NI ELVIS Hardware User Manual

NI Educational Laboratory Virtual

Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS

TM

)

Hardware User Manual

NI ELVIS User Manual

April 2006

3

73363D-01

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The NI-ELVIS hardware is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be uninterrupted or error free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warranty.

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Conventions

< >

» bold

DAQ device

ELVIS

italic

monospace

The following conventions are used in this manual:

Angle brackets that contain numbers separated by an ellipsis represent a range of values associated with a bit or signal name—for example,

AO <3..0>.

The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.

This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.

This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.

When this icon is marked on the product, refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency

Interference document, shipped with the product, for precautions to take.

When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a warning advising you to take precautions to avoid electrical shock.

When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a component that may be hot. Touching this component may result in bodily injury.

Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter names.

DAQ device refers to any National Instrument DAQ device that meets the

conditions listed in Chapter 3,

Hardware Overview

.

Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite.

Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction to a key concept. Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value that you must supply.

Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.

This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories, programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations, variables, filenames, and extensions.

Contents

Chapter 1

DAQ System Overview

What is Virtual Instrumentation?...................................................................................1-1

What is DAQ?................................................................................................................1-2

DAQ Hardware................................................................................................1-3

DAQ Software .................................................................................................1-3

LabVIEW ..........................................................................................1-3

SignalExpress....................................................................................1-4

NI ELVIS Overview ......................................................................................................1-4

Related Documentation..................................................................................................1-5

Chapter 2

NI ELVIS Overview

NI ELVIS Hardware ......................................................................................................2-2

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation ...................................................................2-2

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board..........................................................................2-3

NI ELVIS Software .......................................................................................................2-3

SFP Instruments...............................................................................................2-3

Instrument Launcher .........................................................................2-4

Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB).............................................2-4

Bode Analyzer...................................................................................2-5

Digital Bus Reader ............................................................................2-5

Digital Bus Writer .............................................................................2-5

Digital Multimeter (DMM) ...............................................................2-5

Dynamic Signal Analyzer (DSA) .....................................................2-6

Function Generator (FGEN) .............................................................2-6

Impedance Analyzer .........................................................................2-6

Oscilloscope (Scope).........................................................................2-6

Two-Wire and Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzers ...................2-7

Variable Power Supplies ...................................................................2-7

Using NI ELVIS with LabVIEW ....................................................................2-7

LabVIEW Express VIs......................................................................2-7

Low Level NI ELVIS API ................................................................2-8

Using NI-DAQmx with NI ELVIS ...................................................2-9

Using NI ELVIS in SignalExpress ..................................................................2-9

NI ELVIS Calibration Utility ..........................................................................2-9

© National Instruments Corporation

v

NI ELVIS User Manual

Contents

NI ELVIS in Academic Disciplines .............................................................................. 2-10

NI ELVIS in Engineering ............................................................................... 2-10

NI ELVIS in Biological Sciences ................................................................... 2-10

NI ELVIS in Physical Sciences ...................................................................... 2-11

Chapter 3

Hardware Overview

DAQ Hardware.............................................................................................................. 3-1

Recommended DAQ Devices ......................................................................... 3-1

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation ................................................................................. 3-2

NI ELVIS Rear Panel...................................................................................... 3-5

NI ELVIS Protection Board ............................................................................ 3-6

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board........................................................................................ 3-6

Prototyping Board Power................................................................................ 3-7

Prototyping Board Signal Descriptions........................................................... 3-8

PFI Signal Descriptions .................................................................................. 3-11

Connecting Signals ........................................................................................................ 3-11

Grounding Considerations .............................................................................. 3-12

Connecting Analog Input Signals ................................................................... 3-12

Generic Analog Input ....................................................................... 3-12

Resource Conflicts............................................................................ 3-13

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

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

Connecting Analog Output Signals................................................................. 3-14

Generic Analog Output..................................................................... 3-14

DC Power Supplies........................................................................... 3-15

Function Generator (FGEN) ............................................................. 3-15

Variable Power Supplies .................................................................. 3-15

Bode Analyzer .................................................................................. 3-15

Two-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer............................................... 3-15

Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer............................................. 3-16

Impedance Analyzer ......................................................................... 3-16

Connecting Digital I/O Signals ....................................................................... 3-16

Connecting Counter/Timer Signals................................................................. 3-16

Connecting User-Configurable Signals .......................................................... 3-16

Chapter 4

Calibration

Running the NI ELVIS Calibration Utility ................................................................... 4-1


vi ni.com

Contents

Appendix A

Specifications

Appendix B

Protection Board Fuses

Appendix C

Theory of Operation

Appendix D

Resource Conflicts

Appendix E

Supported DAQ Devices

Appendix F

Using Bypass Communication Mode

Appendix G

Common Questions

Glossary

Index

Figures

Figure 1-1.

Typical DAQ System ............................................................................1-3

Figure 2-1.

Parts Locator Diagram for Desktop NI ELVIS Systems.......................2-1

Figure 2-2.

Parts Locator Diagram for USB NI ELVIS Systems ............................2-2

Figure 3-1.

Control Panel Diagram of the Benchtop Workstation...........................3-2

Figure 3-2.

Back View of NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation ..................................3-5

Figure 3-3.

Prototyping Board Parts Locator Diagram ............................................3-7

Figure B-1.

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation with Protection Board Removed.....B-1

Figure B-2.

Parts Locator Diagram for NI ELVIS Protection Board .......................B-3


vii


Contents

Figure C-1.

NI ELVIS Voltmeter Block Diagram ................................................... C-2

Figure C-2.

NI ELVIS Current Meter Block Diagram............................................. C-4

Figure C-3.

Function Generator Block Diagram...................................................... C-6

Figure C-4.

Impedance Analyzer Block Diagram.................................................... C-7

Figure C-5.

CURRENT HI Block Diagram ............................................................. C-8

Figure C-6.

CURRENT LO Block Diagram ............................................................ C-9

Figure C-7.

Two-Wire Measurement Block Diagram.............................................. C-12

Figure C-8.

Three-Wire Measurement Block Diagram............................................ C-14

Figure C-9.

Analog Output Block Diagram ............................................................. C-15

Figure D-1.

Possible Resource Conflicts.................................................................. D-2

Figure F-1.

NI ELVIS – Enable Communications Bypass VI................................. F-2

Tables

Table 2-1.

NI ELVIS Express VIs.......................................................................... 2-8

Table 3-1.

Table 3-2.

Table 3-3.

Table 3-4.

Table 3-5.

Table B-1.

Table E-1.

Signal Descriptions ............................................................................... 3-8

M Series DAQ Device Routing ............................................................ 3-10

Analog Input Signal Mapping .............................................................. 3-12

AI Channel Resource Conflicts ............................................................ 3-13

NPN Transistor to Prototyping Board Connections.............................. 3-16

Resistor Packs and NI ELVIS Components.......................................... B-4

E/B Series DAQ Device Routing.......................................................... E-3


viii ni.com

1

DAQ System Overview

The NI ELVIS User Manual contains information that you need to understand and program the National Instruments Educational Laboratory

Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS) architecture and instruments. It also discusses the concept of virtual instrumentation and the components of an NI data acquisition (DAQ) system.

This chapter briefly describes the concept of DAQ systems and introduces

NI ELVIS, a DAQ system designed for educational laboratories.

Note

Refer to the Where to Start with NI ELVIS document for information about how to set up the components of the NI ELVIS.

What is Virtual Instrumentation?

Virtual instrumentation is defined as the combination of measurement and control hardware and application software with industry-standard computer technology to create user-defined instrumentation systems.

Virtual instrumentation provides an ideal platform for developing instructional curriculum and conducting scientific research. In an instructional laboratory course, students perform various experiments that combine measurements, automation, and control. Tools or systems used in these situations must be flexible and adaptable. In research environments, virtual instrumentation provides the flexibility that a researcher must have to modify the system to meet unpredictable needs. Research and instructional efforts also require that their systems be economical. Because you can reuse components in a virtual instrumentation system (without purchasing additional hardware or software), virtual instrumentation is an economical choice. Finally, measurement systems must be scalable to meet future expansion needs. The modular nature of virtual instrumentation makes it easy for you to add new functionality.

NI ELVIS uses LabVIEW-based software and NI data acquisition hardware to create a virtual instrumentation system that provides the functionality of a suite of instruments.


1-1


Chapter 1 DAQ System Overview

What is DAQ?

DAQ systems capture, measure, and analyze physical phenomena from the real world. Light, temperature, pressure, and torque are examples of the different types of signals that a DAQ system can measure. Data acquisition is the process of collecting and measuring electrical signals from transducers and test probes or fixtures, and sending them to a computer for processing. Data acquisition can also include the output of analog or digital control signals.

The building blocks of a DAQ system include the following items:

• Transducer—A device that converts a physical phenomenon such as light, temperature, pressure, or sound into a measurable electrical signal such as voltage or current.

• Signal—The output of the DAQ system transducer.

• Signal conditioning—Hardware that you can connect to the

DAQ device to make the signal suitable for measurement or to improve accuracy or reduce noise. The most common types of signal conditioning include amplification, excitation, linearization, isolation, and filtering.

• DAQ hardware—Hardware used to acquire, measure, and analyze data.

• Software—NI application software is designed to help you easily design and program measurement and control applications.

Figure 1-1 shows the components of a typical DAQ system.


1-2 ni.com


Data Acquisition and Analysis

Hardware

Transducers

Signal

Conditioning

Software

Personal

Computer

Figure 1-1. Typical DAQ System

DAQ Hardware

The

DAQ Hardware

section of Chapter 3,

Hardware Overview

, describes in greater detail the DAQ device used as part of the NI ELVIS. Refer to the

DAQ device documentation, available at ni.com/manuals

for specific information about the functionality and operation of the device.

DAQ Software

The following sections describe the LabVIEW and SignalExpress software you can use with NI ELVIS

LabVIEW

LabVIEW is a graphical programming language frequently used for creating test, measurement, and automation applications. LabVIEW uses icons instead of lines of text to create applications. Unlike text-based programming languages, LabVIEW uses dataflow programming, where the flow of data determines execution. A virtual instrument (VI) is a

LabVIEW program that models the appearance and function of a physical instrument.

The flexibility, modular nature, and ease-of-use programming possible with LabVIEW makes it popular in top university laboratories. With

LabVIEW, you can rapidly create applications using intuitive graphical


1-3



development and add user interfaces for interactive control. Scientists and engineers can use the straightforward I/O functionality of LabVIEW along with its analysis capabilities. You can also use LabVIEW in the classroom to solve purely analytical or numerical problems.

For more information about programming with LabVIEW, refer to Getting

Started with LabVIEW and LabVIEW Fundamentals, available at ni.com/ manuals

. The LabVIEW Help is available by selecting Help»Search the

LabVIEW Help from the LabVIEW block diagram or front panel.

SignalExpress

SignalExpress is an interactive, standalone nonprogramming tool for making measurements. You can use SignalExpress interactively for the following:

• Acquiring, generating, analyzing, comparing, importing, and saving signals.

• Comparing design data with measurement data in one step.

• Extending the functionality of SignalExpress by importing a custom

VI created in LabVIEW or by converting a SignalExpress project to a

LabVIEW program so you can continue development in the LabVIEW environment.

For more information about SignalExpress, refer to Getting Started with

SignalExpress, available at ni.com/manuals

, and the NI Express

Workbench Help, available by selecting Help»Express Workbench Help from the SignalExpress window.


NI ELVIS uses LabVIEW-based software instruments, a multifunction

DAQ device, and a custom-designed benchtop workstation and prototyping board to provide the functionality of a suite of common laboratory instruments.

The NI ELVIS hardware provides a function generator and variable power supplies from the benchtop workstation. The NI ELVIS LabVIEW soft front panel (SFP) instruments combined with the functionality of the

DAQ device and the NI ELVIS workstation provide the functionality of the following SFP instruments:

• Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB)

• Bode Analyzer


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• Digital Bus Reader

• Digital Bus Writer

• Digital Multimeter (DMM)

• Dynamic Signal Analyzer (DSA)

• Function Generator (FGEN)

• Impedance Analyzer

• Oscilloscope (Scope)

• Two-Wire Current Voltage Analyzer

• Three-Wire Current Voltage Analyzer

• Variable Power Supplies

In addition to the SFP instruments, NI ELVIS has a set of high-level

LabVIEW functions, which you can use to customize your display and experiments, to control the NI ELVIS workstation from LabVIEW.

With NI ELVIS 3.0 and later, you can control the NI ELVIS instruments in a nonprogramming environment with SignalExpress. In addition to the

NI ELVIS instruments, you can also use the general AI, AO, DIO, and CTR functionality available on the NI ELVIS hardware in SignalExpress.

Refer to Figure 2-1,

Parts Locator Diagram for Desktop NI ELVIS

Systems

, for an illustration of NI ELVIS.

Related Documentation

The following documents contain information that you might find helpful as you read this manual:

• DAQ device documentation.

• Getting Started with LabVIEW.

• LabVIEW Help, available by selecting Help»VI, Function, and

How-To Help from the LabVIEW block diagram or front panel.

• LabVIEW Fundamentals.

• Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for DAQmx, available by selecting Help»Help Topics»NI-DAQmx from the Measurement &

Automation Explorer (MAX) window.

• Where to Start with NI ELVIS, available in PDF format on the

NI ELVIS Software CD.

• NI ELVIS Help, available on the NI ELVIS Software CD.


1-5



•

Getting Started with SignalExpress.

• NI Express Workbench Help, available by selecting Help»Express

Workbench Help from the SIgnalExpress window.

• ni.com/academic

for various academic resources.

You can download NI documents from ni.com/manuals

.


1-6 ni.com

2


NI ELVIS combines hardware and software into one complete laboratory suite. This chapter provides an overview of the hardware and software components of the NI ELVIS. Additionally, this chapter discusses how you can use NI ELVIS in various academic environments.

Chapter 3,

Hardware Overview

, provides more detailed information about

NI ELVIS hardware components. Refer to the NI ELVIS Help for more information about the software components.

Refer to Figures 2-1 and 2-2 for a diagram of the NI ELVIS systems.

