Advantech PCL-818 Series User manual

PCL-818 Series
12-bit ISA Multifunction Card
User Manual

PCL-818 Series User Manual ii
Copyright
The documentation and the software included with this product are copy-
righted 2010 by Advantech Co., Ltd. All rights are reserved. Advantech
Co., Ltd. reserves the right to make improvements in the products
described in this manual at any time without notice. No part of this man-
ual may be reproduced, copied, translated or transmitted in any form or
by any means without the prior written permission of Advantech Co., Ltd.
Information provided in this manual is intended to be accurate and reli-
able. However, Advantech Co., Ltd. assumes no responsibility for its use,
nor for any infringements of the rights of third parties, which may result
from its use.
Acknowledgements
Intel and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft Windows and MS-DOS are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corp.
All other product names or trademarks are properties of their respective
owners.
Part No. 20038180A0 2nd Edition
Printed in Taiwan January 2010

iii
Product Warranty (2 years)
Advantech warrants to you, the original purchaser, that each of its prod-
ucts will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years
from the date of purchase.
This warranty does not apply to any products which have been repaired or
altered by persons other than repair personnel authorized by Advantech,
or which have been subject to misuse, abuse, accident or improper instal-
lation. Advantech assumes no liability under the terms of this warranty as
a consequence of such events.
Because of Advantech’s high quality-control standards and rigorous test-
ing, most of our customers never need to use our repair service. If an
Advantech product is defective, it will be repaired or replaced at no
charge during the warranty period. For out-of-warranty repairs, you will
be billed according to the cost of replacement materials, service time and
freight. Please consult your dealer for more details.
If you think you have a defective product, follow these steps:
1. Collect all the information about the problem encountered. (For
example, CPU speed, Advantech products used, other hardware
and software used, etc.) Note anything abnormal and list any
onscreen messages you get when the problem occurs.
2. Call your dealer and describe the problem. Please have your man-
ual, product, and any helpful information readily available.
3. If your product is diagnosed as defective, obtain an RMA (return
merchandize authorization) number from your dealer. This allows
us to process your return more quickly.
4. Carefully pack the defective product, a fully-completed Repair and
Replacement Order Card and a photocopy proof of purchase date
(such as your sales receipt) in a shippable container. A product
returned without proof of the purchase date is not eligible for war-
ranty service.
5. Write the RMA number visibly on the outside of the package and
ship it prepaid to your dealer.

PCL-818 Series User Manual iv
Declaration of Conformity
CE
This product has passed the CE test for environmental specifications
when shielded cables are used for external wiring. We recommend the use
of shielded cables. This kind of cable is available from Advantech. Please
contact your local supplier for ordering information.
Technical Support and Assistance
Step 1. Visit the Advantech web site at www.advantech.com/support
where you can find the latest information about the product.
Step 2. Contact your distributor, sales representative, or Advantech's cus-
tomer service center for technical support if you need additional
assistance. Please have the following information ready before
you call:
- Product name and serial number
- Description of your peripheral attachments
- Description of your software (operating system, version, appli-
cation software, etc.)
- A complete description of the problem
- The exact wording of any error messages

v
Safety Instructions
1. Read these safety instructions carefully.
2. Keep this User's Manual for later reference.
3. Disconnect this equipment from any AC outlet before cleaning.
Use a damp cloth. Do not use liquid or spray detergents for clean-
ing.
4. For plug-in equipment, the power outlet socket must be located
near the equipment and must be easily accessible.
5. Keep this equipment away from humidity.
6. Put this equipment on a reliable surface during installation. Drop-
ping it or letting it fall may cause damage.
7. The openings on the enclosure are for air convection. Protect the
equipment from overheating. DO NOT COVER THE OPENINGS.
8. Make sure the voltage of the power source is correct before con-
necting the equipment to the power outlet.
9. Position the power cord so that people cannot step on it. Do not
place anything over the power cord.
10. All cautions and warnings on the equipment should be noted.
11. If the equipment is not used for a long time, disconnect it from the
power source to avoid damage by transient overvoltage.
12. Never pour any liquid into an opening. This may cause fire or elec-
trical shock.
13. Never open the equipment. For safety reasons, the equipment
should be opened only by qualified service personnel.
14. If one of the following situations arises, get the equipment checked
by service personnel:
a. The power cord or plug is damaged.
b. Liquid has penetrated into the equipment.
c. The equipment has been exposed to moisture.
d. The equipment does not work well, or you cannot get it to work
according to the user's manual.
e. The equipment has been dropped and damaged.
f. The equipment has obvious signs of breakage.
15. DO NOT LEAVE THIS EQUIPMENT IN AN ENVIRONMENT
WHERE THE STORAGE TEMPERATURE MAY GO BELOW -

