Measurement Computing PCI-DAS4020/12 User manual

PCI-DAS4020/12
Analog & Digital I/O
User’s Guide
Document Revision 9A, May, 2009
© Copyright 2009, Measurement Computing Corporation

3
HM PCI-DAS4020-12.doc
Trademark and Copyright Information
Measurement Computing Corporation, InstaCal, Universal Library, and the Measurement Computing logo are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of MeasurementComputing Corporation. Refer to the Copyrights &
Trademarks section on mccdaq.com/legal for more information about Measurement Computing trademarks.
Other product and company namesmentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective
companies.
©2009 MeasurementComputingCorporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay 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 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 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.

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Table of Contents
Preface
About this User's Guide.......................................................................................................................7
What you will learn from this user's guide.........................................................................................................7
Conventions in this user's guide .........................................................................................................................7
Where to find more information.........................................................................................................................7
Chapter 1
Introducing the PCI-DAS4020/12.........................................................................................................8
Overview: PCI-DAS4020/12 features................................................................................................................8
Software features................................................................................................................................................8
Chapter 2
Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12.............................................................................................................9
What comes with your PCI-DAS4020/12 shipment?.........................................................................................9
Hardware .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Additional documentation................................................................................................................................................. 9
Optional components........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Unpacking the PCI-DAS4020/12 .....................................................................................................................10
Installing the software ......................................................................................................................................10
Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12........................................................................................................................10
Configuring the PCI-DAS4020/12...................................................................................................................10
Connecting the board for I/O operations ..........................................................................................................11
Connectors, cables –I/O connectors................................................................................................................................11
BNC connectors...............................................................................................................................................................11
Pin out –auxiliary connector...........................................................................................................................................12
Cabling.............................................................................................................................................................................12
Field wiring, signal termination and conditioning ...........................................................................................................16
Chapter 3
Functional Details...............................................................................................................................17
PCI-DAS4020/12 block diagram......................................................................................................................17
Analog input signal path...................................................................................................................................17
Analog output...................................................................................................................................................18
Digital I/O.........................................................................................................................................................18
Power distribution.............................................................................................................................................18
Input impedance configuration.........................................................................................................................18
Chapter 4
Calibrating the PCI-DAS4020/12........................................................................................................21
Calibration theory.............................................................................................................................................21
Chapter 5
Specifications......................................................................................................................................22
Analog input.....................................................................................................................................................22
Timing and throughput ....................................................................................................................................................22
Accuracy..........................................................................................................................................................................23
Temperature.....................................................................................................................................................................23
Dynamics and noise.........................................................................................................................................................24
Trig/Ext Clk BNC.............................................................................................................................................24
Analog output...................................................................................................................................................24
Accuracy..........................................................................................................................................................................25
Digital input / output.........................................................................................................................................25
Interrupts...........................................................................................................................................................25

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide
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Environmental ..................................................................................................................................................25
Power consumption ..........................................................................................................................................26
Connector and pin out.......................................................................................................................................26
Auxiliary connector P3 pinout.........................................................................................................................................26
Declaration of Conformity..................................................................................................................27

7
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 PCI-DAS4020/12 so that you get the most out
of its analog and digital I/O features.
This user's guide also refers you to related documents available on our web site, and to technical support
resources.
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 Quick Start Guide.
Never touch the exposed pins or circuit connections on the board.
Where to find more information
For additional information relevant to the operation of your hardware, refer to the Documents subdirectory
where you installed the MCC DAQ software (C:\Program Files\Measurement Computing\DAQ by default), or
search for your device on our website at www.mccdaq.com.
If you need to program at the register level in your application, refer to the Register Map for the PCI-
DAS4020/12 Series (available at www.mccdaq.com/registermaps/RegMapPCI-DAS4020-12.pdf

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Chapter 1
Introducing the PCI-DAS4020/12
Overview: PCI-DAS4020/12 features
This manual explains how to install and use the PCI-DAS4020/12 board.
The PCI-DAS4020/12 is a multi-function high-speed data acquisition I/O board that is designed for the PCI bus.
It provides the following features:
Four high-speed 12-bit analog input channels
The input range for each channel is software-configurable for ±1 V or ±5 V. The sample rate is from 10 to
20 MHz, depending on the number of channels accessed. Triggering sources and A/D gating are via
hardware or software, and can be internal or external. Four different modes are software selectable. Analog
input connectors are standard BNC types.
Two 12-bit analog output channels
Each analog output channel can be configured by software for an output range of ±10 V or ±5 V.
Throughput is system-dependent. Triggering mode is software gate. D/A pacing is software paced. The
analog output channels terminate at a 40-pin auxiliary connector.
24 digital I/O channels
An on-board industry standard 82C55A I/O chip provides 24 digital I/O channels configured as two banks
of eight and two banks of four. You can configure each bank independently as input or output. Signal levels
are TTL. The digital I/O channels terminate at a 40-pin auxiliary connector.
Software features
For information on the features of InstaCal and the other software included with your PCI-DAS4020/12, 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.

