Tektronix PCIP-DMM/A Users Guide

PCIP-DMM/A

User’s Manual

Part Number: 24423

First Printing: July 1991

Copyright 0 1991

bY

Keithley MetraByte Corporation

440 Myles Standish Boulevard

Taunton, Massachusetts 02780

WARNING

Keithley MetraByte Corporation assumes no liability for damages consequent to the use of this
product. This product is not designed with components of a level of reliability suitable for use
in life support or critical applications.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the express prior written permission of MetraByte Corporation.

Information furnished by Keithley MetraByte Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by MetraByte Corporation for its use; nor for any
infringements of

Keithley MetraByte TM

atents or other rights of third parties which ma result from its use. No license

Y is granted by imp

ication or otherwise under any patent rights of x

eithley MetraByte Corporation.

(hereinafter referred to as MetraByte) is a trademark of Keithley MetraByte

Corporation.
BASICTM is a trademark of Dartmouth College.
IBM8 is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

PC, XT, and AT@ are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Microsoft@ is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

. . .
III

New Contact Information

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

28775 Aurora Road

Cleveland, OH 44139

Technical Support: 1-888-KEITHLEY

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m (EST)

Fax: [phone]

Visit our website at http://www.keithley.com

WARRANTY

Hardware

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants that, for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment (3 years for Models 2000,
2001, 2002, 2010 and 2700), the Keithley Hardware product will be free from defects in materials or workmanship. This
warranty will be honored provided the defect has not been caused by use of the Keithley Hardware not in accordance with
the instructions for the product. This warranty shall be null and void upon: (1) any modification of Keithley Hardware that
is made by other than Keithley and not approved in writing by Keithley or (2) operation of the Keithley Hardware outside
of the environmental specifications therefore.

Upon receiving notification of a defect in the Keithley Hardware during the warranty period, Keithley will, at its option,
either repair or replace such Keithley Hardware. During the first ninety days of the warranty period, Keithley will, at its
option, supply the necessary on site labor to return the product to the condition prior to the notification of a defect. Failure
to notify Keithley of a defect during the warranty shall relieve Keithley of its obligations and liabilities under this
warranty.

Other Hardware

The portion of the product that is not manufactured by Keithley (Other Hardware) shall not be covered by this warranty,
and Keithley shall have no duty of obligation to enforce any manufacturers' warranties on behalf of the customer. On those
other manufacturers’ products that Keithley purchases for resale, Keithley shall have no duty of obligation to enforce any
manufacturers’ warranties on behalf of the customer.

Software

Keithley warrants that for a period of one (1) year from date of shipment, the Keithley produced portion of the software or
firmware (Keithley Software) will conform in all material respects with the published specifications provided such Keithley
Software is used on the product for which it is intended and otherwise in accordance with the instructions therefore.
Keithley does not warrant that operation of the Keithley Software will be uninterrupted or error-free and/or that the Keithley
Software will be adequate for the customer's intended application and/or use. This warranty shall be null and void upon any
modification of the Keithley Software that is made by other than Keithley and not approved in writing by Keithley.

If Keithley receives notification of a Keithley Software nonconformity that is covered by this warranty during the warranty
period, Keithley will review the conditions described in such notice. Such notice must state the published specification(s)
to which the Keithley Software fails to conform and the manner in which the Keithley Software fails to conform to such
published specification(s) with sufficient specificity to permit Keithley to correct such nonconformity. If Keithley deter­mines that the Keithley Software does not conform with the published specifications, Keithley will, at its option, provide
either the programming services necessary to correct such nonconformity or develop a program change to bypass such
nonconformity in the Keithley Software. Failure to notify Keithley of a nonconformity during the warranty shall relieve
Keithley of its obligations and liabilities under this warranty.

Other Software

OEM software that is not produced by Keithley (Other Software) shall not be covered by this warranty, and Keithley shall
have no duty or obligation to enforce any OEM's warranties on behalf of the customer.

Other Items

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

Items not Covered under Warranty

This warranty does not apply to fuses, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leakage, or problems arising from
normal wear or failure to follow instructions.

Limitation of Warranty

This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modification made by Purchaser without Keithley's express
written consent, or by misuse of any product or part.

Disclaimer of Warranties

EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES ABOVE KEITHLEY DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT­ABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEITHLEY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH
RESPECT TO THE OTHER HARDWARE AND OTHER SOFTWARE.

Limitation of Liability

KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS SHALL IN NO EVENT, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE, ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR
OR BE LIABLE FOR: (1) ECONOMICAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR
EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, WHETHER CLAIMED UNDER CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY,
(2) LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO THE CUSTOMER'S DATA OR PROGRAMMING, OR (3) PENALTIES OR PENALTY
CLAUSES OF ANY DESCRIPTION OR INDEMNIFICATION OF THE CUSTOMER OR OTHERS FOR COSTS, DAM­AGES, OR EXPENSES RELATED TO THE GOODS OR SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY.

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

Sales Offices: BELGIUM: Bergensesteenweg 709 • B-1600 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw • 02-363 00 40 • Fax: [phone]

CHINA: Yuan Chen Xin Building, Room 705 • 12 Yumin Road, Dewai, Madian • Beijing 100029 • 8610-6202-2886 • Fax: [phone]
FINLAND: Tietäjäntie 2 • 02130 Espoo • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
FRANCE: 3, allée des Garays • 91127 Palaiseau Cédex • 01-64 53 20 20 • Fax: [phone]
GERMANY: Landsberger Strasse 65 • 82110 Germering • 089/84 93 07-40 • Fax: [phone]
GREAT BRITAIN: Unit 2 Commerce Park, Brunel Road • Theale • Berkshire RG7 4AB • 0118 929 7500 • Fax: [phone]
INDIA: Flat 2B, Willocrissa • 14, Rest House Crescent • Bangalore 560 001 • 91-80-509-1320/21 • Fax: [phone]
ITALY: Viale San Gimignano, 38 • 20146 Milano • 02-48 39 16 01 • Fax: [phone]
JAPAN: New Pier Takeshiba North Tower 13F • 11-1, Kaigan 1-chome • Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0022 • 81-3-5733-7555 • Fax: [phone]
KOREA: 2FL., URI Building • 2-14 Yangjae-Dong • Seocho-Gu, Seoul 137-888 • 82-2-574-7778 • Fax: [phone]
NETHERLANDS: Postbus 559 • 4200 AN Gorinchem • 0183-635333 • Fax: [phone]
SWEDEN: c/o Regus Business Centre • Frosundaviks Allé 15, 4tr • 169 70 Solna • 08-509 04 679 • Fax: [phone]
SWITZERLAND: Kriesbachstrasse 4 • 8600 Dübendorf • 01-821 94 44 • Fax: [phone]
TAIWAN: 1FL., 85 Po Ai Street • Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. • 886-3-572-9077• Fax: [phone]

28775 Aurora Road • Cleveland, Ohio 44139 • 440-248-0400 • Fax: [phone]

1-888-KEITHLEY (534-8453) • www.keithley.com

4/02

S

The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation.
Although some instruments 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 ensuring 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 instrument. 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 service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.
Keithley products are designed for use with electrical signals that are rated Installation Category I and Installation

Category II, as described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 60664. Most mea­surement, control, and data I/O signals are Installation Category I and must not be directly connected to mains voltage
or to voltage sources with high transient over-voltages. Installation 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 otherwise 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.

age 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 prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be ex­posed to potential human contact. 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,

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

afety Precautions

A good safety practice is to expect that hazardous volt-

no conductive part of the circuit

5/02

When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main
input power disconnect 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 jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as in­stalling or removing jumpers.

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.

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

Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, 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.
Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as safety earth ground con-

nections.
If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation re-

quires the use of a lid interlock.

If or 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

WARNING

associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
The

CAUTION

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 selected 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 computer) 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/servicing.

heading in a manual explains dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read the

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

-.

<

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHARTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION.. ............................................................................................

1.2 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.. ..........................................................................................

1.3 FILES ON THE

1.4 SPECIFICATIONS ...................................................................................................................

1.5 ORDERING

1.6 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL..

CHARTER 2

PCIP-DMM UTILITY DISK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l-3

INFORMATION.. .............................................................................................

..........................................................................................

.1-l

l-2
l-3

l-7
l-8

2.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 2-l

2.2 UNPACKING

AND INSPECTION.. ...................................................................................

2.3 BASE ADDRESS SWITCH..

2.4 BOARD

INSTALLATION ....................................................................................................

2.5 SYSTEM CONNECTIONS

..................................................................................................

....................................................................................................

.2-l
.2-2

..2- 3

.2-5

CHAPTER 3
GETTING STARTED

3.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 3-l

3.2 MAKING A BACKUP COPY OF THE SOFTWARE

3.3 INSTALLING THE PCIP-DMM SOFTWARE

3.4 ADDING ANSLSYS TO CONFIGSYS

3.5 INSTALLING THE DEVICE

3.6 ADDITIONAL PCIP-DMM

DRIVERS.. ............................................................................

PROGRAMS ..........................................................................

................................................................................

................................................................... .3-2

.........................................................

.3-l

.3-2
.3-3
.3-23

CHARTER 4
OPERATING THE PCIP-DMM

4.1 GENERAL..

...........................................................................................................................

4.2 USING A MOUSE.. .................................................................................................................

4.3 USING A KEYBOARD..

.........................................................................................................

4.4 ON-LINE HELP.. ....................................................................................................................

4.5 THE SETUP PANEL.. .............................................................................................................

4.6 THE DATA LOGGING

4.7 LOGGING

DATA..

PANEL.. ..........................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

...4-1

4-l
4-l

.4-2

4-2
4-4

.4-6

CHAPTER 5
DATA FILE STRUCTURE

5.1 GENERAL

.............................................................................................................................

5.2 COMMENTS.. ..........................................................................................................................

5.3 DATA FILES

............................................................................................................................

5.4 DATA-SET FILE (SAMPLE). ................................................................................................

...5-1

5-1
5-l

.5-5

CHARTER 6
PROGRAMMING

6.1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 6-l

6.2 LANGUAGE INDEPENDENT

INTERFACE COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-l

6.3 DIRECT SCREEN I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26

6.4 PROGRAMMING HINTS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27

V

CHAPTER 7
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

7.1 GENERAL.. ..............................................................................................................................

7.2 TEST EQUIPMENT.. ..............................................................................................................

7.3 PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION ......................................................................................

7.4 CALIBRATION

7.5 FUSE REPLACEMENT.. .......................................................................................................

7.6 WARRANTY INFORMATION..

7.7 RETURN TO FACTORY INFORMATION

APPENDIX A - INSTALLING MULTIPLE PCIP-TYPE INSTRUMENTS
APPENDIX B - REGISTER DESCRIPTIONS

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................... .7-10

........................................................................ ..7-11

7-1

.7-l

.7-2

.7-9

..7-10

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table

l-l. Ordering

2-l. Connectors..

6-l. Language Interface Commands..
7- 1. Test Equipment Specifications..

7-2. DC Voltage Readings.. ..........................................................................................

7-3. PCIP-DMM AC Voltage Range.. .............................................................................

7-4. Resistance Readings ............................................................................................

7-5. AC Current Values..

7-6. DC Current Values.. .............................................................................................

Information.. ..........................................................................................

........................................................................................................

..........................................................................

...........................................................................

..............................................................................................

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure

Location of Switches .............................................................................................

;I;*

Example

2-3:

Utility Program

Start-up Screen ...................................................................................................

;I;*

Selecting the

3-3:

Generating the Path Name to VISYS.. ..................................................................

3-4.

Specifying the Type of Monitor..

3-5.

Defining the .........................................................................................

3-6.

Defining the

3-7.

Defining the

3-8.

Confhming the

3-9.

Generating the DMM.SYS Path

3- 10. Pop-Up Key Def’mittion .........................................................................................

3- 11. Selecting a Base Address .....................................................................................

3-12. Confirmin the PCIP-DMM Setup..
3-13. f Creation o
3-14. CONFIGBAK already exists..

3- 15. Utility Program Start-Up Screen ..........................................................................

4-l. Setup Panel.. ........................................................................................................

4-2. The Data Logging Panel.. ......................................................................................

5- 1. Data File Header.. ................................................................................................

5-2. Data Section of the Data File.. ..............................................................................

6- 1. Opening the Language Interface File in BASIC ......................................................

6-2. Opening the Language Interface File in C..

7- 1. Connection of DC Calibrator to PCIP-DMM ...........................................................

7-2. Connection of AC Calibrator to PCIP-DMM..
7-3. Connection of Calibration Resistor..

7-4. Connection of AC Current Calibrator to PCIP-DMM.. ............................................

7-5. CALDMM Start-up Screen.. ..................................................................................

Base Address Switch ..................................................................

Start-Up

Boot Drive..

Help Key..
Mode Select

Instrument Select ......................................................................

System Setup

the new CONFIG.SYS.. ......................................................................

Setting

Screen.. .........................................................................

.....................................................................................

............................................................................ .3-8

.............................................................................. 3-l 1

Key..

Key

............................................................................... .3- 13

............................................................................. .3- 14

...................................................................... .3- 17

............................................................................... .3-18

...........................................................

..................................................................... .7-5

.........................................................