3

1

2

4

1 Desktop Computer

2 68-Pin M Series DAQ Device

3 Shielded Cable to M Series Device

4 NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

Figure 2-1. Parts Locator Diagram for Desktop NI ELVIS Systems


2-1


1

3

4

2

5

6

1 Laptop Computer

2 USB Cable

3 NI USB M Series with Mass Termination Device

4 NI USB M Series Device Power Cord

5 Shielded Cable to M Series Device

6 NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

Figure 2-2. Parts Locator Diagram for USB NI ELVIS Systems

NI ELVIS Hardware

The following sections briefly describe the hardware components of

NI ELVIS. For more specific information about these components, refer

to Chapter 3,

Hardware Overview

.

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

Together, the benchtop workstation and the DAQ device create a complete laboratory system. The workstation provides connectivity and functionality. The workstation control panel provides easy-to-operate knobs for the function generator and variable power supplies, and it offers convenient connectivity in the form of BNC and banana-style connectors


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Chapter 2 NI ELVIS Overview

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board

The NI ELVIS Prototyping Board connects to the benchtop workstation.

The prototyping board provides an area for building electronic circuitry and allows the connections necessary to access signals for common applications. You can use multiple prototyping boards interchangeably with the NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation.

Refer to the NI ELVIS Prototyping Board


Hardware

Overview

, for more information about the prototyping board, including signal descriptions, connection instructions, and the parts locator diagram.

NI ELVIS Software

The NI ELVIS software, created in LabVIEW, takes advantage of the capabilities of virtual instrumentation. The software includes SFP instruments, the LabVIEW API, and SignalExpress blocks for programming the NI ELVIS hardware.

SFP Instruments

to the NI ELVIS - Scope and NI ELVIS - DMM. The NI ELVIS software routes signals in the NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation between the SFP instruments. For example, you can route the output of the function generator to a specific channel of the DAQ device and ultimately acquire data on a desired channel of the NI ELVIS - Scope. The benchtop workstation also contains a protection board that protects the DAQ device from possible damage resulting from laboratory errors.

Refer to the

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation


Hardware Overview

, for more detailed information about the benchtop

workstation, including the parts locator diagram.

NI ELVIS ships with the SFP instruments, created in LabVIEW, and the source code for the instruments. You cannot directly modify the executable files, but you can modify or enhance the functionality of these instruments by modifying the LabVIEW code. The instruments are virtual instruments

(VIs) that are necessary in typical laboratory applications.

Note

For a detailed explanation of the SFP instruments and instructions for taking a measurement with each instrument, refer to the NI ELVIS Help.


2-3



Instrument Launcher

The NI ELVIS Instrument Launcher provides access to the NI ELVIS SFP instruments. Launch the NI ELVIS Instrument Launcher by double-clicking the NI ELVIS desktop icon or navigate to Start»All

Program Files»National Instruments»NI ELVIS 3.0»NI ELVIS. After

initializing, the suite of LabVIEW SFP instruments opens.

To launch an instrument, click the button corresponding to the desired instrument. If the NI ELVIS software is properly configured and the benchtop workstation is cabled to the appropriate DAQ device, all buttons should be enabled.

If there is a problem with your configuration, such as when the NI ELVIS

Benchtop Workstation is powered off or disconnected from the configured

DAQ device, all instrument buttons are dimmed, and the only available option is to click the Configure button. Refer to the Where to Start with

NI ELVIS document for more information about configuring NI ELVIS.

Some instruments perform similar operations using the same resources of the NI ELVIS hardware and the DAQ device, and therefore cannot run at the same time. If you launch two instruments with overlapping functionality that cannot run at the same time, the NI ELVIS software generates an error dialog describing the conflict. The instrument with the error is disabled and will not function until the conflict is resolved. Refer to

Appendix D,

Resource Conflicts

, for more information about possible

resource conflicts.

Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB)

This advanced-level SFP instrument uses the AO capabilities of the DAQ device. You can create a variety of signal types using the Waveform Editor software, which is included with the NI ELVIS software. You can load waveforms created with the NI Waveform Editor into the ARB SFP to generate stored waveforms. Refer to the NI ELVIS Help for more information about the Waveform Editor.

Because a typical DAQ device has two AO channels, two waveforms may be simultaneously generated. You can choose continuous output or a single output. The maximum output rate of the NI ELVIS - ARB SFP is determined by the maximum update rate of the DAQ device connected to the NI ELVIS hardware. Refer to the DAQ device documentation for these specifications.

2-4 ni.com


Bode Analyzer

By combining the frequency sweep feature of the function generator and the AI capability of the DAQ device, a full-function Bode Analyzer is available with NI ELVIS. You can set the frequency range of the instrument and choose between linear and logarithmic display scales. Refer to the NI ELVIS Help for required hardware connections.

Digital Bus Reader

This instrument reads digital data from the NI ELVIS digital input (DI) bus. You can either continuously read from the bus or you can take a single reading.

Digital Bus Writer

This instrument updates the NI ELVIS digital output (DO) bus with user-specified digital patterns. You can manually create a pattern or select predefined patterns, such as ramp, toggle, or walking 1s. This instrument can either continually output a pattern or just perform a single write.

The output of the NI ELVIS - Digital Bus Writer SFP stays latched until the instrument is stopped or another pattern is output. Output voltage levels of the NI ELVIS DO bus are TTL compatible.

Digital Multimeter (DMM)

This commonly used instrument can perform the following types of measurements:

• DC voltage

• AC voltage

• Current (DC and AC)

• Resistance

• Capacitance

• Inductance

• Diode test

• Audible continuity

You can connect to the DMM from the NI ELVIS Prototyping Board or from the banana-style connectors on the front panel of the benchtop workstation.


2-5



Dynamic Signal Analyzer (DSA)

This instrument is especially useful in advanced electrical engineering and physics classes. This instrument uses the analog input of the DAQ device to make measurements, and can either continuously make measurements or make a single scan. You can also apply various window and filtering options to the signal.

Function Generator (FGEN)

This instrument provides you with choices for the type of output waveform

(sine, square, or triangle), amplitude selection, and frequency settings.

In addition, the instrument offers DC offset setting, frequency sweep capabilities, and amplitude and frequency modulation.

Impedance Analyzer

This instrument is a basic impedance analyzer that is capable of measuring the resistance and reactance for passive two-wire elements at a given frequency.

Oscilloscope (Scope)

This instrument provides the functionality of the standard desktop oscilloscope found in typical undergraduate laboratories. The

NI ELVIS - Scope SFP has two channels and provides scaling and position adjustment knobs along with a modifiable timebase. You can also choose trigger source and mode settings. The autoscale feature allows you to adjust the voltage display scale based on the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC signal for the best display of the signal. Depending on the DAQ device cabled to the NI ELVIS hardware, you can choose between digital or analog hardware triggering. You can connect to the NI ELVIS - Scope SFP from the NI ELVIS Prototyping Board or from the BNC connectors on the front panel of the benchtop workstation.

The FGEN or DMM signals can be internally routed to this instrument.

In addition, this computer-based scope display has the ability to use cursors for accurate screen measurements. The sampling rate of the Oscilloscope is determined by the maximum sampling speed of the DAQ device installed in the computer attached to the NI ELVIS hardware.

Refer to the DAQ device documentation for information about the type of triggering supported on the device and for the maximum sampling speed specifications of the device.

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Two-Wire and Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzers

These instruments allow you to conduct diode and transistor parametric testing and view current-voltage curves. The two-wire instrument offers full flexibility in setting parameters such as voltage and current ranges, and can save data to a file. In addition, the three-wire instrument offers base current settings for measurements of NPN transistors. Refer to NI ELVIS

Help for connection details. Both instruments have cursors for more accurate onscreen measurements.

Variable Power Supplies

You can control the output of the positive or negative variable power supply with these SFP instruments. The negative power supply can output between –12 and 0 V, and the positive power supply can output between

0 and +12 V.

Using NI ELVIS with LabVIEW

This section provides an overview of using NI ELVIS with LabVIEW.

LabVIEW Express VIs

When using NI ELVIS 3.0 or later, many of the NI ELVIS instruments have an associated LabVIEW Express VI. The Express VIs are the recommended method for programming NI ELVIS in LabVIEW. Express

VIs allow you to interactively configure the settings for each instrument.

This enables you to develop LabVIEW applications without extensive programming expertise. To access the NI ELVIS Express VIs, open a

LabVIEW block diagram and select Instrument I/O»Instrument

Drivers»NI ELVIS from the function palette.

Table 2-1 shows the available NI ELVIS Express VIs. Refer to the

NI ELVIS Help for more information.


2-7


Table 2-1. NI ELVIS Express VIs

NI ELVIS Express VI


—

Low Level NI ELVIS API

Before the NI ELVIS Express VIs were created, the API consisted of the

NI ELVIS instrument driver VIs, now referred to as the Low Level

NI ELVIS API, which enabled you to programming the following components:

• Digital I/O (DIO)

• Digital Multimeter (DMM)

• Function Generator (FGEN)

• Variable Power Supplies (VPS)

• Communication Bypass

2-8 ni.com


The NI ELVIS Express VIs expose all of the functionality for each instrument and are the recommended method for programming NI ELVIS in LabVIEW. The Low Level NI ELVIS VIs are included to provide backwards compatibility for NI ELVIS applications written previous to

NI ELVIS 3.0. Refer to the NI ELVIS Help for more information about using the Low Level API to program NI ELVIS.

Using NI-DAQmx with NI ELVIS

Some general AI, AO, and timing functionality of the DAQ device is available through the NI ELVIS workstation and you can program it using

NI-DAQmx. Refer to NI ELVIS Help and NI-DAQmx Help for more information.

Using NI ELVIS in SignalExpress

To use an NI ELVIS instrument within SignalExpress complete the following steps:

1.

Launch SignalExpress.

1.

Click the Add Step button.

2.

If NI ELVIS 3.0 or later is installed, NI ELVIS is in the list of steps.

Expand NI ELVIS.

3.

Choose the instrument to add under Analog or Digital»Acquire or

Generate Signals.

4.

Click the Configure button to select the DAQ device cabled to the

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation.

5.

Set the various controls on the configuration panel appropriately for the measurement.

6.

Run the SignalExpress project.

For more information about using NI ELVIS with SignalExpress, refer to the NI SignalExpress Workbench Help, which you can find through the

Help menu in SignalExpress.

For more information about SignalExpress, refer to the Getting Started

with SignalExpress Guide.

NI ELVIS Calibration Utility

The NI ELVIS 2.0 or later software includes a calibration utility that you can use to recalibrate the NI ELVIS variable power supplies and function generator circuitry.


2-9


NI ELVIS in Academic Disciplines

You can use NI ELVIS in engineering, physical sciences, and biological sciences laboratories. NI ELVIS is suitable not only in terms of the included software, but also because of the custom signal conditioning hardware you can create with NI ELVIS. Instructors can implement the

NI ELVIS curriculum with beginning to advanced classes to provide hands-on experience to students.

NI ELVIS in Engineering

NI ELVIS is suited for teaching basic electronics and circuit design to students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. The suite offers full testing, measurement, and data-saving capabilities needed for such training. Students can use the removable prototyping board at home to build circuits, thus using laboratory time more effectively.

NI ELVIS SFP instruments, such as the Bode Analyzer, offer instructors an opportunity to teach advanced courses in signal analysis and processing.

Students can construct software filters in LabVIEW and hardware filters on the prototyping board and compare the performance of those two types of filters.

Mechanical engineering students can learn sensor and transducer measurements in addition to basic circuit design by building custom signal conditioning. Students can install custom sensor adapters on the prototyping board. For example, installing a thermocouple jack on the prototyping board allows robust thermocouple connections. The programmable power supply can provide excitation for strain gauges used in strain measurements.

NI ELVIS in Biological Sciences

Caution

The NI ELVIS hardware is not environmentally sealed; therefore, exercise caution for use in chemical and biological sciences.

Biomedical engineering departments have challenges that are similar to those of mechanical departments. Students typically learn basic electronics and build instruments such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor.

The prototyping board offers signal conditioning capability for ECG sensors, and the NI ELVIS SFP instruments are ideal for testing the circuits as students build the signal conditioning circuits.


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NI ELVIS in Physical Sciences

Physics students typically learn electronics and circuit design theory.

NI ELVIS provides these students with the opportunity to implement these concepts. Physics students sometimes need signal conditioning for common sensors such as photoelectric multipliers or light detector sensors.

Students can build high-gain, low-noise circuits on the removable printed circuit board (PCB) and study them in modern physics labs.


2-11


3

Hardware Overview

This chapter describes the hardware components of NI ELVIS, including the DAQ device, the benchtop workstation, and the prototyping board.

Appendix C,

Theory of Operation

, provides more information about the

circuitry used for the different NI ELVIS measurements.

DAQ Hardware

The NI ELVIS workstation is designed to work with National Instruments

M Series DAQ devices, which are high-performance, multifunction analog, digital, and timing I/O devices for PCI bus computers. Supported functions on DAQ devices include AI, AO, DIO, and timing I/O (TIO).

Recommended DAQ Devices

NI ELVIS software version 3.0 and later is recommended for use with the following DAQ devices:

• NI PCI-6251 M Series DAQ device

• NI USB-6251 Mass Termination M Series DAQ device

Note

For a complete list of other supported DAQ devices, refer to Appendix E,

Supported

DAQ Devices

.

Use one of the following cables to connect the NI ELVIS workstation:

• PCI M Series DAQ device:

– SHC68-68-EPM

– SHC68-68

– RC68-68

• NI USB 6251 mass termination device:

– SH68-68-EP


3-1


NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

Caution

Refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference document before removing equipment covers, or connecting or disconnecting any signal wires.

This section describes the NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation.

Refer to Figure 3-1 for the parts locator diagram for the control panel.

1

SYSTEM POWER

PROTOTYPING BOARD

POWER

COMMUNICATIONS

BYPASS

NORMAL

VARIABLE POWER SUPPLIES

SUPPLY –

MANUAL

SUPPLY +

MANUAL

VOLTAGE

MANUAL

FUNCTION GENERATOR

0

VOLTAGE

+12

5 kHz

500 Hz

50 kHz

250 kHz

50 Hz

COARSE

FREQUENCY

AMPLITUDE

HI

W

A

FINE

FREQUENCY

LO

CURRENT

DMM

VOLTAGE

NI ELVIS

SCOPE

CH A

HI

CH B

LO

TRIGGER

–12 0

FUSED AT 500 mA

20 VDC MAX

14 Vrms MAX

10 VDC, 7 Vrms MAX

ELECTROSTATIC

SENSITIVE

CONNECTORS

2 3 4 5 6 7

1 System Power LED

2 Prototyping Board Power Switch

3 Communications Switch

4 Variable Power Supplies Controls

5 Function Generator (FGEN) Controls

6 DMM Connectors

7 Oscilloscope (Scope) Connectors

Figure 3-1. Control Panel Diagram of the Benchtop Workstation

The benchtop workstation has the following controls and indicators:

•

System Power LED—Indicates whether the NI ELVIS is powered on.