PCL-818 Series User Manual vi
20° C (-4° F) OR ABOVE 60° C (140° F). THIS COULD DAM-
AGE THE EQUIPMENT. THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE IN A
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.
16. CAUTION: DANGER OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS
INCORRECTLY REPLACED. REPLACE ONLY WITH THE
SAME OR EQUIVALENT TYPE RECOMMENDED BY THE
MANUFACTURER, DISCARD USED BATTERIES ACCORD-
ING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.
The sound pressure level at the operator's position according to IEC 704-
1:1982 is no more than 70 dB (A).
DISCLAIMER: This set of instructions is given according to IEC 704-1.
Advantech disclaims all responsibility for the accuracy of any statements
contained herein.

vii Table of Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 Overview .......................................................... 2
1.1 Introduction ....................................................................... 2
1.2 Features ............................................................................. 3
1.3 Applications ...................................................................... 4
1.4 Installation Guide .............................................................. 5
Figure 1.1:Installation Flow Chart ................................. 6
1.5 Software Overview............................................................ 7
1.6 Device Driver Roadmap.................................................... 8
1.7 Accessories...................................................................... 10
Chapter 2 Installation ..................................................... 12
2.1 Unpacking ....................................................................... 12
2.2 Driver Installation .......................................................... 13
Figure 2.1:Advantech Automation Software Setup ..... 13
Figure 2.2:Options for Driver Setup ............................ 14
2.3 Hardware Installation ..................................................... 15
2.4 Device Setup & Configuration........................................ 16
Figure 2.3:Device Manager ......................................... 16
Figure 2.4:Device Settings ........................................... 17
Figure 2.5:Device Name .............................................. 18
Figure 2.6:Test Utility .................................................. 19
Chapter 3 Signal Connections ........................................ 22
3.1 Overview ......................................................................... 22
3.2 Switch & Jumper Settings............................................... 22
Figure 3.1:Connectors, Jumpers& Switches ................ 22
3.3 Signal Connections.......................................................... 30
3.3.1 Pin Assignments .......................................................... 30
3.3.2 I/O Connector Signal Description ................................ 31
Figure 3.2:Analog Output Connections ....................... 34
3.4 Field Wiring Considerations ........................................... 36
Appendix A Specifications ................................................. 38
A.1 Analog Input ................................................................... 38
A.2 Analog Output................................................................. 39
A.3 Digital Input /Output ....................................................... 39
A.4 Counter/Timer ................................................................. 40
A.5 General ............................................................................ 40
Appendix B Block Diagram............................................... 42
B.1 PCL-818HD/HG.............................................................. 42
B.2 PCL-818L........................................................................ 42
Appendix C Register Structure & Format....................... 44
C.1 Overview ........................................................................ 44
C.2 I/O Port Address Map .................................................... 44
C.3 A/D Data & Channels — BASE+00H~01H .................. 47