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Chapter 2
Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
What comes with your PCI-DAS4020/12 shipment?
The following items are shipped with the PCI-DAS4020/12.
Hardware
PCI-DAS4020/12
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-DAS4020/12 and information regarding installation of that software.
Please read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.
Optional components
If you ordered any of the following products with your board, they should be included with your shipment.
Cables
C40FF-x
C40-37F-x
BP40-37F-x
Signal termination and conditioning accessories
MCC provides signal termination products for use with the PCI-DAS4020/12. Refer to "Field wiring, signal
termination and conditioning" on page 16 for a complete list of compatible accessory products.

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
10
Unpacking the PCI-DAS4020/12
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the PCI-DAS4020/12 from its packaging, ground yourself using a wrist strap or by
simply 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 by
phone, fax, or e-mail:
Phone: [phone] and follow the instructions for reaching Tech Support.
Fax: [phone] to the attention of Tech Support
Email: [e-mail]
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-Software-
Quick-Start.pdf.
Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
The PCI-DAS4020/12 board is completely plug-and-play, with no switches or jumpers to set. Configuration is
controlled by your system's BIOS. To install your board, 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, open it up, 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 opens 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 are prompted for the disk
containing this file. The Measurement Computing Data Acquisition Software CD supplied with your board
contains this file. If required, insert the disk or 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 and
load 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 in order 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 to reach steady state if it has been powered off for a significant amount of time.
Configuring the PCI-DAS4020/12
All of the hardware configuration options on the PCI-DAS4020/12 are software controlled. Use InstaCal to
select the number of channels to sample (one, two or four channels), and the analog output range (±10 V or
±5 V.) Once selected, any program that uses the Universal Library will initialize the hardware according to your
selections.

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
11
Connecting the board for I/O operations
Connectors, cables –I/O connectors
The table below lists the board connectors, applicable cables, and compatible accessory products for the PCI-
DAS4020/12.
Board connectors, cables, compatible hardware
Connector type
BNC connector: five standard female connectors
Auxiliary connector (P3): 40-pin header connector
Compatible cables (for the
40-pin auxiliary connector)
C40FF-x
C40-37F-x
BP40-37-x
Compatible accessory products
with the C40FF-x cable
CIO-MINI40
Compatible accessory products
with the C40-37F-x cable
or
with the BP40-37-x and the C37FF-x or
C37FFS-x cable
CIO-MINI37
SCB-37
CIO-ERB24
CIO-ERB08
SSR-RACK24
SSR-RACK08
Information on signal connections
General information regarding signal connection and configuration is available in the Guide to Signal
Connections. This document is available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf.
BNC connectors
The board’s analog input and trigger input connectors are standard female BNC connectors that are visible from
the rear of the computer when you install the board.
Channel 0
Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
TRIG /Ext Clk
Figure 1. Analog inputs and trigger input BNC connectors

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
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Pin out –auxiliary connector
The pin out for the board’s 40-pin on-board auxiliary connector (labeled P3 on the board) is listed below. Pin 1
is identified by a beveled edge on the board silkscreen.
40-pin auxiliary connector P3
Signal Name
Pin
Pin
Signal Name
D/A OUT 1
40
39
D/A OUT 0
D/A GND
38
37
GND
FIRSTPORTA Bit 0
36
35
+5V
FIRSTPORTA Bit 1
34
33
GND
FIRSTPORTA Bit 2
32
31
n/c
FIRSTPORTA Bit 3
30
29
GND
FIRSTPORTA Bit 4
28
27
n/c
FIRSTPORTA Bit 5
26
25
GND
FIRSTPORTA Bit 6
24
23
n/c
FIRSTPORTA Bit 7
22
21
GND
FIRSTPORTC Bit 0
20
19
FIRSTPORTB Bit 0
FIRSTPORTC Bit 1
18
17
FIRSTPORTB Bit 1
FIRSTPORTC Bit 2
16
15
FIRSTPORTB Bit 2
FIRSTPORTC Bit 3
14
13
FIRSTPORTB Bit 3
FIRSTPORTC Bit 4
12
11
FIRSTPORTB Bit 4
FIRSTPORTC Bit 5 (Start Trigger In/Ext Clock)
10
9
FIRSTPORTB Bit 5
FIRSTPORTC Bit 6 (A/D Stop Trigger In)
8
7
FIRSTPORTB Bit 6
FIRSTPORTC Bit 7 (A/D Pacer Gate)
6
5
FIRSTPORTB Bit 7
GND
4
3
INTERRUPT ENABLE *
+5V
2
1
INTERRUPT IN *
PCI slot ↓
*Pin 1 and pin 3 have 10 K pull-up resistors installed.
Use pin 38 for analog output return
When using the analog output pins D/A OUT 0 (pin 39) and D/A OUT 1 (pin 40), use D/A GND only (pin 38)
for the return.
Cabling
For signal connections and termination, you can use the CIO-MINI40 screw terminal board and C40FF-x cable.
For connections to 37-pin screw terminal boards, you can use the C40-37F-xcable.
The red stripe
identifies pin # 1
40-pin Female
IDC Connector
1
2
39
40
40-pin Female
IDC Connector
1
2
39
40
Figure 2. C40FF-xcable