•

Prototyping Board Power Switch—Controls the power to the

prototyping board.

•

Communications Switch—Requests disabling software control of the

NI ELVIS. In most applications set this switch to Normal to enable the computer to control NI ELVIS. For more information about the

Communications switch, refer to Appendix F,

Using Bypass

Communication Mode

.


3-2 ni.com

Chapter 3 Hardware Overview

• Variable Power Supplies Controls

–

Supply– Controls

•

Manual Switch—Controls whether the negative supply is in

Manual mode or Software mode. In Manual mode, the voltage knob controls the negative power supply. In Software mode, the Variable Power Supply SFP controls the negative power supply.

•

Voltage Adjust Knob—Controls the output of the negative

supply. The negative supply can output between –12 and 0 V.

You must set the Manual switch to Manual mode to use this knob.

–

Supply+ Controls

•

Manual Switch—Controls whether the positive supply is in

Manual mode or Software mode. In Manual mode, the voltage knob controls the positive power supply. In Software mode, the Variable Power Supply SFP controls the positive power supply.

•

Voltage Adjust Knob—Controls the output of the positive

supply. The positive supply can output between 0 and +12 V.

You must set the Manual switch to Manual mode to use this knob.

For more information about the software controls for the

NI ELVIS - Variable Power Supplies SFP, refer to the NI ELVIS Help.

•

Function Generator Controls

–

Manual Switch—Controls whether the function generator is in

Manual mode or Software mode.

• In Manual mode, the Function Selector, Amplitude Knob,

Coarse Frequency Knob, and Fine Frequency Knob controls the function generator.

• In Software mode, the FGEN SFP controls the Function

Generator.

–

Function Selector—Selects what type of waveform is generated.

NI ELVIS can generate sine, square, or triangle waves.

–

Amplitude Knob—Adjusts the peak amplitude of the generated

waveform.

–

Coarse Frequency Knob—Sets the range of frequencies the

function generator can generate.

–

Fine Frequency Knob—Adjusts the output frequency of the

function generator.


3-3


For more information about the software controls for the function generator, refer to the NI ELVIS Help.

•

DMM Connectors

–

CURRENT Banana Jacks

•

HI—The positive input to all the DMM functionality, except

measuring voltage.

•

LO—The negative input to all the DMM functionality, except

measuring voltage.

–

VOLTAGE Banana Jacks

•

HI—The positive input for voltage measurements.

•

LO—The negative input for voltage measurements.

If you use the front panel DMM inputs, do not use the DMM inputs on the prototyping board.

Caution

By connecting different signals to both the DMM terminals on the prototyping board and the DMM connectors on the control panel, you are shorting them together, potentially damaging the circuit on the prototyping board.

Note

The NI ELVIS DMM is ground referenced.

•

Oscilloscope (Scope) Connectors

–

CH A BNC Connector—The input for channel A of the

Oscilloscope.

–

CH B BNC Connector—The input for channel B of the

Oscilloscope.

–

Trigger BNC Connector—The input to the trigger of the

Oscilloscope.

If you use the front panel scope inputs, do not use the scope inputs on the prototyping board.

Caution

By connecting different signals to the Scope terminals on the prototyping board and the Scope connectors on the control panel, you are shorting them together, potentially damaging the circuit on the prototyping board.


3-4 ni.com


NI ELVIS Rear Panel

The NI ELVIS rear panel has the following components shown in

Figure 3-2:

• The workstation power switch. Use this switch to completely power off the workstation.

• An AC–DC power supply connection. Use this connector to power the workstation.

• A 68-pin DAQ device connection. Use this connector to attach the

DAQ device to the workstation.

3

1

2

1 Benchtop Workstation Power Switch

2 AC-DC Power Supply Connector

3 68-Pin DAQ Device Connector

Figure 3-2. Back View of NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation


3-5


NI ELVIS Protection Board

NI ELVIS protects the DAQ device installed in the desktop computer by means of a protection board located inside the NI ELVIS Benchtop

Workstation. This removable protection board provides short-circuit protection from unsafe external signals. Removing the protection board enables you to quickly replace a nonfunctioning board with a replacement unit. You can obtain the components on the protection board from electronics vendors and therefore service the protection board without sending it to NI for repairs.

Refer to Appendix B,

Protection Board Fuses

, for more information about

replacing the fuses on the NI ELVIS Protection Board.

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board

This section describes the NI ELVIS Prototyping Board and how you can use it to connect circuits to NI ELVIS. This section also describes the signals that you can connect to NI ELVIS from the prototyping board and the connectors you can use to do so.

Caution

Ensure the power to the prototyping board power switch is off before inserting the prototyping board into the NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation.

You can use the prototyping board connector to install custom prototype boards you develop. This connector is mechanically the same as a standard

PCI connector.

The prototyping board exposes all the signal terminals of the NI ELVIS for use through the distribution strips on either side of the breadboard area.

Each signal has a row, and the rows are grouped by function.

Refer to Figure 3-3 for the parts locator diagram for the prototyping board.


3-6 ni.com


1

9

8

7

BANANA A

BANANA B

BANANA C

Analog

Input

Signals

1

ACH0+

ACH0-

ACH1+

ACH1-

ACH2+

ACH2-

ACH3+

ACH3-

ACH4+

ACH4-

ACH5+

ACH5-

AISENSE

AIGND

Oscilloscope

1

CH A+

CH A-

CH B+

CH B-

TRIGGER

Programmable

Function

I/O

4

PFI1

PFI2

PFI5

PFI6

PFI7

SCANCLK

RESERVED

BANANA D

!

BNC 1

DMM

2

3-WIRE

CURRENT HI

CURRENT LO

VOLTAGE HI

VOLTAGE LO

Analog

Outputs

1 DAC0

DAC1

Function

3

Generator

FUNC_OUT

SYNC_OUT

AM_IN

FM_IN

BNC 2

POWER LEDs

Variable Power

Supplies

*

+15 V -15V +5V

BANANA A

BANANA B

BANANA C

User

Configurable

I/O

BANANA D

BNC 1+

BNC 1 -

BNC 2+

BNC 2 -

DC Power

Supplies

**

SUPPLY+

GROUND

SUPPLY

+15 V

-15 V

GROUND

+5V

WARNING:

SHARP EDGES MAY BE PRESENT.

ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.

ELECTROSTATIC SENSITIVE CONNECTORS

POWER SUPPLIES

*

Variable Supply Max Output: 12 VDC, 500 mA

** -

+

6

NI ELVIS

PROTOTYPING BOARD

2

DO 0

DO 1

DO 2

DO 3

DO 4

DO 5

DO 6

DO 7

Digital I/O

WR_ENABLE

LATCH

GLB_RESET

RD_ENABLE

DI 0

DI 1

DI 2

DI 3

DI 4

DI 5

DI 6

DI 7

4

0

LED Array

5

1

ADDRESS 0

ADDRESS 1

ADDRESS 2

ADDRESS 3

2

3

4

5

6

7

CTR0_SOURCE

CTR0_GATE

CTR0_OUT

Counters

4

CTR1_SOURCE

CTR1_GATE

CTR1_OUT

FREQ_OUT

LED 0

LED 1

LED 2

LED 3

LED 4

LED 5

LED 6

LED 7

D-SUB

DSUB SHIELD

DSUB PIN 1

DSUB PIN 2

DSUB PIN 3

DSUB PIN 4

DSUB PIN 5

DSUB PIN 6

DSUB PIN 7

DSUB PIN 8

DSUB PIN 9

User

Configurable

I/O

+5V

GROUND

DC Power Supply **

4

3

SIGNAL NOTES

1

2

Max Input Voltage: 20 VDC, 14 Vrms

Current Input/Output Fused at 500 mA

3

4

5

Digital I/O TTL Compatible

Ω

Forward Voltage: 2V

Max Current: 30 mA

5

1 AI, Oscilloscope, and Programmable

Function I/O Signal Rows

2 DIO Signal Rows

3 LED Array

4 D-SUB Connector

5 Counter/Timer, User-Configurable I/O, and DC Power Supply Signal Rows

6 DMM, AO, Function Generator,

User-Configurable I/O, Variable Power Supplies, and DC Power Supplies Signal Rows

7 Power LEDs

8 BNC Connectors

9 Banana Jack Connectors

Figure 3-3. Prototyping Board Parts Locator Diagram

Prototyping Board Power

The prototyping board provides access to a ±15 V and a +5 V power supply. You can use these voltage rails to construct many common circuits.

Refer to Appendix A,

Specifications

, for more information about these

voltage rails. If any of the power LEDs are not lit when the prototyping

board power is enabled, refer to Appendix B,

Protection Board Fuses

, for details about replacing NI ELVIS fuses.


3-7


Prototyping Board Signal Descriptions

Tables 3-1 and 3-2 describe the signals on the NI ELVIS prototyping

board. The signals are grouped by the functionality section where they are located on the prototyping board.

Signal Name

ACH <0..2> ±

ACH <3,4> ±

ACH 5 ±

AI SENSE

AI GND

CH <A..B>+

CH <A..B>–

TRIGGER

3-WIRE

CURRENT HI

CURRENT LO

VOLTAGE HI

VOLTAGE LO

DAC<0..1>

Type

General AI

General AI

General AI

General AI

General AI

Oscilloscope

Oscilloscope

Oscilloscope

DMM

DMM

DMM

DMM

DMM

Analog Outputs

Table 3-1. Signal Descriptions

Description

Analog Input Channels 0 through 2 ± —Positive and negative input channels to differential AI channel.

Analog Input Channels 3 and 4 ± —Positive and negative input channels to differential AI channel. If you are using the oscilloscope, you cannot use ACH <3,4> ±.

Analog Input Channel 5± —Positive and negative input channel to differential AI channel. If you are using the DMM, you cannot use

ACH 5±.

Analog Input Sense—Reference for the analog channels in nonreferenced single-ended (NRSE) mode. For more information about AI modes, refer to the DAQ device documentation.

Analog Input Ground—AI ground reference for the DAQ device.

This ground signal is not connected to the NI ELVIS GROUND signals.

Oscilloscope Channels A and B (+)—Positive input for the

Oscilloscope channels.

Oscilloscope Channels A and B (–)—Negative input for the

Oscilloscope channels.

Oscilloscope Trigger—Trigger input for the Oscilloscope, referenced to AI GND.

Three Wire—Voltage source for the DMM for three-wire transistor measurements.

Positive Current—Positive input for the DMM for all measurements besides voltage. The NI ELVIS is ground referenced.

Negative Current—Negative input for the DMM for all measurements besides voltage. The NI ELVIS is ground referenced.

Positive Voltage—Positive input for the DMM voltmeter.

Negative Voltage—Negative input for the DMM voltmeter.

Analog Output Channels 0 and 1—For more information about the

DAQ device analog output signals, refer to the M Series Help and

Appendix C,

Theory of Operation

.


3-8 ni.com


SUPPLY–

+15 V

–15 V

GROUND

+5V

DO <0..7>

Signal Name

FUNC_OUT

SYNC_OUT

AM_IN

FM_IN

BANANA <A..D>

BNC <1..2>+

BNC <1..2>–

SUPPLY+

GROUND

WR ENABLE

LATCH

GLB RESET

RD ENABLE

Table 3-1. Signal Descriptions (Continued)

Type

Function Generator

Function Generator

Function Generator

Function Generator

User Configurable I/O



Variable Power Supplies



DC Power Supplies

DC Power Supplies

DC Power Supplies

DC Power Supplies

DIO

DIO

DIO

DIO

DIO

Description

Function Output—Output of the function generator.

Synchronization Output—TTL signal of the same frequency as the signal on the FUNC_OUT pin.

Amplitude Modulation Input—Input to the amplitude modulator for the function generator.

Frequency Modulation Input—Input to the frequency modulator for the function generator.

Banana Jacks A through D—Connects to the banana jacks pins.

BNC Connectors 1 and 2 (+)—Connects to the BNC pins.

BNC Connectors 1 and 2 (–)—Connects to the BNC pins.

Positive—Output of 0 to 12 V variable power supply.

Ground—Prototyping board ground. These ground pins are connected together.

Negative—Output of –12 to 0 V variable power supply.

+15 V Source—Output of fixed +15 V power supply, referenced to the GROUND signal.

–15 V Source—Output of fixed –15 V power supply, referenced to the GROUND signal.


+5V Source—Output of fixed +5 V power supply, referenced to the GROUND signal.

Digital Output Lines 0 through 7—Output of the write bus. These channels are used by the NI ELVIS Digital Bus Writer SFP to generate digital data.

Write Enable—Active low signal that updates when DO <0..7> are updated.

Latch—Active low signal that pulses when data is ready on

DO <0..7>.

Global Reset—Active low signal that is used to reset all of the

NI ELVIS hardware settings.

Read Enable—Active low signal that indicates data is being read from DI <0..7>.


3-9


Signal Name

DI <0..7>

ADDRESS <0..3>

LED <0..7>

DSUB SHIELD

DSUB PIN <1..9>

+5 V

GROUND

Signal Name on

Prototype Board

PFI 1

PFI 2

PFI 5

PFI 6

PFI 7

SCANCLK

RESERVED

CTR0_SOURCE

CTR0_GATE

CTR0_OUTPUT

Table 3-1. Signal Descriptions (Continued)

Type

DIO

DIO

User-Configurable I/O



DC Power Supply

DC Power Supply

Description

Digital Input Lines 0 through 7—Input to read bus. These channels are used by the NI ELVIS Digital Bus Reader SFP to acquire digital data.

Address Lines 0 through 3—Output of address bus.

LEDs 0 through 7—Input to the LEDs.

D-SUB Shield—Connection to D-SUB shield.

D-SUB Pins 1 through 9—Connection to D-SUB pins.

+5V Source—Output of fixed +5 V power supply, referenced to the GROUND signal.


Direction

1

Input

Input

Input

Input

Input

Output

Output

Input

The NI ELVIS prototype board includes signals that route directly to the

M Series DAQ device. Table 3-2 describes these signals.

