Tektronix Using Keithley DriverLINX with KPCI-3108 or KPCI-3107 (1.4MB) User manual

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Using DriverLINX with Your

Hardware

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The software described is this document is furnished under a license agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

SCIENTIFIC SOFTWARE TOOLS, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RELATED 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.

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Contents

Preface 7

Software License and Software Disclaimer of Warranty............................................................7

About DriverLINX.....................................................................................................................9

About This User’s Guide...........................................................................................................9

Conventions Used in This Manual...........................................................................................11

Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series 13

Introduction..............................................................................................................................13

Configure DriverLINX Device Dialog.....................................................................................14

Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX 27

Introduction..............................................................................................................................27

KPCI-3108 Series Hardware Features .....................................................................................27

DriverLINX Hardware Model for KPCI-3108 Series..............................................................28

Connecting Signals to the KPCI-3108 Series...........................................................................33

Device Subsystem....................................................................................................................39

Analog Input Subsystem ..........................................................................................................40

Device Subsystem Page.............................................................................................15

Analog Input Subsystem Page ...................................................................................20

Analog Output Subsystem Page.................................................................................21

Digital Input Subsystem Page....................................................................................22

Digital Output Subsystem Page .................................................................................24

Counter/Timer Subsystem Page.................................................................................26

DriverLINX Subsystems............................................................................................28

DriverLINX Modes ...................................................................................................28

DriverLINX Operations and Events..........................................................................30

Logical Channels.......................................................................................................32

Buffers.......................................................................................................................32

Analog Input Subsystem Signals................................................................................33

Analog Output Subsystem Signals.............................................................................35

Digital Input Subsystem Signals................................................................................36

Digital Output Subsystem Signals..............................................................................37

Counter/Timer Subsystem Signals.............................................................................37

Device Modes............................................................................................................39

Device Operations .....................................................................................................39

Analog Input Modes..................................................................................................40

Analog Input Operations............................................................................................40

Analog Input Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options................................................40

Analog Input Timing Events......................................................................................42

Analog Input Start Events..........................................................................................52

Analog Input Stop Events..........................................................................................55

Analog Input Channels...............................................................................................58

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Contents • 3

Analog Input Expansion Channels.............................................................................64

Analog Input Buffers .................................................................................................66

Analog Input Data Coding.........................................................................................67

Analog Input Messages..............................................................................................68

Analog Output Subsystem........................................................................................................69

Analog Output Modes................................................................................................69

Analog Output Operations.........................................................................................69

Analog Output Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options.............................................69

Analog Output Timing Events...................................................................................71

Analog Output Start Events .......................................................................................81

Analog Output Stop Events........................................................................................81

Analog Output Channels............................................................................................82

Analog Output Channel Gains ...................................................................................84

Analog Output Buffers...............................................................................................85

Analog Output Data Coding.......................................................................................85

Analog Output Messages ...........................................................................................87

Digital Input Subsystem...........................................................................................................88

Digital Input Modes...................................................................................................88

Digital Input Operations.............................................................................................88

Digital Input Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options................................................89

Digital Input Timing Events.......................................................................................89

Digital Input Start Events...........................................................................................93

Digital Input Stop Events...........................................................................................93

Digital Input Channels...............................................................................................94

Digital Input Buffers..................................................................................................97

Digital Input Messages...............................................................................................98

Digital Output Subsystem.........................................................................................................99

Digital Output Modes ................................................................................................99

Digital Output Operations..........................................................................................99

Digital Output Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options............................................100

Digital Output Timing Events..................................................................................100

Digital Output Start Events......................................................................................104

Digital Output Stop Events......................................................................................104

Digital Output Channels...........................................................................................104

Digital Output Buffers.............................................................................................108

Digital Output Messages..........................................................................................108

Counter/Timer Subsystem......................................................................................................110

Counter/Timer Channel Usage.................................................................................110

Clock Sources and Modes........................................................................................111

Gate Settings............................................................................................................113

Counter/Timer Tasks ...............................................................................................113

Counter/Timer Messages.........................................................................................115

Uninstalling DriverLINX 117

How do I uninstall DriverLINX? ...........................................................................................117

Troubleshooting 121

Solving Problems...................................................................................................................121

Solving Problems Recognizing and Installing Drivers.............................................121

Solving Problems Configuring the Drivers..............................................................122

Solving Problems Loading Drivers..........................................................................122

Generating a DriverLINX Configuration Report....................................................................125

What is in the Report?..............................................................................................125

4 • Contents Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

How do I Generate the Report?...............................................................................125

Glossary of Terms 126

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Contents • 5

Preface

Software License and Software Disclaimer of Warranty

This is a legal document whic h is an agreement between you, the Licensee, and Scientific Software Tools, Inc. By opening this sealed diskette package, Licensee agrees to bec ome bound by the terms of this Agreement, which include the S oftware License and Software Disclaimer of Warranty.

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Licensing Agreement

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Term. This Lic ense is effective until terminated. This License will terminate automatic ally without notice from Scientific Software Tools, Inc. if Lic ensee fail s to com ply wit h any term or c ondition of this Licens e. The Licensee agrees upon such termination to ret urn or destroy the written materi als and all copies of t he software. The Licensee may terminate the agreement by ret urning or destroying the program and documentation and all copies thereof.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Preface • 7

Limited Warranty

Scientific Software Tools, I nc. warrants that the software will perform subs tantially in acc ordance with the written mat erials and that the program disk, instructi onal manuals and reference mat erials are free from defec ts in materials and workmanship under normal us e for 90 days from the date of receipt. All express or im pl i ed warranties of the software and related materials are limited to 90 days.

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either (a) return of the price paid or (b) repair or replac ement of the software or accompanying m aterials. In the event of a defect in material or workmans hip, the item may be returned wit hin the warranty period to Scientific S oftware Tools for a replacement without charge, provided the lic ensee previously s ent in the limited warrant y registration board t o Scientific Software Tools, I nc., or can furnis h proof of the purchase of the program. This remedy is void if failure has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period.

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This agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

8 • Preface Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

About DriverLINX

Welcome to DriverLINX for Microsoft Windows, the high-performance realtime data-acquisition device drivers for Windows application development.

DriverLINX is a language- and hardware-indepe ndent applic ation programming

interface designed to support hardware manufacturers’ high-speed analog, digital, and counter/timer data-acquisition boards in Windows. DriverLINX is a multi-user and multitasking data-acquisition resource manager providing more than 100 services for foreground and background data acquisition tasks.

Included with your DriverLINX package are the following items:

• The DriverLINX API DLLs and drivers supporting your data-

acquisition hardware

• Analog I/O Panel, a DriverLINX program that verifies the installation

and configuration of DriverLINX for your analog input/output board and demonstrates several virtual bench-top instruments

• Source code for the sample programs

• The DriverLINX Application Programming Interface files for your

compiler

• DriverLINX On-line Help System

• DriverLINX 4.0 Installation and Configuration Guide

• DriverLINX Analog I/O Programming Guide

• DriverLINX Technical Reference Manual

• Supplemental Documentation on DriverLINX and your data-acquisition

hardware

About This User’s Guide

The purpose of this manual is to help you quickly learn how to configure and use t he

hardware features of Keithley’s KPCI-3108 Series boards with DriverLINX.

• For help installing and configuring your hardware and Dr iverLINX,

please see the manual that accompanied your hardware and the DriverLINX 4.0 Installation and Configuration Guide for your version of Windows.

• For more information on the DriverLINX API, please see the

DriverLINX Technical Reference Manual.

• For additional help programming your board, please examine the source

code examples on the Distribution Disks.

This manual contains the following chapters: Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Shows how to configure the KPCI-3108 Series using the Configure DriverLINX

Device dialog box.

Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Preface • 9

Shows how to set up DriverLINX with the Edit Service Request dialog box to use KPCI-3108 Series hardware features.

Uninstalling DriverLINX Describes how to remove DriverLINX hardware drivers and other files.

Troubleshooting

Gives troubleshooting tips for installing, configur ing, and loading D riverLINX drivers.

10 • Preface Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Conventions Used in This Manual

The following notational conventions are used in this manual:

• A round bullet (•) identifies itemized lists.

• Numbered lists indicate a step-by-step procedure.

• DriverLINX Application Programming Interface and Windows macro

and function names are set in bold when mentioned in the text.

• DriverLINX indicates the exported function name of the device driver

DLL while DriverLINX indicates the product as a whole.

• DriverLINX Application Programming Interface identifiers, menu

items, and Dialog Box names are italicized when mentioned in the text.

• Italics are used for emphasis.

• Source code and data structure examples are displayed in Courier

typeface and bounded by a box with a single line.

Code

• A box with a double line bound tables of information.

Tables

Concept

• Important concepts and notes are printed in the left margin.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Preface • 11

Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series

Introduction

The installation program provides general instructions for installing and configuring DriverLINX. This manual explains the steps and special features that apply to

Keithley’s KPCI-3108 Series boards. Installing and configuring DriverLINX for a Keithley KPCI-3108 Series board

requires three steps:

1. Install DriverLINX. Follow the instructions given by the installation

program. The Read Me First instructions explain the components and drivers you can install.

2. Install your KPCI-3108 hardware. Follow the instructions in your

hardware manual.

Windows NT

3. Configure DriverLINX. This creates a Logical Device, which stores

configuration information for your board. See “Configure Dri verLINX Device Dialog” on page 14 for configuration options specific to a Keithley KPCI-3108 Series model. Configuration is automatic under Windows 2000/XP but you may want to customize the settings.

After installing your b oard, configuring DriverLINX, and restarting Windows (if required), reopen the DriverLINX Configuration Panel to make sure that DriverLINX loaded the Logical Device for your board. If the Logical Device is not loaded, the Event Log may have a message from the driver that explains why. You can check the Event Log using the DriverLINX Event Viewer on the Windows Start Menu.

Under Windows NT 4.0, a Logical Device may not load because the operating system does not always configure Plug-and-Play PCI devices properly. To work around this, set your computer’s BIOS to configure Plug-and-Play devi ces before it starts the operating system. On various computers the BIOS setting is called “Plugand-Play Aware OS – Disabled” or “Plug & Play OS – No”.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 13

Configure DriverLINX Device Dialog

DriverLINX uses a standardized configuration protocol for all data-acquisition hardware. Configur ation assigns an identi fying device number to a specific KPCI3108 Series board in your computer and allows you to enable or disable bus mastering.

The installation program automatically starts the DriverLINX Configuration Panel. To start it now, use the shortcut on the Windows Start Menu.

When you click the Configure… button on the DriverLINX Configuration Panel, DriverLINX displays the Configure DriverLINX Device dialog. The dialog has a page for each subsystem on the Keithley KPCI-3108 Series. The following sections describe your choices in configuring DriverLINX to work with your board.

14 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Device Subsystem Page

Use the Device subsystem page to tell DriverLINX the model name of, and, optionally, the accessories connected to your KPCI-3108 Series board.

Vendor

The Vendor property displays “Keithley Instruments, Inc.” It is a read-only property.

Device

Windows NT

Windows 95/98

The Device property designates the Logical Device you are configuring. It is a readonly property. To change it, first save (OK) or quit (Cancel) the current configuration. Then select or create a new Logical Device using the DriverLINX Configuration Panel.

Model

The Model property selects or indicates the hardware model of the board you’re configuring.

Select one of the following models:

KPCI-3108 KPCI-3107

Windows 95 automatically determines the model of your board so DriverLINX disables Model selection.

Board Id

The Board Id property associates this Logical Device with a specific board. DriverLINX automatically enters the KPCI-3108’s serial number in this field. DriverLINX use s the board’s ser ial number to uniquely recognize boards if you have installed multiple boards of the same model into your computer.