PCL-818 Series User Manual viii
C.4 Software A/D Trigger — BASE+00H ........................... 48
C.5 A/D RangeControl — BASE+01H ................................ 48
C.6 MUX Scan Channel Control — BASE+02H.................. 50
C.7 MUX Scan Channel Status — BASE+02H .................... 52
C.8 Digital I/O Registers - BASE + 03/0BH ......................... 52
C.9 D/A Output — BASE+04/05H ....................................... 53
C.10 FIFO Interrupt Control — BASE+06H........................... 54
C.11 Clear Interrupt Request — BASE+08H.......................... 55
C.12 A/D Status — BASE+08H.............................................. 55
C.13 A/D Control — BASE+09H ........................................... 57
C.14 Timer/Counter Enable — BASE+0AH........................... 59
C.15 Programmable Timer/Counter — BASE+0C~0FH ........ 59
C.16 Clear FIFO Interrupt Request — BASE+14H ................ 60
C.17 A/D Data and Channel from FIFO - BASE + 17/18H .... 60
C.18 FIFO Status — BASE+19H ............................................ 61
C.19 FIFO Clear — BASE+19H ............................................. 62
Appendix D Calibration ..................................................... 64
D.1 VR Assignment .............................................................. 65
Figure D.1:PCL-818HD/HG/L VR Assignment ......... 65
D.2 A/D Calibration ............................................................... 66
D.3 D/A Calibration ............................................................... 66

2
CHAPTER
1
Overview
Sections include:
• Introduction
• Features
• Applications
• Installation guide
• Software Overview
• Device Driver Roadmap
• Accessories

PCL-818 Series User Manual 2
Chapter 1 Overview
1.1 Introduction
Thank you for buying the Advantech PCL-818HD/HG/L. The PCL-
818HD/HG/L is a high-performance multifunction data acquisition card
for IBM PC/XT/AT or compatible computers. It offers the five most
desired measurement and control functions: 12-bit A/D conversion, D/A
conversion, digital input, digital output and timer/counter.
A programmable-gain instrument amplifier (x 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8) lets you
acquire different input signals without external signal conditioning. An
onboard 1 K word FIFO buffer provides high-speed data transfer and pre-
dictable performance under Windows.
Automatic channel scanning circuitry and on-board SRAM let you per-
form multiple-channel A/D conversion with DMA and individual gains
for each channel.
The PCL-818HD uses a CPLD chip designed in-house by Advantech
engineers. This single chip integrates most of the card's functions, giving
you maximum accuracy and reliability, along with minimum cost, size
and power consumption.
The PCL-818HD is hardware and software compatible with its popular
predecessor, the PCL-8l8HG. This puts rich software support and a wide
variety of external signal conditioning boards at your disposal.
Note: AI data acquisition in DMA mode is only recommended
when using an Intel Pentium 3 motherboard. It will not
function properly on a Pentium 4 motherboard or above.

3 Chapter1
1.2 Features
• 16 single-ended or eight differential analog inputs, switch selectable
• 12-bit A/D, up to 100 KHz sampling rate with DMA transfer and differ-
ent gain for each channel
• Software-selectable gain: x 0.5, 1, 2, 4 or 8
• Onboard 1 K word FIFO buffer with software selectable interrupt
• Software selectable analog input ranges (VDC):
• Bipolar: +/-0.625, +/-1.25, +/-2.5, +/-5, +/-10
• Unipolar: 0 to 1.25, 0 to 2.5, 0 to 5, 0 to 10
• 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs, TTL/DTL compatible
• One 12-bit analog output channel
• Flexible triggering options: software, programmable pacer and external
pulse
• Data transfers by program control, interrupt handler routine or DMA
The PCL-818HD/HG/L offers the following main features:
Automatic Channel/Gain Scanning
The PCL-818HD/HG/L features an automatic channel/gain scanning cir-
cuit. This circuit, instead of your software, controls multiplexer switching
during sampling. On-board SRAM stores different gain values for each
channel. This combination lets you perform multi-channel high-speed
sampling (up to 100 KHz) with different gains for each channel and
DMA data transfer.
Wide Selection with Migration Path
The PCL-818HD/HG/L lets you choose the card that exactly matches
your application and price range. The PCL-818HD/HG/L is the perfect
choice if you on a tight budget. It offers the best price/performance in the
market. IF you need more power, you can easily upgrade to any other
card in the series. The PCL-818HD/HG/L is connector compatible. All
your programs will work with your new card, protecting your investment.