Table 3-2. M Series DAQ Device Routing

Input

Output

M Series

Signal Name

PFI 1/P1.1

PFI 2/P1.2

PFI 5/P1.5

PFI 6/P1.6

PFI 7/P1.7

PFI 11/P2.3

PFI 10/P2.2

PFI 8/P2.0

PFI 9/P2.1

PFI 12/P2.4

Description

2

PFI Input or Static Digital Input





PFI Output or Static Digital Output



(Defaults to CTR 0 SRC in NI-DAQmx)


(Defaults to CTR 0 GATE in NI-DAQmx)


(Defaults to CTR 0 OUT in NI-DAQmx)


3-10 ni.com


Table 3-2. M Series DAQ Device Routing (Continued)

Signal Name on

Prototype Board

CTR1_SOURCE

CTR1_GATE

CTR1_OUTPUT

Direction

Input

Input

Output

1

M Series

Signal Name

PFI 3/P1.3

Description

2


(Defaults to CTR 1 SRC in NI-DAQmx)

PFI 4/P1.4


(Defaults to CTR 1 GATE in NI-DAQmx)

PFI 13/P2.5


(Defaults to CTR 1 OUT in NI-DAQmx)

FREQ_OUT Output PFI 14/P2.6


1

On M Series DAQ devices, you can configure all of these signals as inputs or output; however, when used with the

NI ELVIS workstation, these signals are fixed direction—either input or output.

2

Refer to the

PFI Signal Descriptions

section and the M Series DAQ device Help for more complete descriptions of these signals.

Note

Refer to Appendix E, Supported DAQ Devices,

for E Series DAQ device signal descriptions.

PFI Signal Descriptions

PFI Input or Static Digital Input – As a PFI input, you can use these signals to supply an external source for AI, AO, DI, and DO timing signals or counter/timer inputs. You can also use these signals as static digital inputs

(port 1 or port 2).

PFI Output or Static Digital Output – As a PFI output, you can route many different internal AI, AO, DI, or DO timing signals to each PFI output. You also can route the counter/timer outputs to each PFI output. You can also use these signals as static digital outputs (port 1 or port 2).

Connecting Signals

This section provides information about connecting signals between the

NI ELVIS and the DAQ device. Refer to Appendix D,

Resource Conflicts

, for a table showing possible resource conflicts when connecting NI ELVIS signals.

Caution

Refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference document before removing equipment covers, or connecting or disconnecting any signal wires.


3-11


Grounding Considerations

Because the analog channels are differential, you must establish a ground point somewhere in the signal path. As long as the signal you are measuring is referenced to one of the NI ELVIS GROUND pins, the measurement is correctly referenced. If a floating source, such as a battery, is being measured, be sure to connect one end of the signal to the NI ELVIS

GROUND. Terminals for the NI ELVIS GROUND signal are located at several locations on the prototyping board. All these signals are connected together.

Connecting Analog Input Signals

This section describes how to connect AI signals on the NI ELVIS

Prototyping Board. Refer to the DAQ device documentation for more information about types of signal sources, input modes, grounding configurations, and floating signal sources.

Generic Analog Input

The NI ELVIS Prototyping Board has six differential AI channels available—ACH<0..5>. These inputs are directly connected to the

DAQ device input channels. The NI ELVIS prototyping board also exposes two ground reference pins, AI SENSE and AI GND, which are

connected to the M Series DAQ device. Table 3-3 shows how the

NI ELVIS input channels map to the DAQ device input channels.

Table 3-3. Analog Input Signal Mapping

NI ELVIS Input Channel

ACH0+

ACH0–

ACH1+

ACH1–

ACH2+

ACH2–

ACH3+

ACH3–

ACH4+

DAQ Device Input Channel

AI 0

AI 8

AI 1

AI 9

AI 2

AI 10

AI 3

AI 11

AI 4


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Table 3-3. Analog Input Signal Mapping (Continued)

NI ELVIS Input Channel

ACH4–

ACH5+

ACH5–

AISENSE

AIGND

DAQ Device Input Channel

AI 12

AI 5

AI 13

AI SENSE

AI GND

The following sections describe some special considerations for connecting the AI signals on the prototyping board, including sections that specifically pertain to the Oscilloscope and DMM.


Some of the AI channels are used by the internal circuitry for other instruments, but the majority of the time you can still use the channel. You can use ACH<0..2> without interruption. ACH5 is interrupted if any of the impedance-analyzing capabilities of the DMM, such as the capacitance meter, diode tester, and so on, are used. If you are using the Oscilloscope, disconnect any signals from ACH3 and ACH4 to avoid double

driving the channels. For more information about possible resource conflicts, refer to

Appendix D, Resource Conflicts

. Refer to Table 3-4 for AI channel

resource conflicts.

AI Channel

0

1

4

5

2

3

Table 3-4. AI Channel Resource Conflicts

Conflict

None

None

None

Oscilloscope CH A

Oscilloscope CH B

DMM (Capacitor, Diode Tester)


3-13


DMM

Both the CURRENT and VOLTAGE inputs are available on the prototyping board along with an additional terminal for three-wire transistor measurements. The differential voltmeter inputs are labeled

VOLTAGE HI and VOLTAGE LO. The rest of the functionality of the

DMM is available through the CURRENT HI and CURRENT LO pins.

The 3-WIRE pin is used for three-terminal device measurements in conjunction with the CURRENT HI and CURRENT LO pins. If you are using the DMM, you cannot use ACH 5.

Caution

By connecting different signals to both the DMM terminals on the prototyping board and the DMM connectors on the control panel, you are shorting them together, potentially damaging the circuit on the prototyping board.

Oscilloscope

The inputs of the Oscilloscope are available on the prototyping board as

CH <A..B> +, CH <A..B> –, and TRIGGER. CH <A..B> are directly connected to ACH3 and ACH4, respectively, on the DAQ device. If you are using the scope, you cannot use ACH 3 and 4.

Caution

By connecting different signals to the Scope terminals on the prototyping board and the Scope connectors on the control panel, you are shorting them together, potentially damaging the circuit on the prototyping board.

Connecting Analog Output Signals

This section describes how to connect the AO signals on the prototyping board.

Generic Analog Output

NI ELVIS provides access to the two analog outputs from the DAQ device at the DAC0 and DAC1 terminals. These channels are used by the

NI ELVIS hardware for arbitrary waveform generation. The output of the

DAQ device is buffered and protected by the NI ELVIS hardware.

Caution

Other functions of NI ELVIS, such as the DMM and FGEN, internally use DAC0 and DAC1, and these functions can potentially interfere with the measurements. The driver software generates an error message when there is a potential resource conflict.


3-14 ni.com


DC Power Supplies

The DC power supplies output a static ±15 V and +5 V. For more

information about the DC power supplies output, refer to Appendix A,

Specifications.

Function Generator (FGEN)

Access to the function generator on the prototyping board includes several additional terminals besides the function generator output signal,

FUNC_OUT. The SYNC_OUT signal outputs a TTL-compatible clock signal of the same frequency as the output waveform. The AM_IN and

FM_IN signals control the amplitude modulation (AM) and the frequency modulation (FM), respectively. Leave FM_IN and AM_IN disconnected if you do not want to apply modulation to the FGEN signal. These signals are in addition to the fine frequency and amplitude controls on the benchtop workstation. Software AM is controlled by DAC0 and software FM is controlled by DAC1.


The variable power supplies provide adjustable output voltages from

0 to +12 V on the SUPPLY+ terminal and –12 to 0 V on the SUPPLY– terminal. The GROUND pin provides a connection to the same ground of the DC power supplies.

Bode Analyzer

The NI ELVIS Bode Analyzer uses the Function Generator to output a stimulus and then uses analog input channels ACH 0 and ACH 1 to measure the stimulus and response. On the prototyping board, connect

FUNC_OUT to the input of the circuit and ACH 1. Connect the output to

ACH 0.

Two-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer

Connect the signal to Current Hi and Current Low when using the

Two-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer.


3-15


Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer

The Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer uses Current Hi, Current Low, and 3-wire to plot the current-voltage response of a NPN BJT.

Table 3-5. NPN Transistor to Prototyping Board Connections

NPN Transistor Node

Collector

Base

Emitter

Prototyping Board Connections

3-Wire

Current Hi

Current Low


Connect the signal to Current Hi and Current Low when using the

NI ELVIS Impedance Analyzer.

Connecting Digital I/O Signals

The digital I/O signals are TTL compatible. Refer to Appendix A,

Specifications

, for information about the behavior of the DI and DO

signals.

If you are using Bypass Mode, refer to Appendix F,

Using Bypass

Communication Mode

, for information about using digital I/O signals.

Connecting Counter/Timer Signals

The prototyping board provides access to the DAQ device counter/timer inputs, which are also accessible from software. These inputs are used for counting TTL signals and for edge detection. The CTR0_SOURCE,

CTR0_GATE, CTR0_OUT, CTR1_GATE, and CTR1_OUT signals are connected to the default Counter 0 and Counter 1 PFI lines on the DAQ

device, refer to Table 3-2. Refer to the DAQ device documentation for

details on using and configuring counter/timers.

Connecting User-Configurable Signals

The prototyping board provides several different user-configurable connectors: four banana jacks, two BNC connectors, and a D-SUB connector. Each pin of the connector has a connection to the distribution strips of the prototyping board.


3-16 ni.com


Eight LEDs are provided for general digital output. The anode of each LED is connected to the distribution strip through a 220

Ω resistor, and each cathode is connected to ground.

Refer to Table 3-1 for more information about the signal names for the

user-configurable I/O connectors.


3-17


4

Calibration

Electronic components such as ADCs are characterized by nonlinearities and drift due to time and temperature. Compensating for these inherent sources of error requires device self-calibration. To improve the accuracy of the system, you should periodically calibrate both the NI ELVIS workstation and the M Series DAQ device.

Running the NI ELVIS Calibration Utility

Complete the following steps to self-calibrate the M Series DAQ device:

1.

Launch MAX.

2.

Expand Devices and Interfaces.

3.

Find the M Series DAQ device in the list of devices and interfaces.

4.

Right-click the appropriate M Series DAQ device.

5.

Select Self-Calibrate.

To calibrate the NI ELVIS workstation, run the calibration utility included in the NI ELVIS software from Start»National Instruments»NI ELVIS»

Calibration Wizard.

You can use the NI ELVIS Calibration WIzard to calibrate the Variable

Power Supply and Function Generator.

Note

This calibration is only applied when using these instruments in software mode.


4-1


A

Specifications

This appendix lists the specifications of the NI ELVIS. These specifications are typical after a 30 minute warm-up time, at 23 °C, unless otherwise noted.

Note

NI ELVIS includes a calibration utility so that you can recalibrate the circuitry for the variable power supplies and function generator.

Analog Input

Refer to the Analog Input section of the DAQ device specifications documentation.

Arbitrary Waveform Generator

1

/Analog Output

Number of output channels .................... 2

Maximum frequency .............................. DC to DAQ device

AO update rate/10

Full-power bandwidth ............................ 27 kHz

Output amplitude.................................... ±10 V

Resolution .............................................. 12 bits or 16 bits,

DAQ device dependent

Output drive current ............................... 25 mA

Output impedance .................................. 1

Ω

Slew rate................................................. 1.5 V/

µs

1

The Arbitrary Waveform Generator does not work with the NI 6014, NI 6024E, or NI 6036E.


A-1


Appendix A Specifications

Bode Analyzer

Amplitude accuracy ................................12 or 16 bits,


Phase accuracy........................................1 degree

Frequency range .....................................5 Hz to 35 kHz

DC Power Supplies

+15 V Supply

Output current.........................................Self-resetting circuitry, not to shut down at or below 500 mA

Output voltage ........................................15 V at ±5% no load

Line regulation........................................0.5% max

Load regulation.......................................1% typ, 5% max, 0 to full load

1

Ripple and noise .....................................1%

–15 V Supply

Output current.........................................Self-resetting circuitry, not to shut down at or below 500 mA

2

Output voltage ........................................–15 V at ±5% no load

Line regulation........................................0.5% max

Load regulation.......................................1% typ, 5% max, 0 to full load

1

Ripple and noise .....................................1%

1

Full load refers to the maximum current output of the power supply. Load regulation is linear over 0 to full load; therefore at

50% of full load, the output drops by 50% of the load regulation specification.

2

Total current drawn from –15 V supply and variable power supplies cannot exceed 500 mA.


A-2 ni.com

Digital I/O

+5 V Supply

Output current ........................................ Self-resetting circuitry, not to shut down at or below 2 A

Output voltage........................................ +5 V at ±5% no load

Line regulation ....................................... 0.50% max

Load regulation ...................................... 22% typ, 30% max 0 to full load

1

Ripple and noise..................................... 1%

Resolution

Digital input channels ............................ 8 bits

Digital output channels .......................... 8 bits

Digital addressing .................................. 4 bits

Digital Input

I

I

............................................................. 1.0

µA max

V

IH

.......................................................... 2.0 V min

V

IL

.......................................................... 0.8 V max

Digital Output

V

OH

......................................................... 3.38 V min at 6 mA

4.4 V min at 20

µA

V

OL

......................................................... 0.86 V max at 6 mA

0.1 V max at 20

µA

1

Full load refers to the maximum current output of the power supply. Load regulation is linear over 0 to full load; therefore at

50% of full load, the output drops by 50% of the load regulation specification.


A-3



DMM

Capacitance Measurement

Accuracy .................................................1%

Range ......................................................50 pF to 500

µF in three ranges

Test frequency ........................................120 or 950 Hz , software-selectable

Max test frequency voltage.....................1 V p-p

sine wave, software-selectable

Continuity Measurement

Resistance threshold ...............................15

Ω max, software-selectable

Test voltage.............................................3.89 V, software-selectable

Current Measurement

Accuracy

AC....................................................0.25% ±3 mA

1, 2

DC....................................................0.25% ±3 mA

2

Common-mode voltage ..........................±20 V max

Common-mode rejection ........................70 dB min

Range ......................................................±250 mA in two ranges, max

Resolution ...............................................12 or 16 bits,


Shunt resistance ......................................0.5

Ω

Voltage burden .......................................2 mV/mA

Diode Measurement

3

Voltage threshold....................................1.1 V

max

1

25 Hz to 10 kHz

2

Proper null correction when measuring on high common-mode voltage can reduce the ±3 mA offset error to 200

µA of noise.

3

The Two-Wire Current Voltage Analyzer SFP is the recommended instrument for diode measurement.


