PCI-DAS08
Analog input and Digital I/O
User's Guide

Document Revision 5A, June, 2006
© Copyright 2006, Measurement Computing Corporation

Trademark and Copyright Information
Measurement Computing Corporation, InstaCal, Universal Library, and the Measurement Computing logo areeither trademarks or registered trademarks of Measurement Computing Corporation. Refer to the Copyrights &Trademarks section on mccdaq.com/legal for more information about Measurement Computing trademarks.
Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective
companies.
© 2006 Measurement Computing Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, by
photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Measurement Computing
Corporation.
NoticeMeasurement Computing Corporation does not authorize any Measurement Computing Corporation product for
use in life support systems and/or devices without prior written consent from Measurement Computing
Corporation. Life support devices/systems are devices or systems that, a) are intended for surgical implantation
into the body, or b) support or sustain life and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result ininjury. Measurement Computing Corporation products are not designed with the components required, and are
not subject to the testing required to ensure a level of reliability suitable for the treatment and diagnosis ofpeople.

HM PCI-DAS08.doc

ii

iii

Table of Contents
Preface

About this User's Guide .......................................................................................................................v
What you will learn from this user's guide .........................................................................................................v
Conventions in this user's guide .........................................................................................................................v
Where to find more information.........................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1

Introducing the PCI-DAS08 .............................................................................................................. 1-1
Overview: PCI-DAS08 features ..................................................................................................................... 1-1
Software features ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1
PCI-DAS08 block diagram............................................................................................................................. 1-2
Chapter 2

Installing the PCI-DAS08 .................................................................................................................. 2-1
What comes with your shipment? .................................................................................................................. 2-1
Hardware ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2-1
Additional documentation.............................................................................................................................................. 2-1
Optional components ..................................................................................................................................................... 2-1

Unpacking the PCI-DAS08 ............................................................................................................................ 2-2
Installing the software .................................................................................................................................... 2-2
Installing the PCI-DAS08............................................................................................................................... 2-2
Configuring the PCI-DAS08 .......................................................................................................................... 2-3
Connecting the board for I/O operations ........................................................................................................ 2-3
Connectors, cables – main I/O connector ...................................................................................................................... 2-3
Field wiring, signal termination and signal conditioning............................................................................................... 2-4
Chapter 3

Programming and Developing Applications .................................................................................. 3-1
Programming languages ................................................................................................................................. 3-1
Packaged application programs ...................................................................................................................... 3-1
Register-level programming ........................................................................................................................... 3-1
Chapter 4

Specifications.................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Analog input ................................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Digital input / output ...................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Counter section............................................................................................................................................... 4-2
Power consumption ........................................................................................................................................ 4-2
Environmental ................................................................................................................................................ 4-2
Main connector and pin out............................................................................................................................ 4-3

iv

Preface

About this User’s Guide
What you will learn from this user's guideThis user's guide describes the Measurement Computing PCI-DAS08 data acquisition board andlists hardware specifications.

Conventions in this user's guide
For more information
Text presented in a box signifies additional information related to the subject matter.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring yourself and others,
damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
bold text

Bold text is used for the names of objects on a screen, such as buttons, text boxes, and check boxes.

italic text

Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to emphasize a word or phrase.

Where to find more information
Additional information about PCI-DAS08 hardware is available on our website atwww.mccdaq.com. You can also contact Measurement Computing Corporation with specific questions.


Knowledgebase: kb.mccdaq.com
Tech support form: www.mccdaq.com/support/support_form.aspx
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com
Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support

For international customers, contact your local distributor. Refer to the International Distributors section on our
website at www.mccdaq.com/International.

v

Chapter 1

Introducing the PCI-DAS08
Overview: PCI-DAS08 features
This manual explains how to configure, install, and use your PCI-DAS08 board. The PCI-DAS08 is amultifunction measurement and control board designed to operate in computers with PCI bus accessory slots.
The PCI-DAS08 board provides the following features:
!
!
!
!
!
!
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Eight single-ended 12-bit analog inputs
12-bit A/D resolution
Sample rates of up to 40 kHz±5V input range
Three 16-bit counters
Seven digital I/O bits (three input, four output)
Connector compatible with Measurement Computing’s ISA-based CIO-DAS08 board

The PCI-DAS08 board is completely plug-and-play, with no jumpers or switches to set. All board addresses are
set by the board's plug-and-play software.

