Keithley KUSB-3100 User manual

www.keithley.com
A GREATER MEASURE OF CONFIDENCE
KUSB-3100
User’s Manual
KUSB3100-900-01 Rev. A / January 2005

WARRANTY
Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 3 years from
date of shipment.
Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants the following items for 90 days from the date of shipment: probes, cables, rechargeable batteries,
diskettes, and documentation.
During the warranty period, we will, at our option, either repair or replace any product that proves to be defective.
To exercise this warranty, write or call your local Keithley representative, or contact Keithley headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. You
will be given prompt assistance and return instructions. Send the product, transportation prepaid, to the indicated service facility.
Repairs will be made and the product returned, transportation prepaid. Repaired or replaced products are warranted for the balance
of the original warranty period, or at least 90 days.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modification without Keithley’s express written consent, or misuse
of any product or part. This warranty also does not apply to fuses, software, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leak-
age, or problems arising from normal wear or failure to follow instructions.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN
ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.
NEITHER KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC. NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF ITS INSTRU-
MENTS AND SOFTWARE EVEN IF KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC., HAS BEEN ADVISED IN ADVANCE OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SUCH EXCLUDED DAMAGES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
COSTS OF REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION, LOSSES SUSTAINED AS THE RESULT OF INJURY TO ANY PERSON, OR
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
A G R E A T E R M E A S U R E O F C O N F I D E N C E
Keithley Instruments, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters • 28775 Aurora Road • Cleveland, Ohio 44139
440-248-0400 • Fax: [phone] • 1-888-KEITHLEY (534-8453) • www.keithley.com
12/04

KUSB-3100
User’s Manual
©2005, Keithley Instruments, Inc.
All rights reserved.
First Printing, January 2005
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
Document Number: KUSB3100-900-01 Rev. A

Manual Print History
The print history shown below lists the printing dates of all Revisions and Addenda created for this manual. The Revi-
sion Level letter increases alphabetically as the manual undergoes subsequent updates. Addenda, which are released
between Revisions, contain important change information that the user should incorporate immediately into the manual.
Addenda are numbered sequentially. When a new Revision is created, all Addenda associated with the previous Revision
of the manual are incorporated into the new Revision of the manual. Each new Revision includes a revised copy of this
print history page.
Revision A (Document Number KUSB3100-900-01A)...................................................................... January 2005
All Keithley product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc.
Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Safety Precautions
The following safety precautions should be observed before using
this product and any associated instrumentation. Although some in-
struments and accessories would normally be used with non-haz-
ardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous conditions
may be present.
This product is intended for use by qualified personnel who recog-
nize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety precautions re-
quired to avoid possible injury. Read and follow all installation,
operation, and maintenance information carefully before using the
product. Refer to the manual for complete product specifications.
If the product is used in a manner not specified, the protection pro-
vided by the product may be impaired.
The types of product users are:
Responsible body is the individual or group responsible for the use
and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that the equipment is
operated within its specifications and operating limits, and for en-
suring that operators are adequately trained.
Operators use the product for its intended function. They must be
trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use of the instru-
ment. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with
hazardous live circuits.
Maintenance personnel perform routine procedures on the product
to keep it operating properly, for example, setting the line voltage
or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are de-
scribed in the manual. The procedures explicitly state if the operator
may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by
service personnel.
Service personnel are trained to work on live circuits, and perform
safe installations and repairs of products. Only properly trained ser-
vice personnel may perform installation and service procedures.
Keithley products are designed for use with electrical signals that
are rated Measurement Category I and Measurement Category II, as
described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Standard IEC 60664. Most measurement, control, and data I/O sig-
nals are Measurement Category I and must not be directly connect-
ed to mains voltage or to voltage sources with high transient over-
voltages. Measurement Category II connections require protection
for high transient over-voltages often associated with local AC
mains connections. Assume all measurement, control, and data I/O
connections are for connection to Category I sources unless other-
wise marked or described in the Manual.
Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal
voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or test fixtures.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a
shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than 30V RMS,
42.4V peak, or 60VDC are present. A good safety practice is to ex-
pect that hazardous voltage is present in any unknown circuit
before measuring.
Operators of this product must be protected from electric shock at
all times. The responsible body must ensure that operators are pre-
vented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In
some cases, connections must be exposed to potential human con-
tact. Product operators in these circumstances must be trained to
protect themselves from the risk of electric shock. If the circuit is
capable of operating at or above 1000 volts, no conductive part of
the circuit may be exposed.
Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits.
They are intended to be used with impedance limited sources.
NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When con-
necting sources to switching cards, install protective devices to limit
fault current and voltage to the card.
Before operating an instrument, make sure the line cord is connect-
ed to a properly grounded power receptacle. Inspect the connecting
cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks
before each use.
When installing equipment where access to the main power cord is
restricted, such as rack mounting, a separate main input power dis-
connect device must be provided, in close proximity to the equip-
ment and within easy reach of the operator.
For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any
other instruments while power is applied to the circuit under test.
ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge
any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting cables or jump-
ers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal
changes, such as installing or removing jumpers.
Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the com-
mon side of the circuit under test or power line (earth) ground. Always
make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated
surface capable of withstanding the voltage being measured.
The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its
specifications and operating instructions or the safety of the equip-
ment may be impaired.
Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and ac-
cessories, as defined in the specifications and operating informa-
tion, and as shown on the instrument or test fixture panels, or
switching card.
When fuses are used in a product, replace with same type and rating
for continued protection against fire hazard.
Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for
measuring circuits, NOT as safety earth ground connections.
If you are using a test fixture, keep the lid closed while power is ap-
plied to the device under test. Safe operation requires the use of a
lid interlock.
5/03