Page

l-7
.2-5
.6-4
.7- 1

.7-4
.7-5

..7- 6

7-7

.7-8

Page

.2-2

.2-3

.2-4

..3- 6

.3-7

.3-8

.3- 10

.3- 12

.3- 15

.3- 16
.3-18
.3-24

.4-2
.4-4
.5-2

.5-3

.6-2
.6-3

.7-2
.7-4

.7-6

.7-10

vii

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Introduction

CHAPTER 7

INTRODUCTION

7.7 GENERAL INTRODUCTiON

Keithley MetraByte’s PCIP-DMM/A is a 4 l/2 digit multimeter that plugs directly into any
I/O slot of an IBM 8 PC/XT/AT or IBM I’S/2 model 25/30 or compatible. The board pro­vides all the features and accuracy you would expect from a standard bench-top multimeter.
However, instead of LED’s or LCD’s, the PCF-DMM/A uses the computer screen as its
display which is programmed by using the computer keyboard or a “mouse”. The display
operates in a “pop-up” mode. When activated, the DMM display takes up approximately
one-third of the screen. When the DMM display is deactivated, the screen returns to its
original display.

The PCIP-DMM/A also features automatic or manual data-logging. This records PCIP­DMM/A readings to a user-specified ASCII file. This file may be used as input to popular
spread-sheet programs for plotting. When automatic logging is selected, the PUP-DMM/A
can be programmed to record up to 999999 readings at a rate of l/2 seconds to 99.9 minutes
between readings. Automatic logging may be setup to run in the background while the PC
is used for other tasks.

The PCIP-DMM/A is fully isolated from the computer and line power. The voltage and

current input protection assures that board will not be damaged by intentional or inadver­tent connections to 120 Vat power. All connections are made through three IEC approved
recessed safety jacks. The terminals are spaced at the standard 3/4 inches, and compatible
with a wide variety of interconnecting and cabling schemes.

For users who have sophisticated applications, MetraByte provides a library of Language
Independent Interface commands. These ASCII commands are incorporated into a user­designed application program. For example, to set the board to the 20 Vdc range, you
would use the command

SET 20 volt DC .

Application programs can be programmed in

several languages including: BASIC 8, PASCAL, C, and FORTRAN.

l-l

Introduction

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

7.2 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

This section provides an overall functional description of the PCIP-DMM/A.

The inputs to the PCIP-DMM/A are isolated (400 V) from the computer. This protects the
computer in the event that there are high voltages present at the PCIP-DMM/A inputs.
Power is supplied to the isolated side of the PCIP-DMM/A by a transformer-coupled DC to
DC converter. A group of opto-couplers are used to isolate the various control signals trav­elling between the computer and these signals.

Voltuge Measurements

Voltage measurements are made between the VOLT-OHM and COMMON connectors on
the PCIP-DMM/A. There are four voltage ranges: 2OOmV, 2 V, 2OV, and 200 V. A program­mable resistor divider network scales the input voltage signal and also provides 10 MOhm

input impedance. The signal is then buffered. AC signals are routed to a true RMS (TRMS)
converter which is set to give an output DC voltage equal to the RMS value of a signal
applied to its input. The signal is then routed to

the

analog to digital (A/D) converter. DC

signals are routed directly to the A/D converter.

Current Measurements

Current Measurements are made between the MA and COMMON connectors

on the

PCIP­DMM/A. The PCIP-DMM/A is capable of measuring AC or DC current. The current
develops a voltage across a programmable shunt resistance on the PCIP-DMM/A. This
voltage signal is then routed to either the AC or DC converter and X10 amplifier used for
voltage measurements.

Resistance Measurements

Resistance Measurements are made by a ratio technique. A reference voltage is connected
to a voltage divider formed by a known programmable reference resistor and the resistance
to be measured. The reference voltage is measured at a convenient time, typically when a
resistance range is first selected. Then the voltage across the unknown resistance is mea­sured. The value of the unknown resistance is related to the reference voltage and reference
resistor as follows:

Unknown Resistance = Rx
Voltage across Rx = Vx

Reference Resistor = Rref
Reference Voltage = Vref

l-2

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Introduction

Rx = (Vx x Rref)/(Vref - Vx)

Range selection is accomplished by switching in the appropriate provided reference resistor.

7.3 PC/P-DMM/A DlSTRlBUTlON DISKETTES

The PCIP-DMM/A is shipped with a complete set of software drivers, support utilities, and
examples. Refer to the file FILESJJOC for a complete listing of the files supplied. The Soft­ware is normally provided on 5 l/4” diskettes. It is optionally available on 3 1 /Z” diskettes.

7.4 SPEClFICATlONS

This section lists

the

operating specifications for the PCIP-DMM/A board.

DC Voltage

Range

200 mV 1opv
2v 1oOjlV
2ov

I

2oov

I

Resolution Accuracy

1mV

I

1OmV

I

+/- (% of reading + digits)
(With zero set by REL function)

1 Year

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

Settling Time: 1 set to within 3 counts of final reading on range.

Overload: 250 Vdc or peak AC

Input
Impedance

>lO&IMOhm I
>1003 MOhm
10 MOhm
10 MOhm

I

l-3

Introduction PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

AC Voltage (True MS, AC Coupled)

Range Resolution Accuracy

+/- (% of reading + digits)

6oHz

1 Year

I

200 mV

I

1OlV

I

1+ Id

I

fylj+-

lOOOH
1 year

1 + Id

1 + Id

1OKHz
1 year

I

3+ld

I

3+ld

I

EEA-K-

Input

Impedance

>lO MOhm I I 1OOpF

>looO MOhm I I clOOPf

>l MOhm I I <lOOPf

>l MOhm I I clOOPf

Overload: 250 Vdc or peak AC

NOTE:

Accuracy is %FS and applies above 200 counts (1% of FS) and to the stated percent +
30 counts (0.15%) crest factor (ratio of peak to RhG) up to 3:l allowable, add + 0.1% for 3:l
crest factor.

Resistance

Range

2ccl ohm
2 KOhm
20 KOhm
200 KOhm
2 MOhm

Resolution

0.01 Ohm

0.1 Ohm
1 Ohm
1oohm

loo ohm

Accuracy

+/- (% of reading + digits)
(With zero set by REL function)
1 Year

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

Settling time: 2 sec. to within 3 counts of final value.

Overload: 250 V continuous
Open Circuit Voltage: ~3.5V all ranges

l-4

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

DC Current

Introduction

Range Resolution Accuracy

2mA
2omA
200 mA

0.1 /.L4
1clA

lOti

+/- (% of reading + digits)
(With zero set by REL function)

1 Year

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

0.03 + Id

Overload Protection: 0.5A, 100 Volts

AC Current

(above 1% of full scale)

Range

2mA

/

IzomA

1200mA

Resolution Accuracy

0.1 pA

Iti I

+/- (% of reading + digits)

1 Year
1 + Id

I

1 + Id

Overload: 0.5 A, 100 Volts

Burden
Voltage

03v

0.2 v

0.2 v

02v

I

-1

Conversion Rate

2.5 Readings/set.

Isolation

Input COM to computer ground, greater than 100 MOhm shunted by approx. 250pF. Max
input, COM to computer ground, 400 Vdc.

1-5

Introduction

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

Power Drawn

from

the PC

+5 Volts - 985 mA typical, 1245 mA max.

Fuse Type

5 x 20 mm, Bussman GMA -l/2

BUS

XT/AT or compatible

Physical

Size:

13.25” X 4.20 ”

Weight: 11 oz.

Environmental

Operating Temperature Range: 0 to 50 o C
Storage Temperature Range: -20 to 70” C
Humidity: 0 to 90%, non-condensing

l-6

Introduction PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

1.5 ORDERING INFORMATlON

Table l-1 lists the part numbers for the PUP-DMM/A and its accessories. A brief descrip­tion of each is provided. Refer to the MetraByte Catalog for more information or call Metra-

Byte’s Technical Support Department. (See Chapter 7.)

Table l-l. Ordering Information

Part Number
PCIP-DMM/A

TCP-BAN

TCP-DBB

TCP-MCB

TCP-ACB

C-BMM-5
C-BMM-15

Description
4 l/2 Digit Multimeter board for the IBM PC/XT/AT or

IBM E/2 model 25/30.
Dual banana-clip plug to clip ball test leads for direct

plug-in to PCIP-DMM/A’s terminal posts.
Dual banana plug to BNC adapter. Allows connection of a

BNC cable to PCIP-DMM/A.
Dual Micro clips to BNC adapter. Allows direct connection

of micro clips to a BNC connector cable.
Dual alligator clips to BNC adapter. Allows connection of

alligator plug to BNC cable.
Male-Male, BNC cable, 5’ long
Male-Male, BNC cable, 15’ long

l-7

Introduction

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

7.6 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

This manual is designed for a knowledgeable computer user. It assumes that the user is
familiar with the PC and its operation. At times, it may be necessary to refer to the Opera­tor’s Manual provided with the computer and a reference manual for

the

language used in

custom application programs. Be sure to have these handy.
You may also find it useful to print out the example programs and the file

READMEDOC.

This file provides additional information which may not be included in this manual.
Chapter 2,“Installation” describes unpacking and inspection procedures, setting the base

address and memory configuration switches, installation of the board, and how to connect
peripherals.

Chapter 3, “Getting Started” tells you how to make copies of the PCIP-DMM/A Distribution
Diskettes. Additionally, the chapter describes how to install the device drivers and modify
your CONFIG.SYS file. This chapter also describes how to use the PCIP-DMM/A’s Setup
Panel to set the operating parameters.

Chapter 4, “Operating the PUP-DMM/A”, describes how to use the Setup and Data Log­ging

Panels.

Chapter 5, “Data File Structure”, describes the format of the file to which data is logged.
Chapter 6, “Programming”, describes the

Language

Independent Interface Commands and

gives other programming information.

Chapter 7, “Maintenance and Repair” gives a procedure for calibrating the PCIP-DMM/A.
Warranty information and Return-to-Factory instructions are also provided.

Appendix A gives instructions for the

PCIPMOD

program, used when installing multiple

PCIP-type instruments. Appendix B provides register descriptions.

l-8

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Installation

CHAPTER 2

INSTALLATION

2.7 GENERAL

This chapter describes how to install your PUP-DMM/A. The following information is
provided: unpacking and inspection procedures, setting of the base address switch, installa­tion of the board, and system connections.

If you have installed optional peripheral boards in your PC before, you may want to skip

this chapter. Be sure however, that the base address switch has been set according to the
instructions in section 2.3. The PCIP-DMM/A is factory-calibrated and should be re­calibrated when necessary. Calibration procedures are given in section 7.4.

2.2 UNPACKlNG AND INSPECTION
After you unpack the board from its outer shipping material:

1.

Remove the item from its packing material, while placing one hand

firmly on a metal portion of the system chassis. This will prevent any
damage to the board components due to possible static electricity
build-up during transit.

2. After allowing a moment for static electricity discharge, carefully
unwrap the board from the anti-static material.

3. Inspect the board for any possible damage. If any sign of damage is
detected, return the board to the factory as described in section 7.7.

Confirm that each item on the packing list has been shipped. It is a good idea to retain the
packing material in the event that the board must be returned to the factory for repair.

2-l

Installation PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

2.3 BASE ADDRESS SWITCH

RED

BASE
ADDRESS
SW7TCH

COh4

MA

BLACK

WHITE

Figure 2-1. Location of Switches

The PCIP-DMM/A uses a block of eight non-overlapping I/O addresses. The Base Address
Switch is used to set the Base Address of the Board. The PCIP-DMM/A has a default base
address setting of 310 (hex). This slot may be occupied within your computer. Base
addresses may be assigned within the range 100 to 3FF (hex). Check your system configura-

tion and Operator’s Manual for available addresses.

The Base Address Switch is a seven-position, DIP switch located in the lower right-hand
comer of the board. (See Figure 2-l.) To set the appropriate base address, use a pen-tip to
move the individual switches into the OFF position. For example, to set a base address of
310 hex (784 decimal), move switches 9,8, and 4 into the OFF position as shown in Figure
2-2.

If you are unsure of how to set the Base Address Switch, you may find it helpful to run the
PCIP-DMM/A U7’1LJTY.EXE program. Refer to section 3.6.

2-2

installation PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

Figure 2-2. Example Base Address (310 hex) Switch Setting

2.4 BOARD INSTALLATION
This section provides general instructions for installing the PCIP-DMM/A Board. For more

detailed information regarding installation of peripheral boards, consult the documentation
provided with your computer.

WARNING

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSERT OR REMOVE ANY ADAPTER BOARD WITH THE

COMPUTER POWER ON! THIS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER!

IBM PC/XT/AT

To install the PCIP-DMM/A Board:

1. Turn the power to the PC and to all attached options OFF.

2. Unplug the power cords of all attached options from
the electrical outlets. Make a note of where all the cables and
cords are attached to the rear of the system unit and disconnect.

2-3

Installation

3.

Remove the cover of the PC. To do this, first remove the five cover
mounting screws on the rear panel of the computer. Then, slide the
cover of the computer about 3/4 of the way forward.

Tilt the cover upwards

to remove.

4.

Choose an available option slot. Loosen and remove the screw at the top of

the blank adapter plate. Then slide the plate up and out to remove.

5.