Software features
For information on the features of InstaCal and the other software included with your PCI-DAS08, refer to the
Quick Start Guide that shipped with your device. The Quick Start Guide is also available in PDF at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.
Check www.mccdaq.com/download.htm for the latest software version or versions of the software supported
under less commonly used operating systems.

1-1

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide

Introducing the PCI-DAS08

PCI-DAS08 block diagram
PCI-DAS08 functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
Buffer
10 Volt
Reference

Gain and Offset Cal
BufferAnalog In
8 CH S.E.

12-bit, 100 kHz

Mux

Start EOC

A/D
Control

Channel Select
82C54
16-bit Counters

Gate2
Output Clock2

Counter 0
Counter 1

Controller FPGA and Logic
Control

Input Clock0
Gate0
Output Clock0
Input Clock1
Gate1
Output Clock1

ADC and MUXControlCounter 2
Counter 2
Clock

Input Clock2(33 MHz/8)

OutputPort

Control

Output (3:0)

Input
Port

Interrupt
Control

Output Clock2
EXT_INT

Decode/Status

Digital I/O
Input (2:0)

Channel SelectBus
TimingLOCAL BUS
Boot
EEPROM

PCI
Controller

BADR1
BADR2
Interrupt

PCI BUS (5 V, 32-BIT, 33 MHZ)

Figure 1-1. PCI-DAS08 block diagram

1-2

Chapter 2

Installing the PCI-DAS08
What comes with your shipment?
The following items are shipped with the PCI-DAS08:

Hardware!

PCI-DAS08

Additional documentation
In addition to this hardware user's guide, you should also receive the Quick Start Guide (available in PDF at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf). This booklet supplies a brief description of
the software you received with your PCI-DAS08 and information regarding installation of that software. Please
read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.

Optional components!

CablesC37FF-x

C37FFS-x

2-1

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide!

Installing the PCI-DAS08

Signal termination and conditioning accessories
MCC provides signal termination products for use with the PCI-DAS08. Refer to the "Field wiring, signal
termination and signal conditioning" section for a complete list of compatible accessory products.

Unpacking the PCI-DAS08
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the PCI-DAS08 from its packaging, ground yourself using a wrist strap or bysimply touching the computer chassis or other grounded object to eliminate any stored static charge.
If any components are missing or damaged, notify Measurement Computing Corporation immediately byphone, fax, or e-mail:!
!
!
!

Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support.
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com

Installing the software
Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on installing the software on the Measurement Computing Data
Acquisition Software CD. This booklet is available in PDF at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-SoftwareQuick-Start.pdf.

Installing the PCI-DAS08
The PCI-DAS08 board is completely plug-and-play. There are no switches or jumpers to set. To install yourboard, follow the steps below.
Install the MCC DAQ software before you install your board
The driver needed to run your board is installed with the MCC DAQ software. Therefore, you need to install
the MCC DAQ software before you install your board. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for instructions on
installing the software.
1.

Turn your computer off, remove the cover, and insert your board into an available PCI slot.

2.

Close your computer and turn it on.
If you are using an operating system with support for plug-and-play (such as Windows 2000 or
Windows XP), a dialog box pops up as the system loads indicating that new hardware has been detected. If
the information file for this board is not already loaded onto your PC, you will be prompted for the disk
containing this file. The MCC DAQ software contains this file. If required, insert the Measurement
Computing Data Acquisition Software CD and click OK.

3.

To test your installation and configure your board, run the InstaCal utility installed in the previous section.
Refer to the Quick Start Guide that came with your board for information on how to initially set up andload InstaCal.

