Measurement Computing miniLAB 1008 User manual

miniLAB 1008
USB Device
for
Analog and Digital I/O
User's Guide
Document Revision 3, July, 2004
© Copyright 2004, Measurement Computing Corporation

Your new Measurement Computing
product comes with a fantastic extra:
Management committed to your satisfaction.
Our commitment to you.
Refer to www.mccdaq.com/execteam.html for the names, titles, and contact information of each key
executive at Measurement Computing.
The Measurement Computing Executive Team
Thank you for choosing a Measurement Computing product—and congratulations! You own the finest, and
you can now enjoy the protection of the most comprehensive warranties and unmatched phone tech support.
It’s the embodiment of our two missions:
To offer the highest-quality, computer-based data acquisition, control, and GPIB hardware and
software available—at the best possible price.
To offer our customers superior post-sale support—FREE. Whether providing unrivaled
telephone technical and sales support on our latest product offerings, or continuing that same
first-rate support on older products and operating systems, we’re committed to you!
Lifetime warranty: Every hardware product manufactured by Measurement Computing Corporation is
warranted against defects in materials or workmanship for the life of the product. Products found defective
are repaired or replaced promptly.
Lifetime Harsh Environment Warranty®: We will replace any product manufactured by Measurement
Computing Corporation that is damaged (even due to misuse) for only 50% of the current list price. I/O
boards face some tough operating conditionssome more severe than the boards are designed to withstand.
When a board becomes damaged, just return the unit with an order for its replacement at only 50% of the
current list price. We don’t need to profit from your misfortune. By the way, we honor this warranty for any
manufacturer’s board that we have a replacement for.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee: You may return any Measurement Computing Corporation product
within 30 days of purchase for a full refund of the price paid for the product being returned. If you are not
satisfied, or chose the wrong product by mistake, you do not have to keep it. Please call for an RMA number
first. No credits or returns accepted without a copy of the original invoice. Some software products are
subject to a repackaging fee.

miniLAB 1008™ User's Guide
These warranties are in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular application. The remedies provided herein are the buyer’s sole
and exclusive remedies. Neither Measurement Computing Corp., nor its employees shall be liable for any
direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damage arising from the use of its products, even if
Measurement Computing Corp. has been notified in advance of the possibility of such damages.
Trademark and Copyright Information
Personal Measurement Device brand, , Univers , , Harsh Environment
Warranty, Measurement Computing Corporation, and the Measurement Computing logo, are either
trademarks or registered trademarks of Measurement Computing Corporation.
InstaCalTracerDAQ al Library
SoftWIRE and the SoftWIRE logo are registered trademarks of SoftWIRE Technology, Inc.
PC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corp. , , and Visual Studio are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. LabVIEW is a trademark of National
Instruments. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Windows Visual Studio
Information furnished by Measurement Computing Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by Measurement Computing Corporation neither for its use; nor for
any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties, which may result from its use. No license is
granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or copyrights of 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.
Notice
Measurement Computing Corporation does not authorize any Measurement Computing
Corporation product for use in life support systems and/or devices without the written approval of
the CEO of Measurement Computing Corporation. Life support devices/systems are devices or
systems which, 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 in injury. 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 of people.
ii
HM MiniLAB-1008.doc