Windows NT

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 15

Under Windows NT, Board Id is initially blank. DriverLINX will use the Model setting to match this Logical Device to the first available board and then enter that board’s serial number.

Windows 95/98

Windows 95/98 automatically determines which board to associate with this Logical Device. DriverLINX enters the serial number of the board when it starts the configuration.

Detect

The Detect property enables and disables DriverLINX’s hardware detection and testing algorithms. For maximum system reliability, always leave this check-box marked.

Calibrate

The Calibrate property enables and disables hardware auto-calibration. This option is grayed-out for the KPCI-3108 Series because it does not support automatic calibration.

Special…

The Special… button displays the following dialog box of KPCI-3108 Series-specific configuration options:

Enable Bus Mastering

Bus Mastering is a mode that PCI devices use to perform DMA data transfers. The KPCI-3108 Series can use bus mastering on motherboards that support it. With bus mastering disabled, the board will operate in interrupt mode when the Service Request asks for DMA mode. For maximum throughput, enable bus mastering if your motherboard supports it.

Motherboards compliant with revision 2.1 of the PCI specification support bus mastering. Almost all newer motherboards support bus mastering but some require BIOS settings to enable it for a particular PCI slot. Older motherboards may not support bus mastering at all and may cause the system to hang, risking loss of unwritten disk data and requiring you to reboot. Consult your computer manufacturer’s documentation to determine if your motherboard supports bus

mastering.

16 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

To test bus-mastering, check the Enable Bus Mastering box, click OK as necessary to exit the DriverLINX Configuration Panel and restart Windows. Close all other applications, wait until all disk activity stops, and then run the DriverLINX AIO Panel. If the AIO Panel can display an input signal then your motherboard is compatible with your KPCI-3108 Series board. As long as your BIOS has enabled bus mastering for the PCI slot your board is in, DriverLINX can use DMA mode.

Use 8254 Gate for AI

The KPCI-3108 Series supports analog input gating from two sources. The TGIN signal directly controls the analog-to-digital converter and is programmable as active high or low. Analog input is normally paced with the three-channel 8254 counter/timer chip. Two of the channels have an active high input available for gating. For compatibility with other Keithley products, DriverLINX normally uses the TGIN signa l when an applicatio n requests gating. However, you can configure the device to use the counter/timer gate instead.

The two gate sources have the following features and advantages: TGIN

• High or low level active

• Compatible with portable DriverLINX applications

C/T Gate

• High level active only

• TGIN pin is available for triggering with tasks that require both

triggering and gating

Digital Output OP0..4 Setup

The OP0 to OP4 pins output one of three groups of control or data signals. DriverLINX does not automatically select a signal group but allows you to choose which group the boa rd outputs through t hese connections.

Choose one the following groups of signals:

Group Signal Description Pin

General purpose I/O GP0 Digital output data line OP0 GP1 Digital output data line OP1 GP2 Digital output data line OP2 GP3 Digital output data line OP3 GP4 Digital output data line OP4

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 17

Group Signal Description Pin

SSH control/Clock output SSHO SSH control signal OP0

CLK0 Output of 8254 clock 0 (Logical Channel 1) OP1 CLK1 Output of 8254 clock 1 (Logical Channel 2) OP2 CLK2 Output of 8254 clock 2 (Logical Channels 0 and

PCLK Emits a pulse for each analog input conversion OP4 Expansion accessory control xA0 Expansion accessory address line OP0

xA1 Expansion accessory address line OP1 xA2 Expansion accessory address line OP2 xA3 Expansion accessory address line OP3 K Expansion accessory gain control OP4

OP3

Notes:

• It is important that you correctly configure digital channel 0 so that the

attached accessories or user hardware receive the intended signals.

• Any one of the clock signals is also available from the OP5 depending

on the Trigger/Clock Output Selection.

General purpose output

The General purpose output option enables writing 5-bits of digital data to the OP0..4 pins. DriverLINX addresses these pins as Logical Channel 0 in the Digital Output subsystem.

To enable the KPCI-3108’s 5-bit digital output, perform the following step in the

“Digital Output OP0..4 Setup” section of the Configure KPCI-3108 Options dialog box:

1. Click the General purpose output option

Clock Output

To enable the KPCI-3108’s three 8254 counter outputs, perform the following step in the “Digital Output OP0..4 Setup” section of the Configure KPCI-3108 Options dialog box:

2. Click the SSH control & CLKOUTs option

Note: Any one of the clock signals is also available from the OP5 pin depending on the OP5 Setup.

Expansion accessory control

You can expand the number of analog input channels connected to your KPCI-3108 Series board by using one or more expansion accessories. Each expansion accessory

18 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

is 1-to-16 multiplexer that replaces one onboard channel with sixteen expansion channels. Configure your DriverLINX Logical Device to use the additional channels by enabling the expansion accessory here.

To enable the KPCI-3108’s expansion accessory control signals and allow

applications to access expansion channels, perform the following steps:

1. In the “Digital Output OP0..4 Setup” section of the Configure KPCI-

3108 Options dialog box, click the Enable EXP addressing option

2. On the Analog Input Page, configure the subsystem for 16 single-ended channels

For information on programming a task to access expansion channels, see “Analog Input Expansion Channels” on page 64.

OP5 Setup

The OP5 pin outputs one of se veral triggering and clock output signals. DriverLINX does not automatically select an output signal but allows you to choose which signal the board outputs through this connection.

Choose one of the following signals:

• TGOUT—Relays the TGIN signal when using external triggering or gating, or is high during software-triggered analog input sampling

• CLK0—Output of 8254 clock 0 (Logical Channel 1)

• CLK1—Output of 8254 clock 1 (Logical Channel 2)

• CLK2—Output of 8254 clock 2 (Logical Channels 0 and 3)

• PCLK—Emits a pulse for each analog input conversion

Note: The clock signals are also available from the OP1 to OP3 pins when the Digital Output OP0..4 Setup option is SSH control & CLKOUTs.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 19

Analog Input Subsystem Page

Use the Analog Input subsystem page to choose between 16 single-ended or 8 differential analog input channels as a default configuration.

Channels

On the KPCI-3108 Series, each Analog Input channel can use single-ended or differential termination modes. When configuring the Analog Input Subsystem, you choose a default configuration for all channels. Applications can use the default configuration or specify the termination mode for each channel that it uses. This scheme supports applications that use KPCI-3108-specific features as well as those that use only generic features. For applications that do specify the termination mode, configure the subsystem for 16 channels.

For information on programming the termination mode, see “Analog Input Channels” on page 58.

Range

The analog input ranges for the KPCI-3108 Series are fully software programmable. DriverLINX grays out this property in the configuration dialog.

Interrupt

Windows automatically determines the interrupt level for the KPCI-3108 Series board. DriverLINX disables this property.

DMA

The KPCI-3108 Series does not use DMA channels for direct memory transfers. PCI devices use bus mastering for DMA. DriverLINX initially disables bus mastering for your KPCI-3108 Series board. See “Special…” on page 16 for more information.

Calibrate

The KPCI-3108 Series supports semi-automatic calibration only. You can start the calibration utility from the Windows Start menu. Additionally, applications can request automatic zero-reference adjustments (offset calibration). For more information, see “Analog Input Zero-Reference Adjustment” on page 63.

20 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Subsystem Page

Use the Analog Output subsystem page to set or view the initial output voltages.

Channels

Lists the analog output channels on the board and selects a channel for the Volts and Initialize properties.

Range

The analog output ranges for the KPCI-3108 Series are fully software programmable. DriverLINX grays out this property in the configuration dialog.

Volts

The Initialization Value property specifies the analog output value DriverLINX will write to the selected Logical Channel upon hardware initialization. DriverLINX only writes this value if you enable the In

itialize check box.

Interrupt

Windows automatically determines the interrupt level for the KPIC-3108 board. DriverLINX disables this property.

DMA

The KPCI-3108 Series does not use DMA channels for direct memory transfers. DriverLINX disables this property.

Initialize

Checking the Initialize check box instructs DriverLINX to use the Volts property for to initialize the selected analog output channel.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 21

Digital Input Subsystem Page

Use the Digital Input subsystem page to set configurable digital channels as input or output.

Channels

The Channels proper ty allows you to select a Lo gical Channel for configuration or

viewing the channel’s range. The KPCI-3108 Series supports both fixed and configurable digital channels.

DriverLINX defines the following Logical Channels for the KPCI-3108 Series Digital Input Subsystem:

Logical Channel DriverLINX Function KPCI-3108 Series External

Connector

0 Standard Digital Input IP0 … IP5 1 Digital Input/Output Bit 0 … Bit 7 2 Digital Input/Output Bit 8 … Bit 15 3 Digital Input/Output Bit 16 … Bit 23 4 Digital Input/Output Bit 24 … Bit 31 5 External Clock XPCLK 6 External Trigger TGIN

Range

The Range property specifies the supported digital input range for the selected Logical Channel. This is a read-only property.

Interrupt

Windows automatically determines the interrupt level for the KPIC-3108 board. DriverLINX disables this property.

DMA

The KPCI-3108 Series does not use DMA channels for direct memory transfers. DriverLINX disables this property.

22 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Configuration Setup

The Configuration Setup property specifies the hardware configuration of the digital I/O ports. Logical Channels 1 through 4 are configurable as i nput or output. Enter 1 to initially configure the selected channel as input or 0 to configure it as output.

Initialize

Checking the Initialize check box instructs DriverLINX to use the Configuration S

etup property to configure the selected digital I/O channel.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 23

Digital Output Subsystem Page

Use the Digital Output subsystem page to change the default digital output port initialization values.

Channels

The Channels property allows you to select a Logical Channel for initialization or

viewing the channel’s range.

Logical Channel DriverLINX Function KPCI-3108 Series External

Connector

0 Standard Digital Output OP0 … OP4 1 Digital Input/Output Bit 0 … Bit 7 2 Digital Input/Output Bit 8 … Bit 15 3 Digital Input/Output Bit 16 … Bit 23 4 Digital Input/Output Bit 24 … Bit 31

Note: To use Logic al Channel 0, you configure pins OP0. .4 as General purpose output on the Special… dialog.

Range

The Range property specifies the supported digital output range for the selected Logical Channel. This is a read-only property.

Interrupt

Windows automatically determines the interrupt level for the KPIC-3108 board. DriverLINX disables this property.

DMA

The KPCI-3108 Series does not use DMA channels for direct memory transfers. DriverLINX disables this property.

24 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Initialization Value

The Initialization Value property specifies the digital output value DriverLINX will write to the selected Logical Channel upon hardware initialization. DriverLINX only writes this value if you enable the In

itialize check box.

Initialize

Checking the Initialize check box instructs DriverLINX to use the Initialization V

alue property for digital output port initialization.

Dec

This check box converts the Initialization Value property to decimal.

Hex

This check box converts the Initialization Value property to hexadecimal.

Keithley KPCI-3108 Series Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series • 25

Counter/Timer Subsystem Page

Use the Counter/Timer subsystem page to set the default clock source frequency.

Resolution

The Resolution property specifies the default clock frequency of the master oscillator. All models have a programmable 10 MHz, 5 MHz, 1 MHz or 100 kHz clock source for pacing input/output tasks. This setting selects the default frequency. Applications can use the default or specify a frequency for each task.

Interrupt

Windows automatically determines the interrupt level for the KPIC-3108 board. DriverLINX disables this property.

26 • Configuring the KPCI-3108 Series Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX

Introduction

See the Analog I /O Programming Guide for an

overview of DriverLINX programming.

This chapter shows you how to set up and use KPCI-3108 Series hardware features with DriverLINX.

The descriptions here use the Edit Service Request dialog for language and API

independence. For the corr ect syntax with the language you’re using, p lease see the DriverLINX Technical Reference Manuals. For DriverLINX examples in your programming language, p lease see the sourc e code examples in the subdirectories of your DriverLINX installation directory or on the original distribution media.