Hold the PCIP-DMM/A in one hand. With the other hand, touch any metallic
part of the PC/AT cabinet. This will safely discharge any static

electricity which has built-up in your body.

6.

Set the desired Base Address as described in section 2.3.

7.

Align the gold edge connector with the edge socket and the back adapter
place with the adapter plate screw. Gently press the board downward into
the socket. Re-install the adapter plate screw.

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

8.

Replace the computer’s cover. Tilt the cover up and slide it onto the
system’s base, making sure the front of the cover is under the rail along

the front of the frame. Install the mounting screws.

9.

Plug in all cords and cables. Turn the power to the computer back on.

IBM PSI2 Models 2930

This installation procedure is similar to the one outlined above. For specific information,
refer to your operator’s manual.

You are now ready to make any necessary system connections and install the software.

2-4

installation

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

2.5 SYSTEM CONNECTIONS

The PCIP-DMM/A is equipped with 3 banana-plug connectors which can be used in a vari­ety of applications. These connectors are located on the rear edge of the card and are color­coded for easy identification. (Refer to Figure 2-l.) The connectors and their functions are
as listed in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1. Connectors

Color

I

Red
Black
White

Connector

Name I

I

Function

I

Input for volts (AC, DC) and ohms.
Common for all measurements.
Input for current measurement (AC, DC).

2-5

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Getting Started

CHAPTER 3

GETTING STARTED

3.7 GENERAL
This chapter describes the information necessary to begin operating the PCIP-DMM/A.

Instructions for making back-up copies of the PCIP-DMM/A Diskette, and modifying the
CONFIG.SYS file to include the necessary drivers are included. Also provided in this chap­ter are instructions for using the Pop-Up Menu to set the PCIP-DMM/A’s operating param­eters.

3.2 MAKJI’VG A BACK-UP COPY OF THE SOFWARE

Before installing the PCF-DMM/A software, first create a back-up copy of the PCIP­DMM/A Diskette(s). Follow the general procedure outlined below:

1.

Turn on your computer and display.

2.

Switch to the directory containing your

3.

At the DOS prompt, type:

DISKCOPY {source drive

4.

The system will prompt you through the disk copying process. Insert the

designator)

DISKCOPY.EXE

:

{copy drive

DO!3 utility.

designator

source diskette into the specified drive. Then, it will ask you to

insert the target disk into the other drive. This is a blank, formatted
disk which is to be your back-up disk. When the copying process
completed, the computer will ask

5.

When your copy has been completed, put the original disk is a safe place.

copy another (Y/N)

?. Enter N .

Label the back-up copy “PCIP-DMM/A Disk Back-Up Copy”. Use this disk

to install the software.

has

I:

been

3-1

Getting Started

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

3.3 INSTALLlNG THE PCIP-DMM/A SOFTWARE

If at all possible, the PCIP-DMM/A software should be installed on your computer’s hard
drive. Installing the PCIP-DMM/A software in this manner requires the use of the DOS

COPY

command. To install the PCIP-DMM/A software:

1.

Turn on your PC and its display. You should see a prompt which indicates
you are at the DOS level.

2.

The following instructions create a special directory for the PCIP-DMM/A
Disk files and assumes this directory is called
DOS prompt, change to the root directory (or other directory you want

the PCIP-DMM/A directory to be branched off from), i.e. type:
cd \

3.

Next, create the DMM directory. Type:

DMM.

At the

mmir \dxtun OR md \dmm

Change to the dmm directory by typing:

cd \dmm

Place the PCIP-DMM/A Disk into the floppy drive (assume this is drive a:> and type:

3.

copy a:*.*

Repeat as needed.
You are now ready to install the driver software.

3.4 ADDING ANSLSYS to CONFIG.SYS

The PCIP-DMM/A software requires that ANSLSYS be loaded from your CONFIG.SYS. Be
sure to add the following instruction to your CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICEi = {path}ANSI.SYS

3-2

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Getting Started

If the device drivers are installed from the CONFIG.SYS file, the ANSI.SYS instruction must
precede the device driver instructions (See 3.5.1 and 3.5.2.).

3.5 INSTALLING THE DEVICE DRIVERS

Before operating your PCIP-DMM/A, you must load its driver files

DMM.SYS).

This can be done in one of two ways: either by loading the drivers from your

(VI.SYS

and
CONFIG.SYS or by loading them directly from DOS using the Load/Unload Utility.
If you choose to load the drivers from your COiVFIG.SYS, they will be automatically loaded

every time your computer is booted up. This keeps the drivers memory-resident, allowing
the PCIP-DMM/A to be used at any time. There are two ways to modify your CONFIG.SYS
file: (1) Editing your COIVFIG.SYS file (See section 3.5.1.) and (2) Using the DMMSETUP
Program (See section 3.5.2).

If unoccupied memory is limited in your computer, you will probably want to manually
load and unload the drivers from the DOS command line. After the drivers have been
unloaded using this technique, 500 bytes will remain memory resident. We suggest creating
batch files to invoke the load and unload options quickly. Section 3.5.3 discusses how to
load the device drivers from the command line.

NOTE: If you have more than one PCIP-DMM/A installed in the same computer - or if you
have an additional MetraByte PCIP family Virtual Instrument Products, refer to Appendix
A for Driver Installation procedure.

Syntax Notes

The following syntax is used in this section:

{ } - Anything enclosed within curly brackets is optional. Do not include the curly brackets

in the command. Choices are separated by commas.

3.5.7 Editing the CONFIGSYS File

If you do not want to run the PCIP-DMM/A Set-Up Program and are familiar with your

CONFIG.SYS file, you may want to edit the existing CONRG.SYS file with a standard

wordprocessor which handles ASCII input. Start by bringing the CONFIG.SYS file into the

editor. Then, add the following two instructions (after the

3-3

DEVICE = ANSI. SYS

instruction).

Getting Started PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

STEP 1. ADD THE VISYS DRIVER

Add the following line to the CONEIG.SYS file :

DEVICE = {PATH}VI.SYS {MONITOR} /HK = x /MK = m /SK = s

Where:

HK

MK

SK

designates the Help Key. Whenever the indicated key (x) is pressed, the help
screen will be displayed. (If the PCIP-DMM/A is visible.) On-line help con­sists of a brief description of the PCIP-DMM/A, a listing of current Key set­tings, and a listing of all commands which can be incorporated into your
application programs.

x represents the key combination -- (Ctrl) and/or (Alt) plus one of the fol-

lowing: 8 through 0, (F1) through @I, @ through @, (Tab], (Esc), or a)
spelled out. For example, “CTRL D” would indicate that m and @
would be pressed at the same time to brin up the help screen. The default
setting for the help key parameter is IAlt) H .

?I

designates the Mode Select Key. This key combination places the visible
PCIP-DMM/A into keyboard entry mode. Refer to the following section for
more information.

mis the name of the key combination -- (Ctrlj and/or (Alt)

following: @ through 0, a through (F10), @J through @I, Tab

lus one of the

, (Esc), or Q.

b

It must be spelled out, for example, “Fl” assigns the function key (F1) to be
the Mode Select Key. The default Mode Select Key is (Alt)@.

defines the Instrument Select Key. If you have multiple MetraByte PCIP
boards installed in your computer, this key or key combination is used to
toggle between their setup menus.

MONO,

COLOR

s is the name of the key or key combination - (-1 and/or (Alt) lus one of
the following: @ through 0, (F1) through (F10), @ throu h @, Tab , (Esc), or
a spelled out. For example, “Alt I” would indicate that Alt and Q must be

b

c5

pressed simultaneously. The default Instrument Select Key is (Alt)lTab).
determines which type of monitor is being used with the system. Enter

for a monochrome monitor or

COLOR

for a color monitor. COLOR is the

MONO

default setting.

3-4

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Getting Started

NOTE: If optional parameters are not specified, their default values will be used.
Example:

DEVICE = C:\VI.SYS /HK=ALT H /MK=ALT M

If this example line were to be placed in the CONFIG.SYS file, the default selections for

/SK=ALT

TAB

the

Help Key ([XlIIi)), Mode Select Key ((=1@1),and Instrument Select Key ((E)@) are
enabled.

STEP 2. ADD THE DMMSYS DRIVER

NOTE: The VLSYS driver must be installed as described in step 1, before installing the

DMM.SYS driver.

Add the following line to the CONFIG.SYS file:

DEVICE = {PATH)DMM.SYS /PK=p /EA=b

Where:
PK designates the Pop-Up Menu Key. Whenever the indicated key or key combi-

nation is pressed, the instrument’s Pop-Up Setup Menu will be displayed. Each
type of instrument must be assigned a different Pop-Up Key.

p

is the name of the key combination. It must be spelled out. For example,
“CTRL P” would indicate that [K) and @ must be pressed at the same time
to bring up the help screen. The default setting for the PopUp Menu Key is

(ct,l)(Fi].

NOTE

We suggest that you avoid assigning only one key as a Pop-Up key - unless it

is a function key. Assigning

one

key will most likely will disable that key for

use in other software applications.

3-5

Getting Started

POP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

23A

defines the base address setting for the PCIP-DMM/A. If this parameter is not
given, the default base address of &H310 (784 decimal) will be used.

b

is the value of the base address. Base address values may be given in either
hex or decimal; however, if they are given in hex they must be preceded by an
ampersand and an H (i.e., &H). Make certain that

the

base address you give

has not been already assigned to another peripheral.

NOTE: If optional parameters are not specified, their default values will be used.

STEP 3. RE-BOOT THE PC

Press (m)(E)(Del). After the system start-up screens are displayed, a screen similar to
Figure 3-1 should appear.

t******

*******

VI. SYS loaded

o Help Key is ALT H
o Instrument Select Key is ALT TAB
o Mode Select Key is ALT M

DMM.SYS loaded
o Pop-Up Key is CTRL Fl
o Base Address is 0310 hex

Figure 3-1. Start-Up Screen

3.5.2 Using DMMSETUP.EXE to Modify the CONFIG.SYS File
If you prefer not to manipulate the CONFIGSYS file, use the PCIP-DMM/A Setup Program.

This is a self-explanatory program which is contained on the PCIP-DMM/A Disk.

Before you begin to run the PCIP-DMM/A, make certain that the PCIP-DMM/A and its
software have been installed correctly. Make

note

of the Base Address Switch setting, you

will need this information later.

3-6

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

1.

Then, change to the directory where your PCIP-DMM/A software has been loaded.

Getting Started

At the DOS prompt, type:

DMMSE!l’UP

The program will then prompt you for the information required by the
system driver (VLSYS). Follow the instructions given. Sample screen
dialogue is provided in Figures 3-2 through Figure 3-8.

First, you will be asked to specify the drive where you want the
CONFIG.SYS file to reside. Enter the appropriate letter (i.e., C).

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

I

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C

Select Boot Drive

Enter a drive letter where New/Revised CONFIG.SYS is to be placed. Then hit 'ENTER'.

Hitting ‘ESC' will exit program.

Figure 3-2. Selecting fhe Boof Drive

2.

You will then be asked for the fuIl path name to the VLSYS file. If you
are unsure of what a path name is, refer to the operator’s manual provide with your

PC. Otherwise, provide the path name, being certain to include the correct drive speci­fier and directory name(s). See Figure 3-3.

3-7

Getting Started PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

PCIP-Dt4.M Setup Program

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C

Full path name to VI.SYS: C:\DMM

Generate the path name to VI.SYS

The default path is . .._ ( C:\ )

The path in the current CORFIG.SYS is . . . . ( C:\DMM\ )

Enter one of the following..

0

The complete path to VI.SYS followed by 'ENTER'
'ENTER' to use default path

0
0

'ESC' to exit Setup

Figure 3-3. Generating the Path Name to VLSYS

3. Specify the type of monitor you are using: MONO or COLOR.

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C
Full path name to VI.SYS: C:\DMM

Declare type of monitor: COLOR

Specify the type of monitor in system

The default monitor is __._ ( COLOR )

The current monitor is . . . . ( COLOR )

Enter one of the following..

o The word COLOR or MONO followed by 'ENTER'

0

'ENTER' to default monitor

0

'ESC' to exit setup

.

Figure 3-4. Specifying the type of Monitor

3-8

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

3. Set the Help Select Key, Mode Select Key, and Instrument Select Key as
illustrated in Figures 3-5 through 3-7.

Getting Started

Whenever the

Help

Key is pressed and the instrument is visible, the help
screen will be displayed. On-line help consists of a brief description
of the IUP-DMM/A, a listing of current key settings, and a listing of all
commands which can be incorporated into your application programs. The
default setting for the help key is [Alt)@].

The Mode S&d Key is used to toggle between the mouse and
keyboard setup modes. Refer to the following section for more
information. The default Mode Select Key is (x)[E].

If you have other PCIF boards installed in your computer, the Insfrument

Select Key is used to toggle between their setup menus. The currently

selected instrument’s menu will appear first in the sequence. The

default Instrument Select Key is [z)(%].

Keys may be a single function key (Fl through FlO) or a combination
of keys (Ctrl or Alt with another valid key). Hot keys are specified by
“spelling out” the key(s) used. For example:

“Alt I” means that (Alt) and 0 are pressed simultaneously.
“Fl” indicates a.
“Ctrl I” is (ml and 0 pressed together.
If an invalid key or key combination is entered, the following error message

will appear:

The Definition for the
Strike any key to try another.