Table of Contents
Preface
About this User's Guide.....................................................................................vii
What you will learn from this user's guide................................................................... vii
Conventions in this user's guide................................................................................... vii
Where to find more information ................................................................................. viii
Documents on your local drive............................................................................................... viii
Documents on MCC’s web site .............................................................................................. viii
Chapter 1
Introducing the miniLAB 1008......................................................................... 1-1
miniLAB 1008 block diagram .................................................................................... 1-2
Software features......................................................................................................... 1-2
InstaCal .................................................................................................................................. 1-3
TracerDAQ............................................................................................................................. 1-3
Universal Library.................................................................................................................... 1-4
SoftWIRE Graphical Programming limited time license........................................................ 1-4
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Components for .NET........................................................................ 1-5
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Controls for VB6 ............................................................................... 1-6
Universal Library for LabVIEW ............................................................................................ 1-6
Connecting a miniLAB 1008 to your computer is easy .............................................. 1-7
Chapter 2
Installing the miniLAB 1008............................................................................. 2-1
What comes with your miniLAB 1008 shipment?...................................................... 2-1
Hardware ................................................................................................................................ 2-1
Software ................................................................................................................................. 2-2
Documentation (PDF format) ................................................................................................. 2-2
Unpacking the miniLAB 1008.................................................................................... 2-3
Be sure you are using the latest system software ........................................................ 2-3
USB driver.............................................................................................................................. 2-4
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) ....................................................................... 2-4
.NET Framework.................................................................................................................... 2-4
Installing the miniLAB 1008 ...................................................................................... 2-5
Installing the software................................................................................................. 2-5
Installing InstaCal, TracerDAQ, and the Universal Library................................................... 2-6
Installing Universal Library for LabVIEW............................................................................. 2-7
Installing SoftWIRE Graphical Programming........................................................................ 2-8
Installing SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Components or Controls.................................................... 2-8
Setting up the miniLAB 1008 with InstaCal............................................................... 2-9
iii

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide
Adding the miniLAB 1008 to the InstaCal configuration file ................................................ 2-9
Configuring the miniLAB 1008 with InstaCal ..................................................................... 2-11
Chapter 3
Getting Started with TracerDAQ ..................................................................... 3-1
Launching TracerDAQ from InstaCal ........................................................................ 3-1
Selecting the channels to use for data ......................................................................... 3-3
Configuring channel 0 ............................................................................................................ 3-3
Configuring channel 3 ............................................................................................................ 3-4
Setting up a data log file ............................................................................................. 3-6
Plotting and logging data on the TracerDAQ strip chart............................................. 3-7
Chapter 4
Functional Details............................................................................................. 4-1
Theory of operation - analog input acquisition modes................................................ 4-1
Software paced mode .............................................................................................................4-1
Continuous scan mode............................................................................................................4-1
Burst scan mode ..................................................................................................................... 4-1
External components................................................................................................... 4-2
USB connector ....................................................................................................................... 4-3
Status LED ............................................................................................................................. 4-3
Digital I/O connector and pin out ........................................................................................... 4-3
Screw terminal wiring ............................................................................................................ 4-4
Main connector and pin out .................................................................................................... 4-6
Analog input terminals (CH0 In - CH7 In)............................................................................. 4-7
Digital I/O terminals (DIO0 - DIO3).................................................................................... 4-10
Power terminals.................................................................................................................... 4-11
Ground terminals.................................................................................................................. 4-12
Calibration terminal.............................................................................................................. 4-12
Testing terminal.................................................................................................................... 4-12
Counter terminal................................................................................................................... 4-12
Accuracy ................................................................................................................... 4-12
Channel gain queue................................................................................................... 4-15
Digital connector cabling .......................................................................................... 4-16
Chapter 5
Calibrating and Testing the Device ................................................................ 5-1
Calibrating with InstaCal ............................................................................................ 5-1
Testing with InstaCal .................................................................................................. 5-4
Testing the digital functions ...................................................................................................5-4
Testing the analog functions................................................................................................... 5-6
Chapter 6
Specifications ................................................................................................... 6-1
Analog Input Section .................................................................................................. 6-1
Analog Output Section................................................................................................ 6-3
iv

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide
Digital Input / Output (Screw Terminal DIO3:0)........................................................ 6-3
Digital Input / Output (DB37)..................................................................................... 6-4
External Trigger .......................................................................................................... 6-4
Counter Section........................................................................................................... 6-4
Non-volatile Memory.................................................................................................. 6-5
Power .......................................................................................................................... 6-5
General........................................................................................................................ 6-5
Environmental............................................................................................................. 6-5
Mechanical.................................................................................................................. 6-6
Main connector and pin out......................................................................................... 6-6
4-channel differential mode ........................................................................................ 6-7
8-channel single-ended mode...................................................................................... 6-7
DB37 connector and pin out ....................................................................................... 6-7
v