A-4 ni.com

Inductance Measurement

Accuracy ................................................ 1%

Range ..................................................... 100

µH to 100 mH

Test frequency........................................ 950 Hz , software-selectable

Test frequency voltage ........................... 1 V p-p


Resistance Measurement

Accuracy ................................................ 1%

Range ..................................................... 5

Ω to 3 MΩ, in four ranges

Test frequency........................................ 120 Hz , software-selectable

Test frequency voltage ........................... 1 V p-p


Voltage Measurement

AC

Accuracy ......................................... 0.3% ±0.001% full-scale

1

Range .............................................. ±14 V rms

in four ranges, max

DC

Accuracy ......................................... 0.3% ±0.001% full-scale, max

Range .............................................. ±20 V in four ranges, max

Input impedance ..................................... 1 M

Ω

Dynamic Signal Analyzer

Input range ............................................. ±10 V in four ranges

Input resolution ...................................... 12 or 16 bits,

DAQ device dependant

1

100 Hz to 10 kHz


A-5



Function Generator

Frequency range .....................................5 Hz to 250 kHz in five ranges

Software-controlled frequency resolution ...............................0.8%

Frequency set point accuracy..................3% of range, max

Frequency read back accuracy................±0.01%

Output amplitude ....................................±2.5 V

Software amplitude resolution................8 bits

Offset range ............................................±5 V

AM voltage .............................................10 V, max

Amplitude modulation ............................Up to 100%

FM voltage..............................................10 V, max

Amplitude flatness

To 50 kHz ........................................0.5 dB

To 250 kHz ......................................3 dB

Frequency modulation ............................±5% of full-scale, max

Output impedance...................................50

Ω guaranteed. Refer

to Appendix C,

Theory of

Operation

, for more information about the output impedance configuration options.


Measurement frequency range................5 Hz to 35 kHz

Oscilloscope

Refer to the Analog Input section of the DAQ device specifications documentation.


A-6 ni.com


Current range.......................................... ±10 mA

Voltage sweep range .............................. ±10 V


1

Minimum base current increment .......... 15

µΑ

Maximum collector current.................... 10 mA

Maximum collector voltage ................... 10 V


Positive Supply

Output voltage........................................ 0 to 12 V

Ripple and noise..................................... 0.25%

Software-controlled resolution............... 7 bits

Current limiting...................................... 0.5 V at 160 mA,

5 V at 275 mA,

12 V at 450 mA

Negative Supply

Output voltage........................................ 0 to –12 V

Ripple and noise..................................... 0.25%

Software-controlled resolution............... 7 bits

Current limiting...................................... 0.5 V at 130 mA,

5 V at 290mA,

12 V at 450mA

2

1

This SFP instrument is intended for use only with NPN BJT transistors.

2

Total current drawn from –15 V and the negative variable power supply cannot exceed 500 mA.


A-7



Physical

Dimensions ............................................. 31.75

× 30.48 × 12.7 cm

(12.5

× 12.0 × 5 in.)

Weight ....................................................4.08 kg (9.0 lb)

Maximum Working Voltage

Maximum working voltage refers to the signal voltage plus the common-mode voltage.

Channel-to-earth .....................................±20 V, Measurement Category I

Channel-to-channel.................................±20 V, Measurement Category I

Caution

Do not use for connection to signals in Categories II, III, or IV.

Environmental

Operating temperature ............................0 to 40 °C

Storage temperature ................................–20 to 70 °C

Humidity .................................................10 to 90% relative humidity, noncondensing

Maximum altitude...................................2,000 m

Pollution Degree (indoor use only) ........2


A-8 ni.com

Safety

NI-ELVIS is designed to meet the requirements of the following standards of safety for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use:

• IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1

• UL 61010-1

• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1

Note

For UL and other safety certifications, refer to the product label, or visit ni.com/ certification

, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.

Electromagnetic Compatibility

Emissions ............................................... EN 55011 Class A at 10 m

FCC Part 15A above 1 GHz

Immunity ................................................ EN 61326:1997 + A2:2001,

Table 1

EMC/EMI............................................... CE, C-Tick, and FCC Part 15

(Class A) Compliant

Note

For EMC compliance, operate this device with shielded cabling. In addition, all covers and filler panels must be installed.

CE Compliance

NI-ELVIS meets the essential requirements of applicable European

Directives, as amended for CE marking, as follows:

Low-Voltage Directive (safety) ............. 73/23/EEC

Electromagnetic Compatibility

Directive (EMC) .................................... 89/336/EEC

Note

Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/certification

, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.


A-9


B

Protection Board Fuses

This appendix describes the fuses on the NI ELVIS Protection Board and provides instructions on how to remove the protection board from the

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation, debug the protection board, and change fuses.

Removing the Protection Board

The protection board detaches from the NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

as shown in Figure B-1. Refer to the Where to Start with NI ELVIS

document for more parts locator diagrams of the NI ELVIS Benchtop

Workstation.

1


2

1 NI ELVIS Protection Board 2 NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

Figure B-1. NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation with Protection Board Removed

B-1


Appendix B Protection Board Fuses

Complete the following steps to remove the protection board from the

benchtop workstation. Refer to Figure B-1 as needed.

1.

Unplug the power cable. Refer to the Where to Start with the NI ELVIS document for an illustration of the switch location.

2.

Unplug the 68-pin cable and the power supply cable from the benchtop workstation.

3.

Disconnect the prototyping board from the benchtop workstation.

4.

Unscrew the captive screws located on the back of the NI ELVIS

Protection Board.

5.

Gently pull on the captive screws to remove the protection board.

Debugging the Protection Board

The protection board provides a level of electrical protection between the prototyping board and the motherboard of the NI ELVIS workstation. This protection consists of fuses for the high-current signals—such as the AO channels and DMM, and 100

Ω current-limited resistors for the low-current signals—such as the AI channels and digital signals. If too much current begins to flow to or from a particular signal on the prototyping board, the fuse or resistor breaks down, opening the connection electrically.

The +15 V, –15 V, and +5 V lines are protected by self-resetting circuitry.

After the cause of the circuit problem is resolved, the circuit resets.

To debug the protection board, you need a DMM with an ohmmeter.

Complete the following steps to debug the protection board:

1.

Unplug the power cable.

2.

Remove the protection board assembly from the rest of the NI ELVIS workstation. For instructions on removing the protection board, refer to the

Removing the Protection Board

section.

3.

Check the fuses, since these signals are much more likely to have been overloaded. To check the fuse, verify that there is continuity across the fuse

. If all the fuses are operational, proceed to the resistor packs.

4.

Verify that the resistance across each resistor is 100

Ω , ±5%.

One resistor is located between each of the following pairs of pins:

1 and 16, 2 and 15, 3 and 14, 4 and 13, 5 and 12, 6 and 11, 7 and 10, and 8 and 9. The resistor packs are socketed so that you can easily replace resistors.


B-2 ni.com


Caution

Before restoring power to the circuit, be sure the problem that caused the protection board component to fail has been resolved to keep the same fuse or resistor from failing again.

If you replace a fuse, use a 0.5 A/250 V (T 0.5 A L 250V), 5

× 20 mm, slow blow Littelfuse.

Cautions

and rating.

For continued protection against fire, replace only with fuses of the same type

The fuses on NI ELVIS are glass. Use care when removing the fuses to prevent injury from broken glass.

Figure B-2 shows the location of the different fuses and circuit protection

circuitry for the NI ELVIS hardware, and the location of the resistor packs.

3 4

2

1

500 mA S.B. 5X20mm

T 0.5 A L 250V

VAR PWR SUPPLY +

F6

F2

F5

F8

VAR PWR SUPPLY -

F1

F7

MADE IN U.S.A.

HI

HI

LO

LO

For Patents: ni.com/patents

RP1

RP2

RP3

RP4

ASSY 188123C-01

Dual-in-line, Isolated,

100

Ω, 300 mW

Resistor Networks

CR2

J2

CR4

RP8

RP7

CR3

R15 R14

Q4

R1

R20

R11

R12

R8

R3

R4

R9

R21

RP6

RP5

Fire Hazard:

Do not use plastic chips.

NI ELVIS

PROTECTION BOARD

J1

Q5

R18

R19

Q6

R10

R2

R22

R17 R16

5

6

7

1 Power Supply –

2 Power Supply +

3 CURRENT Fuses

4 Resistor Packs <1..8>


5 +15 V Current Limiting Circuitry

6 –15 V Current Limiting Circuitry

7 +5 V Current Limiting Circuitry

Figure B-2. Parts Locator Diagram for NI ELVIS Protection Board

B-3



Table B-1 shows the relationship between the resistor packs and the

NI ELVIS components.

Table B-1. Resistor Packs and NI ELVIS Components

RP4

RP5

RP6

RP7

RP8

Resistor Pack

RP1

RP2

RP3

Analog input

NI ELVIS Component

Analog input

AM_IN, FUNC_OUT, SYNC_OUT, AI SENSE

Counter/timer I/O

Digital output

Digital input

SCANCLK, programmable function I/O

ADDRESS <0..3>

Reinstalling the Protection Board

Reinstall the NI ELVIS Protection Board before resuming use of

NI ELVIS. To replace the protection board, complete the following steps:

1.

Reinsert the PCI connector of the protection board into the benchtop workstation rear connector.

2.

Tighten the four captive screws located on the back of the protection board.

3.

Plug in the 68-pin cable and the power supply.

4.

Plug in the power cable.

5.

Power on NI ELVIS.


B-4 ni.com

C

Theory of Operation

This appendix provides additional information about the basic operation of the NI ELVIS circuitry for the DMM, function generator, impedance analyzer, two- and three-wire current-voltage analyzers, and analog output.

Note

To reduce measurement error, calibrate the DAQ device before each session.

DMM Measurements

The DAQ device is configured for differential measurement mode for all

DMM measurements. Each DMM reading is referenced to the NI ELVIS

GROUND signal. The NI ELVIS software typically sets the input signal limitations, but some NI ELVIS SFP instruments allow you to manually change the limits.

Note

NI ELVIS does not support measuring signals with large common-mode voltages.

You must ground reference floating signals.

Voltmeter

When you use the voltmeter, differential channel seven of the DAQ device (AI 7 and AI 15) is used to read the voltage signal from NI ELVIS.

NI ELVIS applies a gain of 0.5 to the voltages that are applied to

VOLTAGE HI and VOLTAGE LO.


C-1


Appendix C Theory of Operation

Block Diagram

Figure C-1 shows a basic block diagram of the NI ELVIS voltmeter. The

paragraphs that follow the figure describe each section of the figure in more detail.

Voltmeter Signal Path

A

Prototyping

Board

B

Protection Board

VOLTAGE HI

VOLTAGE LO

511 k

Ω

C

NI ELVIS Motherboard

÷

2

D

DAQ Device

MUX

AI 7+

AI 15–

Benchtop

Workstation

Control

Panel

VOLTAGE HI

VOLTAGE LO

Common-

Mode

Rejection

Adjustment

Note: This VOLTAGE HI and VOLTAGE LO signal routes first to the motherboard and then to the protection board where they are shorted to the signals as shown.

Figure C-1. NI ELVIS Voltmeter Block Diagram

Prototyping Board and Benchtop Workstation Connectors—The input

to the NI ELVIS voltmeter circuit can come from the NI ELVIS

Prototyping Board or from the connectors on the NI ELVIS Benchtop

Workstation control panel. When the prototyping board is powered off, both connections remain active.

Protection Board—The inputs to the voltmeter are not externally

protected on the NI ELVIS Protection Board. The two inputs are combined on the protection board and passed to the NI ELVIS motherboard.

NI ELVIS Motherboard—The VOLTAGE HI and VOLTAGE LO input

terminals are divided with 511 k

Ω input resistors. A manual adjustment is made at the factory for common-mode rejection. The adjusted common-mode rejection is typically above 80 dB.


C-2 ni.com

Current Meter


The operational amplifier used by NI ELVIS is a fully differential JFET input with a gain of 0.5. The input slew rate is typically 11 V/

µs. This high slew rate helps minimize AC signal distortion.

The internal NI ELVIS bus sets the differential channel seven multiplexer to read the voltmeter voltage. You cannot run the voltmeter with any other

DMM functions.

DAQ Device—The DAQ device takes the voltage reading on differential

channel seven and converts the raw voltage into the voltage reading that is displayed in the NI ELVIS software.

Internal Calculations

The following values are stored in the NI ELVIS EEPROM:

• Gain—Gain error correction for NI ELVIS and the DAQ device

• Offset—Offset error correction for NI ELVIS and the DAQ device

These values are used when calculating voltage readings from the

NI ELVIS. To calculate the voltage read on differential channel seven, use the following formula:

Voltage Read

=

2

The NI ELVIS software then performs the following calculations:

Voltage Returned DC

=

(

Voltage Returned AC

=

Gain

× (

VAC

2

–

VDC

2

)

Voltage Returned is displayed in the NI ELVIS software.

When you use the current meter, differential channel seven of the DAQ device (AI 7 and AI 15) is used to read the current from NI ELVIS. The current read from NI ELVIS is referenced to the NI ELVIS GROUND signal. The current is measured across the CURRENT HI and

CURRENT LO terminals. The current flowing across the shunt is converted to voltage by a difference amplifier.


C-3



Block Diagram

Figure C-2 shows a basic block diagram of the NI ELVIS current meter.

The paragraphs that follow the figure describe each section of the figure in more detail.

Current Meter Signal Path

A B

Prototyping

Board

Protection Board

Fuses

CURRENT HI

CURRENT LO

Switches

C


Shunt Diff Amp

+

–

Benchtop

Workstation

Control

Panel

CURRENT HI

CURRENT LO

Note: This CURRENT HI and CURRENT LO signal routes first to the motherboard and then to the protection board as shown.

MUX

D

DAQ Device

AI 7

AI 15

Figure C-2. NI ELVIS Current Meter Block Diagram

Prototyping Board and Benchtop Workstation Connectors—The input

to the NI ELVIS current meter circuit can come from the NI ELVIS

Prototyping Board or from the connectors on the NI ELVIS Benchtop

Workstation control panel. When the prototyping board is powered off, the

CURRENT HI and CURRENT LO terminals from the prototyping board are disconnected, and any current from the prototyping board stops flowing.

Protection Board—The protection board has fuses for each channel.

These fuses handle overcurrent conditions.