Key

is not valid.

3-9

Getting Started PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

CAUTION

Single keystrokes may be defined as Keys; however, it is suggested that only function
keys be assigned in this manner. If the CONFIG.SYS file resides in the root directory,
assigning a single keystroke will disable that key from being used in other software appli­cations.

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C

Full path name to VI.SYS: C:\DMM

Declare type of monitor: COLOR
HELP KEY definition: ALT ?

Help Key Definition

The Help Key is defined by spelling out either or both the legal
SHIFT KEYS (CTPL and ALT) plus 1 of the following character keys.

A through 2, Fl through FlO, 0 through 9

TAB, ESC, ?

The default HELP KEY is....( ALT H )

The current HELP KEY is....( ALT ? )

Enter one of the following..

0

The definition for Help Key followed by ‘ENTER'

0

'ENTER' to use default HELP KEY

0

'ESC' to end entry

Figure 3-5. Defining the Help Key

3-10

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C
Full path name to VI:.SYS: C:\DMM

Declare type of monitor: COLOR
HELP KEY definition: ALT ?
MODE SELECT KEY definition: F2

The Mode Select Key is defined by spelling out either or both the
legal SHIFT KEYS (CTRL and UT) plus 1 of the following character keys.

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

Mode Select Key Definition

A through 2, Fl through FlO, 0 through 9

TAB. ESC, ?

Getting Started

The default MODE SELECT KEY is....( ALT M )

The current MODE SELECT KEY is....( F2 )

Enter one of the following..

o The definition for Mode Select Key followed by 'ENTER'

0

'ENTER' to use default HELP KEY

0

‘ESC' to end entry

Figure 3-6. Defining the Mode Select Key

3-11

Getting Started PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C
Full path name to VI.SYS:

Declare type of monitor: COLOR
HELP KEY definition: A.LT ?

MODE SELECT KEY definition: F2

INSTRUMENT SELECT KEY definition: CTRL I

The Instrument Select Key is defined by spelling out either or both the legal
SHIFT KEYS (CTRL and ALT) plus 1 of the following character keys.

A through 2, Fl through FlO, 0 through 9

The default INSTRUMENT SELECT KEY is....( ALT TAR )

The current INSTRUMENT SELEXT KEY is....( CTRD I )

Enter one of the following..

0

The definition for INSTRUMENT SELECT KEY followed by 'ENTER'

0

'ENTER' to use default INSTRUMENT SELECT KEY

0

'ESC' to end

entry

C:\DMM

Instrument Select Key Definition

TAB, ESC, ?

Figure 3-7. Defining fhe lnsfrument Select Key

4. You will now be asked to confirm your selections. (See Figure 3-8.)
If you wish to change an entry, press @I and the program will return
to the Boot Drive Selection Screen. To return to DOS, press (Esc),
Otherwise, press @I.

3-12

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Drive letter for CONFIG.SYS file : C
Full path name to VI.SYS: C:\DMM

Declare type of monitor: COLOR
HELP KEY definition: ALT ?
MODE SELECT KEY definition: F2

INSTRUMENT SELECT KEY definition: CTRL I

Enter one of the following..

0 IN' if above entries are NOT OK

'ENTER' to continue

0
0 'ESC' to exit setup

Getting Started

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

VI Setup CONFIRMATION

Figure 3-8. Confirming the System Setup

Next, the program will ask you for the information required to setup the

5.
PCIP-DMM/A driver. It first prompts you for the path name to
DMM.SYS. (See Figure 3-9.)

the

file

3-13

Getting Started PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

Pull path name to vI.SYS: C:\DMM

I

Generate the path name to DMM.SYS

The default path is . . . . ( C:\ )

The path in the current CONF'IG.SYS is . . . . ( C:\DMM\ )

Enter one of the following..

o The complete path to DMM.SYS followed by 'ENTER'

0

‘ENTER’ to use default path

0

'Esc' to exit Setup

Figure 3-9. Generating the DMM.SYS Path

6. The program then asks you to select a Pop-Up Menu Key as shown in
Figure 3-10. Whenever the

Pop-Up Menu Key

is pressed, the

instrument’s Pop-Up Setup Menu will be displayed. It is suggested that

each type of instrument be assigned a different Pop-Up Key. The default

setting for the Pop-Up Menu Key is (m)[E].

Keys may be a single function key (Fl through FlO) or a combination
of keys (Ctrl or Alt with another valid key). Hot keys are specified by
“spelling out” the key(s) used. (See Step #3 for specifics.)

3-14

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

I

Full path name to DMM.SYS: C:\DMM
POP UP MENU KEY definition: ALT P I

POP UP Key Definition

The Pop Up Key is defined by spelling out either or both the legal
SHIFT KEYS (CTPL and ALT) plus 1 of the following character keys.

A through 2, Fl through FlO, 0 through 9

The default POP UP KEY is....( CTRL Fl )

The current POP UP KEY is....( ALT P )

Enter one of the following..

0

The definition for POP UP KEY followed by ‘ENTER'
‘ENTER' to use default POP UP KEY

0
0

'ESC' to end entrv

TAB, ESC, ?

Getting Started

Figure 3-10. Pop Up Key Definition

7.

You now will be asked for the Base Address of the PCIP-DMM/A. Base address
values may be given in either hex or decimal; however, if they are given
in hex they must be preceded by an ampersand and an H (i.e., &HI. Make
certain that the base address you give has not been already assigned to
another peripheral and agrees with the Base Address Switch setting on
the PCIP-DMM/A.

3-15

Getting Started

Full path name to DMM.SYS: C:\DKM
POP UP MENU KEY definition: ALT P

I

Base Address for PCIP-DMM: CHnter> I

The Base Address can be entered in either decimal or hex.
If entered in hex, the number must be preceded by LB

(i.e., hH310 is the same as 784)

The default PCIP-DMM Base Address is ( LB310 ).
The current PCIP-DMM Ease Address is ( hH310 ).

Enter one of the following..
o The BASE ADDRESS to use for the PCIP-DKM followed by 'ENTER'

'ENTER' to use default BASE ADDRESS

0
0

'ESC' to exit Setup

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

PCIP-DMM I/O Base Address Selection

Figure 3-11. Selecting a Base Address

8.

You will now be asked to confirm your selections. (See Figure 3-12.)

If you wish to change an entry, press @I and the program will return
to the screen requesting a path name for the PCIP-DMM/A driver. To return
to DOS, press (Esc). Otherwise, press @.

3-16

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

Full path name to DMM.SYS:
POP UP KEY definition: ALT P
Ease Address for the PCIP-DMM:SH310

Enter one of the following..

‘N' if above entries are NOT OK

0
0

‘ENTER' to continue

0

'ESC' to exit setup

Getting Started

PCIP-DMM Setup Program

C:\DMM

PCIP-DMM Setup CONFIRMATION

Figure 3-12. Confirming the PCIP-DMM/A Setup

9. The program will back-up your present CONFIG.SYS file to the file
CONFIG.BAK and write the new set-up information to the CONFIG.SYS
File. The CONFIGSYS file is displayed. An example is given in
Figure 3-13. If your system already has a CONFIGBAK file, you will
be asked if it should be deleted as shown in Figure 3-14.

3-17

Getting Started

Backing old CONFIG.SYS file to CONF1G.U

and creating new CONPIG.SYS
DEVICE = C:\SYS\ANSI.SYS

DEVICE = C:\vI:..SYS /HX=ALT B /MX=ALT H /SX=ALT TAB
DEVICE = C:\DMM.SYS /PX= CTRL Fl /BA = 68310

files = 20

buffers = 10

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

Figure 3-13. Creation

Backing old CONFIG.SYS file to CONFIG.BAX

and creating new CONFIG.SYS

Backup file already exists

Delete it? (Y/N)

DEVICE = C:\SYS\ANSI.SYS
DEVICE = c:\v~.sYS /HX=ALT H /MX=ALT M /SX=A.LT TAB
DEVICE = C:\DMM.SYS /PX= CTRL Fl /BA = hH310

files = 20

buffers = 10

of

the new CONFZG.SYS

Figure 3-24. CONFIG.BAK Already Exists

3-18

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

In order to activate the CONFIGSYS file that was created, press (~l(~](~)

10.

Getting Started

simultaneously to re-boot the system.

3.5.3 Loading/Unloading the Drivers from DOS
The VI.SYS and DMM.SYS drivers can be “manually” loaded from the DOS command line,

if desired. This is useful if you frequently run memory-resident programs. Using this tech­nique, a maximum of 500 driver file bytes will remain memory resident once the drivers
have been unloaded. You can create batch files which will alleviate the tediousness of this
method. See Notes for specifics on batch files.

NOTE: Both of these drivers must be loaded for the PCIP-DMM/A to operate. Be sure

that

ANSLSYS has been loaded. Refer to Appendix A if you have multiple PCF-DMM/A’s or

another MetraByte PCIP instrument installed.

Syntax Conventions

The following syntax conventions are used in this section:

1.

{ ) - Anything enclosed within curly brackets is optional. Do not
include the curly brackets in the command.

Loading the Drivers

The LS.COM utility lets you load the PCIP-DMM/A driver files from the DOS command
line. Help is available for this utility. The help screen briefly describes the function of, syn-

tax for, and a sample usage for LS.COM. To access help, type

LS

at the DOS prompt.
VI.SYS
To load the VI.SYS driver, type the following at the DOS prompt:

LS {Path) VI.SYS {/HK = x) {/MK = m) {/SK = s}

Where

HK

designates the Help Key. Whenever the indicated key (x) is pressed, the help
screen will be displayed if the PCIP-DMM/A is visible. On-line help consists

3-19

Getting Started

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

of a brief description of the PCIP-DMM/A, a listing of current Key settings,
and a listing of all commands which can be incorporated into your applica­tion programs.

MK

SK

x represents the key combination - (x) and/or (Alt)) plus one of

the fol-

lowing: @ through @, @I through (F10), @I through 8, (Tab), (Esc), or a>,

spelled out. For example, “CTRL D” would indicate that

(m) and @I

would be pressed at the same time to brin up the help screen. The default

setting for the help key parameter is (Alto H . ?I

designates the

Mode Select Key.

This key combination places the visible
PCIP-DMM/A into keyboard entry mode. Refer to the following section for
more information.

m

is the name of the key combination
following: @ through 0, (F through
It must be spelled out, for example, “Fl” assigns the function key @I to be
the Mode Select Key. The default Mode Select Key is (Alt)[@.

defines the

Instrument Select Key.

If you have multiple MetraByte PCIP

boards installed in your computer, this key or key combination is used to

toggle between their setup menus.
s is the name of the key or key combination - (m] and/or (Alt) lus one of

the following: @ through @, (F through (FlOj, @ throu h @, Tab , m, or

0 spelled out. For example, “Alt I” would indicate that .Qt and 0 must be

b

?I

pressed simultaneously. The default Instrument Select Key is (E)lTab’.

Examples

LS VI.SYS /HK=ALT H /MK=ALT M /SK=ALT TAB
LS VI.SYS
LS c:\PcIP\vI.sYs /HK=?

DMM.SYS DRIVER

To load the

VI.SYS

LS {PATH} DMM.SYS {/PK=p} I /BA=bl

driver, type the following at the DOS prompt:

3-20

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Where:

Getting Started

PK

BA

designates the Pop-Up Menu Key. Whenever the indicated key or key combi­nation is pressed, the instrument’s Pop-Up Setup Menu will be displayed. Each
type of PCIP or PCIP-DMM/A instrument must be assigned a different Pop-Up
Key.

p is the name of the key combination. It must be spelled out. For example,
“CTRL I”’ would indicate that (m] and @ must be pressed at the same time

to bring up the help screen. The default setting for the Pop-Up Menu Key is
(ctrl)(Z].

NOTE

We suggest that you avoid assigning only one key as a Pop-Up key - unless it
is a function key. Assigning one key will most likely wilI disable that key for
use in other software applications.

defines the base address setting for the PCIP-DMM/A. If this parameter is not

given, the default base address of &H310 (784 decimal) will be used.

b is the value of the base address. Base address values may be given in either
hex or decimal; however, if they are given in hex they must be preceded by an
ampersand and an H (i.e., &HI. Make certain that the base address you give

has not been already assigned to another peripheral.

NOTE:

If optional parameters are not specified, their default values will be used.

Examples

LS D:\DMM\DMM.SYS /PK= CTFG
LS C:\PCIP\DMM.SYS /aA=
LS DMM.SYS

Fl

/BA = 6H310

3-21

Getting Started

Unloading the Drivers

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

The USLOM utility lets you unload the PCIP-DMM/A driver files from the DO!3 command
line. Each driver must be unloaded separately. Help is available for this utility. The help
screen briefly describes the function of, syntax for, and a sample usage for US.COM. To
access help, type us at the DOS prompt.

To unload a driver, at the DOS prompt, type:

US {PATH} DRIVER-FILENAME

Where:

DRIVER~FILENAME

Examples

US D:\PCIP\VI.SYS
US C:\DMM\DMM.SYS

.

VLSYS loads into memory in two portions: a resident portion and a transient por­tion. The resident portion occupies about 500 bytes of memory and stays resident
until the computer is rebooted or turned OFF. VI.SYS should be uninstalled after
DMM. SYS.