If a screw is present, connect it to safety earth ground using the
wire recommended in the user documentation.
The symbol on an instrument indicates that the user should re-
fer to the operating instructions located in the manual.
The symbol on an instrument shows that it can source or mea-
sure 1000 volts or more, including the combined effect of normal
and common mode voltages. Use standard safety precautions to
avoid personal contact with these voltages.
The symbol indicates a connection terminal to the equipment
frame.
The WARNING heading in a manual explains dangers that might
result in personal injury or death. Always read the associated infor-
mation very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.
The CAUTION heading in a manual explains hazards that could
damage the instrument. Such damage may invalidate the warranty.
Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.
Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and
all test cables.
To maintain protection from electric shock and fire, replacement
components in mains circuits, including the power transformer, test
leads, and input jacks, must be purchased from Keithley Instru-
ments. Standard fuses, with applicable national safety approvals,
may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components
that are not safety related may be purchased from other suppliers as
long as they are equivalent to the original component. (Note that se-
lected parts should be purchased only through Keithley Instruments
to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product.) If you are
unsure about the applicability of a replacement component, call a
Keithley Instruments office for information.
To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water based
cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do not apply
cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on
the instrument. Products that consist of a circuit board with no case
or chassis (e.g., data acquisition board for installation into a com-
puter) should never require cleaning if handled according to instruc-
tions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected,
the board should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning/ser-
vicing.
!

vii
Table of Contents
About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Intended Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
What You Should Learn from this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Conventions Used in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
Related Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
Where To Get Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
Chapter 1: Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Supported Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2: Principles of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Analog Input Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Analog Input Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Specifying a Single Analog Input Channel . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Specifying One or More Analog Input Channels . . . . . . 8
Input Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Input Ranges and Gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Specifying the Gain for a Single Channel . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Specifying the Gain for One or More Channels . . . . . . 10
Input Sample Clock Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Analog Input Conversion Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Single-Value Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Continuous Scan Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Input Triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Data Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Data Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Error Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Contents
viii
Analog Output Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Analog Output Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Specifying a Single Analog Output Channel . . . . . . . . 16
Specifying Analog Output Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Output Resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Output Ranges and Gains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Output Trigger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Output Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Output Conversion Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Single-Value Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Continuous Output Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Data Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Data Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Error Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Digital I/O Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Digital I/O Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Resolution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Operation Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Counter/Timer Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
C/T Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
C/T Clock Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Gate Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Pulse Duty Cycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Counter/Timer Operation Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Event Counting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Frequency Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Edge-to-Edge Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Rate Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Contents
ix
Chapter 3: Supported Device Driver Capabilities. . . . . . . . 33
Chapter 4: Programming Flowcharts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Single-Value Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Continuous A/D Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Continuous D/A Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Event Counting Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Frequency Measurement Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Edge-to-Edge Measurement Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Pulse Output Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Simultaneous Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
General Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Service and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Chapter 6: Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Using the KUSB-3100 Calibration Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Calibrating the Analog Input Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Connecting a Precision Voltage Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Using the Auto-Calibration Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Using the Manual Calibration Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Calibrating the Analog Output Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Appendix A: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Appendix B: Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Appendix C: Reading from or Writing to the
Digital Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Contents
x

xi
About this Manual
This manual describes the features of the KUSB-3100 module, the
capabilities of the device driver, and how to program this module
using DT-Open Layers™software. Troubleshooting information is
also provided.
Intended Audience
This document is intended for engineers, scientists, technicians, or
others responsible for using and/or programming the KUSB-3100
module for data acquisition operations in Microsoft® Windows 2000
or Windows XP. It is assumed that you have some familiarity with
data acquisition principles and that you understand your application.
What You Should Learn from this Manual
This manual provides detailed information about the features of the
KUSB-3100 module and the capabilities of the device driver. The
manual is organized as follows:
•Chapter 1, “Overview,” describes the major features of the
KUSB-3100 module, as well as the supported software for the
module.
•Chapter 2, “Principles of Operation,” describes all of the features
of the module and how to use them in your application.
•Chapter 3, “Supported Device Driver Capabilities,” lists the data
acquisition subsystems and the associated features accessible
using the device driver.