KPCI-3108 Series Hardware Features

The KPCI-3108 Series offers your data-acquisition application a wide variety of useful features. Analog inputs support mixed gains, termination modes and polarities, as well as auto-zeroing, digital pre-, post- and about-triggering, and analog pre- and about-triggering. Analog outputs are waveform-quality. The counter/timers are useraccessible. DriverLINX accesses these feats through its hardware independent Applications Programming Interface (API).

The following table is a cross-reference between hardware features and the DriverLINX features that access them.

Hardware Feature DriverLINX Feature

Calibration of each anal og input and output range

Auto-zeroing of analog input channels Analog Input Zero-Reference Adjustment Analog triggering Analog Stop Event (Pre- and About-

Digital triggering Digital Start Event (Post-Triggering)

DriverLINX provides a stand-alone KPCI- 3108 Calibration Utility.

Triggering)

Digital Stop Event (Pre- and AboutTriggering)

Hardware Feature DriverLINX Feature

Programmable single-ended or differential termination modes

Programmable gains Analog Input Channel Gains

Waveform-quality analog outputs Analog Output Subsystem User-accessible counter/timers Counter/Timer Subsystem

Analog Input Channel Termination modes

Analog Output Channel Gains

DriverLINX Hardware Model for KPCI-3108 Series

DriverLINX provides a portable, hardware-independent API for data-acquisition boards while still allowing applications to access unique or proprietary hardware features of specific products. To achieve this goal, DriverLINX maps a hardwareindependent, or abstract, data-acquisition model onto KPCI-3108 Series hardware capabilities.

The following sections describe how DriverLINX implements KPCI-3108 Series hardware features as Subsystems, Modes, Operations, Events, Logical Channels, Buffers, and Messages.

DriverLINX Subsystems

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following DriverLINX subsystems:

1. Device—refers to a KPCI-3108 Series board as a whole.

2. Analog Input—refers to the analog input channels, clocks, and control

signals.

3. Analog Output—refers to the analog output channels, clocks, and

control signals.

4. Digital Input—refers to the digital input port as well as 1-bit digital

input (TTL) control signals, such as TGIN.

5. Digital Output—refers to the digital output port.

6. Counter/Timer—refers to the onboard counter/timer channels for

pacing analog input/output or performing measuring and waveform generation funct ions.

DriverLINX Modes

Applications use modes in Service Requests to advise DriverLINX on their preferred hardware data transfer technique. The DriverLINX modes fall into two general classes:

• Foreground or synchronous modes. The calling application doesn’t

regain control until DriverLINX completes the Service Request. DriverLINX supports this mode for simple, single value I/O operations or software housekeeping functions that DriverLINX can complete without a significant delay.

28 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Background or asynchronous modes. The calling application regains

control as soon as DriverLINX initiates the task. The calling application must synchronize with the data-acquisition task using status polling or

DriverLINX’s messages (preferred). DriverLINX supports this mode for buffered data transfers or for commands that require a significant time to complete.

DriverLINX supports four modes with the KPCI-3108 Series for its commands (Service Requests).

• Polled Mode—This is a foreground or synchronous op eration. DriverLINX supports this mode for simple, single-value I/O operations that the data-acquisition board can complete without significant delay.

• Interrupt Mode—T his is a background or asynchronous op eration. DriverLINX transfers data between the computer’s memory and the data-acquisition board using hardware interrupts and programmed I/O transfers.

• DMA Mode—This is a backgro und or asynchronous o peration. DriverLINX programs the data-acquisition board to transfer data between the computer’s memory and the board.

• Other Mode—This i s a foreground or synchronous operation. DriverLINX supports this mode for initialization, configuration, calibration, data conversion, and timebase operations.

The following table summarizes the data acquisition modes that DriverLINX supports for each subsystem with the Keithley KPCI-3108 Series.

Subsystem Polled Interrupt DMA Other

Analog Input ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Analog Output ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Digital Input ¥ ¥ Digital Output ¥ ¥ Counter/Timer ¥ ¥ Device

KPCI-3108 Series Supported DriverLINX Modes.

¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

DriverLINX Operations and Events

Applications construct DriverLINX data-acquisition tasks by combining a small number of DriverLINX operations and events in many possible ways. The following table summarizes the operations and events that DriverLINX supports for the Keithley KPCI-3108 Series. Later sections for each DriverLINX subsystem will describe the operations and events in more detail.

Note: In addition to the operations shown in the table below, all subsystems allow the MESSAGE operation in any Mode.

Subsystem Operation Events

Mode Timing Start Stop

Analog Input

Polled Start null null, cmd null, TC Interrupt Start, Stop,

Status, Convert

DMA Start, Stop,

Status, Convert

Other Initialize

Analog Output

Polled Start null null, cmd null, TC Interrupt Start, Stop,

Status, Convert

DMA Start, Stop,

Status, Convert

Other Initialize

Digital Input

Polled Start null null, cmd null, TC Interrupt Start, Stop,

Status

Other Initialize,

Configure

dig, rate cmd, dig cmd, TC, dig

dig, rate cmd, dig cmd, TC, ana,

dig

rate cmd cmd, TC

DIO Setup

30 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Subsystem Operation Events

Mode Timing Start Stop

Digital Output

Polled Start null null, cmd null, TC Interrupt Start, Stop,

Status

Other Initialize,

Configure

Counter/Timer

rate cmd cmd, TC

DIO Setup

Polled Start, Stop,

Status

Interrupt Start, Stop,

Status

Other Initialize,

Configure

Device

Other Initialize,

Capabilities

Allowed Operations and Events for KPCI-3108 Series Subsystems and Modes.

null, rate null, cmd null, TC

rate cmd cmd, TC

The following list explains the Event abbreviations in the preceding table:

• null—Null or None Event specifies when a Service Request doesn’t

require an event

• cmd—Command Event specifies when DriverLINX starts or stops a

task on software command

• TC—Terminal Count Event specifies when DriverLINX processes all

data buffers once

• rate—Rate Event specifies how DriverLINX paces or clocks data

transfer

• dig—Digital Event specifies a trigger, clock, or other control signal to

pace, start, or stop a task

• ana—Analog Event specifies a trigger to start or stop a task

• DIO Setup—DIO Setup Event assigns a digital channel to either the

Digital Input or Digital Output Subsystem.

Logical Channels

DriverLINX designates the individually addressable hardware channels for each subsystem as “Logical Channels.” Generally, the zero-based Logical Channel numbering sequence closely follows the hardware manufacturer’s cha nnel numbering scheme.

In some cases, however, DriverLINX assigns Logical Channel numbers to hardware features that users don’t commonly think of as “channels.” For instance, DriverLINX commonly models external hardware clock input lines, external hardware trigger input lines, and external interrupt inputs as 1-bit digital Logical Channels. In other cases, DriverLINX models subsystem-specific features, such as internal pacer clocks, as members of a more general-purpose set of counter/timer channels.

For a list of DriverLINX assigned Logical Channel numbers, see the notes on each supported subsystem.

Buffers

Applications usually use data buffers to exchange data between the application and the data-acquisition hardware. When using data buffers, please note the following points about DriverLINX’s data buffers:

• DriverLINX supports data-acquisition tasks with 1 to 255 data buffers

per task.

• DriverLINX imposes no size limits on a single buffer, although the

operating system or some hardware products may have size restrictions.

• User applications must allow DriverLINX to allocate all data buffers to

guarantee application portability to different hardware and operating systems and to insure that the hardware can physically access the buffer memory.

• User applications usually don’t have concurrent or immediate access to

the in-use data buffer while DriverLINX is executing a data-acquisition task.

32 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Connecting Signals to the KPCI-3108 Series

Digital Start Event (Gating)

The Keithley hardware manual describes the data and control signals for the KPCI3108 Series and the connector pinouts for these signals. This section summarizes how DriverLINX numbers the I/O data signals and how DriverLINX uses the control connections for external clock, trigger, a nd gating inputs.

Analog Input Subsystem Signals

The Analog Input subsystem has 16 analog inputs and an analog ground. You set the default subsystem configuration as 8 differential or 16 single-ended channels. Applications can then use the default configuration or request a specific configuration

for each channel. See “Analog Input Channels” on page 58 for programming information.

DriverLINX maps these connections to Logical Channels as shown in the following table:

Physical Channels Connector Name Logical

0 – 7 Differential CH00 LO, HI – CH07 LO, HI 0 – 7 0 – 15 Single-ended CH00 HI – CH15 HI, AGND 0 – 15

How DriverLINX maps analog input hardware channels to Logical Channels.

Channels

Analog Input Pacing, Trigger ing and Gating Signals

Analog input tasks can use any of the Counter/Timer Logical Channels for pacing, but uses Logical Channel 0 as the default. The clock sources can be internal or external.

The Analog Input subsystem can use several control signals that DriverLINX defines as external clocks, triggers and gates as shown in the following table:

Connector Name DriverLINX Usage

TGIN External trigger:

• Digital Start Event (Post-Triggering)

• Digital Stop Event (Pre- and About-

Triggering)

External gate:

• Rate Timing Event

•

XPCLK External pacer clock:

• Rate Generator: External Clocking

• Burst Generator: External Clocking

Connector Name DriverLINX Usage

CLKIN0 CLKIN1

Divided external pacer clock:

• Divider-Rate G enerator: Exte rnal Clocking

• Divider-Burs t Generator: E xt ernal Clocking

GATEIN0 GATEIN1

How DriverLINX uses analog input control signals.

External gate:

• Rate Timing Event

34 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Subsystem Signals

The Analog Output subsystem has 2 analog differential output connections. DriverLINX maps these connections to Logical Channels as shown in the following

table:

Physical Channel

0 DAC0 IN,DAC0 OUT 0 1 DAC1 IN, DAC1 OUT 1

How DriverLINX maps analog output hardware channels to Logical Channels.

Connector Name Logical

Channel

Analog Output Pacing, Triggering and Gating Signals

Analog output tasks can use any of the Counter/Timer Logical Channels for pacing, but uses Logical Channel 1 as the default. The clock sources can be internal or external.

The Analog Output subsystem can use several control signals that DriverLINX defines as external clocks and gates as shown in the following table:

Connector Name DriverLINX Usage

XPCLK External pacer clock:

• Rate Generator: External Clocking

• Burst Generator: External Clocking

CLKIN0 CLKIN1

Divided external pacer clock:

• Divider-Rate G enerator: Exte rnal Clocking

• Divider-Burs t Generator: E xt ernal Clocking

GATEIN0 GATEIN1

How DriverLINX uses analog output control signals.

External gate:

• Rate Timing Event

Digital Input Subsystem Signals

The Digital Input Subsystem has a 6-bit digital input port and a 32-bit digital input/output port, as well as two control inputs which DriverLINX models as 1-bit logical digital input ports. DriverLINX maps these signals to Logical Channels as shown in the following table:

Logical Channel DriverLINX Function KPCI-3108 Series External

Connector

How DriverLINX maps digital input hardware channels to Logical Channels.

Notes:

• If a channel is configured for output, reading it using the Digital Input

subsystem returns the last value written.

• The External Clock and External Trigger channels are not available for

reading but are available for clocking and triggering.

• Applications can assign a configurable channel to either subsystem

using a Configure operation. (See “Digital Channel Configuration” on page 88.)

Digital Input Pacing, Triggering and Gating Signals Digital input tasks can use any of the Counter/Timer Logical Channels for pacing, but

use Logical Channel 3 as the default. The clock sources can be internal or external. The Digital Input subsystem can use several control signals that DriverLINX defines

as external clocks and gates as shown in the following table:

Connector Name DriverLINX Usage

CLKIN0 CLKIN1

GATEIN0 GATEIN1

How DriverLINX uses digital input control signals.