.

When loading VLSYS from a batch file, load it twice, i.e.:

LS {path)VI.SYS
LS {path)VI.SYS

. . .

This is necessary because VI.SYS loads in two portions. Normally, this
occurs automatically; however batch files do not allow this.

is VLSYS or DMM.SYS.

3-22

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Getting Started

l

Load VI.SYS as soon as possible after power-up and then unload it if you do not
need it. This action locates the resident portion as low as possible in memory,
avoiding the creation of memory “holes”. (DOS has no mechanism for recovering
fragmented memory.)

.

When LS.COM loads a .SYS file, it displays an Amount of xemory statement. The
amount indicated may exceed the actual SYS file size, because additional memory
is allocated to the .SYS file as “working” space.

.

In some instances, the LS.COM utility can be used to load non-MetraByte drivers ­for example MSMOUSE.SYS. However, in general, MetraByte does not suggest this
practice. Not all non-MetraByte drivers work and those that do cannot be unloaded
without disrupting certain interrupt vectors. If you choose to experiment with this
procedure, the VLSYS driver must be loaded first.

.

It is important that you specify the path to the driver files when calling LS.COM
from the command line. If no path is specified, LS.COM will search the current
directory and then the paths listed in the CONFIG.SYS file (using the

PATH

= com­mand). lS.COM will load the first file it finds in the specified path, displaying the
filename and path as well as the load destination.

.

If two instrument drivers are installed, you must have two boards installed. DO
NOT install two drivers at the same base address.

3.6 ADDITIONAL PC/P-DMM/A PROGRAMS
The PCIP-DMM/A Software has several programs which you may find useful to refer to.

These are:

.

UTILITY.EXE - aids in setting the Base Address Switch

.

Various demo programs - (Refer to FILESDOC on the diskette for a
complete list.)

.

DEMOBAT - creates executable versions of the demo files

3-23

Getting Started

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

The Base Address UtMy Program

This program pictorially describes the appropriate base address switch setting for any given

Base Address. You can exit from this program at any time by pressing [Esc).

1. To invoke the Utility Program, first be certain that you are in the
correct directory. Then, at the DOS prompt, type:

2.

The program will respond with by displaying the first 2 lines of

UTILITY .

Figure 3-15. Enter the appropriate Base Address setting using the appropriate format.
Only Base Addresses greater than or equal to 256 decimal (100 hex) are valid. If an
invalid base address is entered, a beep sounds and a base address is prompted for
again. If a hex value is given in an unrecognizable format (Valid format is &H???.),

the following error message appears:

?F&do from start

Enter the Base Address Setting

This is the PCIP-DMM Utility Program

Enter the Base Address Switch setting (decimal or &H---):

For address 800(Hex 320), set switch as shown

BASE ADDRESS

ON

PCIP-DMM not responding at selected base address.

9876543

Press ‘Enter to continue’

Figure 3-15 Uf ility Program Start-Up Screen

3-24

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

3.

The program then checks to see if the Base Address Switch is appropriately
set for the given base address. If a valid base address is given, the program draws a
picture of the corresponding base address switch setting and checks to see that the
installed board is at the given address. If it is, this message is displayed:

Getting Started

PCIP-DMM

Press 'Enter' to continue

is responding at selected base address-

If the board is not installed at the given base address, you will be prompted as follows:

PCIP-DMM is not responding at selected base address-

Check

4.

If the board is installed at the correct Base Address and you pressed

switch setting

or

press 'Enter' to try again.

@, the following question will appear:

Do you want to archive calibration constants stored in EEPROM (Y or
N) ?

This should be done once to archive the factory calibration.

5.

Follow the remaining instructions to complete the program.

The Demo Batch Program

This program creates executable programs from the provided demo programs. Before you
begin, make certain that all paths to the necessary compilers and linkers are correct. To ini-

tiate the batch program, type

demo demo-filename.

Help is provided for the batch pro-

gram and can be accessed by demo ?.

3-25

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Operating the

PCIP-DMM/A

CHAPTER 4

OPERATING THE PCIP-DMM/A

4.7 GENERAL
The PCIP-DMM/A can be programmed by using the Pop-Up Menu or by writing your own

application programs incorporating the PCIP-DMM/A driver commands. These com­mands are described in Chapter 6. The Pop-up Menus are convenient when you first begin
to use the PCIP-DMM/A. They provide an easy means to exercise all of the
PCIP-DMM/A’s capabilities.

This chapter describes the Pop-Up Menu. To access this menu, press the defined Pop-Up
Hot Key(s) (see Chapter 3). The default Pop-Up Hot Key sequence is (XI(E). Once the
PCIP-DMM/A Set-up Menu is popped-up, you can use a mouse or the keyboard to select
the PCIP-DMM/A’s operating parameters.

4.2 USING A MOUSE
If your computer is equipped with a mouse, the mouse can be used to set the operating

parameters of the PClI’-DMM/A. Once the PCIP-DMM/A’s setup display is popped up,
the mouse will be enabled. (Be sure to load the mouse driver before bringing up the PCIP­DMM/A’s setup display.) As you move the mouse around, you will see the red rectangular
cursor move. Make your selection by moving the cursor to the parameter to be changed or
to select the operating mode. Then “click’ the mouse.

4.3 USlNG A KEYBOARD
Keyboard mode can be invoked by pressing the Mode Select Key combination (See Chapter

3.) or, if in mouse mode, by selecting the

Keyboard

mode option. The default Mode Select
Key is [Alt)(@. The selected parameter will flash and appear in reverse type. Each parame­ter or value is changed individually. Once the value has been changed, you must press 0.
Information describing the legal strokes for the current parameter will be displayed at the
bottom of the menu.

4-l

Operating the PCIP-DMM/A

4.4 ON-LINE HELP

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

On-line Help is always available by pressing the Help Key combination.

(Refer to Chapter

3.) The programmed key combination displays in the upper left comer of the Pop-Up Menu.
The default Help Key combination is (x)[@.

4.5 THE SET-UP PANEL
Before you try to access the Setup Panel, ensure that the device drivers and the PCIP-

DMM/A itself have been installed according to the directions given in the previous chap
ters. Then, press the Pop-Up Key ([x]li;I) or other programmed Pop-Up Key). Figure 4-1
shows the PCIP-DMM/A’s Setup Panel.

PCIP DMM HELP(ALT H) Keyboard Relative Hold setup Log ManualLog

+I

99.99

Sample Base -> +o.omo

jl q

Figure 4-1. Setup Panel

E;, j 2OOm” 12.0” 1 ::: / 200” [ AUTO

Current

Samples saved:

c

NOTE
At this point, the data can only be changed by using the mouse. If you do not have a
mouse installed, switch to keyboard entry by pressing the

(Default is (A1-t)@].> Refer to section 3.3 for more information regarding the

Key.

Mode

Select Key combination.

Mode SeZecf

The Pop-Up Menu is divided into two sections. The main portion of the menu contains the
PCIP-DMM/A’s Operating Parameters. These are:

.

Current Type

.

Unit of Measurement

.

Range Select

The Operating Modes are accessed by selecting the options on the top line.

4-2

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

.

Keyboard

.

Relative

.

Hold

.

SetupLog

.

ManualLog

Operating the PCIP-DMM/A

The Operating Parameters and Operating Modes are discussed in detail below.

Operating Parameters

AC

Volts

OhXlS

Current

Range

Selects the current type. Choices are AC or DC.
Selects what type of measurement is to be taken. Choose voltage,

resistance (ohms), or current.

The range is dependent upon the measurement type. Once the
measurement type has been selected, an appropriate range is displayed.
If AUTO is selected,

Operating Modes

the

range is automatically set according to the signal.

The PCIP-DMM/A’s operating modes consist of:

Keyboard

Enables keyboard control. When Keyboard is selected, the
mouse is disabled and input is allowed from the keyboard only. To ter­minate keyboard entry and reactivate the mouse, press (Esc).

Relative

Enables/Disables Relative Mode. When enabled, a block cursor appears
next to the

Relative

switch and a sample base value is prompted for.
The 4 l/2 digit display now reflects values relative to the Sample Base
value shown.

Hold

Enables/Diasables Hold Mode. When enabled, a block cursor appears
next to the

Hold

switch and the PCIP-DMM/A will maintain the current

reading until this option is selected again.

4-3

Operating the PCIP-DMM/A PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SetupLog

Displays the PCIP-DMM/A Data Logging Panel. The Logging Panel is
described in the following section.

ManualLog

Logs the current reading to a file. This option can only be used when
manual logging has been selected on the Data Logging Panel. See section

4.6. When selected, the current DMM reading is logged to the data file.

4.6 THE DATA LOGGlNG PANEL
When the

SetupLog

option is selected from the Setup Panel, the Data Logging Panel will
appear. See Figure 4-2. This panel controls the operating parameters associated with data
logging. Data can be logged either manually or automatically at a programmed interval.
Data is logged to a specified file using the format described in Chapter 5.

7 PCIPDMM HELP(ALTH) Keyboard

Log File Name

C:\DMM’.DMM.DAT

The

Keyboard

option works as described in the Setup Panel section. To return to the Setup

Panel, select the

Log Mode

Rate

Figure 4-2. The Data Logging Panel

SetupDMM

option. The operating parameters are described below.

Selects Automatic or Manual logging mode. Manual mode allows the
operator to log the current sample reading to the data file when desired.
The AUTOmatic mode lets the operator log a specified number of sam­ples at a programmed rate to the current data file.

The default value is Manual.
This is the sampling rate value. It can only be programmed in automatic

logging mode. It specifies the time interval between successive sample

4-4

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

readings to be saved. This value may be specified in seconds (0.5 - 99.9)
or minutes (0.1 - 99.9). When in manual logging mode, this value is dis­played as ***.

The default rate is 2.0 Sec.

Operating the PCIP-DMM/A

Samples

Format

Log File Name

File

This specifies the total number of readings to store in the specified file.
This option can only be programmed in automatic logging mode. The
value can range from 1 to 999999 samples. In manual mode, this value is
displayed as ***.

The default number of samples is 50.
This option selects the format in which sample readings are written to a

file. This may be Scientific or Readout. If Scientific format is selected,
data is written to the file in exponential notation. If Readout format is
chosen, data is written to the file exactly as it appears on the display with

the

unit of measure appended.

The default format is Readout.
This selects the file to which data is written. The specified filename can

include a standard DOS drive and directory pathname.
The default filename is <current DOS drive and path>\DMM.DAT.
This selects the file output mode. These are:

NEW

- The specified file is new and will be created. The file cannot already

exist.

Overwrite

- If the file to which data is to be written exists, the new data
will be overwritten the existing data. If the file does not exist, it will be
created.

Append

- If the specified file already exists, the new data will be appended

to it. Otherwise, the file will be created.
The default file mode is New.

4-5

Operating the PCIP-DMM/A

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Date Stamp

Enables(On) or Disables(Off) date stamping. The current date can be
tagged to the sample record. The date is obtained from your computer’s
clock.

The default is Off.

4.7

f OGGlVG DATA

Logging can be done in either automatic or manual mode. The desired mode is selected
using the Data Logging Setup Panel described in section 4.6. Data Logging is activated as

follows:

Munud D&Y logging

Select

ManualLog from

Automatic Dub

Select

StartLog

Logging

from ihe Setuo Panel. The Keyword menu list will change to offer these

the Setup Panel, each time you want to log data.

options stopLog, Pause, and StartLog. The Function and Range parameters cannot be
changed while logging is occurring. The Pause option can be selected to suspend data log­ging. Data logging will resume when Pauseor

StartLog

is chosen. Automatic Logging

stops once the desired number of samples is reached or when StopLog is selected.

4-6

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Data File Structure

CHAPTER 5

DATA FlLE STRUCTURE

5.1 GENERAL
This chapter describes the format of the PCIP-DMM/A data file.

5.2 COMMENTS
All comment lines in the file are preceded by an asterisk(*). Thus, in a single line of a data

file, all characters between the opening asterisk and the carriage return ((m)) are ignored
during a read of the data-set.

5.3 DATA FILES
A data fire contains one or more sets of data.

The elements of these data sets are discussed in

the following paragraphs. A commented example data file is given in section 5.4.

5.3.1 FILE HEADER
The data file header information is entered as comment lines into the file. The header pro-

vides such information as the number of samples taken, the mode in which they were taken,
and the time and date when they were started.

There is only one file header per file, unless data is added to the file in the append mode. In
this instance, each data set will have its own file header.

5-l

Data File Structure PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

A sample file header is shown in Figure 5-1.

* Instrument: PCIP-DKM
* Date: 00/27/90
* Time: 13:48:11
* Samples: 000005
* Log Mode: Auto
* Units: VDC

Figure 5-Z. Data File Header

The fields included within the header are as follows:

Instrument:

Date:

Time:

Samples:

Log Mode:

Units

Specifies the name of the PCIP Instrument presently in use, as shown in
the upper-left corner of the Pop-Up menu - for example,

PCIP-DMM.

NOTE: This should be the same name assigned by the PCPMOD pro­gram. Refer to Appendix A for more information.