If your board has been powered-off for more than 10 minutes, allow your computer to warm up for at least
15 minutes before acquiring data. This warm-up period is required for the board to achieve its rated accuracy.
The high speed components used on the board generate heat, and it takes this amount of time for a board toreach steady state if it has been powered off for a significant amount of time.

2-2

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide

Installing the PCI-DAS08

Configuring the PCI-DAS08
All hardware configuration options on the PCI-DAS08 are software controlled. There are no switches or
jumpers to set.

Connecting the board for I/O operations
Connectors, cables – main I/O connector
Table 2-1 lists the board connectors, applicable cables and compatible accessory boards.
Table 2-1. Board Connectors, cables, accessory equipment
Connector typeCompatible cables
Compatible accessory products(with the C37FF-x cable)
Compatible accessory products(with the C37FFS-x cable)

37-pin male "D" connector! C37FF-x 37-pin cable. x = length in feet (Figure 2-2).
! C37FFS-x 37-pin shielded cable. x = length in feet (Figure 2-3).
CIO-MINI37
SCB-37
ISO-RACK08
CIO-MINI37
SCB-37
ISO-RACK08
CIO-EXP16
CIO-EXP32
CIO-EXP-GP
CIO-EXP-BRIDGE16
CIO-EXP-RTD16-12V
CTR1 GATECTR2 GATECTR3 GATE
EXT INT
DIN1
DIN2
DIN3
DGND
+5V
CH7
CH6
CH5
CH4
CH3
CH2
CH1
CH0

CTR1 CLK
CTR1 OUT
CTR2 CLK
CTR2 OOUTCTR3 OUT
DOUT1
DOUT2
DOUT3
DGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND

Figure 2-1. Main connector pinout

2-3

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide

Installing the PCI-DAS08

The red stripe
identifies pin # 1

1

1

20

20

37

37

19

19

Figure 2-2. C37FF-x cable

1

19

1
20

37

19

20

37

Figure 2-3. C37FFS-x cable

Caution! If either the AC or DC voltage is greater than 5 volts, do not connect the PCI-DAS08 to this signal
source. You are beyond the board's usable input range and will need to either adjust yourgrounding system or add special isolation signal conditioning to take useful measurements. A
ground offset voltage of more than 7 volts may damage the PCI-DAS08 board and possibly yourcomputer. An offset voltage much greater than 7 volts will damage your electronics, and may behazardous to your health.

Field wiring, signal termination and signal conditioning
You can use the following MCC screw terminal boards to terminate field signals and route them into the PCIDAS08 board using the C37FF-x or C37FFS-x cable:!

CIO-MINI37 – 37-pin screw terminal board. Details on this product are available at!

SCB-37 – 37 conductor, shielded signal connection/screw terminal box that provides two independent 50-

www.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=102&pf_id=255.
pin connections. Details on this product are available atwww.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=196&pf_id=1166.
MCC provides the following analog signal conditioning products for use with your PCI-DAS08 board:!
!
!

ISO-RACK08 – Isolated 8-channel, 5B module rack for analog signal conditioning and expansion. Details

on this product are available on our web site atwww.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=127&pf_id=449.
CIO-EXP16 – 16-channel analog multiplexer board with on-board CJC sensor. Details on this product areavailable on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=126&pf_id=249.
CIO-EXP32 – 32-channel analog multiplexer board with on-board CJC sensor and 2 Gain amps. Details on
this product are available on our web site atwww.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=126&pf_id=250.

2-4

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide!
!
!

Installing the PCI-DAS08

CIO-EXP-GP – 8-channel expansion multiplexer board with resistance signal conditioning. Details on thisproduct are available on our web site atwww.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=126&pf_id=244.
CIO-EXP-BRIDGE16 – 16-channel expansion multiplexer board with Wheatstone bridge signal
conditioning. Details on this product are available on our web site atwww.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=126&pf_id=243.
CIO-EXP-RTD16 – 16-channel expansion multiplexer board with RTD signal conditioning. Details on thisproduct are available on our web site atwww.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=126&pf_id=248.