Divided external pacer clock:

• Divider-Rate G enerator: Exte rnal Clocking

External gate:

• Rate Timing Event

36 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Digital Output Subsystem Signals

The Digital Output subsystem has a 5-bit digital output port and a 32-bit digital input/output port. DriverLINX maps these signals to Logical Channels as shown in the following table:

Logical Channel DriverLINX Function KPCI-3108 Series External

Connector

0 Standard Digital Output OP0 … OP4 1 Digital Input/Output Bit 0 … Bit 7 2 Digital Input/Output Bit 8 … Bit 15 3 Digital Input/Output Bit 16 … Bit 23 4 Digital Input/Output Bit 24 … Bit 31

How DriverLINX maps digital output hardware channels to Logical Channels.

Notes:

• If a channel is configured for output, reading it (using the Digital Input subsystem) returns the last value written.

• Applications can assign a configurable channel to either subsystem

using a Configure operation. (See “Digital Channel Configuration” on page 88.)

• The board has an OP5 pin for any one of several clock outputs but not for data out put. To select which clock signal the board outputs thr ough OP5, see “Special…” on page 16.

Digital Output Pacing, Triggering and Gating Signals Digital output tasks can use any of the Counter/Timer Logical Channels for pacing,

but use Logical Channel 2 as the default. The clock sources can be internal or external.

The Digital Output subsystem can use several control signals that DriverLINX defines as external clocks and gates as shown in the following table:

Connector Name DriverLINX Usage

CLKIN0 CLKIN1

GATEIN0 GATEIN1

How DriverLINX uses digital output control signals.

Divided external pacer clock:

• Divider-Rate G enerator: Exte rnal Clocking

External gate:

• Rate Timing Event

Counter/Timer Subsystem Signals

The Counter/Timer subsystem has a Logical Channel for each of the 8254 chip’s three counter/timers. DriverLINX defines an additional Logical Channel for counters 1 and 2 in cascade mode.

Analog I/O tasks can use the board’s external clock source (XPCLK) for pacing instead of the output of an 8254 counter/timer. Also, analog input tasks can use the board’s trigger/gate input (TGIN) for either triggering or gating.

DriverLINX maps these signals as shown in the following table:

Logical Channel 8254 Chip Counter Connector Name

0 Counters 1 & 2 XPCLK, TGIN, CLKIN1,

GATEIN1, CTOUT2

1 Counter 0 XPCLK, TGIN, CLKIN0,

GATEIN0, CTOUT0

2 Counter 1 XPCLK, TGIN, CLKIN1,

GATEIN1, CTOUT1

3 Counter 2 XPCLK, TGIN, CTOUT2

How DriverLINX maps counter/timer hardware channels to Logical Channels.

38 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Device Subsystem

The following sections describe how DriverLINX implements Device Subsystem features for the KPCI-3108 Series.

Device Modes

The Device Subsystem supports only DriverLINX’s Other mode for all operations.

Device Operations

The KPCI-3108 Series Device Subsystem supports the following DriverLINX operations:

If another application is using the same data-acquisition board, DriverLINX will prevent Device Initialization

rom interfering with another

application’s data-acquisition tasks.

• Initialize—DriverLINX aborts all data-acquisition tasks for every subsystem controlled by the current application. DriverLINX then initializes each subsystem.

• Capabilities—DriverLINX provides hardware-specific and configuration information in the form of a Logical Device Descriptor database. (If you are using the DriverLINX ActiveX controls, access the Logical Device Descriptor with a DriverLINXLDD control rather than with this operation.)

Analog Input Subsystem

The following sections describe how DriverLINX implements Analog Input Subsystem features for the KPCI-3108 Series.

Analog Input Modes

The Analog Input Subsystem supports the following modes:

• Polled—For single-value or single-scan analog input samples.

• Interrupt—For buffered transfers using programmed I/O.

• DMA—For buffered transfers using direct memory access.

• Other—For subsystem initialization and data conversion.

Analog Input Operations

The KPCI-3108 Series Analog Input Subsystem supports the following DriverLINX operations:

• Initialize—aborts all active analog input data-acquisition tasks.

However, DriverLINX prevents one application from interfering with another application’s data-acquisition tasks.

• Start—initiates a data-acquisition task using the Mode, Timing, Start,

and Stop Events, the Logical Channels, and the Buffers the application specified in the Service Request.

• Status—reports the buffer position of the next sample that DriverLINX

will write into a buffer.

• Stop—terminates an analog input data-acquisition task.

• Message—DriverLINX displays a pop-up dialog box for the user

containing the text for the current DriverLINX error message.

Analog Input Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options

The KPCI-3108 Series User’s Manual describes sever al pacing, triggering and gating options available on KPCI-3108 Series models. The following table summarizes these options and identifies which Service Request properties use them. Except as indicated, all tasks must use Interrupt or DMA mode.

40 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Parameter Option Service Request Properties

Pacing Mode

Periodic (paced) Rate generator timing event Burst Burst generator timing event

Clock Source

Software Single-value or single-scan

(Polled mode)

Internal Rate timing event with an internal clock

source

External +/- Rate timing event with an external clock

source

Burst Rate timing event in burst generator

mode with an internal or external clock source

Trigger

Internal (software) Command start event

Command stop event Terminal count stop event

Digital +/- Digital start event

Digital stop event

Analog Analog stop event

Trigger Mode

Post-trigger Digital start event About-trigger Analog or Digital stop event with

positive delay

Pre-trigger Analog or Digital stop event with 0-

delay

Trigger-to-trigger Digital start event

Digital stop event

Trigger-to-about-trigger Digital start event

Digital stop event with positive delay

Gate

Level +/- Rate timing event

Digital start event (for use with a digital timing event)

Analog Input Timing Events

Timing Events specify how the hardware paces or clocks the acquisition of analog input samples. DriverLINX uses the Timing Event to program when the KPCI-3108 Series acquires the next analog input sample.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Timing Events:

• None—Sampling requires no pacing as DriverLINX is acquiring only a

single value or scan.

• Rate—The KPCI-3108 Series supports fixed rate and burst mode

sampling using internal and external clocks.

None or Null Timing Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a clock to determine when to acquire the next sample.

Rate Timing Event

The KPCI-3108 Series supports two types of Rate Events for analog input:

• Rate Generator—Generates a fixed rate clock with equal time

intervals between tics.

• Burst Generator—Generates a dual frequency clock with a fixed

number of tics at a high frequency separated by a time interval at a lower frequenc y.

• Divider—Generates a fixed rate or dual frequency clock by dividing an

external input frequency.

KPCI-3108 Series boards have a programmable 10 MHz, 5 MHz, 1 MHz or 100 kHz master clock frequency. The sample period can range from 10 µs to

a 100 kHz timebase. This means the sample rate can range from 0.000233 Hz to 100 kHz. However, using multiple channels or non-unity gains may reduce the maximum sample rate that the hardware can accurately acquire. Consult your hardware manual for details.

− tics with

42 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Rate Generator: Internal Clocking

property specifies the time interval between samples in tics.

An internally clocked Rate Generator produces a fixed rate clock with equal time intervals between tics.

Period

Use an internally clocked rate generator when you want to acquire all analog input samples at equally spaced time intervals.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for fixed rate sampling using an internal clock.

For hardware independence, specify the clock channel using the symbolic constant, DEFAULTTIMER, which always maps to the default Logical Channel for analog input timing.

• Specify internal clocking using a Rate Generator on any available Channel with any Internal Clock source. See “Counter/Timer

Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• The Period The minimum period is 10 µs.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of the pacer clock. For analog input, DriverLINX uses the gate specified in the device configuration. Valid settings for the TGIN gate are Enabled, Disabled, NoConnect, High Level and Low Level. Valid settings for the GATEIN0 or GATEIN1 gate are Enabled, Disabled, NoConnect, and High Level. Valid settings, when pacing with channel 3, which has no external gate input, are Disabled and NoConnect. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

• Example: For a programming example, see AIBUFFER in your

DrvLINX4\Source folder.

Rate Generator: External Clocki ng

An externally clocke d Rate Generator produces a rate clock with unknown time intervals between tics.

Period (ext clk)

Use an externally clocked rate generator when you want to synchronize analog input samples with a recurrent external signal. In this mode you will need a separate external clock tic for each analog sample you want to acquire.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for fixed rate sampling using an external clock.

For hardware independence, specify the clock channel using the symbolic constant, DEFAULTTIMER, which always maps to the default Logical Channel for analog input timing.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

44 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Specify external clocking using a

Rate Generator on any available Channel with an External, External+, or External- Clock source. See “Counter/Timer

Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the XPCLK line.

• The frequency of the external clock must not exceed 100 kHz.

• Specify a Period between the mi nimum and maximum external

clocking period. The value doesn’t affect the external clock frequency, but DriverLINX requires a valid hardware value in case the application requests a timebase operation and to optimize data transfer between the driver and the application.

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

Burst Generator: Internal Clocking

An internally clocked Burst Generator produces a dual frequency clock with a fixed number of tics at a high frequency repeated at a lower frequency.

Use an internally clocked rate generator when you want to acquire analog input samples from a several channels at closely spaced time intervals and then repeat at longer intervals.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for burst mode sampling using an internal clock.

For hardware independence, specify the clock channel using the symbolic constant, DEFAULTTIMER, which always maps to the default Logical Channel for analog input timing.

46 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Specify internal clocking using a Burst Generator on any available

Channel with any Internal Clock source. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• The Period property specifies the time interval between bursts in tics. The minimum period is 10 µs.

• The On time property specifies the time interval between samples. It must be in the range of 10µs to 255µs. Also Pulses × (On time +1 must be less than Period.

Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

• The Pulses property specifies how many channels the board samples in

each Period. Pulses must equal the number of channels in the channel list.

Example: For a programming example, see AIBURST in your DrvLINX4\Source folder.

Burst Generator: External Clocking

An externally clocked Rate Generator produces a dual frequency clock with a fixed number of tics at a high, internal frequency repeated at a lower, externally controlled frequency.

Use an externally clocked burst generator when you want to synchronize a burst of analog input samples with a recurrent external signal. In this mode you will need a separate external clock tic for each burst of analog samples you want to acquire.

BE SURE that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for burst mode sampling using an external clock.

• Specify external clocking using a Burst Generator on any available

Channel with an External, External+, or External- Clock source.

See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the XPCLK line.

• Specify a Period between the mi nimum and maximum external

clocking period. The value doesn’t affect the external clock frequency, but DriverLINX requires a valid hardware value in case the application

requests a timebase operation and to optimize data transfer between the driver and the application.

• The On time property specifies the time interval between samples. It must be within the range of 10µs to 255µs. Also, Pulses × (On time

s) must be less than Period.

• The frequency of the external clock must not exceed 100 kHz.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

the pacer clock. For analog input, DriverLINX uses the gate specified in the device configuration. Valid settings for the TGIN gate are Enabled, Disabled, NoConnect, High Level and Low Level. Valid settings for the GATEIN0 or GATEIN1 gate are Enabled, Disabled, NoConnect, and High Level. Valid settings, when pacing with channel 3, which has no external gate input, are Disabled and NoConnect. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

• The Pulses property specifies how many channels the board samples in each Period. Pulses must equal the number of channels in the channel list.

48 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Divider-Rate Generator: External Clocking

A divided, ext ernally clocked Ra te Generator produces a rate clock with unknown time intervals between tics.

Period (ext clk)

Use a divider-rate generator when you want to synchronize analog input samples with a recurrent, higher frequency, external signal. In this mode you will need a specified number of external clock tics for each analog sample you want to acquire.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for rate sampling using a divided external clock.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

• Specify external clocking using a Divider Generator on any available

Channel with an External, or External+ Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the CLKIN0 line for

the channel 1 or the CLKIN1 line for channels 0 and 2.