The date the samples were taken appears in the standard format

mm/da&y, where: mm is month, dd is day, and yy is year. This date is

logged from your computer’s calendar.
The time, at which the samples were started, appears in the format

M-L:IUUX ss where hh is hours, mm is minutes, and ss is seconds. This time

is logged from your computer’s clock.
This field only appears when data has been logged automatically. It spec-

ifies the number of data samples which are to be recorded. The number
can range from 1 to 999999.

This field will contain the mode in which the data was
appears here, the data was logged manually.

If auto

saved.

If

manual

is in this field, the

data was saved automatically at a programmed time interval.
This field appears only when data has been recorded in Scientific format.

It represents the units in which the data was measured - mVdc, Vat, etc.

5-2

PCIP-DMM/A User’s
Manual

Data File Structure

5.3.2 DATA SECT/ON
A sample of the data storage section of the file is shown in Figure 5-2. Each data record

includes the number of the sample in sequence, the time the sample was taken, the date (if
specified), and the value (with units if in readout mode).

* Log MO&: Manual

000001 13:41:39.2 +000.05 VDC

000025 14:24:15.7 +000.06 VDC
* Units:

Start Data

000001
000002 08/27/90 13:48:21.6 +0.22863+0
000003 08/27/90 13:48:26.8 +0.22903+0

End

08/27/90 13:48:15.2 +0.22803+0

WC

Figure 5-2. Data Section

of

the Data File

Data records are printable ASCII records. Each record ends with the CR and LF characters.
Data records are of the following format (Optional fields appear in this

znm/dd/yy hh:mm:ss b.bbbbbb r.rrrr uuuu

typeface.).

53

Data File Structure

Where:

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Manual

is the number of the reading. This is a sequential number which will
range from 1 to 999999.

is an gptional date stamp field. The PCIP-DMM/A must be programmed
to date stamp records for this data to appear. This field represents stan­dard date format where: mm is month, dd is day, and yy is year. This date
is logged

from

your computer’s clock.

hh:mm:ss.s

b.bbbb

r. rrrr

uuuu

is the time at which the data was taken. This time is provided by your
computer’s clock. This field represents standard time format, where: N!
is hours, nun is minutes, and ss . s is seconds.

is the actual sample reading. This will appear either in READOUT

(+O.lOOO mV) or SCIENTIFIC (+O.lOOOE-3) format, depending on which

format was selected.
is an optional field containing the programmed relative value. This value

is displayed in either READOUT (+1.2345) or SCIENTIFIC (+1.2345EO)
format, depending on which is selected for the actual sample reading.

is the unit of current measurement. It is present in READOUT format
only.

5-4

PCIP-DMM/A User’s

Data File Structure

Manual

5.4 DATA-SET FILE (SAMPLE)

The following data file (See Figure 5-3.) is a typical example of file structure and recorded

data. Explanatory comments appear in this

Typeface.

* Instrument: PCIP-DMM

* Date: 08/27/90
* Time:

13:41:40
* Log Mode: Manual
000001

13:41:39 +000.05 VDC

000002 13:41:41 +000.06 VDc

000003 13:41:45 +000.05 VDC
000004 13:41:47 +000.06 VDC

000005 13:41:48 +000.05 VDC
000006 13:41:49 +000.06 MC
000007 13:41:50 +000.06 v~c
000008 13:41:51 +000.06 VDC

* Instrument: PCIP-DMM

* Date: ­* Time:

08/27/90

13:48:11
* Samples: 000005
* Log Mode: Auto
* Units: VDC
Start Data
000001 08/27/90 13:48:15 +0.22803+0
000002 08/27/90 13:48:21 +0.2286E+O
000003 08/27/90 13:48:26 +0.22903+0

End

* Units: ADC

000004 08/27/90 13:48:41 +O.O002E-1
000005 08/27/90 13:48:46 +O.O002E-1

End

Begin File Header.

Begin recording data in manual
mode. Data is stored using Readout
format.

File header for next set of data. (Ap­pears only in File Append mode.)

Begin recording data (in Vdc) in
automatic mode. Data is stored in
Scientific format.

Change unit of measurement to Adc.

Figure 5-3. Example Data File

5-5

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Programming

CHAPTER 6

PROGRAMMING

6.1 GENERAL

This chapter discusses the language interface command. These are useful to programmers
who intend to create custom data collection programs. The on-board registers are described
in Appendix B.

The chapter begins by describing the Independent Language Interface. A series of ASCII

commands allows you to control the operation of the PCIP-DMM/A from a program writ­ten in any of several languages. Each of the commands is described in detail. The descrip­tion includes a synopsis of the command’s function, its syntax, and a few examples
illustrating its use.

The chapter also contains a short procedure for incorporating the commands into a pro-

gram. Two sample programs, written in C and BASIC, are given.

6.2 LANGUAGE INDEPENDENT INTERFACE COMMANDS

The PCIP-DMM/A is provided with a language independent interface. To open the inter­face file, use the standard file open command for the language you are using and the file­name “$DMM”. Once the device file has been opened, commands are passed to the device
in ASCII using whatever print or write instructions are available with the language. The
commands which are used with the language interface are described below.

An example of opening the language interface file in BASIC is provided in Figure 6-1. Fig­ure 6-2 provides a similar example using C.

61

Programming

10 OPEN "$DMM" FOR OUTPUT AS #l
15
20 OPEN "$D&Q4" FOR INPUT AS #2
30
40 PRINT #l,"SET 20 MV DC"

. . .
. . .
. . .

100

1000 REM TO RETRIEVE ERROR ONE MUST READ FROM TEE DEVICE
1010 INPUT #2,N: LINE INPUT #2,A$: LINE INPUT#P,B$

'RETRIEVEERROR NUMBFtR AND MESSAGE
1020 PRINT "DMM Error Message";N ‘DISPLAY ERROR MESSAGE
1030 PRINT "ERROR = w B$
1040 PRINT "ON command line of ..";A$

PRINT

tl, "CLEAR"

ON ERROR 1000

STOP

Figure 6-Z. Opening the Language Interface File in BASIC

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

6-2

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

main ()

I

if ((DMM = fopen("$DMM", "r+")) = NULL) /*DMM.SYS Not Installed */

t

puts("Error Opening Device $DMM !!) ; exit(l);

1
if (!(fputs("Clear",DMM)) GetError() ; /*Clear device buffers */
fclose(CODNT) ;

GetError() /*Get the Three Diagnostic Messages Here and Print Them */

t

rewind(CODNT); /* Rewind Puts Device into Input Mode */

/* Use fgets,

/* as delimiters between strings, fscanf uses blanks */
if (fgets(ErrorNum,lO,CODNT) = NULL) exit(77);

printf("\nError Number => %d”, ErrorNum);

if (fgets (OrigComman d,128,COUNT) = NULL) exit(78);
printf("\nOriginalCoamand => %s", OrigComaand);
if (fgets(ErrorBxplain.128,COUNT) = NULL) exit(79);
printf ("\&rror Explanation => %d",ErrorBxplain);
rewind(CODNT) ; /*Rewind Puts Device Back In Output Mode */

1

not fscanf because fgets uses carriage return-line feed */

Figure 6-2. Opening the Language Interface File in C

Nomenclature Rules

This section presents a few nomenclature rules to bear in mind while reading the command

descriptions:

Anything appearing in curly brackets, (i.e, { 1) is optional.

(1)

Don’t enter the curly brackets.
Uppercase defines the command’s key letters which are the minimum set

(2)

to be used. Upper and lower case in use do not matter.

Variables denoting parameters will be in italics.

(3)

Multiple commands may appear on one command line.

(4)

63

Programming PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Table 6-1 provides a listing of all the Language Interface Commands.

NOTE:

All READ commands require the use of an “input” command to obtain the return

values.

Table 6-Z. Language Interface Commands

Commands

CLear
HI&
Hold ON, OFf
LOck
DUt ON, OFf
mad Function
Wad LOGMOde
REad LOG RAte
REad LOG SAmples SAved
REad LOG SAmples SEt
Wad LOG Format
REad LOG DAte
REad LOG File NAme
REad LOG File
REad LOG STatus
Read FWnge
REad VAlue
REad RELative
REad DAte
SEt range-value units current-type

{SEt} LOG
{SEt} LOG RAte I
{SEt} LOG SAmples s

{SEt}

{SEt) LOG DAte OFf, ON
{SEt) LOG File NAme filename
{SEt) LOG File
{SEt) LOG REadout
{SEt) LOG ST-, ST@

{SEt) LOG PAuse OFf, ON
SEt Relative N,ON, OFf
SHOW {1,2, DMM, SETup)
WAIT ON, OFf
UNLock

LOG FOxmat Scientific, REadout

Mode

Mode

MAnual, Auto

Mode

NEW, Overwrite, APpend

6-4

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

This command clears the internal I/O buffers and current error conditions.

syntax CLear

Parameters None.
Examples

clear

cl

clea

Associated
Error Messages

51 Unknown character encountered

This command is used to remove an instrument’s operating panel from the screen. If multi­ple instruments are installed, the panel appearing on the top will be hidden. Otherwise, the
instrument last opened in the file, will be hidden.

syntax

Parameters
Examples

HI&

None.

hid

Associated

Error Messages

51 Unknown character encountered

6-5

Programming PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

This command halts the PCIP-DMM/A from taking another measurement. The PCIP-

DMM/A will maintain the current reading.

syntax Hold x

Parameters

x is the on/off parameter. When x is set to OFF, the PCIP-DMM/A oper­ates

normally.

When x is set to OrJ, the PCIP-DMM/A will maintain the

current reading and no other measurements will be performed.

Examples

hold on

Associated
Error Messages

51 Unknown character encountered
61 Illegal word after HOLD

LOCK

This command disables keyboard and mouse data entry.

syntax LOck

Parameters
Examples

None.

lot

Associated
Error Messages

51 Unknown character encountered

66

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

OUT

This controls the reporting of errors when the current reading is out of range.

Programming

syntax

Parameters

Examples

out x

x may be ON or OFf. When ON, the read value and read relative com­mands will return an error whenever the current reading is out of range.
Otherwise, when OFf (default), the error return is suppressed.

OUT ON

Associated
Error Messages

71 Unknown keyword detected; use ON or OFf.

READ DATF

Upon execution of this command, the date of the last calibration is returned by an input
command.

syntax

Returns

REad DAte

This command returns a character string representing the date on which

the last calibration procedure was performed.

Examples

I

Associated
Error Messages

read da

51 Unknown character encountered
55 Keyword requires READ before it
54 Illegal word after READ command

67

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

READ FUNCTION
When this command is executed, an integer representing the type of function performed is

returned.

syntax

Returns

REad E'Unction

Returned Integers and their meanings are as follows:

0

Vdc

1

Ohms

2 MAdc

Vat

3
4 MAac

Examples

re func

Associated
Error Messages

51 Unknown character encountered
55 Keyword requires RJSAD before it
54 Illegal word after READ command

READ LOG MODF

This command returns the current logging mode of the PCIP-DMh4/A.

syntax

REadLOGMOde

Returns The returned character number can be one of the following:

if in manual mode

0

1 if in automatic mode

Examples

re log mo

Associated

Error Messages

72 Unknown keyword following REad LOG command.

68

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Programming

READ LOG RATF

This command is allowed in automatic logging mode only. It returns the value of the cur­rent data log rate.

syntax

Returns

REad LOG RAte

This returns a character string representing the current data log rate. That
is, the interval (in seconds) between successive sample readings to be
logged. This is a value between 0.5 and 5994.0 seconds.

Examples

re log ra

Associated
Error Messages

Unknown keyword following FLEad LOG command.

72

READ LOG SAMPLES SET
This command is allowed in automatic logging mode only. It returns the currently pro-

grammed number of samples which are to be logged.

syntax REad LOG SAxples SEt

Returns

Returns a character string representing the target sample count. This is a
value between 1 and 999999.

Examples

re log sa SE

Associated
Error Messages

72 Unknown keyword following REad LOG command.
74

Unknown keyword detected; use SEt or SAved

69

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

READ LOG SAMPLES SAVED
This command returns the number of current data log samples which have been saved to a

file.

syntax

Returns

RE LOG SAnples SAved

The command returns character string representing a value between 1
and 999999.

Examples

re log sam save

Associated
Error Messages

Unknown keyword following REad LOG conmand.

72
74 Unknown keyword detected; use SEt or SAved

READ LOG FORMAT

This command returns the currently selected format of data

syntax REad LOG Format

written to a

logging file.

Returns This routine returns a character number representing the format. This

can be one of the following:

Scientific

0
1 Readout

Examples

Associated

Error Messages

See Set Format command description for more information.

re log fo

72 Unknown keyword following REad LOG command.

6-10

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

READ LOG DATE

This command returns the current date stamping status.

syntax REad LOG DAte

Programming

Ret-urns The character number returned has

0

Off - Date stamping is disabled.

the

following meaning:

1 On - Date stamping is enabled.

Examples

REad LOG DAte

Associated
Error Messages

Unknown keyword following REad LOG comnand

72

READ LOG FILE NAMF
This command returns the name of the file to which data is logged.

syntax

Returns

mad LOG File NAme

The character string returned is the full filename, including the drive and
pathname.

Examples

rea Log fi nam

Associated
Error Messages

Unknown keyword following REad LOG command.

72

Unknown keyword detected; use NAme or Mode.