PCL-818 Series User Manual 4
Keeping Output Values after System Reset
When the system is hot reset (power not shut down), the PCL-818HD/
HG/L can either retain the last analog output values, or return to its
default configuration, depending on the jumper setting. This practical
function eliminates danger caused by improper operation during unex-
pected system reset.
Board ID
The PCL-818HD/HG/L has a built-in DIP Switch that helps define each
card’s ID when multiple PCL-818HD/HG/L cards have been installed on
the same PC chassis. The board ID setting function is very useful when
users build their system with multiple PCL-818HD/HG/L cards. With
correct Board ID settings, you can easily identify and access each card
during hardware configuration and software programming.
Note: For detailed specifications of the PCL-818HD/HG/L, please refer
to Appendix A, Specifications.
1.3 Applications
• Transducer and sensor measurements
• Waveform acquisition and analysis
• Process control and monitoring
• Vibration and transient analysis

5 Chapter1
1.4 Installation Guide
Before you install your PCL-818HD/HG/L card, please make sure you
have the following necessary components:
• PCL-818HD/HG/L DA&C Card
• PCL-818HD/HG/L User’s Manual
• Driver Software Advantech DLL drivers (included in the CD-ROM)
• Wiring Cable PCL-10120/10137 (option)
• Wiring Board ADAM-3920/3937, PCLD-7216/780/782/782B/
785/785B/786/788/789D/880/885/8115 (optional)
• PC or workstation with a PCI-bus slot (Win 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP)
Some other optional components are available for enhanced operation:
• Application software ActiveDAQ, GeniDAQ or 3rd party software
After you get the necessary components and maybe some of the accesso-
ries for enhanced operation of your Multifunction card, you can then
begin the Installation procedures. Figure 1-1 on the next page provides a
concise flow chart to give users a broad picture of the software and hard-
ware installation procedures:

PCL-818 Series User Manual 6
Figure 1.1: Installation Flow Chart

7 Chapter1
1.5 Software Overview
Advantech offers a rich set of DLL drivers, third-party driver support and
application software to help fully exploit the functions of your PCL-
818HD/HG/L card:
• Device Drivers (on the companion CD-ROM)
• LabVIEW driver
• Advantech ActiveDAQ
• Advantech GeniDAQ
Programming choices for DA&C cards: You may use Advantech applica-
tion software such as Advantech Device Drivers. On the other hand,
advanced users are allowed another option for register-level program-
ming, although not recommended due to its laborious and time-consum-
ing nature.
Device Drivers
The Advantech Device Drivers software is included on the companion
CD-ROM at no extra charge. It also comes with all the Advantech DA&C
cards. Advantech’s Device Drivers features a complete I/O function
library to help boost your application performance. The Advantech
Device Drivers for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP works seamlessly
with development tools such as Visual C++, Visual Basic, Borland C++
Builder and Borland Delphi.
Register-level Programming
Register-level programming is available for experienced programmers
who find it necessary to write code directly at the level of the device reg-
ister. Since register-level programming requires much effort and time, we
recommend that you use the Advantech Device Drivers instead. How-
ever, if register-level programming is indispensable, you should refer to
the relevant information in Appendix C, Register Structure and Format,
or to the example codes included on the companion CD-ROM.

PCL-818 Series User Manual 8
1.6 Device Driver Roadmap
This section will provide you a roadmap to demonstrate how to build an
application from scratch using Advantech Device Drivers with your
favorite development tools such as Visual C++, Visual Basic, Delphi and
C++ Builder. The step-by-step instructions on how to build your own
applications using each development tool will be given in the Device
Drivers Manual. Moreover, a rich set of example source code is also
given for your reference.
Programming Tools
Programmers can develop application programs with their favorite devel-
opment tools:
• Visual C++
• Visual Basic
• Delphi
• C++ Builder
For instructions on how to begin programming works in each develop-
ment tool, Advantech offers a Tutorial Chapter in the Device Drivers
Manual for your reference. Please refer to the corresponding sections in
this chapter on the Device Drivers Manual to begin your programming
efforts. You can also look at the example source code provided for each
programming tool, since they can get you very well oriented.
The Device Drivers Manual can be found on the companion CD-ROM.
Alternatively, if you have already installed the Device Drivers on your
system, The Device Drivers Manual can be readily accessed through the
Start button:
Start/Advantech Automation/Device Manager/Device Driver’s Manual
The example source code could be found under the corresponding instal-
lation folder such as the default installation path:
\Program Files\Advantech\ADSAPI\Examples
For information about using other function groups or other development
tools, please refer to the Creating Windows 95/NT/2000 Application with
Device Drivers chapter and the Function Overview chapter on the Device
Drivers Manual.

9 Chapter1
Programming with Device Drivers Function Library
Advantech Device Drivers offer a rich function library that can be uti-
lized in various application programs. This function library consists of
numerous APIs that support many development tools, such as Visual
C++, Visual Basic, Delphi and C++ Builder.
According to their specific functions or services, those APIs can be cate-
gorized into several function groups:
• Analog Output Function Group
• Digital Input/Output Function Group
• Counter Function Group
• Port Function Group (direct I/O)
• Event Function Group
For the usage and parameters of each function, please refer to the Func-
tion Overview chapter in the Device Drivers Manual.
Troubleshooting Device Drivers Error
Driver functions will return a status code when they are called to perform
a certain task for the application. When a function returns a code that is
not zero, it means the function has failed to perform its designated func-
tion. To troubleshoot the Device Drivers error, you can pass the error
code to DRV_GetErrorMessage function to return the error message.
Alternatively, you can refer to the Device Drivers Error Codes Appendix
in the Device Drivers Manual for a detailed listing of Error Codes, Error
IDs and the Error Messages.

PCL-818 Series User Manual 10
1.7 Accessories
Advantech offers a complete set of accessory products to support the
PCL-818HD/HG/L card. These accessories include:
Wiring Cables
• PCL-10120 The PCL-10120 cable is a 20-pin flat cable for PCL-
818HD/HG/L cards.
• PCL-10137 The PCL-10137 shielded cable is specially designed for
PCL-818HD/HG/L cards to provide high resistance to
noise. To achieve a better signal quality, the signal wires
are twisted in such a way as to form a “twisted-pair cable”,
reducing cross-talk and noise from other signal sources.
Furthermore, its analog and digital lines are separately
sheathed and shielded to neutralize EMI/EMC problems.
Wiring Boards
• ADAM-3920 20-pin wiring terminal for DIN-rail mounting
• ADAM-3937 37-pin D-type wiring terminal for DIN-rail mounting
• PCLD-7216 16-channel SSR I/O module carrier board
• PCLD-780 Universal screw-terminal board
• PCLD-782 16-channel opto-isolated D/I board
• PCLD-782B 24-channel opto-isolated D/I board
• PCLD-785 16-channel relay output board
• PCLD-785B 24-channel relay output board
• PCLD-786 8-channel SSR I/O module carrier board
• PCLD-788 16-channel relay multiplexer board
• PCLD-789D Amplifier and multiplexer board
• PCLD-880 Universal screw-terminal board
• PCLD-885 16-channel power relay output board
• PCLD-8115 Industrial wiring terminal with CJC circuit

2
CHAPTER
2
Installation
Sections include:
• Unpacking
• Driver Installation
• Hardware Installation
• Device Setup & Configuration

PCL-818 Series User Manual 12
Chapter 2 Installation
2.1 Unpacking
After receiving your PCL-818HD/HG/L package, please inspect its con-
tents first. The package should contain the following items:
• PCL-818HD/HG/L card
• Companion CD-ROM (Device Drivers included)
• User’s Manual
The PCL-818HD/HG/L card harbors certain electronic components vul-
nerable to electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD can easily damage the inte-
grated circuits and certain components if preventive measures are
ignored.
Before removing the card from the antistatic plastic bag, you should take
the following precautions to ward off possible ESD damage:
• Touch the metal part of your computer chassis with your hand to dis-
charge the static electricity accumulated on your body. Alternatively,
one can also use a grounding strap.
• Touch the anti-static bag to a metal part of your computer chassis
before opening the bag.
• Take hold of the card only by the metal bracket when removing it out of
the bag.
After taking out the card, you should first:
• Inspect the card for any possible signs of external damage (loose or
damaged components, etc.). If the card is visibly damaged, please
notify our service department or our local sales representative immedi-
ately. Do not install a damaged card into your system.
Note: Keep the anti-static bag for future use. You might
need the original bag to store the card if you
have to remove the card from PC or transport it
elsewhere.