• Specify the divisor for the external frequency in the Period property.

The resulting pacing frequency must not exceed 100 kHz.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

Divider-Burst Generator: External Clocking

A divided, externally clocked Burst Generator produces a dual frequency clock with a fixed number of tics at a high, internal frequency repeated at a lower, externally controlle d frequency.

Use a divider-burst generator when you want to synchronize a burst of analog input samples with a recurrent, higher frequency, external signal. In this mode you will need a specified number of external clock tics for each burst of analog samples you want to acquire.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for burst mode sampling using a divided external clock.

Note: The Edit Service Request dialog does not actually display all the properties for a divider-burst generator. However, you can access all the properties programmatically.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

50 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Specify external clocking using a Divider Generator on any available

Channel with an External, or External+ Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the CLKIN0 line for the channel 1 or the CLKIN1 line for channels 0 and 2.

• Specify the divisor for the external frequency in the Period property. The resulting pacing frequency must not exceed 100 kHz.

• The On time property specifies the time interval between samples. It

must be within the range of 10µs to 255µs. Also, Pulses × (On time

s) must be less than Period.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

• The Pulses property specifies how many channels the board samples in

each Period. Pulses must equal the number of channels in the channel list.

Analog Input Start Events

Start Events specify when the KPCI-3108 hardware starts acquiring analog input data.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Start Events:

• None—Use this event when the DriverLINX operation does not require a Start Event.

• Command—DriverLINX starts the task on software command, i.e., as soon as DriverLINX finishes programming the KPCI-3108 hardware for the task.

• Digital—The hardware starts acquiring analog input samples when the hardware detects the digital Logical Channel input satisfies the condition specified in the Start Event.

None or Null Start Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a Start Event to begin the task.

Command Start Event

The Command Event starts data acquisition as soon as DriverLINX has completed programming the data-acquisition hardware with the task parameters.

Digital Start Event (Post-Triggering)

The KPCI-3108 can acquire analog input samples after the hardware detects a digital trigger condition. Use post-triggering when you want to synchronize the start of data acquisition with an external signal.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for post-triggered analog input.

52 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Digital Start Events contain mask, pattern, and match fields. The mask is logically ANDed with the digital input data on the Logical Channel and then compared with the pattern for a match/mismatch.

• Specify the Channel as 6. For hardware-independence, you can specify

the hardware external trigger channel by the symbolic constant, DI_EXTTRG.

• Users should connect the external trigger signal to the TGIN line.

• Specify the Mask property as 1, or Bit 0, to indicate that DriverLINX

should only compare a 1-bit digital input value against the Pattern property.

• Specify the Match property as N

• Specify the Pattern property as 0 for a rising, or positive, edge trigger

(≠0) or 1 for a fal l ing, or negative, edge trigger (≠1).

• Specify the Delay property as 0. The KPCI-3108 does not support a

delay in sampling after the start trigger.

Notes:

• When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support

using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

• If both the start trigger and stop trigger are digital events, they must

have identical Pattern settings.

• The hardware does not support using a digital start trigger with an

analog stop trigger.

When the hardware detects the trigger, DriverLINX sends a StartEvent message (or

event). For more information on messages, see “Analog Input Messages” on page 68. Example: For a programming example, see AIDIGTRG in your DrvLINX4\Source

folder.

ot equals.

Digital Start Event (Gating)

The KPCI-3108 can pause and resume acquiring analog input samples based on the level of a digital input condition. Use a digital start event to set up gating when using a digital timing event. To set up gating for a Rate timing event, see “Rate Timing Event” on page 42.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for gated analog input.

Digital Start Events contain mask, pattern, and match fields. The mask selects which bit in the Logical Channel to use as a gate input. The pattern selects whether the gate is active, or enables data-acquisition, when the gate signal is high or low.

• Specify the Channel as 6. For hardware-independence, you can specify the hardware external trigger channel by the symbolic constant, DI_EXTTRG.

• Users should connect the external gating signal to the TGIN line.

• Specify the Mask property as 1, or Bit 0, to identify the gate input bit

of the Logical Channel.

• Specify the Match property as E

quals.

• Specify the Pattern property as 0 for a low-level active gate or 1 for a high-level active gate.

• Specify the Delay property as 0. DriverLINX does not use a delay with gating.

54 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Input Stop Events

Stop Events specify when the hardware stops acquiring analog input data. The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Stop Events:

• None—Use this event when the DriverLINX operation doesn’t require

a Stop Event.

• Command—DriverLINX stops the task on software command, i.e.,

when the application issues a Service Request with a Stop operation.

• Terminal count—DriverLINX stops the task after the data-acquisition

hardware has filled all the data buffers once.

• Analog—The hardware stops acquiring analog input samples when the

hardware detects the analog Logical Channel input satisfies the condition specified in the Start Event.

• Digital—The hardware stops acquiring analog input samples when the

hardware detects the digital Logical Channel input satisfies the condition specified in the Stop Event.

None or Null Stop Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a Stop Event to end the task.

Command Stop Event

The Command Event stops data acquisition when the user application changes the Operation property in the Service Request to Stop and resubmits the Service Request to DriverLINX.

In Stop-on-Command mode , DriverLINX continuously cycles through al l the data buffers filling them with analog input data from the data-acquisition hardware.

Terminal Count Stop Event

The Terminal Count Event stops data acquisition after DriverLINX has filled all the data buffers once with analog input data. Use Terminal Count when you want to acquire a single scan or fixed amount of data.

Analog Stop Event (Pre- and About-Triggering)

The KPCI-3108 can acquire analog input samples until the hardware detects an analog trigger condition. Use pre-triggering when you want to synchronize the end of data-acquisition with an external signal. Use about-triggering when you want to delay the end of data-acquisition a fixed number of samples after the trigger.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for pre-triggered analog input.

Analog Stop Events contain Channel, Gain, Polarity and Limit fields. The limits determine the type of analog event (Level, Edge, Limit, or Band). For the KPCI-3108 Series, only edge and band types are allowed. The hardware supports band triggering directly, while DriverLINX emulates edge triggering by programming the smallest band that the hardware supports. As the board acquires samples, it compares data from the specified Channel against the High and Low Limits. The Polarity determines whether the trigger occurs on a rising o r falling signal. A rising trigger occurs when a sample above the high limit follows a sample below the low limit. Similarly, a falling trigger occurs when a sample below the low limit follows a sample above the high limit.

• Specify the Mode as DMA. The KPCI-3108 Series supports analog triggering only in DMA mode.

• Specify the Logical Channel from the analog input subsystem. For the KPCI-3108 Series, the analog event channel must be in the channel list. The channel can occur more than once in the channel list, but the board monitors for the trigger condition only while sampling for the first occurrence of the channel.

• Specify the Gain property for the analog event channel. Use the same gain as in the channel list.

• Specify the Polarity (or Slope) property as Pos for a rising trigger or Neg for a falling trigger.

• Specify the Limit properties in hardware A/D codes as follows:

Type High Limit Low Limit

Edge Threshold Threshold Band Lower Threshold Upper Threshold

56 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Programming Tip: Use the DriverLINX Volts2Code method to

easily convert volts to hardware A/D codes for the threshold properties.

• Specify the Delay property as 0 for pre-triggering, or a positive number

of samples to obtain after the trigger for about-triggering. The Delay value must be a multiple of the number of channels in the channel list.

• The hardware does not support using a digital start trigger with an

analog stop trigger.

When the hardware detects the trigger, DriverLINX sends a StopEvent message (or event) that identifies the buffer location of the last sample. For more information on

messages, see “Analog Input Messages” on page 68. Example: For a programming example, see AISTPTRG in your DrvLINX4\Source

folder.

Digital Stop Event (Pre- and About-Triggering)

The KPCI-3108 can acquire analog input samples until the hardware detects a digital trigger condition. Use pre-triggering when you want to synchronize the end of data acquisition with an external signal.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for pre-triggered analog input.

Digital Stop Events contain mask, pattern, and match fields. The mask is logically ANDed with the digital input data on the Logical Channel and then compared with the pattern for a match/mismatch.

• Specify the Channel as 6. For hardware-independence, you can specify

the hardware external trigger channel by the symbolic constant, DI_EXTTRG.

• Users should connect the external trigger signal to the TGIN line.

• Specify the Mask property as 1, or Bit 0, to indicate that DriverLINX

should only compare a 1-bit digital input value against the Pattern property.

• Specify the Match property as Not equals.

• Specify the Pattern property as 0 for a rising, or positive, edge trigger

(≠0) or 1 for a falling, or negative , edge trigger (≠1).

• Specify the Delay property as an integer from 0 to 3108 continues sampling until it obtains this number of samples after the trigger. The number must be a multiple of the number of channels in the channel list.

Notes:

• Note: When configured for the TGIN gate, the hardware does not support using a gated clock with a digital start or stop trigger.

• If both the start trigger and stop trigger are digital events, they must have identical Pattern settings.

When the hardware detects the trigger, DriverLINX sends a StopEvent message (or event) that identifies the buffer location of the last sample. For more information on

messages, see “Analog Input Messages” on page 68. Example: For a programming example, see AIDSTPTG in your DrvLINX4\Source

folder.

− . The KPCI-

Analog Input Channels

The KPCI-3108 Series models support a variety of channel gains with differential or single-ended termination modes. The Logical Device configuration sets the default termination mode for analog input channels. An application can request a particular termination mode for each channel it uses. The channel gains are also application selectable.

The KPCI-3108 Series allows applications to specify the analog channels using three techniques:

• Start Channel—Acquire data from a single channel.

• Start/Stop Channel Range—Acquire data from a consecutive range of

channels.

• Channel List—Acquire data from a list of channels.

Single Channel Analog Input

In single channel mode, the KPCI-3108 Series acquires all data from one channel at the specified gain.

58 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for sampling on a single channel.

Multi-channel Analog Input Range

In multi-channel range mode, the KPCI-3108 Series acquires data from a consecutive range of analog channels.

• The Start Channel’s gain only applies to the first channel.

• DriverLINX uses the Stop Channel’s gain for all the other analog

channels in the range.

• The gains may vary but they must all be either unipolar or bipolar.

• If the Start Channel is greater than the Stop Channel, the channel

sequence is [Start Channel,… Last Channel, 0,… Stop Channel], where Last Channel is the highest numbered channel.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for sampling on a consecutive range of channels.

Multi-channel Analog Input List

In multi-channel list mode, the KPCI-3108 Series acquires data from an arbitrary list of analog channels.

• The channel-gain list may contain up to 256 channels in any order. The list may repeat the same channel with the same or different gains.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series to sample from an arbitrary list of channels.

60 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Input Channel Gains

Each channel in a channel scan list has a gain code property to select the preamplifier gain when sampling that channel. The following tables show the correspondence between the gain multiplier, the maximum input signal range, and the gain code for each input range. Note: DriverLINX uses a negative (-) gain multiplier to signify a bipolar (±) range.

You should be aware that using multiple channels or non-unity gains reduces the maximum sample rate. Consult your hardware manual for details.

Gain Range Gain Code

-1 ±10 V 0

-2 ±5 V 1

-4 ±2.5 V 2

-8 ±1.25 V 3

-10 ±1 V 4

-20 ±500 mV 5

-40 ±250 mV 6

-80 ±125 mV 7

-100 ±100 mV 8

-200 ±50 V 9

-400 ±25 mV 10

-800 ±12.5 mV 11 1 0 - 10 V 16 2 0 - 5 V 17 4 0 - 2.5 V 18 8 0 - 1.25 V 19 10 0 - 1 V 20 20 0 - 500 mV 21 40 0 - 250 mV 22 80 0 - 125 mV 23 100 0 - 100 mV 24 200 0 - 50 V 25 400 0 - 25 mV 26 800 0 - 12.5 mV 27

Gains, Ranges, and Hardware Gain Codes for KPCI-3108 Series.