73

6-11

Programming

READ LOG FILE MODF

This command returns the current file logging mode.

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

syntax

Returns

REad LOG File MOde

The character number returned represents the file mode status as follows:

New - Data is written to a new file.

0

Overwrite - New data is written over data in an existing file.

1
2 Append - Data is added to the end of an existing file.

Examples

REad LOG File Mode

Associated

Error Messages

Unknown keyword following REad LOG command.

72
73 Unknown keyword detected; use NAme or

READ LOG STATUS

This command returns the current data logging status.

syntax REad LOG STatus

Returns

The character number returned has the following meanings:

MOde.

Examples
Associated

Error Messages

Manual Mode

0

Automatic Mode - Idle

1

2 Automatic Mode - Logging

Automatic Mode - Paused

3

re log st

Unknown keyword following REad LOG command.

72

6-12

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Programming

READ RANGF

When this command is executed, a value is returned by an input command which repre-

sents the range that the PCIF-DMM/A is set to.

syntax REad RAnge

Returns The returned values have the following meanings:

0 (lowest) to 3 (highest) for volts
0 (lowest) to 2 (highest) for amps
0 (lowest) to 4 (highest) for ohms

Examples

Associated
Error Messages

re ra
rea range
read range

51 Unknown character encountered
55 Keyword requires READ before it
54 Illegal word after READ command

6-13

Programming

This command returns the relative value of the reading.

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

syntax

Returns

Examples

Associated
Error Messages

mad RELative

The character number

ple

(i.e,the measured value minusthebase value).

re rel
read relative
rea relat

51 Unknown character encountered
55 Keyword requires READ before it
54 Illegal word after READ command
79 Value specified or current reading is out of range

80 Wlative measurements not allowed in Auto Range

returned represents the relative value of the sam-

614

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

READ VALUE

This command returns the measured value of the reading.

syntax

REad VAlue

Ret-urns A character number representing the value of
Examples

re va
rea value

Associated
Error Messages

51 Unknown character encountered
55 Keyword requires READ before it
54 Illegal word after READ command
79 Value specified or current reading is out of range

SET LOG MODF
This command is used to select the Data Logging Mode.

syntax {SEt) LOG MOde x

x

Parameters
Examples

can be Automatic or MAnual.

Set log mode au

Select auto mode.

the

reading.

Associated
Error Messages

LOG MO MA

68 Unknown keyword detected; use MAnual or Automatic

Unknown keyword following LOG command

70
82 Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

Select manual mode.

6-15

Programming

SET LOG RATE
Specifies automatic sample saving rate, in seconds.

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

syntax

{Set} LOG RAte r

Parameters I is a value between 0.5 and 5994.0. This value is the elapsed time, in

seconds, between samples to be logged.

NOTE: Rate values greater than 99.9 seconds are rounded down to

the

nearest 6-second multiple boundary and displayed as XX.X minutes.

Examples

Set log rate 10.0

LOG RA 125

Specifies 10.0 Set rate.
Specifies 2.0 Min rate.

Associated

7

Error Messages

0 Unknown keyword following LOG command

Number Out of Range; 0.5 <= r <= 5994.0 in seconds...

76
77 Operation not allowed in Manual Mode...

82 Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

SET f OG SAMPLES

This command defines the number-of-samples to save in automatic logging.

syntax {SEt} LOG SAmples s

Parameters
Examples

s is a value between 1 and 999999 samples.

Set log samples 100

LOG SA 10

Associated
Error Messages

Unknown keyword following LOG command

7 0
75 Number Out of Range; 1 <= s => 999999...
77 Operation not allowed in Manual Mode...

Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

82

Log 100 samples
Log 10 samples

616

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SET f OG FORMAT

This command specifies the format of the data to be saved.

syntax {SEt}LOG Format x

x

Parameters

can be SCientific or REadout. Scientific format indicates that readings
are saved as x.xxxxExx. REadout format saves data as it appears on the 4
l/2 digit display.

Programming

Examples

set log format scien

Data will be saved using the “scientific” for­mat.

log fo re

Data will be saved as it appears on the
display.

Associated
Error Messages 7

Unknown keyword following LOG command

0

Unknown keyword detected; use Scientific or REadout

67

Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

82

SET LOG DATE
Enable/Disable Date Stamping of the saved data records.

syntax

Parameters

{SEt} LOG DAte x

x

can be OFf or ON, where OFf disables date stamping and ON enables

date stamping.

Examples

set log date on

Enables date stamping.

log da of

Associated
Error Messages 7 0

71 Unknown keyword detected; use ON or OFf.
82

Disables date stamping.

Unknown keyword following LOG command

Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

6-17

Programming

POP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SET LOG FILE NAMF

Specifies the full DO!3 filename to be used to save sample data readings.

syntax

Parameters

{SEt) LOG File N?me filename

filename is a standard DO!3 file name, including the drive and directory
path name if necessary.

Examples

Associated
Error Messages 7 0

Se log fi na c:\dmm\dmm.dat

log file name

73 Unknown keyword detected; use NAme or Mode.

Specifies the file to be used for
logging as the dmm.dat file exis-

ting in the dmm directory on
the C drive.

a:\data.dat

Specifies the file to be used for
logging as the dafa.dat file exis­ting in the root directory on the
A drive.

Unknown keyword following LOG command

6-18

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SET f OG FL E MODE

This command specifies the DOS file mode for writing to the log file.

Programming

syntax

Parameters

Examples

Associated
Error Messages

{SEt} LOG File MOde x

x can be one of the following modes:
NEW- The specified file is new and will be created. The file cannot already

exist.

Overwrite

data will be overwritten with new data. If the file does not

- If the file which data is to be written to exists, the existing

exist,

it will be

created.

Append

- If the specified file already exists, the new data will be appended

to it. Otherwise, the file will be created.

set log fil mod over

log fi mo ap

69 Unknown keyword detected; use NEW, Overwrite, or

APpend.

70

Unknown keyword following LOG command

73

Unknown keyword detected; use NAme or Mode.

Sets file write mode to overwrite.
Sets file write mode to append.

6-19

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SET LOG READOUT

This command is only used in manual mode. It logs the current reading to a file.

syntax

Pararrte ters
Examples

{SEt} LOG REadout

None.

set log readout

log re

Associated
Error Messages

Unknown keyword following LOG command

7 0
78 Operation not allowed in Automatic Mode...

Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

82

SET LOG START/STOP

This command starts/stops automatic data logging.

syntax
Parameters

{SEt} LOG x

x

can be STArt or STOP.

Examples

Associated
Error Messages

set log start

log sto

Unknown keyword following LOG command.

7 0

Operation not allowed in Manual Mode...

77

Start automatic data logging.

Stop automatic data logging.

6-20

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SET f OG PAUSF

This enables the pause/resume function for auto& logging.

Programming

syntax

Parameters
Examples

Associated
Error Messages

{SEt) LOG PAuse x

x can be ON (pause) or OFf (resume>.

set log pause on

log pa of

Unknown keyword following LOG command

7 0
71 Unknown keyword detected; use ON or OFf.
77 Operation not allowed in Manual Mode...
81 Pause is allowed only when auto logging is active.

Enables pause function.
Resumes automatic data logging.

6-21

Programming

SET RANGF

This command is used to select the range of the signal.

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

syntax

Parameters

{ SEt } range-value units current-tp

range-value

range. Allowed values are 2,2Cl, 200, or Auto. Auto allows the range to
be automatically selected.

units is the units in which the voltage, current, or resistance is measured.

Units can be defined as

(ohms), KO (killiohms), and

current-tw

(dc).

Examples

set 20 v AC
set au ma
20

Associated

Error Messages 5.1

52 Invalid range setup parameters
58 Illegal voltage range
59
60
82 Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.

is the numeric value of the voltage, current, or resistance

MV

(millivolts), V (Volts),

MO

(megaohms).

is the type of current or voltage. Choices are A (ac) or D

Sets the range to 20V ac.
The range is auto ranging mA.

KO

Unknown character encountered

lllegal current range

Illegal ohm range

Sets the range to 20 Kohm.

MA

(milliamps), 0

6-22

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Programming

SET RELATIVF

This command sets the relative value for the measurement. The relative value is subtracted
from the actual value.

syntax

Parameters

{SEt} RELative N

N is the offset value, ON, or OFF.
subtracted from or added to the value. Offsets can be in the following
ranges:

OFF and ON are used to disable or enable the relative mode, where OFF
disables relative mode and ON enables relative mode.

Examples

Associated
Error Messages 51

Relative OFF

Relative On

Rel 2.301

79 Value specified or current reading is out of range

82 Operation not allowed when automatic logging is active.
83 Unknown keyword detected: use ON, OFf or <number>

The offset value

-1.9999E2 to +1.9999E2 volts

-1.9999e-1 to +1.9999e-1 amps

-1.9999e6 to +1.9999e6 ohms

Disables relative mode.
Enables relative mode. Because no offset

value has been specified, the last absolute
value read is used as the offset value.

Enables relative mode and uses 2.301 as the
offset value.

Unknown character encountered

is the amount to be

6-23

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

SHOW

This command forces the setup panel or the logging panel to appear on the screen.

syntax

Parameters

Examples
Associated

Error Messages

smw t [xl 1

x

can be 1,2, DMM, or SETup. If 1 or DMM are selected, the main setup
panel will appear. If 2 or SETup are used, the logging panel will appear.
If no parameter is specified, the main setup panel is displayed.

Note: If show 2 or show SETUP

is specified while automatically logging

data, it is ignored.

show

51 Unknown character encountered

Displays main setup panel.

624

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

UNLOCK

This command enables keyboard and mouse data entry.

syntax

Parameters
Examples UNL
Associated

Error Messages

UNLock

None.

51 Unknown character encountered

This command is useful for logging data and insuring that each data point represents a true
measurement and not just the most recent result (which could have already been reported).

syntax WAIT x

x

Parameters

can be ON or OFF. If the wait command is enabled (ON), the value
returned by a Read Value command and an input will be new. If not
(OFF), the value may be from a prior reading.

Examples

wait on

Associated
Error Messages 51 Unknown character encountered

6-25

Programming

DIRECT SCREEN l/O

6.3

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

The VI.SYS driver is designed to maintain all of the MetraByte’s Virtual Instruments’ (PCIP­DMM/A, PCIP-CAL, PCIP-SST, etc.) visual characteristics. VI.SYS accomplishes this by
intercepting and interpreting all INT 10h calls which would affect visible display
instruments. Any program which uses DOS or INT 1Oh’s to display data will not interfere
with the way the visible instruments are displayed. If, however, a program which performs
direct screen I/O (i.e., writes directly to the display’s memory), is being used, the visible
screen will be overwritten. The instrument screen can be redrawn by first “popping-down”
the screen, then “popping-up” the screen. The instrument itself will be unaffected.

Most programs written in BASIC will not execute a direct screen I/O. It should be noted,
however, that some BASICS perform a direct screen I/O when scrolling up the screen. In
this instance, pop the instrument down (with a Hide) before the scroll occurs.

Programs written in MS QuicK will not change to the system screen unless there has been a
write to the screen. If the Show command is used to pop-up the instrument before any nor­mal screen I/O has occurred, the instrument will display over the QuickC screen, rather
than the system screen.

BASK files Specificafion
If BASICA is loaded without any command line switches, there will be only 3 files permitted

to be open at one time. Since the instrument require two files to be open (1 for output and 1
for input) it may be necessary for your program to have more than 3 files. To do this, enter:

BASIC

\fn where \fn is the number of files (up to 16).

6-26

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Programming

Microsoft C
If the PCIP-DMM/A is opened for reading and writing as below:

FILE *DMM;
DMM = f open ( I1

$DMW ,

*l r+” ) ;

It is important to execute a rewind command between an input and output or an output and
input command to the PCIP-DMM/A. In addition, in Microsoft C, it is necessary to issue a

f f lush

() command after the

fprint

( ) to ensure that the command is flushed from DOS

buffer immediately.

6.4 PROGRAMMING HlNTS

This section provides a few programming hints for using the PCIP-DMM/A device driver

with high-level languages such as Microsoft C (4.0 and higher), TURBO C (1 .O, 1.51, Micro­soft PASCAL (3.0. 3.3 and 4.0), and TURBO PASCAL (4.0 - 5.x). Each section gives specifics
regarding opening the device, I/O operations, and handling error strings. An example
program is given for each language.

6-27

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Microsoft C (Versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.1)

Keep the following rules in mind when creating application programs in Microsoft C.

Opening a Device

1.

Use the f

I/O Operations

1.

In versions 5.0 and higher, before switching between read and write operations, call
the

rewind

open

( ) function with the r+ file mode parameter.

() function.

2. Strings are OUTPUT using the

3. Use the

4. After each

f gets ( )

fprintf (

to INPUT strings.

) , be sure to call

fprintf

(1 function.

f f lush () .

This will flush the output buffer and
write an output string immediately. Otherwise, the output strings will be buffered
and the device may fail due to overflow.

Error Strings

1.

When

f f lush ( ) is

called, an EOF will be returned if a write error occurred.

2. The driver can return any of three diagnostic error strings. These are terminated by a
CR,LF or newline sequence.

3. Note that the f

(blanks, line-feeds) contained in the returned diagnostic error strings. Use

scanf

() function will not execute correctly due to the whitespace

fgets ( )

instead. This function treats the CR,LF sequence as string delimiters.