Preface
About this User's Guide
What you will learn from this user's guide
This user's guide explains how to install, configure, and use the miniLAB 1008.
This user's guide also refers you to related documents available on our web site, and to
technical support resources that can also help you get the most out of this device.
Conventions in this user's guide
For more information on …
Text presented in a box signifies additional information and helpful hints related to the
subject matter you are reading.
Caution! Shaded caution statements present information to help you avoid injuring
yourself and others, damaging your hardware, or losing your data.
< # : # > Angle brackets that enclose numbers separated by a colon signify a range of
numbers, such as those assigned to registers, bit settings, etc.
bold text Bold text is used for the names of objects on the screen, such as buttons, text
boxes, and check boxes. For example:
1. Insert the disk or CD and click the OK button.
italic text Italic text is used for the names of manuals and help topic titles, and to
emphasize a word or phrase. For example:
The InstaCal™ installation procedure is explained in the Software
Installation Manual.
Never touch the exposed pins or circuit connections on the board
vii

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide About this User's Guide
Where to find more information
The following electronic documents provide information that can help you get the most
out of your miniLAB 1008™.
Documents on your local drive
When you install the software, the following electronic documents are copied to the
default installation directory "C:\MCC\Documents" on your local drive:
MCC's Universal Library User's Guide (SM UL USER'S GUIDE.pdf)
MCC's Universal Library Function Reference (SM UL FUNCTION REF.pdf).
MCC's Universal Library for LabVIEW User’s Guide (SM-UL-LabVIEW.pdf)
miniLAB 1008 User’s Guide (miniLAB-1008.pdf – this document)
Documents on MCC’s web site
The documents below are available on our web site at the address specified.
MCC's Specifications: miniLAB 1008 (the PDF version of Chapter 6 in this guide) is
available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/miniLAB-1008.pdf.
MCC's PMD-LS Series OEM Software Library User's Guide is available on our web
site at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/PMD-LS-Library.pdf.
MCC's Guide to Signal Connections is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf.
viii

Chapter 1
Introducing the miniLAB 1008
This user's guide contains all of the information you need to connect the miniLAB 1008
to your computer and to the signals you want to measure.
The miniLAB 1008 is a USB 1.1 low-speed analog and digital I/O device that is
supported under Microsoft® Windows® 98 (2nd edition), Windows ME, Windows 2000,
and Window XP. miniLAB 1008 is compatible with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports.
The miniLAB 1008 features eight 12-bit analog input signal connections and up to
28 digital I/O connections. It is powered by the +5 volt USB supply. No external power
is required.
Two screw terminals rows provide connections for eight analog inputs, two 10-bit
analog outputs, four digital I/O lines, and one 32-bit external event counter. You can
configure the analog connections with software as either four single-ended or
eight differential channels. All analog connections terminate at the screw terminals.
An on-board industry standard 82C55 programmable peripheral interface chip provides
24 digital I/O lines that terminate at a 37-pin connector.
The miniLAB 1008 USB device is shown in Figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1. miniLAB 1008
1-1

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Introducing the miniLAB 1008
miniLAB 1008 block diagram
miniLAB 1008 functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
USB
Microcontroller
82C55
DIO
DB37 I/O Connector
USB1.1
Compliant
Interface
4 Auxillary
DIO Bits
12-Bit
A
nalog Input
8 SE / 4 Diff.
10-Bit
A
nalog Output
2 channel
32-Bit Event
Counter
Screw Terminal
I/O Connector
Figure 1-2. miniLAB 1008 Functional Block Diagram
Software features
The miniLAB 1008 ships with the following software:
InstaCal installation, calibration, and test utility
TracerDAQ™strip chart/data logging and scope virtual instruments
Universal Library™data acquisition and control programming library
SoftWIRE®for VS .NET (fully-functional, limited time license)
SoftWIRE for VB6 (fully-functional, limited time license)
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Components for .NET
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Controls for VB6
Universal Library for LabVIEW™
In addition, an OEM software library is available to download from our web site.
1-2