Use the DriverLINX Gain2Code method to easily convert between the gains in the above tables and Gain Codes. Using this method makes applications portable to different hardware models that have the same analog input ranges.

Expansion Channel Gains The available gains for an expansion channel are the products of the expansion

board’s programmable (1 and 50) and the KPCI board’s programmable gains.

If you are using an expansion accessory with other gain settings then you can scale

the data using DriverLINX’s conversion functions. For more information see “Converting Entire Buffers” in the Analog I/O Programming Guide.

For information on configuring expansion accessories, see “Special…” on page 16. For information on sampling from expansio n channels, “Analog Inp ut Expansion Channels” on page 64.

Analog Input Channel Termination modes

On the KPCI-3108 Series, each Analog Input channel can use single-ended or differential termination modes. When configuring the Analog Input Subsystem, you choose a default configuration for all channels. Applications can use the default configuration or specify the termination mode for each channel it uses. This scheme supports applications that use KPCI-3108-specific features as well as those that use only generic features.

Each channel in a channel list has a gain code property. To specify a termination mode for a channel, an application includes a termination mode-type flag in its gain code. The following table shows the flag value for each termination mode:

Termination mode Flag Value

Default Configuration CHAN_SEDIFF_DEFAULT = 0 Single-Ended

Differential

CHAN_SEDIFF_SE = CHAN_SEDIFF_DIFF =

22×

23×

Note: The user chooses the default configuration on the Analog Input page of the DriverLINX Configuration Panel. See “Analog Input Subsystem Page” on page 20.

For example, an application that requires or knows a channel’s termination mode obtains the gain code for a single-ended channel with a bipolar gain of 4, with:

Gain2Code (-4) + CHAN_SEDIFF_SE // This code will work with only drivers that allow

applications to specify a termination mode.

An application that does not require or know a channel’s termination mode obtains the gain code for a channel with a bipolar gain of 4, with:

Gain2Code (-4) // This code will work with any board that supports

bipolar ranges.

Analog Input Channel Coupling Modes

The KPCI-3108 Series an Analog Input channel with AC, DC or GND coupling. When configuring t he Analog Input Subsystem, you choose a default configuration for all channels. Applications can use the default configuration or specify the coupling mode for each channel it uses. This scheme supports applications that use KPCI-3108-specific features as well as those that use only generic features.

62 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Each channel in a channel list has a gain code property. To specify a coupling mode for a channel, an application includes a coupling-mode flag in its gain code. The following table shows the flag value for each coupling mode:

Coupling Mode Flag Value

Default Configuration CHAN_COUPLING_DEFAULT = 0 AC

DC GND

CHAN_COUPLING_AC = CHAN_COUPLING_DC = CHAN_COUPLING_GND =

21×

22×

23×

Note: The user chooses the default configuration on the Analog Input page of the

DriverLINX Configuration Panel. See “Analog Input Subsystem Page” on page 20. For example, an application that requires DC coupling for a for a channel with a

bipolar gain of 4, obtains the gain code by:

Gain2Code (-4) + CHAN_COUPLING_DC // This code will work with only drivers that allow

applications to specify a coupling mode.

An application that does uses the configured coupling mode obtains the gain code for a channel with a bipolar gain of 4, with:

Gain2Code (-4) // This code will work with any board that supports

bipolar ranges.

Analog Input Zero-Reference Adjustment

Applications can request automatic zero-reference adjustments (offset calibration) by selecting Enabled for Autozero property. Zero-reference adjustments ensure that offset errors are minimized before starting the data-acquisition. Note, this takes several seconds for each gain setting used in the service request.

Analog Input Expansion Channels

Multiplexers can expand the number of analog input channels from the 16 base channels up to 256 differential analog input channels. The KPCI-3108 Series hardware automatically switches the multiplexer channels, allowing you to specify expansion channels along with base channels in a channel list.

To enable DriverLINX to use multiplexers, enable expansion mode in the Configure

KPCI-3108 Options dialog (see “Special…” on page 16). With expansion mode enabled, DriverLINX considers the board to have the original 16 base channels followed by 256 expansion channels.

DriverLINX uses a static numbering scheme for attaching multiplexers. Attaching or removing a mux from a base channel doesn’t cha nge the Logical Channel number of any other channel. DriverLINX r eserves a fixed numbe r of expansion cha nnels for each potential mux, whether it is attached or not.

To determine the DriverLINX Logical Channel number for a multiplexer channel, use the following formula or refer to the table that follows it. Note that DriverLINX uses 0-based numbering for all channels .

Term Description

<logical chan#> Logical Channel number to use in channel lists. <num base chan> Number of base channels on the KPCI-3108 Series board <base chan#> Base channel on the KPCI-3108 Series board where you attached

the mux.

<num mux chan> Number of expansion channels DriverLINX reserves for the mux.

(16 for KPCI-3108 expansion accessories).

<mux chan#> Channel on the expansion board where you attached the signal.

Mux channels are numbered from 0 to 15.

For example, the Logical Channel address for channel 4 on a mux attached to base channel 3 is

16 + 3 × 16 + 4 = 68.

To specify multiplexer input channels 0, 1, and 2 on an expansion board connected to base channel 0, use 16, 17, and 18 in the channel/gain list.

64 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Base Chan # Mux

Chan #

10 11

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 etc

16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128

17 33 49 65 81 97 113 129

18 34 50 66 82 98 114 130

19 35 51 67 83 99 115 131

20 36 52 68 84 100 116 132

21 37 53 69 85 101 117 133

22 38 54 70 86 102 118 134

23 39 55 71 87 103 119 135

24 40 56 72 88 104 120 136

25 41 57 73 89 105 121 137

26 42 58 74 90 106 122 138

27 43 59 75 91 107 123 139

28 44 60 76 92 108 124 140

29 45 61 77 93 109 125 141

30 46 62 78 94 110 126 142

31 47 63 79 95 111 127 143

Table of logical channel numbers for KPCI-3108 expansion boards

Analog Input Buffers

DriverLINX supports single-value, single-scan and buffered analog input.

• For single-value input, specify the Number of buffers as 0. The buffer for a single value is the ioValue property.

• For single-scan input, specify the Number of buffers as 1 and the number of Samples equal to the number of channels.

• For buffered input, specify the Number of buffers from 1 to 255 and the number of Samples as desired.

For example, 500 samples/2 channels = 250 is ok, but 500 samples/3 channels = 166.67 is incorrect.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series to store samples in buffers.

Buffer Size An individual DriverLINX buffer may have any size as long as the buffer length

holds an integral number of channel scans (i.e., a multiple of the number of analog

input channels you’re acquiring). This restriction enforces the requirement that all acquired channels have the same number of sample s.

Buffer Usage DriverLINX fills buffers sequentially until the task stops. During the task only

complete buffers are available to the application. Except for tasks that stop on terminal count, the last buffer may be only partially full. If the task stops on a trigger, use the StopEvent message (or event) to determine the location of the last sample. For other cases, use a Status operation to determine the location of the last sample.

66 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Input Data Coding

KPCI-3108 Series models return Analog Input 16-bit hardware codes in left-shifted binary for unipolar ranges and l eft-justified two’s complement binary for bipolar

ranges. DriverLINX refers to these coding schemes as the “native” format. For any programmable gain, the KPCI-3108 models return hardware codes with the

ranges in the following table:

Polarity Analog Input

Resolution

Unipolar 16 bits 0 to 65535 Bipolar 16 bits -32768 to 32767

Native Analog Input hardware codes for each KPCI-3108 Series polarity.

12 10

8 6 4 2 0

0 65535

6 4 2 0

-2

-4

-6

-32768 0 32767

Unipolar

Bipolar

Analog Input Hardware Code

KPCI-3108 Series native Analog Input Codes versus Voltage Range for a ten-volt range.

DriverLINX refers to the default hardware analog-coding scheme as the “native” format. For co mput er arithmetic in a higher level language, the 16-bit two’s complement integer format is generally easier to use. Applications can use DriverLINX’s data conversion operations to transform an entire data buffer from many common integer and flo ating-point formats t o native format.

Analog Input Messages

For analog input operations, DriverLINX can report the following messages to the application:

DriverLINX

Explanation

Message

Service Start DriverLINX has started the acquisition task. Service Done DriverLINX has completed the acquisition task. Buffer Filled DriverLINX has filled an analog input buffer. Start Event DriverLINX has processed t he interrupt for a hardware start

event.

Stop Event DriverLINX has processed the interrupt for a hardware stop

event.

Data Lost DriverLINX has detected an analog input data overrun

condition.

Critical Error DriverLINX has encountered an unexpected hardware or

software condition.

DriverLINX Event messages for analog input.

For detailed explanations of these messages see one of the following references:

• DriverLINX Technical Reference Manual for C/C++ users

• DriverLINX/VB Technical Reference Manual for VB or Delphi users

68 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Subsystem

The following sections describe how DriverLINX implements Analog Output Subsystem features for the KPCI-3108 Series.

Analog Output Modes

The Analog Output Subsystem supports the following modes:

• Polled—For single-value or single-scan analog output samples.

• Interrupt—For buffered transfers using programmed I/O.

• DMA—For buffered transfers using direct memory access.

• Other—For subsystem initialization and data conversion.

Analog Output Operations

The KPCI-3108 Series Analog Output Subsystem supports the following DriverLINX operations:

• Initialize—aborts all active analog output data-acquisition tasks.

However, DriverLINX prevents one application from interfering with another application’s data-acquisition tasks.

• Start—initiates a data-acquisition task using the Mode, Timing, Start,

and Stop Events, the Logical Channels, and the Buffers the application specified in the Service Request.

• Status—reports the buffer position of the next sample that DriverLINX

will write from a buffer.

• Stop—terminates an analog output data-acquisition task.

• Message—DriverLINX displays a pop-up dialog box for the user

containing the text for the current DriverLINX error message.

Analog Output Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options

The KPCI-3108 Series User’s Manuals describe several pacing, triggering and gating options available on KPCI-3108 models. Most are available only on the KPCI3108AO models. The following table summarizes these options and identifies which Service Request properties use them. Except as indicated all tasks must use Interrupt or DMA mode.

Parameter Option Service Request Properties

Pacing Mode

Periodic (paced) Rate generator timing event

Clock Source

Software Single-value or single-scan

(Polled mode)

Internal D/A clock Rate timing event with an internal clock

source

Internal A/D clock Rate timing event with an internal clock

source. A period of 0 signifies that the A/D task operates the clock, which controls both tasks

External +/- Rate timing event with an external clock

source

Trigger

Internal (software) Command start event

Command stop event

Terminal count stop event Digital +/- Digital start event Retrigger Digital start event (Interrupt mode; task

must meet certain conditions)

Gate

Level +/- Rate timing event

Digital start event (for use with a digital

timing event)

70 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Timing Events

Timing Events specify how the hardware paces or clocks the writing of analog output samples. DriverLINX uses the Timing Event to program when the KPCI-3108 Series writes the next analog output sample.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Timing Events:

• None—Task requires no pacing as DriverLINX is writing only a single

value or scan.

• Rate—The KPCI-3108 Series supports fixed rate writing using internal

and external clocks. You can also synchronize an Analog Output task with an Analog Input task using a Rate Event.

None or Null Timing Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a clock to determine when to write the next sample.

Rate Timing Event

The KPCI-3108 Series supports two types of Rate Events for analog output:

• Rate Generator—Generates a fixed rate clock with equal time

intervals between tics.

• Burst Generator—Generates a dual frequency clock with a fixed

number of tics at a high frequency separated by a time interval at a lower frequenc y.