Information on signal connections
General information regarding signal connection and configuration is available in the Guide to Signal
Connections. This document is available at http://www.measurementcomputing.com/signals/signals.pdf.

2-5Chapter 3

Programming and Developing Applications
After following the installation instructions in Chapter 2, your board should now be installed and ready for use.
Although the board is part of the larger DAS family, there is no correspondence among registers for different
boards. Software written at the register level for other DAS models will not function correctly with the PCIDAS08 board.

Programming languages
Measurement Computing’s Universal Library™ provides access to board functions from a variety of Windows
programming languages. If you are planning to write programs, or would like to run the example programs for
Visual Basic or any other language, refer to the Universal Library User's Guide (available on our web site atwww.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-user-guide.pdf).

Packaged application programs
Many packaged application programs, such as SoftWIRE and HP-VEE™, now have drivers for your board. If
the package you own does not have drivers for the board, please fax or e-mail the package name and therevision number from the install disks. We will research the package for you and advise how to obtain drivers.
Some application drivers are included with the Universal Library package, but not with the application package.
If you have purchased an application package directly from the software vendor, you may need to purchase ourUniversal Library and drivers. Please contact us by phone, fax or e-mail:!
!
!

Phone: 508-946-5100 and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support.
Fax: 508-946-9500 to the attention of Tech Support
Email: techsupport@mccdaq.com

Register-level programming
You should use the Universal Library or one of the packaged application programs mentioned above to control
your board. Only experienced programmers should try register-level programming.
If you need to program at the register level in your application, you can find more information in the Register
Map for the PCI-DAS08 Series (available at www.mccdaq.com/registermaps/RegMapPCI-DAS08.pdf).

3-1

Chapter 4

Specifications
Typical for 25 °C unless otherwise specified.
Specifications in italic text are guaranteed by design.

Analog input
Table 1. Analog input specifications
Parameter

Specification

A/D converter type
Resolution
RangesA/D pacing
A/D triggering modes

AD1674J
12 bits±5 V
Software polled
Digital:Software polling of digital input (DIN1) followed by pacer
loading and configuration.
Software polled
Bipolar8 single-ended
10 µs
40 kHz typical, PC dependent±1 LSBNo missing codes guaranteed±1 LSB±180 ppm/°C±60 ppm/°C±60 nA max over temperature
10 MegOhm min±35 V(Rate = 1-50 kHz, Average % ± 2 bins, Average % ± 1 bin, Average # bins)
Bipolar (5 V): 100% / 100% / 3 bins

Data transfer
Polarity
Number of channels
A/D conversion timeThroughput
Relative accuracy
Differential linearity error
Integral linearity error
Gain drift (A/D specs)
Zero drift (A/D specs)
Input leakage current
Input impedance
Absolute maximum input voltage
Noise distribution

Digital input / output
Table 2. Digital I/O specifications
Parameter

Specification

Digital type (main connector):

Output: 74ACT273
Input:
74LS244
3 fixed input, 4 fixed output
7
3.94 volts min @ -24 mA (Vcc = 4.5 V)
0.36 volts max @ 24 mA (Vcc = 4.5 V)
2.0 volts min, 7 volts absolute max
0.8 volts max, -0.5 volts absolute min
INTA# - mapped to IRQn via PCI BIOS at boot-time
Programmable through PCI controller:
0 = disabled
1 = enabled (default)

Configuration
Number of channels
Output highOutput low
Input highInput low
Interrupts
Interrupt enable4-1

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide

Interrupt sources

Specifications

External source (EXT INT)
Polarity programmable through PCI controller:
1 = active high0 = active low (default)

