of this
print history page.

Revision A (Document Number KUSB3100-903-01A) ...................................................................... January 2005

All Keithley product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc.
Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Safety Precautions

The following safety precautions should be observed before using
this product and any associated instrumentation. Although some in
struments and accessories would normally be used with non-haz­ardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous conditions
may be present.

This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recog­nize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety precautions re­quired to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation,
operation, and maintenance information carefully before using the
product. Refer to the manual for complete product specifications.

If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection pro­vided by the product may be impaired.

The types of product users are:

Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for the use
and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that the equipment is
operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for en
suring that operators are adequately trained.

Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be
trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use of the instru
ment. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with
hazardous live circuits.

Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the prod­uct to keep it operating properly, for example, setting the line volt­age or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures
are described in the manual. The procedures explicitly state if the
operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed
only by service personnel.

Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, and perform
safe installations and repairs of products. Only properly trained ser
vice personnel may perform installation and service procedures.

Keithley products are designed for use with electrical signals that
are rated Measurement Category I and Measurement Category II, as
described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Standard IEC 60664. Most measurement, control, and data I/O sig
nals are Measurement Category I and must not be directly connect­ed to mains voltage or to voltage sources with high transient over­voltages. Measurement Category II connections require protection
for high transient over-voltages often associated with local AC
mains connections. Assume all measurement, control, and data I/O
connections are for connection to Category I sources unless other
wise marked or described in the Manual.

Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal
voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or test fixtures.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a
shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than 30V RMS,

42.4V peak, or 60VDC are present. A good safety practice is to ex-

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pect that hazardous voltage is present in any unknown circuit
before measuring.

Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at
all times. The responsible body must ensure that operators are pre
vented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In
some cases, connections must be exposed to potential human con
tact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to
protect themselves from the risk of electric shock. If the circuit is
capable of operating at or above 1000 volts, no conductive part of

the circuit may be exposed.

Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits.
They are intended to be used with impedance limited sources.
NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When con
necting sources to switching cards, install protective devices to limit
fault current and voltage to the card.

­Before operating an instrument, make sure the line cord is connect-

ed to a properly grounded power receptacle. Inspect the connecting
cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks
before each use.

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When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is
restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main input power dis
connect device must be provided, in close proximity to the equip­ment and within easy reach of the operator.

For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any
other instruments while power is applied to the circuit under test.
ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge
any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting cables or jump
ers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal
changes, such as installing or removing jumpers.

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Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the
common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth) ground.
Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a
dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the voltage being
measured.

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The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its
specifications and operating instructions or the safety of the equip
ment may be impaired.

Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and ac-

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cessories, as defined in the specifications and operating informa­tion, and as shown on the instrument or test fixture panels, or
switching card.

When fuses are used in a product, replace with same type and rating
for continued protection against fire hazard.

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5/03

Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for
measuring circuits, NOT as safety earth ground connections.

If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is ap­plied to the device under test. Safe operation requires the use of a
lid interlock.

If a screw is present, connect it to safety earth ground using the
wire recommended in the user documentation.

The ! symbol on an instrument indicates that the user should re­fer to the operating instructions located in the manual.

The symbol on an instrument shows that it can source or mea­sure 1000 volts or more, including the combined effect of normal
and common mode voltages. Use standard safety precautions to
avoid personal contact with these voltages.

The symbol indicates a connection terminal to the equipment
frame.

The WARNING heading in a manual explains dangers that might
result in personal injury or death. Always read the associated infor­mation very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.

The CAUTION heading in a manual explains hazards that could
damage the instrument. Such damage may invalidate the warranty.

Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.

Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and
all test cables.

To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement
components in mains circuits, including the power transformer, test
leads, and input jacks, must be purchased from Keithley Instru­ments. Standard fuses, with applicable national safety approvals,
may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components
that are not safety related may be purchased from other suppliers as
long as they are equivalent to the original component. (Note that se
lected parts should be purchased only through Keithley Instruments
to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product.) If you are
unsure about the applicability of a replacement component, call a
Keithley Instruments office for information.

To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water based
cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do not apply
cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on
the instrument. Products that consist of a circuit board with no case
or chassis (e.g., data acquisition board for installation into a com
puter) should never require cleaning if handled according to instruc­tions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected,
the board should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning/ser
vicing.

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Table of Contents

About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Intended Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

How this Manual is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Conventions Used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x

Related Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x

Where To Get Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi

Chapter 1: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Key Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Getting Started Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 2: Preparing to Use a Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Checking the System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Installing the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 3: Setting Up and Installing the Module . . . . . . . . 11

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Attaching Modules to the Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connecting One or Two Modules Directly to the USB

Ports of Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Connecting Multiple Modules Using an Expansion Hub . . 16

Changing the Name of a Module (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Chapter 4: Wiring Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Preparing to Wire Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Wiring Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Wiring Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

vii

Contents

Connecting Single-Ended Analog Input Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Connecting Analog Output Signals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Connecting Digital I/O Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Connecting Counter/Timer Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Connecting Signals for an Event Counting Operation . . . . 28

Connecting Signals for a Frequency Measurement

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Connecting Signals for an Edge-to-Edge Measurement

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Connecting Signals for a Rate Generation Operation . . . . . 34

Chapter 5: Verifying the Operation of a Module . . . . . . . . . 35

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Running the Quick Data Acq Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Performing a Single-Value Analog Input Operation . . . . . . 39

Performing a Single-Value Analog Output Operation . . . . 40

Performing a Continuous Analog Input Operation. . . . . . . 41

Performing a Single-Value Digital Input Operation . . . . . . 42

Performing a Single-Value Digital Output Operation. . . . . 42

Performing a Frequency Measurement Operation. . . . . . . . 43

Performing a Pulse Output Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

viii

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

About this Manual

This manual describes how to install and set up your KUSB-3100
module and device driver, and verify that your module is working
properly.