• Divider—Generates a fixed rate or dual frequency clock by dividing an

external input frequency.

KPCI-3108 Series boards have a configurable 10 MHz, 5 MHz, 1 MHz or 100 kHz master clock frequency. The sample period can range from 2µs to

means the sample rate can range from 0.000233 Hz to 500 kHz.

1232− tics. This

Rate Generator: Internal Clocking

An internally clocked Rate Generator produces a fixed rate clock with equal time intervals between tics.

Period

Use an internally clocked rate generator when you want to write analog output samples at equally spaced time intervals.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for fixed rate writing using an internal clock.

For hardware independence, specify the clock channel using the symbolic constant, DEFAULTTIMER, which always maps to the default Logical Channel for analog output timing.

Also see: “Synchronizing an Analog Output Task with an Analog Input Task” on page 79.

Example: For a programming example, see AOBUFFER in your DrvLINX4\Source folder.

72 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Specify internal clocking using a Rate Generator on any available

Channel with any Clock source. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• The Period property specifies the time interval between samples in tics. The minimum period is 2 µs.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of the pacer clock. Valid settings for the GATEIN0 or GATEIN1 gate are Enabled, Disabled, NoConnect, and High Level. Valid settings, when pacing with channel 3, which has no external gate input, are Disabled and NoConnect. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

Rate Generator: External Clocki ng

An externally clocke d Rate Generator produces a rate clock with unknown time intervals between tics.

Period (ext clk)

Use an externally clocked rate generator when you want to synchronize analog output samples with a recurrent external signal. In this mode you will need a separate external clock tic for each analog sample you want to write.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for fixed rate writing using an external clock.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

• Specify external clocking using a Rate Generator on Channel 1 with

an External, External+, or External- Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the XPCLK line.

• Specify a Period between the mi nimum and maximum external

• The frequency of the external clock must not exceed 500 kHz.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

the pacer clock. Valid settings for the GATEIN0 or GATEIN1 gate are Enabled, Disabled, NoConnect, and High Level. Valid settings, when pacing with channel 3, which has no external gate input, are Disabled and NoConnect. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

Also see: “Synchronizing an Analog Output Task with an Analog Input Task” on page 79.

74 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Burst Generator: Internal Clocking

An internally clocked Burst Generator produces a dual frequency clock with a fixed number of tics at a high frequency repeated at a lower frequency.

Use an internally clocked rate generator when you want to acquire analog input samples from a several channels at closely spaced time intervals and then repeat at longer intervals.

For hardware independence, specify the clock channel using the symbolic constant, DEFAULTTIMER, which always maps to the default Logical Channel for analog input timing.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for burst mode writing using an internal clock.

• Specify internal clocking using a Burst Generator on Channel 0 with

the Internal 1 Clock source. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page

110 for a description of clock sources.

• The Period property specifies the time interval between bursts in tics.

The minimum period is 2 µs.

• The On time property specifies the time interval between samples. It

must be within the range of 2µs to 255µs. Also Pulses × (On time

s) must be less than Period.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

• The Pulses property specifies how many channels the board samples in each Period. Pulses must equal the number of channels in the channel list.

Example: For a programming example, see AOBURST in your DrvLINX4\Source folder.

Burst Generator: External Clocking

An externally clocked Rate Generator produces a dual frequency clock with a fixed number of tics at a high, internal frequency repeated at a lower, externally controlled frequency.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for burst mode writing using an external clock.

BE SURE that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

76 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Specify external clocking using a Burst Generator on Channel 0 with

an External, External+, or External- Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the XPCLK line.

• Specify a Period between the mi nimum and maximum external

• The On time property specifies the time interval between samples. It

must be within the range of 2µs to 255µs. Also, Pulses × (On time

s) must be less than Period.

• The frequency of the external clock must not exceed 500 kHz.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

and NoConnect. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of each Gate setting.

• The Pulses property specifies how many channels the board samples in

each Period. Pulses must equal the number of channels in the channel list.

Divider-Rate Generator: External Clocking

A divided, ext ernally clocked Ra te Generator produces a rate clock with unknown time intervals between tics.

Period (ext clk)

Use a divider-rate generator when you want to synchronize analog out put samples with a recurrent, higher frequency, external signal. In this mode you will need a specified number of external clock tics for each analog sample you want to output.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for rate sampling using a divided external clock.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

• Specify external clocking using a Divider Generator on any available Channel with an External, or External+ Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the CLKIN0 line for the channel 1 or the CLKIN1 line for channels 0 and 2.

• Specify the divisor for the external frequency in the Period property. The resulting pacing frequency must not exceed 500 kHz.

Divider-Burst Generator: External Clocking

A divided, externally clocked Burst Generator produces a dual frequency clock with a fixed number of tics at a high, internal frequency repeated at a lower, externally controlle d frequency.

Use a divider-burst generator when you want to synchronize a burst of analog output samples with a recurrent, higher frequency, external signal. In this mode you will need a specified number of external clock tics for each burst of analog samples you want to write.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for burst mode sampling using a divided external clock.

78 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Note: The Edit Service Request dialog does not actually display all the properties for a divider-burst generator. However, you can access all the properties programmatically.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

• Specify external clocking using a Divider Generator on any available

Channel with an External, or External+ Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the CLKIN0 line for

the channel 1 or the CLKIN1 line for channels 0 and 2.

• Specify the divisor for the external frequency in the Period property.

The resulting pacing frequency must not exceed 500 kHz.

• The On time property specifies the time interval between samples. It

must be within the range of 2µs to 255µs. Also, Pulses × (On time

s) must be less than Period.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

• The Pulses property specifies how many channels the board samples in

each Period. Pulses must equal the number of channels in the channel list.

Synchronizing an Analog Output Task with an Analog Input Task

On the KPCI-3108 Series, DriverLINX can synchronize an analog output task with an analog input task. The analog output task uses the same timing event as the input task.

To synchronize an analog output (AO) task with an analog input (AI) task:

1. Set up the AI service request.

2. Set up the AO service request using an identical timing event as the AI

task, except with set the Period to zero. Both the AI and AO timing event must use Counter/Timer channel 0.

3. Submit the AO service request. The hardware runs the AO task only

while the AI task is running.

4. Submit the AI service request to start both tasks.

Although both tasks shar e the same clock source , they are otherwise logically independent of each other. Your application must manage and respond to each task separately. If the AI task terminates before the AO task, the AO task will still be logically active, but the clock stop sending timing pulses to the AO task until the next AI task starts. If you want to terminate the AO task when the AI task stops, either set up both service requests with equal buffer sizes and Stop Events, or issue a Stop operation request for the AO task.

Example: For a programming example, see AISYNCAO in your DrvLINX4\Source folder.

80 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Start Events

Start Events specify when the hardware starts acquiring analog output data. The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Start Events:

• None—Use this event when the DriverLINX operation does not require

a Start Event.

• Command—DriverLINX starts the task on software command, i.e., as

soon as DriverLINX finishes programming the KPCI-3108 hardware for the task.

None or Null Start Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a Start Event to begin the task.

Command Start Event

The Command Event starts data acquisition as soon as DriverLINX has completed programming the data-acquisition hardware with the task parameters.

Analog Output Stop Events

Stop Events specify when the hardware stops acquiring analog output data. The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Stop Events:

• None—Use this event when the DriverLINX operation doesn’t require

a Stop Event.

• Command—DriverLINX stops the task on software command, i.e.,

when the application issues a Service Request with a Stop operation.

• Terminal count—DriverLINX stops the task after the data-acquisition

hardware has filled all the data buffers once.

None or Null Stop Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a Stop Event to end the task.

Command Stop Event

The Command Event stops data acquisition when the user application changes the Operation property in the Service Request to Stop and resubmits the Service Request to DriverLINX.

In Stop-on-Command mode , DriverLINX continuously cycles through al l the data buffers the analog output data to the data-acquisition hardware.

Terminal Count Stop Event

The Terminal Count Event stops data acquisition after DriverLINX has filled all the data buffers once with analog output data. Use Terminal Count when you want to write a single scan or fixed amount of data.

Analog Output Channels

The KPCI-3108 Series allows applications to specify the analog channels using three techniques:

• Start Channel—Write data to a single channel.

• Start/Stop Channel Range—Write data to a consecutive range of

channels.

• Channel List—Write data to a list of channels.

Single Channel Analog Output

In single channel mode, the KPCI-3108 Series writes all data to one channel at the specified gain.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for writing to a single channel.

Multi-channel Analog Output Range

In multi-channel range mode, the KPCI-3108 Series writes data to a consecutive range of analog channels.

• The Start Channel’s gain only applies to the first channel.

• DriverLINX uses the Stop Channel’s gain for all the other analog

channels in the range.

• The Stop Channel must be greater than the Start Channel.

82 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for writing to a consecutive range of channels.

Multi-channel Analog Output List

In multi-channel list mode, the KPCI-3108 Series writes data to an arbitrary list of analog channels.

• For the KPCI-3108 Series, a channel cannot appear more than once in

the list.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series to write to an arbitrary list of channels.

Analog Output Channel Gains

The KPCI-3108 Series models support a variety of channel gains. The following table shows the correspondence between DriverLINX gains, the maximum output signal range, and the gain code for each output range. Note: DriverLINX uses a negative (-) gain value to signify a bipo lar (±) range.

AO Models

Gain Range Gain Code

-1 ±10 V 0

-2 ±5 V 1 1 0 to 10 V 2 2 0 to 5 V 3

Gains, Ranges, and Gain Codes for the KPCI-3108 Series.

Use the DriverLINX Gain2Code method to easily convert between the gains in the above tables and hardware Gain Codes.

84 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Buffers

DriverLINX supports single-value, single-scan and buffered analog output.

• For single-value output, specify the Number of buffers as 0. The

buffer for a single value is the ioValue property.

• For a single-scan output, specify the Number of buffers as 1 and the

number of Samples equal to the number of channels.

• For buffered output, specify the Number of buffers from 1 to 255 and

the number of Samples as desired.

For example, 500 samples/2 channels = 250 is ok, but 500 samples/3 channels = 166.67 is incorrect.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series to store samples in buffers.

Buffer Size An individual DriverLINX buffer may have any size as long as the buffer length

holds an integral number of channel scans (i.e., a multiple of the number of analog

output channels you’re acquiring). This restriction enforces the requirement that all acquired channels have the same number of sample s.

Buffer Usage DriverLINX writes from buffers sequentially until the task stops. Except for tasks

that stop on terminal count, the last buffer may be only partially used. If the task stops on a trigger, use the StopEvent message (or event) to determine the location of the last sample. For other cases, use a Status operation to determine the location of the last sample.

Analog Output Data Coding

KPCI-3108 Series uses the left-shifted, offset binary format to encode analog output data, as shown in the following table. DriverLINX refers to this coding scheme as the “native” format.

Polarity Analog Output

Resolution

Analog Output Hardware Code

Unipolar 16 bits 0 to 65535 Bipolar 16 bits -32768 to 32767

Native Analog Output hardware codes for the KPCI-3108 Series.

12 10

8 6 4 2 0

0 65535

Unipolar

6 4 2 0

-2

-4

-6

-32768 0 32767

Bipolar

KPCI-3108 Series native Analog Output Codes versus Voltage Range for a ten-volt range.

86 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Analog Output Messages

For analog output operations, DriverLINX can report the following messages to the application:

DriverLINX

Explanation

Message

Service Start DriverLINX has started the acquisition task. Service Done DriverLINX has completed the acquisition task. Buffer Filled DriverLINX has filled an analog output buffer. Critical Error DriverLINX has encountered an unexpected hardware or

software condition.

DriverLINX Event messages for analog output.