6-28

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

Examples

main{) /*Opening the Device for I/O*/

t

FILE *DMM;

if ((DMM = fopen("$DMM", "r+")=NULL)

t

printf("Error Opening Device \n");

exit{-1)

1

I

------------------------------------------------------------------------

OutCommand(CommandString) /* A Function That Outputs */
char *CommandString; /*

{

fprintf(DMM, "%s \n”, CommandString);
if (fflush(DMM) = EOF) G&Error{);

1

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A

String

/* a Device called DMM */

of

Commands to */

#&fine MaxErrorSize 255 /* longest possible error string*/
CalInputString(StringPointer) /* A Function That Inputs */
char * StringPointer; /* A String of ASCII characters*/

1

rewind(DMI4);
if (fgets(StringPointer, MaxErrorSize,DMM) = NULL)

1

printf("Error - End of Input detected in Device DMM)\n");

exit{-1);

1

rewind(DMt4);

I

/*From Device DMM */
/*(5.0 and above)/
/* Prepares DMM for input*/

/*(5.0 and above)*/
/*Prepares DMM for output*/

629

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

TURBO C (Versions Lx - 2.0)

The following suggestions apply to application programs written in TURBO C.
Opening a Device

1.

Use the f

I/O Operations

1.

Don’t use
and then re-open the file.

2.

Strings are OUTPUT using the

open

( ) function with the

rewind

( ) to switch from Input to Output mode. Instead, use

fprintf

r+

file mode parameter.

() function.

f close ( )

3. Use the

4. After each

fgets ( )

fprintf (

to INPUT strings.

) , be sure to call

f f lush ( ) .

This will flush

the

output buffer and
write an output string immediately. Otherwise, the output strings will be buffered
and the device may fail due to overflow.

Error Strings

1.

When

f flush

() is called, an EOF will be returned if a write error occurred.

2. The driver can return any of three diagnostic error strings. These are terminated by a
CR,LF or a newline sequence.

3. Note that the
(blanks, line-feeds) contained in the returned diagnostic error strings. Use f

f scanf

() function will not execute correctly due to the whitespace

gets ( )

instead. This function treats the CR,LF sequence as string delimiters.

630

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

Examples

main0 /*Opening the Device for I/O*/

t

FILE *DMM;
if ((DMM = fopen("$DMM", "r+VV)=NULL)

i

printf("Error Opening Device \n");
exit(-1)

I

other code here....}

. . . .

------------------------------------------------------------------------

OutCommand(CommandString) /* A Function That Outputs */
char *Comma&String;

I

fprintf(DMM, "%s \n", CommandString);
if (fflush(DMM) = EOF) GetError();

1

------------------------------------------------------------------------

/* A String of Commands to */

/* a

Device

called

DMM */

#&fine MaxErrorSize 255

CalInputString(StringPointer)

char * StringPointer;

1

fclose(DMM);
if ((DMM = fopen("$DMM", "r+")=NULL)

t

printf("Error Opening Device \n");
exit(-1)

1

if(fgets (StringPointer, MaxF.rrorSize,DMM)=NDLL)

I

DMM") ;

exit(-1);)

fclose (DMM); fopen(DMM, "r+");

/* longest possible error string*/

/* A Function That Inputs */
/* A String of ASCII characters*/
/* From Device DMM */

printf("Error - End of Input in Device

6-31

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Microsoft PASCAL (Version 3.0, 3.3, 4.0)
Rules for creating programs in Microsoft PASCAL are described below.

Opening a Device

1. One file variable, “x” should be ASSIGNed for both input and output.

2. Set the MODE field for file “x” to DIRECT.
Declare file “x” globally as VAR X : TexfU27);

3.

I/O Operations

Use Wifeln to write commands to the device rather than z&e.

1.

2.

If an error occurs after an I/O operation has been executed, the ERRS field for file ‘Ix”
will be non-zero.

3. After an error occurs, the ERRS field for file “x” must be cleared.
To detect runtime errors, the TRAP field for file “x” must be set.

4.
You must use a SEEK(X,U; to rewind the file before any read or write is performed.

5.
Error Strings

The driver can return any of three diagnostic error strings. These are terminated by a

1.
CR,LF.

2. Use ReadIn to read diagnostic strings, not read.

3. You must use a SEEK(X,I); to rewind the file before any read or write is performed.

6-32

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Examples

FUNCTION InputString(var Str:LSTring):integer;(* Returns 1 if error
occurs*)

var Result zinteger f

BEGIN X-ERRS :=O; (iInput A String From The Device*)

-;

PROCEDURE GetError ; (*Fetch the Three Diagnostic Strings*)
BEGIN (*That the Device Driver Returns)

END;

X-TRAP :=TRUE;

Seek(X,l);

Readln(X,STR) -

IF (X.ERRS <> 0) Then InputString := 1 else InputString :=O;

clearscreen;

Seek

X.ERRS :=O; (*Clear I/O Error Flag Before All File Opsf)
X-TRAP :=TRUE; (*Trap Errors Instead of Exit to DOS*)

readln(X,ErrNum);

readln(X,AStr);

readln(X,BStr);
writeln(char(7), (*BELL*) 'Driver Error Has Occurred ! !');
writeln(' 1. Device Error Number 3 'ErrNum);
writeln(' 2. Error * ', BStr);
writeln(' 3. On Command Line of 3 ', Astr);

(X, 1) ; (*Rewinds File and Flushes Previous Contents*)

Programming

PROCEDURE OutputCommand (STR:String[l28]);
BEGIN

writeln(X,Str);
if(X.ERRS <> 0) Then GetError; (*Call Error Handling Routine*)

=-JD;

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BEGIN
g==* 1

Assign(X,'$DMM')
Assign(X,'$DMM')
Reset(X);
Rewrite(X);

(*This would be the beginning of the main pro­(*Open a Device Driver called $DMM for Input *)

(*Open a Device Driver called $DMM for Output*)
(*Input,
(*Output, see above*)

PASCAL has no read/write text files *)

6-33

Programming

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

TURBO PASCAL (Version 4.0, 5.x)

The following suggestions apply to application programs written in TURBO PASCAL.

Opening a Device

One file variable should be ASSIGNed for input and another for output.

1.

2. The INPUT file variable should be RESET.

3. REWRITE the OUTPUT file variable.

I/O Operations

1. Use Wrifeln to write commands to the device rather than write.

2. If an error occurs after an I/O operation has been executed,

the

IOResult will be non-

zero.

Error Strings

1. The driver can return any of three diagnostic error strings. These are terminated by a
CR,LF.

2. Use Readln to read diagnostic strings, not read.

6-34

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Programming

Examples

FUNCTION DeviceInputString(var Str:String[255]):integer;
BEGIN

Readln(DMMIN,Str);

if (IOResult <> 0) then DeviceInputString := l(*Error in Read*)
else DeviceInputString := 0;
END;

PROCEDURE GetError ;
BEGIN

readln(DEVIN,ErrNum);

readln(DEVIN,AStr);

readln(DEVIN,BStr);
writeln(char(7), (*BELL*) 'Driver Error Has Occurred ! !I);
writeln(' 1. Device Error Number * 'ErrNum);
writeln(' 2. Error 3 I, BStr);
writeln(' 3. On Command Line of 3 ', Astr);

END;

PROCEDURE OutputCommand (STR:String[l28]);
BEGIN

writeln(DEVODT,Str);
if(IOResult <> 0) Then GetError; (*Call Error Handling Routine*)

=;

BEGIN (*This would be the beginning of the main pro­g-m* 1

Assign(DEVIN,'$DMM')
Assign(DEVOUT,'$DMM')

Reset(DEVIN);
Rewrite(DEVODT); (*Output, see above*)

(*Fetch the Three Diagnostic Strings*)
(*That the Device Driver Returns)

(*Open a Device Driver called $DMM for Input f)
(*Open a Device Driver called $DMM for Output*)
(*Input,

PASCAL has no read/write text files *)

6-35

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Maintenance and Repair

CHAPTER 7

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

7. J GENERAL

This chapter provides instructions for verifying that the PCIP-DMM/A is performing accu­rately. Additionally, calibration procedures, recommended test equipment, warranty infor­mation, and return-to-factory instructions are given.

7.2 TEST EQUIPMENT

Recommended equipment for calibrating and testing the PCIP-DMM/A is listed in the
table below. Alternate equipment may be used, assuming equipment accuracy is at least
equal to the specifications listed in Table 7-1.

Table 7-l. Test Equipment Specifications

Manufacturer

EDC

EDC

JZJX

Keithley 191 5 l/2 digit Multimeter

Model # Description Specifications
520A Precision DC Voltage Voltage Ranges:

Calibrator -199 to 199 Vdc

4503 Precision AC Voltage Voltage Ranges:

Calibrator OtolCQVac

PCS2B with 520A for Precision AC/DC Current Current Ranges:
mADc Calibrator 03ooO to 190.00 mAIX and

4503 for mAAC

Resistors

Approx Values:

50,100,300 Ohms

1.9,3,19,30,190,300,1900 KOhms

Accuracy:

0.001%

UlAAC

7-l

Maintenance and Repair PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

7.3 PERFORMANCE VERlFlCATlON

This section contains the information necessary to verify that the PCIP-DMM/A’s perform­ance is within specified accuracy. (Specifications are contained in section 1.3 of this man­ual.) Ideally, performance verification should be performed when the instrument is first
received to ensure that no damage or change in calibration has occurred during shipment.
The verification procedures may also be performed whenever the instrument accuracy is
suspect or following calibration. If performance on any of the ranges or functions is incon­sistent with specifications, calibration should be performed as described in the previous sec-

tion.

WARNING

The following procedures require that high voltages may be applied to the input termi­nals of the PCIP-DMM/A. Obey standard safety precautions to avoid possible electrical
shock which could result in personal iniurv or death.

7.3. I DC Volfage Accuracy Check

Figure 7-1. Connection of DC Calibrator to PCP-DMM/A

7-2

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual Maintenance and Repair

CAUTION
Do not exceed 250 V between the input HI and LO terminals, Damage to the instrument
may occur.

1.

Select the 200mV dc range.

2.

Connect the calibrator to the PCIP-DMM/A boards as shown in Figure 7-2.
Set the calibrator to OV and enable the REL mode. Check to see that the

3.
reading is 0.00 mV + 0.01 mV.

Apply a positive 100 mV to the HI and LO input terminals. The reading

4.
must be within the limits specified in Table 7-2.

Select the 2 Vdc range on the PCIP-DMM/A. Set the calibrator to output

5.
0 V and enable the relative (REL) mode. Check to see that the reading is

0.0000 v + 0.0001v.

6.

Apply a positive 1.0000 V to the HI and LO input terminals. The reading
must be within the limits specified in Table 7-2.

7.

Select the 20V dc range on the PCIP-DMM/A. Set the calibrator to output OV
and enable the relative (REL) mode. Check to see that the reading is

0.000 v + 0.001 v.

8.

Apply a positive 10.000 V to the HI and LO input terminals. The reading
must be within the limits specified in Table 7-2.

9.

Select the 200 Vdc range on the PCIP-DMM/A. Set the calibrator to

output 0 V and enable the relative (REL) mode. Check to see that the

reading is 0.00 V + 0.01 V.

Apply a positive 50.00 V to the HI and LO INPUT terminals. The reading

10.
must be Within the limits specified in Table 7-2.

7-3

Maintenance and Repair PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Table 7-2. DC Voltage Readings

PCIP-DMM/A Range
200 mV

2v

2ov

2c0v

Applied DC Voltage
1OOmV

l.WJV

lO.oalV
5o.Oal v

7.32 AC Volfuge Check

Figure 7-2. Connection of AC Calibrator to PCIP-DMM/A

Allowable Readings

99.85 to 100.015

0.9995 to l.cOO5

9.995 to 10.005

49.91 to 50.09

To check the AC Voltage

1.

Select the 200mV AC range.

2.

Connect the AC calibrator the HI and LO INPUT terminals of the PCIP-DMM/A
as shown in Figure 7-3.

3.

Set the calibrator to output 100.00 mVac at a frequency of 100 Hz.
Verify that the reading is within the limits specified in Table 7-3.

4.

Repeat the 100.00 mV ac measurement at a frequency of 1000 Hz.

5.

Check the 2V, 2OV, and 200V ranges by first setting the zero for the
particular range (similar to the procedure described in step 3 above)
and then applying the required voltage and frequency specified in
Table 7-3 and verifying that the readings are within the specified limits.

7-4

PCIP-DMM/A User’s Manual

Maintenance and Repair

Table 7-3. PUP-DMM/A AC Voltage Range

PCIP-DMM/A

Range AC Voltage

200 mV 100.00 mV

2v l.ooOV

2ov 10.ooo v

200v 90.00 v

Applied

Allowable Readings

I

lOOH 1oKI-k

99.00 to 101.00 97.00 to la3.00

0.9900 to 1.0100 .97Kl to 1.a300

9.900 to 10.100 9.700 to 10.300

89.00 to 91.00 87.30 to 92.70

7.3.3 Resistance Accuracy Check

Figure 7-3. Connection

7-5

of

Calibrafion Resistor