Intended Audience

This document is intended for engineers, scientists, technicians, or
others responsible for installing and setting up a KUSB-3100 module
to perform data acquisition operations. It is assumed that you are
familiar with the requirements of your application. It is also assumed
that you are familiar with the Microsoft
Windows XP.

How this Manual is Organized

This manual is organized as follows:

• Chapter 1, “Overview,” describes the key features of the
KUSB-3100 hardware and software, and provides an overview of
the getting started procedure.

®

Windows® 2000 or

• Chapter 2, “Preparing to Use a Module,” describes how to
unpack the module, check the system requirements, and install
the software using Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

• Chapter 3, “Setting Up and Installing the Module,” describes
how to set up the KUSB-3100 module and configure the device
driver.

ix

About this Manual

Conventions Used in this Manual

• Chapter 4, “Wiring Signals,” describes how to wire signals to the
module.

• Chapter 5, “Verifying the Operation of a Module,” describes how
to verify the operation of the module with the Quick Data Acq
application.

An index completes this manual.

The following conventions are used in this manual:

• Notes provide useful information that requires special emphasis,
cautions provide information to help you avoid losing data or
damaging your equipment, and warnings provide information to
help you avoid catastrophic damage to yourself or your
equipment.

• Items that you select or type are shown in bold.

• Courier font is used to represent source code.

Related Information

Refer to the following documents for more information on using the
KUSB-3100 module:

• KUSB-3100 User’s Manual provided with the module. This
manual describes the features of the KUSB-3100 module and
device driver.

• DataAcq SDK User’s Manual. For programmers who are
developing their own application programs using the Microsoft
C compiler, this manual describes how to use the DT-Open

TM

Layers
access the capabilities of your module.

x

DataAcq SDKTM in Windows 2000 or Windows XP to

• DTx-EZ Getting Started Manual. This manual describes how to use
the ActiveX controls provided in DTx-EZ
capabilities of your module in Microsoft Visual Basic® or Visual
C++®.

• DT-LV Link Getting Started Manual. This manual describes how to
use DT-LV Link
language to access the capabilities of your module.

• Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP documentation.

• USB web site (http://www.usb.org).

Where To Get Help

Should you run into problems installing or using your KUSB-3100
module, please call the Keithley Technical Support Department.

About this Manual

TM

to access the

TM

with the LabVIEW® graphical programming

xi

About this Manual

xii

1

Overview

Key Hardware Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Getting Started Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1

Chapter 1

Key Hardware Features

Table 1 lists the key features of the KUSB-3100 module.

Table 1: Key Features of the KUSB-3100 Module

Analog

Inputs

Analog

Outputs

Resolution

I/O

Range

Sample

Rate

Digital

I/O

Counter/

a

Timer

8 SE

a. This counter/timer channel allows you to perform event counting, frequency

measurement, edge-to-edge measurement, and continuous pulse output (rate generation)
operations.

2

12-bit ±10 V

50 kS/s 8

input,
8
output

1

2

Software

The software for the KUSB-3100 module, which is shipped on the
Keithley CD that is provided with the module, includes the following
software components:

Overview

1

• Device Driver − This software must be installed and loaded
before you can use a KUSB-3100 module with any of the
supported software packages or utilities.

• The Quick Data Acq application − This application provides a
quick way to get your module up and running. Using the Quick
Data Acq application, you can verify the features of the module,
display data on the screen, and save data to disk.

• DataAcq SDK − This DT-Open Layers Software Develop Kit
(SDK) allows programmers to develop application programs for
the KUSB-3100 using the Microsoft C compiler in Windows 2000
or Windows XP.

• DTx-EZ − This software package contains ActiveX controls that
allow Microsoft Visual Basic® or Visual C++® programmers to
access the capabilities of the KUSB-3100 module.

• DT-LV Link − This software package allows LabVIEW®
programmers to access the capabilities of the KUSB-3100 module.

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

3

Chapter 1

Getting Started Procedure

The flow diagram shown in Figure 1 illustrates the steps needed to
get started using the KUSB-3100 module. This diagram is repeated in
each chapter; the shaded area in the diagram shows you where you
are in the getting started procedure.

Preparing to Use a Module

(see Chapter 2 starting on page 5)

Set Up and Install the Module

(see Chapter 3 starting on page 11)

Wire Signals to the Module

(see Chapter 4 starting on page 19)

Verify the Operation of the Module

(see Chapter 5 starting on page 35)

Figure 1: Getting Started Flow Diagram

4

2

Preparing to Use a

Module

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Checking the System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Installing the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5

Chapter 2

Prepare to Use a Module

(this chapter)

Set Up and Install the Module

(see Chapter 3 starting on page 11)

Wire Signals to the Module

(see Chapter 4 starting on page 19)

Verify the Operation of the Module

(see Chapter 5 starting on page 35)

6