Counter section
Table 3. Counter specifications
Parameter

Specification

Counter type
Configuration
Counter 0 - User counter 1

82C54 device
3 down counters, 16-bits each
Source:Available at user connector (CTR1CLK)
Gate:
Available at user connector (CTR1GATE)
Output:Available at user connector (CTR1OUT)
Source:Available at user connector (CTR2CLK)
Gate:
Available at user connector (CTR2GATE)
Output:Available at user connector (CTR2OUT)
Source:Buffered PCI clock (33 MHz) divided by 8.
Gate:
Available at user connector (CTR3GATE)
Output:Available at user connector (CTR3OUT) and may be
software configured as Interrupt Pacer.
10 MHz max
30 ns min
50 ns min
50 ns min
50 ns min
0.8 V max
2.0 V min
0.4 V max
3.0 V minCounter 1 - User counter 2Counter 2 - User counter 3 or Interrupt Pacer

Clock input frequency
High pulse width (clock input)
Low pulse width (clock input)
Gate width highGate width low
Input low voltage
Input high voltage
Output low voltage
Output high voltage

Power consumption
Table 4. Power consumption specifications
Parameter

Specification+5 V operating (A/D converting to FIFO)
+12 V
-12 V

251 mA typical, 436 mA max
13 mA typical, 19 mA max
17 mA typical, 23 mA max

Environmental
Table 5. Environmental specifications
Parameter

Specification

Operating temperature range
Storage temperature range
Humidity

0 to 50 °C-20 to 70 °C
0 to 90% non-condensing

4-2

PCI-DAS08 User's Guide

Specifications

Main connector and pin out
Table 6. Main connector specifications
Parameter

Specification

Connector typeCompatible cables

37-pin male "D" connector! C37FF-x cable! C37FFS-x cable
CIO-MINI37
SCB-37
ISO-RACK08
CIO-MINI37
SCB-37
ISO-RACK08
CIO-EXP16
CIO-EXP32
CIO-EXP-GP
CIO-EXP-BRIDGE16
CIO-EXP-RTD16

Compatible accessory productswith the C37FF-x cableCompatible accessory productswith the C37FFS-x cable

Table 7. Main connector pin out
Pin

Signal Name

Pin

Signal Name

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

+12V
CTR1 CLK
CTR1 OUT
CTR2 CLK
CTR2 OUT
CTR3 OUT
DOUT1
DOUT2
DOUT3
DOUT4
DGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
LLGND
10V REF

20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

-12V
CTR1 GATECTR2 GATECTR3 GATE
EXT INT
DIN1
DIN2
DIN3
DGND
+5V
CH7
CH6
CH5
CH4
CH3
CH2
CH1
CH0

4-3

Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer:
Address:

Category:

Measurement Computing Corporation
10 Commerce Way
Suite 1008
Norton, MA 02766
USAElectrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use.

Measurement Computing Corporation declares under sole responsibility that the product

PCI-DAS08
to which this declaration relates is in conformity with the relevant provisions of the following standards orother documents:
EU EMC Directive 89/336/EEC: Electromagnetic Compatibility, EN55022 (1995), EN55024 (1998)
Emissions: Group 1, Class B!

EN55022 (1995): Radiated and Conducted emissions.

Immunity: EN55024
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

EN61000-4-2 (1995): Electrostatic Discharge immunity, Criteria A.
EN61000-4-3 (1997): Radiated Electromagnetic Field immunity Criteria A.
EN61000-4-4 (1995): Electric Fast Transient Burst immunity Criteria A.
EN61000-4-5 (1995): Surge immunity Criteria A.
EN61000-4-6 (1996): Radio Frequency Common Mode immunity Criteria A.
EN61000-4-8 (1994): Power Frequency Magnetic Field immunity Criteria A.
EN61000-4-11 (1994): Voltage Dip and Interrupt immunity Criteria A.

Declaration of Conformity based on tests conducted by Chomerics Test Services, Woburn, MA 01801, USA in
September, 2001. Test records are outlined in Chomerics Test Report #EMI3053.01.
We hereby declare that the equipment specified conforms to the above Directives and Standards.

Carl Haapaoja, Director of Quality Assurance

Measurement Computing Corporation
10 Commerce Way
Suite 1008
Norton, Massachusetts 02766(508) 946-5100
Fax: (508) 946-9500
E-mail: info@mccdaq.com
www.mccdaq.com