C-4 ni.com


NI ELVIS Motherboard—A 0.5

Ω current shunt resistor is used at the input of a difference amplifier to convert the current to a voltage.

The current meter is not adjusted for common-mode rejection. The common-mode rejection of the current meter is determined by the difference amplifier.

The output voltage is multiplexed to differential channel seven.

DAQ Device—The DAQ device takes the reading on differential channel

seven and converts the voltage reading into the current that is displayed in the NI ELVIS software.



• Gain—Shunt resistor value, gain error correction for NI ELVIS and the DAQ device are included

• Offset—System offset error correction, includes NI ELVIS and DAQ device offset

The voltage returned can represent AC or DC current. The offset variable should remove most offset caused by NI ELVIS and/or the DAQ device.

VDC—DC measurement of the voltage on differential channel seven

VAC—AC measurement of the voltage on differential channel seven

Current AC

=

Gain

× (

VAC

2

–

VDC

2

)

Current DC

=

(

Current AC or Current DC is displayed in the NI ELVIS software.


C-5



Function Generator

NI ELVIS includes a hardware function generator. The function generator can generate sine, triangle, and square waves. You can modulate the output amplitude and frequency manually, with software, or using a combination of both.

Block Diagram

Figure C-3 shows a basic block diagram of the NI ELVIS function

generator. The paragraphs that follow the figure describe each section of the figure in more detail.

Function Generator Signal Path

A

Prototyping

Board

B

Protection

Board

Fuse Switch

50

Ω

C


Gain

–

+

MUX

Amplitude

Control Panel

Knob

XR2206

FM

AM

Wave

Select

FUNC OUT


Figure C-3. Function Generator Block Diagram

Prototyping Board and Benchtop Workstation Connectors—The

function generator output signal, FUNC_OUT, is only on the prototyping board.

Protection Board—On the protection board, the function generator passes

through a 100

Ω current-fused resistor.

NI ELVIS Motherboard—NI ELVIS uses a monolithic function

generator integrated circuit (IC) to generate waveforms. This IC accepts frequency and amplitude modulation. You can adjust the output amplitude

C-6 ni.com



The NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer is an SFP instrument that can measure specific device under test (DUT) impedance characteristics.

NI ELVIS determines impedance using an AC sine wave source that is produced by the NI ELVIS function generator on the CURRENT HI pin to excite the DUT. The resulting sine waves are measured on CURRENT HI and CURRENT LO. The NI ELVIS Impedance Analyzer breaks out the phase, magnitude, resistance, and reactance of the DUT.

Block Diagram

of the XR 2206 with an internal 8-bit MDAC or manually with a knob on the NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation control panel.

The coarse frequency is set by using one of four frequency selection capacitors. The fine frequency is adjusted by the adjusting the onboard

8-bit DAC.

The adjusted output signal is multiplexed into a unity gain circuit. The output of the gain circuit runs through a 50

Ω resistor. NI ELVIS uses the function generator output signal, FUNC_OUT, after the 50

Ω resistor for other internal instruments.

You can disconnect the function generator from the NI ELVIS Prototyping

Board with the prototyping board power switch.

Figure C-4 shows a basic block diagram of the NI ELVIS impedance analyzer. The diagrams and paragraphs that follow Figure C-4 describe the

circuitry for the CURRENT HI and CURRENT LO signals.

Impedance Analyzer Signal Path

A


B

Prototyping Board

CURRENT HI

Function

Generator

DUT CURRENT LO

C

DAQ Device

AI 5

AI 7

Figure C-4. Impedance Analyzer Block Diagram


C-7



CURRENT HI

The hardware connection to the CURRENT HI pin is shown in Figure C-5.



A B

Prototyping

Board

Protection Board

Fuses

CURRENT HI

Benchtop

Workstation

Control

Panel

CURRENT HI

Switch

AI 5

MUX

AI 13

D

DAQ Device

C


R

G

+

–

MUX

Function

Generator

Note: This CURRENT HI signal routes first to the motherboard and then to the protection board as shown.

Figure C-5. CURRENT HI Block Diagram

NI ELVIS Motherboard—The output of the NI ELVIS hardware function

generator is routed internally to the gain of the CURRENT HI pin.

The gain circuit (labeled G in Figure C-5) provides a resistive element

(labeled R in Figure C-5) to always insure a minimum resistance.

CURRENT HI is routed to AI 5 for measurements. Because the AI 5 voltage is measured after the onboard resistor, the onboard resistor is not included in the calculations.

The output to the NI ELVIS Prototyping Board is controlled by the prototyping board power switch.

Protection Board—The output of the CURRENT HI is fused for

overcurrent protection. Simple shorts should not blow the fuse.


C-8 ni.com


Prototyping Board and Benchtop Workstation Connectors—When the

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board is powered off, the CURRENT HI pin from the prototyping board is disconnected; however, the NI ELVIS Benchtop

Workstation control panel connection is always connected.

DAQ Device—The DAQ device reads the reference sine wave on AI 5.

The AI 5 voltage reading is the input from the NI ELVIS to the DUT.

CURRENT LO

The hardware connection to the CURRENT LO pin is shown in Figure C-6.



A

Prototyping

Board

B

Protection Board

CURRENT LO

Benchtop

Workstation

Control

Panel

Fuse Switch

C


Gain

Gain

Gain

Gain

+

–

D

DAQ Device

MUX

AI 7

AI 15

CURRENT LO

Note: This CURRENT LO signal routes first to the motherboard and then to the protection board as shown.

Figure C-6. CURRENT LO Block Diagram

Prototyping Board and Benchtop Workstation Connectors—When the

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board is powered off, the CURRENT LO pin from the prototyping board is disconnected. The NI ELVIS Benchtop

Workstation control panel connection is always connected.

Protection Board—The signal from the DUT passes through a fuse on the

protection board. This fuse adds resistance to the measurement.


C-9



NI ELVIS Motherboard—When the prototyping board is powered off,

the CURRENT LO pin from the prototyping board is disconnected.

You can switch the input path between impedance and current measurements by modifying the LabVIEW VIs that are included in the

NI ELVIS source code. You cannot measure impedance and current at the same time.

The input voltage across the DUT has a programmable gain applied.

NI ELVIS has four programmable gain ranges that you can select with the

NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer SFP.

The input to the op-amp is protected from overvoltage and overcurrent conditions. This protection should prevent damage to the op-amp or the gain stage. The output of the op-amp is multiplexed to differential channel seven.

DAQ Device—The DAQ device reads the output sine wave on differential

channel seven. The AI 7 reading is used as the signal (reference B) for the impedance measurements.



• Gain—System gain error correction, gain error correction for

NI ELVIS and the DAQ device

• Inductance Offset—System inductance offset error correction,


• Capacitance Offset—System capacitance offset error correction,


• CA Slope—Actual calibrated value of each feedback resistor

(four values)

The software acquires two waveforms from differential channel seven (the signal) and AI 5 (the reference channel) and applies the following formula:

Gain Amplitude

=

Signal Amplitude


C-10 ni.com


Gain Amplitude is combined with the feedback resistor used on the

NI ELVIS to determine the impedance. CA Slope is calibrated at the factory to determine the actual impedance for the feedback resistor.

Impedance (Z)

=

Gain Amplitude

Z is combined with the phase to determine the resistive and reactive components of the DUT. The phase difference of the acquired sine waves is measured in reference to AI 5,

Reactance

=

Z

× cos





Phase

×

180





Reactance

=

×



×



180



Susceptance

=

–

Reactance

to determine the inductive or capacitive elements of the DUT, Reactance and Susceptance. The magnitude of the phase determines which element is present. The frequency is the frequency you set.

Inductance

=

2

× π

Reactance

×

Frequency

+

Inductance Offset

Capacitance

=

2

×

Susceptance

π ×

Frequency

+

Capacitance Offset

Each inductance and capacitance reading includes the offset variable stored in the EEPROM to help eliminate offset errors.

Resistance Meter

The resistance meter is a subset of the NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer, and it uses the same circuitry. To get more accurate readings, the function generator output frequency is set to 120 Hz, and the amplitude is locked at

1 V p-p

. These settings allow a focused calibration that reduces resistive and capacitive offset. The resistance meter uses four ranges to measure from

5

Ω to 3 MΩ .


C-11



Inductance Meter

The inductance meter is a subset of the NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer, and it uses the same circuitry. To get more accurate readings, the function generator output frequency is set to 950 Hz, and the amplitude is locked at

1 V p-p

. These settings allow a focused calibration that reduces resistive and capacitive offset.

Capacitance Meter

The capacitance meter is a subset of the NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer, and it uses the same circuitry. You can select electrolytic and normal capacitors. To get more accurate readings on electrolytic capacitors, the function generator output frequency is set to 120 Hz, and the amplitude is locked at 2 V p-p

with a DC offset of 2.5 V. For normal capacitors, the function generator output frequency is set to 950 Hz, and the amplitude is locked at 1 V p-p

. These settings allow a focused calibration that reduces resistive and capacitive offset.


The two-wire measurement is made by using the DAQ device AO 0 signal to generate a user-controlled voltage sweep. The voltage is read before the

DUT on AI 5 and then across the DUT on AI 7. The NI ELVIS

Impedance - Analyzer circuitry provides the feedback resistor that transforms the current flowing into the CURRENT LO pin into a voltage.

The CURRENT HI pin is the output voltage source on the prototyping board and benchtop workstation control panel.

Two-Wire Current Voltage Analyzer Signal Path

A


B

Prototyping Board

CURRENT HI

C

DAQ Device

AI 5

DAC0

DUT CURRENT LO AI 7


Figure C-7. Two-Wire Measurement Block Diagram

C-12 ni.com




CA Slope—Actual value of each feedback resistor (four values)

The voltage output on CURRENT HI pin is from the DAQ device DAC0.

The CURRENT HI pin is read on AI 5 and stored as the VOLTAGE (V ) that is displayed.

The input current is measured on the CURRENT LO pin of the prototyping board. The CURRENT LO pin is read on AI 7. The DAQ device can only read voltage, so the current is converted to voltage. The

NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer circuitry converts the current to voltage.

The voltage read is then converted back to current using Ohm’s Law:

V

=

I R

For R, use the NI ELVIS feedback resistor, CA Slope, and for V, use the AI 7 voltage.

Measured Current (in Amps)

=

CA Slope

Measured Current is converted to milliamps and displayed.


The three-wire measurement is made by using the DAQ device AO 0 and

AO 1 to generate output voltages that you control. The voltage is read before going into the DUT on AI 5 and AI 6 and then across the DUT on

AI 7. The NI ELVIS - Impedance Analyzer circuitry provides the feedback resistor that transforms the current flowing into the CURRENT LO pin into a voltage. The CURRENT HI pin is the output current source for the DUT on the prototyping board. This current is measured and converted to voltage by a 332

Ω resistor on NI ELVIS. The 3-WIRE pin is measured on AI 6 and is the source voltage that is swept.


C-13



Three-Wire Current Voltage Analyzer Signal Path

A


B

Prototyping Board

3-WIRE

DAC1

DAC0

3-Wire

DUT

CURRENT LO

CURRENT HI

C

DAQ Device

AI 6

AI 7

AI 5

Figure C-8. Three-Wire Measurement Block Diagram



CA SLOPE—Actual value of each feedback resistor (four values)

The voltage generated on the 3-WIRE pin is from the DAQ device AO 1.

This voltage is read on AI 6 internal to NI ELVIS. This voltage is displayed as the Voltage (Vc) in the Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer SFP.

The base current output on the CURRENT HI pin is from the DAQ device

AO 0. The CURRENT HI pin is read on AI 5 as a voltage. The DAQ device can only read voltage, so the current is converted to voltage.

The voltage read is then converted back to current by using Ohm’s Law.

For R, use the NI ELVIS onboard 332

Ω resistor, and for V, use the CH5 voltage.

Ib (Amps)

=

The Base current, Ib, is not displayed on the SFP.

The input collector current is measured on the CURRENT LO pin of the prototyping board. The CURRENT LO pin is read on AI 7. The DAQ device can only read voltage, so the current is converted to voltage. The

NI ELVIS Impedance - Analyzer circuitry is used to convert the current to voltage.


C-14 ni.com


The voltage read is then converted back to current by using Ohm’s Law.

For R, use the NI ELVIS feedback resistor, CA Slope, and for V, use the

CH7 voltage.

Ic (in Amps)

=

CA Slope

The collector current is displayed as Current Ic (A).

To determine the Beta, ß, of the DUT, use the following equation:

β

=

Ib

ß is not displayed on the SFP.

Arbitrary Waveform Generator/Analog Output

The NI ELVIS buffers the output from the DAQ device. This buffer prevents damage to the DAQ device. The NI ELVIS is protected against overvoltage and overcurrent conditions.

Figure C-9 shows a basic block diagram of the NI ELVIS AO circuitry. The

paragraphs that follow the figure describe each section of the figure in more detail.

DAQ Device NI ELVIS Motherboard Prototyping

Board

10 K

Ω

+15

+15

–

20

Ω

100 pF

100

Ω

DAC <0..1>

10 K

Ω

+

AO <0..1>


–15

–15

Figure C-9. Analog Output Block Diagram

C-15



Prototyping Board—You can only access the output channels of the

NI ELVIS DAC <0..1> on the prototyping board. When the prototyping board is powered off, the output is disconnected.

NI ELVIS Motherboard—The DAQ device AO 0 and AO 1 are buffered

on the NI ELVIS. This buffer allows the NI ELVIS power supply to drive

DAC0 and DAC1 on the prototyping board. The DAQ device provides the voltage, but not the current. The output signal is not adjusted for offset caused by NI ELVIS.

Refer to the

Arbitrary Waveform Generator/Analog Output

section of

Appendix A,

Specifications

, for further details.

DAQ Device—The DAQ device must have analog output capability to use

the NI ELVIS analog output. In order to generate waveforms or patterns, the DAQ device must have buffered output.


C-16 ni.com

D


Figure D-1 summarizes the resource conflicts you might encounter if you

run certain NI ELVIS circuitry simultaneously. The variable power supplies and digital circuitry are not included in this figure because they do not create any resource conflicts.

To use the information in Figure D-1, find the instrument you want to use

in the left column. That row lists all the functions that are resource conflicts. If the intersecting box contains an –, you can use those functions simultaneously without any conflicts.