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Introducing the miniLAB 1008
InstaCal
InstaCal is a complete installation, calibration, and test program for MCC data
acquisition and control hardware. Complete with extensive error checking, InstaCal
guides you through the installation and setup of your miniLAB 1008, and creates the
hardware configuration file for use by your programming or application software.
InstaCal provides the easiest way to calibrate and configure the miniLAB 1008.
TracerDAQ
TracerDAQ is installed with InstaCal. TracerDAQ includes fully-
configured and ready-to-run virtual instruments, such as a strip chart
and oscilloscope. You can use these instruments to plot data from
the miniLAB 1008 directly to your computer. Your measurements
are plotted as they are acquired. Once acquired, you can save the measurement data to a
text or Excel file, and capture the graphical display as a bitmap. TracerDAQ online help
includes a quick start exercise that explains how to acquire and display data. You can
launch TracerDAQ from InstaCal’s Applications menu.
In the example below, the TracerDAQ virtual strip chart displays data acquired from two
channels on the miniLAB 1008.
1-3

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Introducing the miniLAB 1008
With TracerDAQ, you can perform the following tasks:
specify sources of data from available hardware (eight data sources for the strip
chart, and four data sources for the scope)
save configurations for future use
use markers to analyze data points individually or comparatively
zoom in on specific data points on the graphical display
customize the colors, text, and data that you want to display
save data to a text file or Microsoft Excel file
capture and save the strip chart or scope display as a bitmap file
TracerDAQ technical support is FREE, and is available only via email at
[email protected].
Universal Library
The Universal Library is a programmer’s library that you can use to write programs
from the full range of 32-bit Windows programming languages. The Universal Library is
a complete set of I/O libraries and drivers for all Measurement Computing boards and
for all Windows-based languages. When using the Universal Library, you can switch
boards or even programming languages, and the syntax remains constant.
The Universal Library provides the easiest way to program the miniLAB 1008. 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 and the
Universal Library Function Reference. These documents are copied to
C:\MCC\Documents\ SM UL USER'S GUIDE.pdf and C:\MCC\Documents\ SM UL
FUNCTION REF.pdf by default during installation.
The Universal Library functions that are supported by the miniLAB 1008 are listed in
the "miniLAB 1008" section of the "Analog Input Boards" chapter in the Universal
Library User’s Guide. Example programs that demonstrate how to use the Universal
Library functions are included with the Universal Library software package.
SoftWIRE Graphical Programming limited time license
A fully-functional, limited-time license version of SoftWIRE is
included with your purchase of the miniLAB 1008. SoftWIRE
is a graphical programming extension for Microsoft Visual Studio®. Like LabVIEW,
SoftWIRE gives you the power to create programs graphically without having to write in
BASIC or C.
1-4

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Introducing the miniLAB 1008
Unlike LabVIEW, which is proprietary, SoftWIRE is based upon Visual Studio. You
can easily create new icon function blocks, write a few lines of code, or add any library,
driver, or component written for Visual Studio. And unlike LabVIEW, there are no
runtime license fees. You can freely distribute the programs you create.
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Components for .NET
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Components for .NET is a collection of data acquisition
components that you can use to develop custom applications with SoftWIRE for Visual
Studio .NET.
With these components, you can develop programs that read from and write to your
miniLAB 1008 analog and digital channels. Example programs that demonstrate how to
use the data acquisition components are included with the SoftWIRE MCC DAQ
Components for .NET software package.
In the following program, the SoftWIRE AI Scan component is configured to scan a
range of channels on the miniLAB 1008 and display the measurements on a strip chart.
The form on the left (Form1) is where you arrange the graphical components for display
when you run the program. The Diagrammer pane on the right (Diag.dgm) is where you
build the program by adding components and wiring their I/O pins together
The following image shows Form1 after you enter the range of channels to scan and run
the program.
1-5