About this Manual
xii
•Chapter 4, “Programming Flowcharts,” describes the processes
you must follow to program the subsystems on the KUSB-3100
module using DT-Open Layers-compliant software.
•Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting,” provides information that you can
use to resolve problems with the module and the device driver,
should they occur.
•Chapter 6, “Calibration,” describes how to calibrate the analog
I/O circuitry of the KUSB-3100 module.
•Appendix A, “Specifications,” lists the specifications of the
module.
•Appendix B, “Connector Pin Assignments,” shows the screw
terminal assignments for the module.
•Appendix C, “Reading from or Writing to the Digital Registers,”
describes register-level functions you can use to program the
digital I/O lines of the module.
• An index completes this manual.
Conventions Used in this Manual
The following conventions are used in this manual:
• Notes provide useful information or information that requires
special emphasis, cautions provide information to help you avoid
losing data or damaging your equipment, and warnings provide
information to help you avoid catastrophic damage to yourself or
your equipment.
• Items that you select or type are shown in bold.

About this Manual
xiii
Related Information
Refer to the following documents for more information on using the
KUSB-3100 module:
•KUSB-3100 Getting Started Manual provided with the module.
This manual describes how to install and wire signals to the
KUSB-3100 module.
•DataAcq SDK User’s Manual. For programmers who are
developing their own application programs using the Microsoft
C compiler, this manual describes how to use the DT-Open
LayersTM DataAcq SDKTM in Windows 2000 or Windows XP to
access the capabilities of your module.
•DTx-EZ Getting Started Manual. This manual describes how to use
the ActiveX controls provided in DTx-EZTM to access the
capabilities of your module in Microsoft Visual Basic® or Visual
C++®.
•DT-LV Link Getting Started Manual. This manual describes how to
use DT-LV LinkTM with the LabVIEW® graphical programming
language to access the capabilities of your module.
• Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP documentation.
• USB web site (http://www.usb.org).
• Omega Complete Temperature Measurement Handbook and
Encyclopedia®. This document, published by Omega Engineering,
provides information on how to linearize voltage values into
temperature readings for various thermocouple types.
Where To Get Help
Should you run into problems installing or using your KUSB-3100
module, please call the Keithley Technical Support Department.

About this Manual
xiv

1
1
Overview
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Supported Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter 1
2
Features
The KUSB-3100 module is an economy, multifunction
mini-instrument. Table 1 lists the key features of the module.
In addition, the KUSB-3100 module provides these features:
• 16-location channel-gain list. You can cycle through the
channel-gain list using continuous scan mode or triggered scan
mode.
• 2-location output channel list. You can update both analog
output channels simultaneously at up to 50 kSamples/s.
• 8 fixed digital input lines and 8 fixed digital output lines.
• One 32-bit counter/timer (C/T) channel that performs event
counting, frequency measurement, edge-to-edge measurement,
and rate generation operations (the resolution of the C/T is
16-bits in this mode).
• Internal and external A/D clock sources.
• Internal and external A/D trigger sources.
• No external power supply required. These are low-power
required (less than 100 mA draw).
Table 1: Key Features of the KUSB-3100 Module
Analog
Inputs
Analog
Outputs Resolution
I/O
Range
Sample
Rate
Digital
I/O
Counter/
Timera
a. This counter/timer channel allows you to perform event counting, frequency
measurement, edge-to-edge measurement, and continuous pulse output (rate generation)
operations.
8 SE 212-bit ±10 V 50 kS/s 8 in,
8 out
1

Overview
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Supported Software
The following software is provided with the KUSB-3100 module:
•Device Driver – This software must be installed and loaded
before you can use a KUSB-3100 module with any of the
supported software packages or utilities.
•The Quick Data Acq application – This application provides a
quick way to get your module up and running. Using the Quick
Data Acq application, you can verify the features of the module,
display data on the screen, and save data to disk.
•DataAcq SDK – This DT-Open Layers Software Develop Kit
(SDK) allows programmers to develop application programs for
the KUSB-3100 using the Microsoft C compiler in Windows 2000
or Windows XP.
•DTx-EZ – This software package contains ActiveX controls that
allow Microsoft Visual Basic® or Visual C++® programmers to
access the capabilities of the KUSB-3100 module.
•DT-LV Link – This software package allows LabVIEW®
programmers to access the capabilities of the KUSB-3100 module.

Chapter 1
4

5
2
Principles of Operation
Analog Input Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Analog Output Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Digital I/O Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Counter/Timer Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Chapter 2
6
Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the KUSB-3100 module.
Figure 1: Block Diagram of the KUSB-3100 Module
A/D Ch6
A/D Ch7
A/D Ch5
A/D Ch4
8-Channel Multiplexer
+2.5 V Reference
A/D Ch2
A/D Ch3
A/D Ch1
A/D Ch0
12-Bit D/A
Converter
12-Bit A/D
Converter
DAC 1
DAC 0
From USB
Port
Power
Supply
32-Bit
Counter/Timer
C/T Out 0
C/T Gate 0
C/T In 0
A/D Clock External Clock
External Trigger
Digital
I/O
DOUT7
DOUT0
DIN7
DIN0
USB 2.0 or 1.1
Port
Input FIFO
+5 V
ESD Protected to 4000 V
ESD Protected to 4000 V