For detailed explanations of these messages see one of the following references:

• DriverLINX Technical Reference Manual for C/C++ users

• DriverLINX/VB Technical Reference Manual for VB or Delphi users

Digital Input Subsystem

The following sections describe how DriverLINX implements Digital Input Subsystem features for the KPCI-3108 Series.

Digital Input Modes

The Digital Input Subsystem supports the following modes:

• Polled—For single-value or scan digital input samples.

• Interrupt—For buffered transfers using programmed I/O.

• Other—For subsystem initialization.

Digital Input Operations

The KPCI-3108 Series Digital Input Subsystem supports the following DriverLINX operations:

• Initialize—aborts any active interrupt data-acquisition tasks and stops the clock. DriverLINX prevents one application from interfering with another application’s data-acquisition tasks.

• Configure—assigns a configurable digital channel to the input subsystem.

• Start—initiates a data-acquisition task using the Mode, Timing, Start, and Stop Events, the Logical Channels, and the Buffers the application specified in the Service Request.

• Status—reports the buffer position of the next sample that DriverLINX will write into a buffer.

• Stop—terminates a digital input data-acquisition task.

• Message—DriverLINX displays a pop-up dialog box for the user

containing the text for the current DriverLINX error message.

Digital Channel Configuration

The KPCI-3108 supports several configurable digital channels. To use them as inputs you must first assign them to the Digital Input Subsystem using the “Configure DriverLINX Device Dialog” (page 14) or by using a Configure operation. Only channels 1 through 4 are configur able.

To configure a digital channel submit a service request with following settings:

• Subsystem—Digital Input or Digital Output

• Mode—Other

• Operation—Configure

• Timing Event—DIO Setup

• DIO Setup Channel — Channel number

• DIO Setup Mode—DIO BASIC

Example: For a programming example, see DIOCNFIG in your DrvLINX4\Source folder.

88 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Digital Input Pacing, Tr i ggering and Gating Options

The KPCI-3108 Series User’s Manuals describe several pacing, triggering and gating options available for analog input on KPCI-3108 models. As DriverLINX uses the analog input pacer clock for digital input, many of these options also apply to digital input tasks. The following table summarizes these options and identifies which Service Request properties use them. Except as indicated all tasks must use Interrupt mode.

Parameter Option Service Request Properties

Pacing Mode

Periodic (paced) Rate generator timing event

Clock Source

Trigger

Software Single-value or single-scan

(Polled mode)

Internal Rate timing event with an internal clock

source

External + Rate timing event with an external clock

source in divider mode

Internal (software) Command start event

Command stop event Terminal count stop event

Digital Input Timing Events

Timing Events specify how the hardware paces or clocks the reading of Digital Input samples. DriverLINX uses the Timing Event to program when the KPCI-3108 Series reads the next digital input sample from the port.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Timing Events:

• None—Input requires no pacing as DriverLINX is reading only a single

value.

• Rate—The KPCI-3108 Series supports fixed rate sampling using

internal and external clocks.

None or Null Timing Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a clock to determine when to read the next sample.

Rate Timing Event

The KPCI-3108 Series supports only the Rate Generator mode for Rate Events for digital input:

• Rate Generator—Generates a fixed rate clock with equal time intervals between tics.

• Divider—Generates a fixed rate clock by dividing an external input frequency.

KPCI-3108 Series boards have a configurable 10 MHz, 5 MHz, 1 MHz or 100 kHz master clock frequency. The sample period can range from 100µs to

1232− tics.

This means the sample rate can range from 0.000233 Hz to 10 kHz.

90 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Rate Generator: Internal Clocking

property specifies the time interval between samples in tics.

An internally clocked Rate Generator produces a fixed rate clock with equal time intervals between tics.

Period

Use an internally clocked rate generator when you want to acquire all digital input samples at equally spaced time intervals.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for fixed rate sampling using an internal clock.

For hardware independence, specify the clock channel using the symbolic constant, DEFAULTTIMER, which always maps to the default Logical Channel for digital output timing.

• Specify internal clocking using a Rate Generator on any Channel with

any valid Clock source. See “Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110

for a description of clock sources.

• The Period

The minimum period is 100 µs.

• The Gate property specifies how the gate signal affects the operation of

Example: For a programming example, see DIBUFFER in your DrvLINX4\Source folder.

Divider-Rate Generator: External Clocking

A divided, ext ernally clocked Ra te Generator produces a r ate clock with unknown time intervals between tics.

Period (ext clk)

Use a divider-rate generator when you want to synchronize digital input samples with a recurrent, higher frequency, external signal. In this mode you will need a specified number of external clock tics for each digital sample you want to acquire.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for rate sampling using a divided external clock.

Be sure that the external clock source is TTL compatible, 0 V minimum to +5 V maximum!

92 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

• Specify external clocking using a Divider Generator on any available

Channel with an External, or External+ Clock source. See

“Counter/Timer Subsystem” on page 110 for a description of clock sources.

• Users should connect the external clock signal to the CLKIN0 line for the channel 1 or the CLKIN1 line for channels 0 and 2.

• Specify the divisor for the external frequency in the Period property. The resulting pacing frequency must not exceed 10 kHz.

Digital Input Start Events

Start Events specify when the KPCI-3108 Series hardware starts reading digital input data.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Start Events for digital input:

• None—Use this event when the DriverLINX operation doesn’t require

a Start Event.

• Command—DriverLINX starts the task on software command, i.e., as

soon as DriverLINX finishes programming the KPCI-3108 hardware for the task.

None or Null Start Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a Start Event to begin the task.

Command Start Event

The Command Event starts data acquisition as soon as DriverLINX has completed programming the KPCI-3108 Series hardware with the task parameters.

Digital Input Stop Events

Stop Events specify when the KPCI-3108 Series hardware stops reading digital input data.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Stop Events for digital input:

• None—Use this event when the DriverLINX operation doesn’t require

a Stop Event.

• Command—DriverLINX stops the task on software command, i.e.,

when the application issues a Service Request with a Stop operation.

• Terminal count—DriverLINX stops the task after the KPCI-3108

Series hardware has filled all the data buffers once.

None or Null Stop Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a Stop Event to end the task.

Command Stop Event

The Command Event stops data acquisition when the user application changes the Operation property in the Service Request to Stop and resubmits the Service Request to DriverLINX.

In Stop-on-Command mode , DriverLINX continuously cycles through al l the data buffers, reading from the digital port on the KPCI-3108 Series.

Terminal Count Stop Event

The Terminal Count Event stops data acquisition after DriverLINX has read the digital input data into all the data buffers once. Use terminal count when you want to read a fixed amount of data.

Digital Input Channels

The KPCI-3108 Series allows applications to specify the digital channels using three techniques:

• Start Channel—Acquire data from a single channel.

• Start/Stop Channel Range—Acquire data from a consecutive range of

channels.

• Channel List—Acquire data from a list of channels.

Digital Input Logical Channels

The KPCI-3108 Series supports both fixed and configurable digital channels. DriverLINX defines the following Logical Channels for the KPCI-3108 Series Digital Input Subsystem:

Logical Channel DriverLINX Function KPCI-3108 Series External

Connector

94 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Single Channel Digital Input

In single channel mode, the KPCI-3108 Series acquires all data from one channel.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for sampling on a single channel.

Multi-channel Digital Input Range

In multi-channel range mode, the KPCI-3108 Series acquires all data from a consecutive range of digital channels.

• The Stop Channel must be greater than the Start Channel.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series for sampling on a consecutive range of channels.

Multi-channel Digital Input List

In multi-channel list mode, the KPCI-3108 Series acquires all data from an arbitrary list of digital channels.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series to sample from an arbitrary list of channels.

96 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Digital Input Buffers

DriverLINX supports single-value, single-scan and buffered digital input.

• For single-value input, specify the Number of buffers as 0. The buffer

for a single value is the ioValue property.

• For single-scan input, specify the Number of buffers as 1 and the

number of Samples equal to the number of channels.

• For buffered input, specify the Number of buffers from 1 to 255 and

the number of Samples as desired.

How to set up the KPCI-3108 Series to read digital samples using data buffers.

Buffer Usage DriverLINX fills buffers sequentially until the task stops. During the task only

complete buffers are available to the application. Except for tasks that stop on terminal count, the last buffer may be only partially full. Use a Status operation to determine the location of the last sample.

Digital Input Messages

For digital input operations, DriverLINX can report the following messages to the application:

DriverLINX

Explanation

Message

Service Start DriverLINX has started the acquisition task. Service Done DriverLINX has completed the acquisition task. Buffer Filled DriverLINX has filled a digital input buffer. Critical Error DriverLINX has encountered an unexpected hardware or

software condition.

DriverLINX Event messages for digital input.

For detailed explanations of these messages see one of the following references:

• DriverLINX Technical Reference Manual for C/C++ users

• DriverLINX/VB Technical Reference Manual for VB or Delphi users

98 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Digital Output Subsystem

The following sections describe how DriverLINX implements Digital Output Subsystem features for the KPCI-3108 Series.

Digital Output Modes

The Digital Output Subsystem supports the following modes:

• Polled—For single-value digital output samples.

• Interrupt—For buffered transfers using programmed I/O.

• Other—For subsystem initialization.

Digital Output Operations

The KPCI-3108 Series Digital Output Subsystem supports the following DriverLINX operations:

• Initialize—aborts any active interrupt data-acquisition tasks and stops

the clock. DriverLINX prevents one application from interfering with another application’s data-acquisition tasks.

• Start—initiates a data-acquisition task using the Mode, Timing, Start,

and Stop Events, the Logical Channels, and the Buffers the application specified in the Service Request.

• Status—reports the buffer position of the next sample that DriverLINX

will write from a buffer.

• Stop—terminates a digital output data-acquisition task.

• Message—DriverLINX displays a pop-up dialog box for the user

containing the text for the current DriverLINX error message.

Digital Output Initialization

By default, the Digital Output subsystem writes zero into the digital output port. You can specify a different initial output value using the Configure DriverLINX Device dialog. See “Digital Output Subsystem Page” on page 24.

Digital Channel Configuration

The KPCI-3108 supports several configurable digital channels. To use them as outputs you must first assign them to the Digital Output Subsystem using the “Configure DriverLINX Device Dialog” (page 14) or by using a Configure operation. See “Digital Channel Configuration” on page 88 for more information on the configure op eration.

Digital Output Pacing, Triggering and Gating Options

The KPCI-3108 Series User’s Manuals describe several pacing, triggering and gating options available for analog input on KPCI-3108 models. As DriverLINX uses the analog input pacer clock for digital output, many of these options also apply to digital output tasks. The following table summarizes these options and identifies which Service Request properties use them. Except as indicated all tasks must use Interrupt mode.

Parameter Option Service Request Properties

Pacing Mode

Periodic (paced) Rate generator timing event

Clock Source

Trigger

Software Single-value or single-scan

(Polled mode)

Internal Rate timing event with an internal clock

source

External + Rate timing event with an external clock

source in divider mode

Internal (software) Command start event

Command stop event Terminal count stop event

Digital Output Timing Events

Timing Events specify how the hardware paces or clocks writing Digital Output samples. DriverLINX uses the Timing Event to program when the KPCI-3108 Series writes the next digital output sample from the port.

The KPCI-3108 Series supports the following Timing Events:

• None—Output requires no pacing as DriverLINX is writing only a single value.

• Rate—The KPCI-3108 Series supports fixed rate writing using internal and external clocks.

None or Null Timing Event

The Null Event specifies that the task does not need a clock to determine when to write the next sample.

Rate Timing Event

The KPCI-3108 Series supports only the Rate Generator mode for Rate Events for digital output:

100 • Using the KPCI-3108 Series with DriverLINX Keithley KPCI-3108 Series

Tektronix Using Keithley DriverLINX with KPCI-3108 or KPCI-3107 (1.4MB) User manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual