bmcm meM-PIO User manual

meM-PIO
USB miniature external Measurement System
Features Applications
•24 digital channels with CMOS level •digital controls
•connection via USB-interface •signal acquisition
•compatible to USB 2.0 (full-speed) •ideal for mobile use
•operable under Windows® 98/2000/XP
•hot-pluggable and Plug&Play
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With the creation of the modern
generation of PCs less and less
internal slots are available for
additional cards.
The external meM-PIO provides
an alternative to replace the PIO
cards by BMC Messsysteme
GmbH which used to be integrated
in the computer. This USB-
solution features
... 24 digital channels ...
for the acquisition and control of
TTL-signals.
The USB-device provides for
... three 8 Bit ports ...
with programmable direction. The
port lines are brought out via a
25pole Sub-D socket.
The device is connected to the PC
and supplied with power by means
of a
... USB-connection ... .
Included with the device is a USB-
driver, ActiveX Controls STR-
meM for Windows®98/Me/ 2000/
XP, as well as the easy-to-use
operating program ST-meM-PIO
for displaying and controlling
digital signals.
The meM-PIO can be used to-
gether with our powerful software
for the acquisition and processing
of measuring data
... NextView®/NT...
version 3.2 and higher. It is avai-
lable in the versions Light, Profes-
sional and Client/Server for Win-
dows®98/Me/2000/XP. A demo
version is included with the delive-
ry.
Please visit our homepage for
additional information and soft-
ware updates:
http://www.bmcm.de
Do not apply voltage to the ports without the relevant protective circuit. Two outputs connected
with each other may get damaged by the high flow of current. The high-resistance CMOS-inputs
can continuously switch between 0 and 1 without appropriate protective circuit (e.g. 10kΩ-
Pulldown-resistor).

meM-PIO
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Start-up procedure
Connect the USB-cable of the meM-PIO to the USB-interface of the PC. The device is supplied with power via the
USB-connection.
Interfacing examples
Inputs: The pulldown resistor of 3.9kΩwill set the input to low, if no voltage is applied there.
If a direct voltage greater 5V is applied, a potential
divider must be used to ensure that 5V max. are applied
at the input of the meM-PIO. Exceeding 5V input volta-
ge may damage the device.
The following formula applies for calculating the value
of the resistor to be used:
U/U1= (R1+R2)/R1
The CMOS-technology in this device also allows for the
use of lower input voltage (high ≥3V).
Outputs: The following diagrams show the connection of an output to an LED and a relay.

meM-PIO
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Software installation
Before using the device, the hardware drivers must be installed. The device can be programmed under Windows®
98/2000/XP by means of programming languages (Visual Basic, Delphi, Visual C++ etc), which are able to link the
ActiveX Controls, using the programming interface STR-meM. The operating program ST-meM-PIO allows you to
utilize the hardware´s capacity to its full extent. The device driver, the ActiveX Control STR-meM and the operating
program ST-meM-PIO is included on the "Software Collection"-CD by BMC Messsysteme GmbH which comes with
the delivery.
1. Installation of drivers
As soon as the meM-PIO is connected to the computer, the hardware
detection is started automatically by the system. The device will be
found and displayed and the search for available drivers is started.
Select the option "search for the best driver for your device" (recom-
mended).
Select "CD-ROM drive" to search for the driver if you have the soft-
ware on CD. Select "floppy disk drives" to search for the driver, if your
software is on a floppy disk. If you have downloaded the driver from
our homepage, select the option at the bottom and enter the directory
path where the driver is stored. You will be prompted on the driver
which has been found and asked if you want to install the driver. The
installation will be complete after the required files have been copied to
the hard disk. You may be requested to restart your computer after-
wards.
We strongly recommend you to check the system´s device manager if the instal-
lation has been successful. (Windows®98: My Computer / Control Panel / System /
TAB Device Manager; Windows®2000/XP: My Computer / Control Panel / System /
TAB Hardware / button Device Manager).
It should have a new entry called: "BMC Messsysteme". When you open it by cli-
cking on the "plus" sign on the left, all the installed devices are listed, including the
USB device meM-PIO. A doubleclick on the device will show the configuration
properties. Selecting TAB General, gives you general information and on conflicting
devices and possible sources of error. The TAB Driver allows you to install new
driver versions.
2. Installation of the ActiveX Controls STR-meM
To install or upgrade the ActiveX Control put the "Software Collec-
tion"-CD which is included with the delivery in your CD-ROM
drive. The installation window with a list of choices will be display-
ed. Select "Products", then the product group of your device and
finally the product type of your meM-device. The following win-
dow shows all software and documentation of your product which
you can choose to install. Now please select the entry "meM-PIO
ActiveX Control Setup".
If you don´t use the auto run function of the "Software Collection"-
CD for installation, you can install by opening the file mem-actx-
us.exe (english setup) in the directory products / mem / pio.
After a short introduction the driver information will be displayed.
Then the required files will be copied to your hard disk and you will
be prompted if the installation has been successful. Restart your
computer, if necessary.

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3. Installation of the operating program ST-meM-PIO
The USB driver and the ActiveX Control STR-meM must be installed before installing this program!
The program is installed in the same way as the ActiveX Controls, except that you now select "ST-meM-PIO Control
Utility" instead of STR-meM. If you don´t start the installation from the CD, open the setup program st-mempio-
install.exe in the directory products / mem / pio.
After a short introduction you will be asked to confirm the suggested installation path and group name or enter your
changes. Then the required files will be copied to your hard disk and a prompt will show whether the installation has
been successful. Restart your computer if necessary.
Programming
The CD contains programming examples in the same directory as the ActiveX Controls STR-meM. Choose the entry
"meM-PIO Programming Examples". For further information about the programming of the meM-devices please read
the respective PDF file, which will be installed together with the programming examples. If you don´t start the installa-
tion from the CD, open the setup program mem-examples.exe in the directory products / mem / PIO.
Important notes for using the meM-PIO
•The device is only suitable for extra-low voltages – please observe the relevant regulations! For reasons relating to
EMC, the device must only be operated with housing closed. ESD voltages at open lines may cause malfunction du-
ring operation. Only use a metalically isolated power supply unit.
•For cleaning use water and mild detergent only. The device is designed to be maintenance-free.
•At the 25-pole Sub-D socket signal cables are connected – use shielded cables only. For best possible interference
suppression connect shield at one end only. Close open inputs if necessary.
•The device ground and the chassis are electrically connected to the chassis of the PC, which is usually also connec-
ted to ground. Be sure to avoid ground loops, since they will cause measuring errors!
•PCs (notebooks), which are not grounded often produce high potentials to earth at the USB socket, so that safe
operation cannot be guaranteed. In this case connect the measuring system to earth.
•As sampling depends on the software, the device is not suitable for long-term measurements on Windows®98/Me.
•The device must not be used for safety-relevant tasks. With the use of the product the customer becomes manufactu-
rer by law and is therefore completely responsible for the proper installation and use of the product. In the case of
improper use and/or unauthorized interference our warranty ceases and any warranty claim is excluded.
Technical data meM-PIO (typical at 20°C and 5V supply)
•Digital in-/ outputs
Port inputs: 0..5V (CMOS)
Overload protection: max. +5.5V, max. 20mA in total of all input channels
Current pick-up per output pin: max. 5mA (with app. 4V level), max. 20mA in total of all output channels
Max. sampling rate // input resistance: 10Hz for all channels with NextView®/NT // min. 1MΩ(with PC turned off: 1kΩ)
USB interface: USB 2.0 compatible (full speed)
•General data
Supply // digital connections: +4.5V..+5.5V from USB connection of the PC, max. 100mA // all channels at a 25-pole Sub-D socket
CE standards: EN61000-6-1, EN61000-6-3, EN61010-1; for decl. of conformity (PDF) visit www.bmcm.de
Max. permissible potentials: 60V DC acc. to VDE, max. 1kV ESD on open lines
Temperature range // relative humidity: -25°C..+70°C // 0-90% (not condensing)
Housing // protection type: plastic housing 53 x 44 x 16 mm3, USB cable app. 1.1m // IP50
Delivery: device in plastic housing with USB cable, "Software Collection"-CD incl. drivers and documentation,
description
Available accessories: USB extension cable ZUKA-USB, connecting cable ZUKA25, 25-pole Sub-D plug ZU25ST
Guarantee: 2 years with effect from sales date, damages at product resulting from improper use excluded
•Software support
Software on CD (incl.): ActiveX Controls STR-meM for programming under Windows®98/Me/2000/XP; operating program
ST-meM-PIO for displaying and controlling of digital signals
NextView®/NT (optional): version 3.2 and higher for Windows®98/Me/2000/XP
Manufacturer: BMC Messsysteme GmbH. Subject to change due to technical improvements. Errors and printing errors excepted. Rev. 4.1 09/14/2005