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Introducing the miniLAB 1008
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Controls for VB6
SoftWIRE Graphical Programming MCC DAQ Controls for VB6 is a collection of
SoftWIRE data acquisition controls that you can use to develop custom applications
with SoftWIRE 3.1 and Visual Basic 6.0.
With these controls, you can develop programs that read from and write to your
miniLAB 1008 analog and digital channels. Example programs that demonstrate how to
use the data acquisition controls are included with the SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Controls
for VB6 software package.
Universal Library for LabVIEW
The Universal Library for LabVIEW software is a collection of Universal Library VIs
that you can use to create LabVIEW programs.
With MCC’s Universal Library for LabVIEW, you can construct your own LabVIEW
programs using Universal Library VIs to control your miniLAB 1008.
The Universal Library for LabVIEW User’s Guide is copied to C:\MCC\Documents\
SM-UL-LabVIEW.pdf by default during installation. Example programs that demonstrate
how to use UL for LabVIEW VIs are included with the Universal Library for LabVIEW
software package.
1-6

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Introducing the miniLAB 1008
PMD-LS Series OEM Software Library and documentation are available
The OEM software provides source code that you can use to develop your own custom
applications that are independent of InstaCal or the Universal Library. You can develop
programs in any environment that supports 32-bit DLL’s, such as Microsoft's Visual
C/C++ and Visual Basic®.
You can download the PMD-LS Series OEM Software Library from our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PMDregistration.asp.
Installation instructions and function explanations for the OEM Software Library are
included in the PMD-LS Series OEM Software Library User's Guide (available on our
web site at www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/PMD-LS-Library.pdf).
Connecting a miniLAB 1008 to your computer is easy
Installing a data acquisition device has never been easier.
The miniLAB 1008 relies upon the Microsoft Human Interface Driver (HID) class.
The HID class ships with every copy of Windows that is designed to work with
USB ports. We use the Microsoft HID because it is a standard, and its performance
delivers full control and maximizes data transfer rates for your miniLAB 1008. No
third-party device driver is required.
The miniLAB 1008 is plug-and-play. There are no jumpers to position, DIP
switches to set, or interrupts to configure.
You can connect the miniLAB 1008 before or after you install the software, and
without powering down your computer first. When you connect an HID to your
system, your computer automatically detects it and configures the necessary
software. You can connect and power multiple HID peripherals to your system
using a USB hub.
You can connect your system to various devices using a standard four-wire cable.
The USB connector replaces the serial and parallel port connectors with one
standardized plug and port combination.
You do not need a separate power supply module. The USB automatically delivers
the electrical power required by each peripheral connected to your system.
Data can flow two ways between a computer and peripheral over USB connections.
Make sure that you have the latest Windows Updates installed for your USB driver,
particularly "XP Hotfix KB822603". Refer to the section "Be sure you are using the
latest system software" on page 2-3 for more information.
1-7

Chapter 2
Installing the miniLAB 1008
What comes with your miniLAB 1008 shipment?
As you unpack your miniLAB 1008 device, verify that the following components are
included:
Hardware
miniLAB 1008 device
USB cable
2-1

miniLAB 1008 User's Guide Installing the miniLAB 1008
Software
The Personal Measurement Device installation CD contains the following software:
InstaCal installation, calibration, and test utility
TracerDAQ virtual instruments
Universal Library data acquisition and control
programming library
SoftWIRE for VS .NET (fully-functional,
limited time license)
SoftWIRE for VB6 (fully-functional, limited time license)
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Components for .NET
SoftWIRE MCC DAQ Controls for VB6
Universal Library for LabVIEW
Documentation (PDF format)
Universal Library User's Guide, and Universal Library Function Reference
(installed with the Universal Library software)
2-2