D-1


Appendix D Resource Conflicts

Function Generator – Base

Function Generator – Ultrafine

Function Generator – Modulated

ARB DAC <0..1>

Oscilloscope

Dynamic Signal Analyzer

DMM – Continuity Tester

DMM – Resistance Meter

DMM – Capacitance Meter

DMM – Inductance Meter

DMM – Voltmeter

DMM – Ammeter

DMM – Diode Tester

Impedance Analyzer

Bode Analyzer

Two-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer

Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzer

– fg fg

–

–

– fg fg

–

–

–

– fg

– fg fg

–

– fg fg

– fg fg

–

–

–

– fg

–

– fg

– fg ao

– fg fg

– fg fg

–

–

–

– fg

–

– fg fg

– ao ao

–

– ao

–

–

–

– ao

–

– ao

–

– ao ao

– aid aid aid aid aid aid aid aid ais

– aid aid

–

–

–

– aid aid

– ais aid aid

–

–

–

– aid aid aid aid aid aid aid aid ca ca aid ca

–

–

– ao ca ca ais ca aid aid

– ca aid aid ca

– fg fg fg

– ca ca ais ca

– ca ais ca aid aid ca ca fg fg fg

– ca ca ca aid ca ca ca ca aid ca ca fg fg fg

– ca

– ais ca aid aid ca ca aid aid ais ais

–

–

–

– ais ais

– ca ca ca aid ca ca ca aid ca ca ca aid aid

– aid aid aid aid aid aid aid aid aid aid fg fg fg

– ca

– aid ca ca ca ca ca ca aid aid ca ca fg fg fg

–

–

–

–

– ca ca ca

– aid aid ca ca aid aid ca ca

–

–

– ao ca ca ca ca ca ca aid ca

– ca aid ca ca ca

–

–

– ao ca ca ca ca aid aid ca ca aid aid ca ca

–

–

– ao ca ca ca ca ca ca aid

– ca ca aid ca ca –

Conflict Codes:

aid = DAQ AI, different channels ais = DAQ AI, same channels ao = DAQ AO

No Resource Conflicts:

DAQ counter/timers

NI ELVIS vaiable power supplies

NI ELVIS digital output fg = NI ELVIS function generator ca = NI ELVIS current amplifier

Figure D-1. Possible Resource Conflicts


D-2 ni.com

E

Supported DAQ Devices

The NI ELVIS workstation supports the DAQ devices listed in this appendix.

Supported M Series DAQ Devices

NI ELVIS supports the following M Series DAQ devices:

• NI 6221 (68-pin)

• NI 6225

• NI 6229

• NI 6251

• NI 6255

• NI 6259

• NI 6281

• NI 6289

Note

If you are using a PCI M Series device, you must use NI ELVIS software version 2.0 or later. USB M Series devices require NI ELVIS 3.0 or later.

When using an M Series DAQ device with two 68-pin connectors, use connector 0 on the M Series DAQ device to make the connection to the

NI ELVIS workstation.

Supported Using E/B Series DAQ Devices

NI ELVIS supports the following E/B Series DAQ devices in addition to

M Series DAQ devices:

• NI 6014

• NI 6024E

• NI 6036E

• NI 6040E (PCI-MIO-16E-4)


E-1


Appendix E Supported DAQ Devices

• NI 6052E

• NI 6070E (PCI-MIO-16E-1)

The Arbitrary Waveform Generator functionality of NI ELVIS is not available with the NI 6014, NI 6024E, or NI 6036E.

Note

NI ELVIS supports all E Series devices that meet the criteria listed in the introduction to this appendix.

Use one of the following cables to connect the E/B Series DAQ device to the NI ELVIS workstation:

• SH68-68-EP

• R6868


E-2 ni.com

Appendix E Supported DAQ Devices

Table E-1 describes signals on the NI ELVIS prototype board that route

directly to the E/B Series DAQ device. When using the NI ELVIS with an

E/B Series DAQ device, refer to Table E-1.

Table E-1. E/B Series DAQ Device Routing

Signal Name on

Prototype Board

PFI 1

Direction

Input

Input

Input

Input

Input

Output

Output

Input

Input

1

E/B Series Signal Name

PFI 1

PFI 2

PFI 5

Description

2

See E/B Series Help for signal descriptions.

PFI 2

PFI 5

PFI 6

PFI 7

SCANCLK

RESERVED

CTR0_SOURCE

CTR0_GATE

CTR0_OUTPUT

CTR1_SOURCE

CTR1_GATE

CTR1_OUTPUT

Output

Input

Input

Output

PFI 6

PFI 7

SCANCLK

EXT STROBE

CTR 0 SRC

CTR 0 GATE

CTR 0 OUT

CTR 1 SRC

CTR 1 GATE

CTR 1 OUT

FREQ_OUT Output FREQ_OUT

1

On E/B Series DAQ devices, you can configure all of these signals as inputs or output; however, when used with the

NI ELVIS workstation, these signals are fixed direction—either input or output.

2

Refer to the PFI Signal Description section and the E/B Series DAQ device Help for more complete descriptions of these

signals.

PFI Signal Description

PFI—You can use these signals to supply an external source for AI, AO, DI, and DO timing signals or counter/timer inputs.


E-3


F

Using Bypass Communication

Mode

This appendix describes the function of the Communications switch on the

NI ELVIS workstation front panel. In most applications, set the communications switch to Normal.

The following DAQ device functions are routed directly to the prototyping board:

• Analog input

• Analog output

• Counter I/O

You can access these functions directly, regardless of the position of the communications switch, by using the native NI-DAQmx functions supported by the DAQ device. Refer to NI-DAQmx Help for more information.

When the Variable Power Supply and Function Generator are switched to

Manual mode, they are controlled directly by the controls on the NI ELVIS workstations and are not affected by the position of the communications switch.

Normal Mode

When the communications switch on the NI ELVIS workstation is set to

Normal, the digital I/O lines of the DAQ device are used for communicating to the NI ELVIS workstations and controlling its instruments from software. All NI ELVIS software functionality is available when the communications switch is set to Normal.

In Normal mode, the DI and DO digital ports are accessed using the

NI ELVIS DIO functions.


F-1


Appendix F Using Bypass Communication Mode

Bypass Mode

When the NI ELVIS workstation is set to Bypass mode, the eight digital I/O lines on Port 0 of the DAQ device are routed directly to DI <0..7> on the

NI ELVIS prototyping board. In order to enable Bypass Mode, you must first set the communications switch on the NI ELVIS workstation to

Bypass, and then execute the NI ELVIS – Enable Communications Bypass

VI from LabVIEW. Figure F-1 shows the VI.

Figure F-1. NI ELVIS – Enable Communications Bypass VI

To access the DAQ device Digital I/O lines after enabling Bypass mode, you must use the NI-DAQmx Digital I/O functions. Information about using these functions is available in the NI-DAQmx Help.

When the communications switch is set to Bypass mode, communication to the NI ELVIS workstation is disabled, therefore most NI ELVIS software functionality is unavailable in Bypass mode.


F-2 ni.com

G

Common Questions

This appendix lists common questions related to the use of the NI ELVIS workstation.

Can I use the NI ELVIS SFP and the NI ELVIS API at the same time?

No. Due to software conflicts you can only use one at a time. In order to use the LabVIEW API, you must first close the ELVIS SFP.

When using the current DMM function, why are measurements made at the positive side of the circuit less accurate than measurements made on the grounded side?

The ELVIS DMM has limited common-mode rejection capabilities. For optimal accuracy, make current measurements on the grounded side of the circuit.

Can I use multiple NI ELVIS Workstations on one computer?

NI ELVIS version 2.0.5 added the ability to open multiple simultaneous sessions of the NI ELVIS Instrument Launcher that you can use to control multiple NI ELVIS workstations. This assumes that each workstation is connected to a separate DAQ device. Each time you open the NI ELVIS executable a new session is instantiated, so you can have a single session open for each workstation. Once you open the NI ELVIS Instrument

Launcher, click the Configure button to set both Instrument Launchers to use different DAQ devices for communication. The NI ELVIS LabVIEW

API currently does not support using multiple NI ELVIS workstations on the same computer.

Where can I find additional NI ELVIS resources for professors or students?

There are a number of resources for professors and students using

NI ELVIS available at ni.com/academic

.


G-1


Appendix G Common Questions

Can I use the digital I/O lines on the second connector of a M Series

DAQ device without interfering with NI ELVIS?

If you use an M Series DAQ device with additional DIO functionality on the second connector with NI ELVIS, only port 0 of the DAQ device is reserved for NI ELVIS. You can use the rest of the ports without a problem.


G-2 ni.com

Glossary

Symbols

/

+

°

Ω

%

–

±

√

A

A

AC

ACH

ADDRESS

Symbol

p k

M n

µ m

Prefix

pico nano micro milli kilo mega

Percent.

Negative of, or minus.

Positive of, or plus.

Per.

Degree.

Ohm.

Plus or minus.

Square root.

Value

10 – 12

10 – 9

10

– 6

10 – 3

10

3

10 6

Amperes.

Alternating current.

Analog input channel signal.

The DIO output signals of the address bus.


Glossary-1


AO

ARB

B

block diagram

BNC bode plot bus

Glossary

AI

AI GND

AI SENSE

AM

AM IN amplification amplitude

Analog input.

Analog input ground signal.

Analog input sense signal.

Amplitude modulation—the process in which the amplitude of a carrier wave is varied to be directly proportional to the amplitude of the modulating signal.

Amplification modulation input signal.

A type of signal conditioning that improves accuracy in the resulting digitized signal and reduces noise.

The voltage amplitude of a signal. When speaking of the amplitude of a signal, it is usually assumed to be the RMS value for an AC signal.

However, amplitude can also refer to the instantaneous amplitude, or the peak, peak-to-peak, or average amplitude, if so specified.

Analog output.

Arbitrary waveform generator.

Pictorial description or representation of a program or algorithm. The block diagram, consists of executable icons called nodes and wires that carry data between the nodes. The block diagram is the source code for the VI. The block diagram resides in the block diagram window of the VI.

A type of coaxial signal connector.

The plot of the gain and phase of a system as a function of frequency.

The group of conductors that interconnect individual circuitry in a computer. Typically, a bus is the expansion vehicle to which I/O or other devices are connected. An example of a PC bus is the PCI bus.


Glossary-2 ni.com

Glossary

C

C capacitance

CH channel

D

D/A

DAC

DAQ dB counter/timer

CTR0_GATE

CTR0_OUT

CTR0_SOURCE

CTR1_GATE

CTR1_OUT

CURRENT

DC default setting

Celsius.

The ability to hold an electrical charge.

Channel.

Pin or wire lead to which you apply or from which you read the analog or digital signal. Analog signals can be single-ended or differential. For digital signals, you group channels to form ports. Ports usually consist of either four or eight digital channels.

A circuit that counts external pulses or clock pulses (timing).

Counter 0 gate signal.

Counter 0 output signal.

Counter 0 source signal.

Counter 1 gate signal.

Counter 1 output signal.

Input signals for current-related measurements for the DMM.

Digital-to-analog.

D/A converter.

Data acquisition.

Decibel—the unit for expressing a logarithmic measure of the ratio of two signal levels: dB = 20log10 V1/V2, for signals in volts.

Direct current.

A default parameter value recorded in the driver. In many cases, the default input of a control is a certain value (often 0) that means use the current

default setting.


Glossary-3


Glossary

DI differential input digital trigger

DIO diode

DMM

DO

DOC

DSA

DUT

E

ECG

EEPROM

ELVIS

EMC

EMI

EXTSTROBE

F

FCC

FGEN

Digital I/O input signals sent to the DI bus.

An analog input consisting of two terminals, both of which are isolated from computer ground, whose difference is measured.

A TTL level signal having two discrete levels—a high level and a low level.

Digital I/O.

A specialized electronic component with two electrodes called the anode and the cathode.

Digital multimeter.

Digital I/O output signals from the DO bus.

Canadian Department of Communications.

Dynamic signal analyzer.

Device under test.

Electrocardiogram.

Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory—ROM that can be erased with an electrical signal and reprogrammed.

Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite.

Electromechanical compliance.

Electromagnetic interference.

External strobe signal.

Federal Communications Commission.

Function generator.


Glossary-4 ni.com

Glossary

floating signal sources

FM_IN

FREQ_OUT frequency front panel

FUNC_OUT

Signal sources with voltage signals that are not connected to an absolute reference or system ground. Also called nonreferenced signal sources.

Some common example of floating signal sources are batteries, transformers, or thermocouples.

Frequency modulation input signal.

Frequency output signal.

The basic unit of rate, measured in events or oscillations per second using a frequency counter or spectrum analyzer. Frequency is the reciprocal of the period of a signal.

The user interface of a LabVIEW virtual instrument.

Output signal for the function generator.

G

gain

GPCTR0_GATE

GPCTR0_OUT

GPCTR0_SOURCE

GPCTR1_GATE

GPCTR1_OUT

GPCTR1_SOURCE

GROUND

The factor by which a signal is amplified, sometimes expressed in decibels.

General-purpose counter timer 0 gate signal, available from a DAQ device.

General-purpose counter timer 0 output signal, available from a DAQ device.

General-purpose counter timer 0 clock source signal, available from a

DAQ device.

General-purpose counter timer 1 gate signal, available from a DAQ device.

General-purpose counter timer 1 output signal, available from a

DAQ device.

General-purpose counter timer 1 clock source signal, available from a

DAQ device.

Prototyping board ground signal.


Glossary-5


Glossary

H

hardware triggering

Hz

I

I/O in.

impedance inductance

A form of triggering where you set the start time of an acquisition and gather data at a known position in time relative to a trigger signal.

Hertz—the number of scans read or updates written per second.

Input/output—the transfer of data to/from a computer system involving communications channels, operator interface devices, and/or data acquisition and control interfaces.

Inch or inches.

The electrical characteristic of a circuit expressed in ohms and/or capacitance/inductance.

The characteristic of a coil that generates a voltage due to changes in the current. An inductor creates a voltage that is the derivative of the current, while a capacitor creates a voltage that is the integral of the current.

J

JFET Junction Field Effect Transistor. A three-terminal semiconductor device constructed with a PN junction at its input and a conducting channel as the output section. The PN junction of the input section is reverse biased to provide an extremely high input resistance.

L

LabVIEW

LATCH

LED

A graphical programming language.

DIO output signal that pulses when data is ready on the write bus.

Light-emitting diode.


Glossary-6 ni.com

Glossary

O

op-amp

P

PCB

PCI peak-to-peak

PFI

PN

N

NI-DAQ

NI-DAQmx

NPN transistor

NRSE

National Instruments driver software for DAQ hardware.

The latest NI-DAQ driver with new VIs, functions, and development tools for controlling measurement devices.

A two-junction (bipolar) semiconductor transistor with an N-type (negative ion) collector and emitter and a P-type (positive ion) base. An NPN transistor is created by adding a thin layer of P-type semiconductor material between two regions of N-type material.

Nonreferenced single ended mode—all measurements are made with respect to a common (NRSE) measurement system reference, but the voltage at this reference can vary with respect to the measurement system ground.

Operational amplifier—pre-built amplifier modules that are general enough to be used almost anywhere an amplifier is needed.

Printed circuit board.

Peripheral Component Interconnect—a high-performance expansion bus architecture originally developed by Intel to replace ISA and EISA. It is achieving widespread acceptance as a standard for PCs and workstations; it offers a theoretical maximum transfer rate of 132 Mbytes/s.

A measure of signal amplitude; the difference between the highest and lowest excursions of the signal.

Programmable function input.

The simplest semiconductor structure. It consists of a positive or P-region

(containing positive ions) in junction with a negative or N-region

(containing negative electrons).


Glossary-7


Glossary

SCANCLK

Scope

SFP

SYNC_OUT

T

TIO

TRIG trigger

TRIGGER

TTL rms

S

s

S

S/s

R

RD_ENABLE referenced signal sources resistance

Read enable signal—DIO output signal that indicates when data is being read from the read bus.

Signal sources with voltage signals that are referenced to a system ground, such as the earth or a building ground. Also called grounded signal sources.

The resistance to the flow of electric current. One ohm (

Ω ) is the resistance through which one volt of electric force causes one ampere to flow.

Root mean square.

Seconds.

Samples.

Samples per second—used to express the rate at which a DAQ device samples an analog signal.

Scan clock signal.

Abbreviation for oscilloscope.

Soft front panel

TTL signal of the same frequency of the function generator.

Timing I/O.

Trigger signal.

Any event that causes or starts some form of data capture.

Trigger input signal for the oscilloscope.

Transistor-to-transistor logic.


Glossary-8 ni.com

Glossary

V

V

VI

VOLTAGE

V p-p

W

waveform

WR_ENABLE

Volt or volts.

Virtual instrument—a combination of hardware and/or software elements, typically used with a PC, that has the functionality of a classic stand-alone instrument.

Input signals for the DMM voltmeter.

Peak-to-peak voltage.

Multiple voltage readings taken at a specific sampling rate.

DIO output signal that indicates data is being written to the write bus.


Glossary-9


Index

Symbols

+5 V

+5 V power supply

prototyping board power, 3-7

specifications, A-3

+5V signal

See also DC power supplies

connecting analog output signals, 3-15

signal description (table), 3-9

fuse (figure), B-3

±15 V

–15 V signal

See also DC power supplies signal description (table), 3-9

+15 V signal

See also DC power supplies



±15 V power supply


specifications, A-2

–15 V signal


fuses (figure), B-3

Numerics

3-WIRE signal

See also DMM

connecting analog input signals, 3-14

fuse (figure), B-3


three-wire current-voltage analyzer theory of operation, C-13

A

academic use of NI ELVIS, 2-10, 2-11

ACH<0..5>– signals

analog input signal mapping (table), 3-12


ACH<0..5>+ signals

analog input signal mapping (table), 3-12


ADDRESS <0..3> signals

See also digital I/O

resistor pack, B-4


AI GND signal

analog input signal mapping (table), 3-12 connecting analog input signals, 3-12


AI SENSE signal

analog input signal mapping (table), 3-12 connecting analog input signals, 3-12

resistor pack, B-4


AM_IN signal

See also function generator


resistor pack, B-4


analog input

connecting signals, 3-12

resistor packs, B-4

resource conflicts, 3-13

signal mapping (table), 3-12


Index-1


Index

software instruments

bode analyzer SFP, 2-5

DMM SFP, 2-5

DSA SFP, 2-6 impedance analyzer SFP, 2-6 scope SFP, 2-6

three-wire current-voltage analyzer

SFP, 2-7 two-wire current voltage analyzer

SFP, 2-7

analog output


hardware instruments function generator

controls, 3-3

overview, 2-2

variable power supplies

controls, 3-3

overview, 2-2


ARB SFP, 2-4

FGEN SFP, 2-6

variable power supplies, 2-7

theory of operation, C-15

API, overview, 2-8

ARB

resource conflicts (table), D-2

SFP overview, 2-4


B

BANANA <A..D> signals

connecting user configurable I/O signals, 3-16

connector locations (figure), 3-7


benchtop workstation

controls and indicators, 3-2

overview, 2-2

parts locator diagram, 3-2

removing protection board, B-1


BNC <1..2>– signals



BNC <1..2>+ signals



bode analyzer


SFP overview, 2-5

specifications, A-2

bypass mode communications switch

location (figure), 3-2 overview, 3-2

C

calibration utility, 2-9

CH <A..B>– signals

See also oscilloscope signal description (table), 3-8

CH <A..B>+ signals

See also oscilloscope



communications switch

location (figure), 3-2 overview, 3-2

configuring NI ELVIS, 2-4


Index-2 ni.com

conflicts, resources (table), D-1

connecting signals on the prototyping board analog input

DMM, 3-14

generic analog input, 3-12 grounding, 3-12

oscilloscope, 3-14

resource conflicts

overview, 3-13

table, D-2

analog output

DC power supplies, 3-15 function generator, 3-15

generic analog output, 3-14


counter/timer signals, 3-16 digital I/O, 3-16 user-configurable signals, 3-16

connectors. See I/O connectors

conventions used in the manual, iv

counter/timers


resistor pack, B-4


CURRENT HI signal

See also DMM


fuses (figure), B-3


theory of operation

DMM, C-3

impedance analyzer, C-8

three-wire current-voltage analyzer, C-13

two-wire current-voltage analyzer, C-12

Index

CURRENT LO signal

See also DMM


fuses (figure), B-3

impedance analyzer theory of operation

(figure), C-9


theory of operation

DMM, C-3



D

DAC<0..1> signals

See also analog output


fuses (figure), B-3

internally using (caution), 3-14


theory of operation



DAQ hardware

definition, 1-2

NI ELVIS components (figure), 2-1, 2-2

overview, 1-3




Index-3


Index

DC power supplies


signal descriptions (table), 3-9

specifications

+5 V power supply, A-3

±15 V supply, A-2

debugging the protection board, B-2

DI <0..7> signals


connecting digital I/O signals, 3-16


digital bus reader SFP, 2-5 digital bus writer SFP, 2-5

digital I/O


resistor packs, B-4

resource conflicts, D-1

signal descriptions (table), 3-9, 3-10


digital bus reader, 2-5 digital bus writer SFP, 2-5

digital multimeter. See DMM

DMM


connectors

description, 3-4

location (figure), 3-2

internally using the DACs (caution), 3-14

overview, 2-5



specifications

current measurement, A-4

voltage measurement, A-5


DO <0..7> signals


connecting digital I/O signals, 3-16


documentation

conventions used in the manual, iv

DSA

related documentation, 1-5


SFP overview, 2-6

DSUB PIN signals, signal description

(table), 3-10

DSUB SHIELD signal, signal description

(table), 3-10

dynamic signal analyzer. See DSA

E

electromagnetic compatibility specifications, A-9

ELVIS. See NI ELVIS

F

FGEN. See function generator

FM_IN signal




FUNC_OUT signal



resistor pack, B-4



Index-4 ni.com

function generator



hardware

controls description, 3-3

controls location (figure), 3-2

overview, 2-6



specifications, A-6

fuses


debugging the protection board, B-2

location (figure), B-3

G

GLB_RESET signal

See also digital I/O signal description (table), 3-9

GROUND signal

See also DC power supplies; variable

power supplies



H

hardware


DAQ

definition, 1-2

overview, 1-3

fuses, B-1, B-3

installation documentation, 1-1

NI ELVIS components

benchtop workstation, 3-2

DAQ device, 3-1

overview (figure), 2-1, 2-2

protection board, 3-6 prototyping board, 3-6


specifications, A-1


I

I/O connectors

I/O connector descriptions, 3-16

location (figure), 3-7


impedance analyzer


SFP overview, 2-6


installation documentation location, 1-1

instrument launcher, 2-4

instrumentation, virtual, 1-1

L

LabVIEW

NI ELVIS software instruments, 2-3

overview, 1-3

virtual instrumentation, 1-1

LATCH signal


launcher, instrument, 2-4

LED <0..7> signals



Index


Index-5


Index

N

NI ELVIS

components (figure), 2-1, 2-2

configuring, 2-4

hardware overview, 2-2


LabVIEW API, 2-8

overview, 1-4

benchtop workstation, 2-2

DAQ hardware, 1-3

LabVIEW, 1-3

prototyping board, 2-3

parts locator diagram, 2-1, 2-2

software overview, 2-3


using in academic disciplines, 2-10, 2-11

O

oscilloscope

connectors (figure), 3-2

connectors on benchtop workstation, 3-4

overview, 2-6

resource conflicts

overview, 3-13

table, D-2


specifications, A-6

P

power supply

DC. See DC power supply prototyping board, 3-7 variable. See variable power supplies

programmable function I/O

resistor pack, B-4

protection board

debugging, B-2

overview, 3-6

reinstalling, B-4

removing the protection board, B-1


prototyping board connecting signals analog input

DMM, 3-14

generic analog input, 3-12 grounding, 3-12

oscilloscope, 3-14

resource conflicts

overview, 3-13

table, D-2

analog output

DC power supplies, 3-15 function generator, 3-15

generic analog output, 3-14


counter/timer signals, 3-16 digital I/O, 3-16

overview, 2-3, 3-6

parts locator diagram, 3-7

power

supply, 3-7

switch (figure), 3-2




Index-6 ni.com

R

RD_ENABLE signal


related documentation, 1-5

removing protection board, B-1

resistor packs

location (figure), B-3

NI ELVIS components (table), B-4


S

safety

specifications, A-9

SCANCLK signal

resistor pack, B-4

Scope. See oscilloscope

SFP instruments

ARB, 2-4

bode analyzer, 2-5 digital bus reader SFP, 2-5 digital bus writer, 2-5

DMM, 2-5

DSA, 2-6

FGEN, 2-6 impedance analyzer, 2-6


overview, 2-3


Scope, 2-6

three-wire current-voltage analyzer, 2-7 two-wire current voltage analyzer, 2-7 variable power supplies, 2-7


Index

specifications

analog input, A-1

bode analyzer, A-2

DC power supplies

+5 V supply, A-3

±15 V supply, A-2

DMM

current measurement, A-4

voltage measurement, A-5

electromagnetic compatibility, A-9

function generator, A-6 oscilloscope, A-6

safety, A-9


negative supply, A-7 positive supply, A-7

SUPPLY– signal

See also variable power supplies



SUPPLY+ signal

See also variable power supplies signal description (table), 3-9

SYNC_OUT signal



resistor pack, B-4


system power LED (figure), 3-2


Index-7


Index

T

three-wire current-voltage analyzer


SFP overview, 2-7


TRIGGER signal

See also oscilloscope signal description (table), 3-8

two-wire current-voltage analyzer


SFP overview, 2-7


U

user-configurable I/O

BANANA signals, 3-9

BNC <1..2>– signals, 3-9

BNC <1..2>+ signals, 3-9


DSUB pin <0..9> signals, 3-10

DSUB shield, 3-10

LED <0..7> signals, 3-10

V



fuses (figure), B-3

hardware controls

description, 3-3

figure, 3-2

overview, 2-7

resource conflicts, D-1


specifications

negative supply, A-7 positive supply, A-7


Index-8

virtual instrumentation, 1-1

VOLTAGE HI signal

See also DMM


DMM theory of operations, C-1


VOLTAGE LO signal

See also DMM


DMM theory of operations, C-1


W

WR_ENABLE signal


ni.com

NI ELVIS Hardware User Manual

NI Educational Laboratory Virtual

Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS

)

Hardware User Manual

NI ELVIS User Manual

Important Information

Warranty

Copyright

Trademarks

Patents

WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

Conventions

» bold

Contents

Figures

Tables

DAQ System Overview

What is Virtual Instrumentation?

What is DAQ?

DAQ Hardware

DAQ Software

LabVIEW

LabVIEW Help from the LabVIEW block diagram or front panel.

SignalExpress

NI ELVIS Overview

Related Documentation

How-To Help from the LabVIEW block diagram or front panel.

Workbench Help from the SIgnalExpress window.

NI ELVIS Overview

NI ELVIS Hardware

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

NI ELVIS Prototyping Board

NI ELVIS Software

SFP Instruments

Instrument Launcher

Program Files»National Instruments»NI ELVIS 3.0»NI ELVIS. After

Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB)

Bode Analyzer

Digital Bus Reader

Digital Bus Writer

Digital Multimeter (DMM)

Dynamic Signal Analyzer (DSA)

Function Generator (FGEN)

Impedance Analyzer

Oscilloscope (Scope)

Two-Wire and Three-Wire Current-Voltage Analyzers

Variable Power Supplies

Using NI ELVIS with LabVIEW

LabVIEW Express VIs

Drivers»NI ELVIS from the function palette.

NI ELVIS Express VI

Low Level NI ELVIS API

Using NI-DAQmx with NI ELVIS

Using NI ELVIS in SignalExpress

Generate Signals.

NI ELVIS Calibration Utility

NI ELVIS in Academic Disciplines

NI ELVIS in Engineering

NI ELVIS in Biological Sciences

NI ELVIS in Physical Sciences

Hardware Overview

DAQ Hardware

Recommended DAQ Devices

NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation

System Power LED—Indicates whether the NI ELVIS is powered on.

Prototyping Board Power Switch—Controls the power to the

Communications Switch—Requests disabling software control of the

• Variable Power Supplies Controls

Supply– Controls

Manual Switch—Controls whether the negative supply is in

Voltage Adjust Knob—Controls the output of the negative

Supply+ Controls

Manual Switch—Controls whether the positive supply is in

Voltage Adjust Knob—Controls the output of the positive

Function Generator Controls

Manual Switch—Controls whether the function generator is in

Function Selector—Selects what type of waveform is generated.

Amplitude Knob—Adjusts the peak amplitude of the generated

Coarse Frequency Knob—Sets the range of frequencies the