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
13
20
1
37
19
The red stripe
identifies pin # 1
37-pin Female
Dsub Connector
40-pin Female
IDC Connector
1
2
39
40
Figure 3. C40-37F-xcable
If you don’t need to connect to the PCI-DAS4020/12 analog outputs (pins 38 to 40), you can connect to a
BP40-37 cable. The BP40-37 cable brings pins 1 through 37 of the 40-pin connector out to 37-pin male "D"
connector mounted on a backplane bracket.
37
19
20
1
The red stripe and arrow
identify pin # 1
2
40
1
39
Key
37-pin Male D Connector
with Backplate Assembly 40-pin Female IDC Connector
Figure 4. BP40-37 cable

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
14
+5V
GND
FIRSTPORTC BIT 7
FIRSTPORTC BIT 6
FIRSTPORTC BIT 5
FIRSTPORTC BIT 4
FIRSTPORTC BIT 3
FIRSTPORTC BIT 2
FIRSTPORTC BIT 1
FIRSTPORTC BIT 0
FIRSTPORTA BIT 7
FIRSTPORTA BIT 6
FIRSTPORTA BIT 4
FIRSTPORTA BIT 3
FIRSTPORTA BIT 2
FIRSTPORTA BIT 1
FIRSTPORTA BIT 0
FIRSTPORTB BIT 2
FIRSTPORTB BIT 3
FIRSTPORTB BIT 4
FIRSTPORTB BIT 5
FIRSTPORTB BIT 6
FIRSTPORTB BIT 7
NC
FIRSTPORTB BIT 1
GND
NC
GND
NC
GND
NC
GND
GND
+5V
FIRSTPORTA BIT 5
Figure 5. BP40-37 cable pin out

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
15
40-pin to 37-pin signal mapping
Signal mapping on the C40-37F-x and the BP40-37 cables is not 1:1. The following table lists the pin numbers
of the signals on the 40-pin end and the pin numbers of the associated signals on the 37-pin end.
Signal mapping on the C40-37F-x and BP40-37F cables
40-pin cable end
37-pin cable end
Pin
Signal Name
Pin
Signal Name
1
INTERRUPT IN
1
INTERRUPT IN
2
+5V
20
+5V
3
INTERRUPT ENABLE
2
INTERRUPT ENABLE
4
GND
21
GND
5
Port B 7
3
Port B 7
6
Port C 7
22
Port C 7
7
Port B 6
4
Port B 6
8
Port C 6
23
Port C 6
9
Port B 5
5
Port B 5
10
Port C 5
24
Port C 5
11
Port B 4
6
Port B 4
12
Port C 4
25
Port C 4
13
Port B 3
7
Port B 3
14
Port C 3
26
Port C 3
15
Port B 2
8
Port B 2
16
Port C 2
27
Port C 2
17
Port B 1
9
Port B 1
18
Port C 1
28
Port C 1
19
Port B 0
10
Port B 0
20
Port C 0
29
Port C 0
21
GND
11
GND
22
Port A 7
30
Port A 7
23
N/C
12
N/C
24
Port A 6
31
Port A 6
25
GND
13
GND
26
Port A 5
32
Port A 5
27
N/C
14
N/C
28
Port A 4
33
Port A 4
29
GND
15
GND
30
Port A 3
34
Port A 3
31
N/C
16
N/C
32
Port A 2
35
Port A 2
33
GND
17
GND
34
Port A 1
36
Port A 1
35
+5V
18
+5V
36
Port A 0
37
Port A 0
37
GND
19
GND
38
N/C
39
N/C
40
N/C
For digital signal conditioning, you can connect the BP40-37 cable to a C37FF-xor C37FFS- xcable, and then
connect one of these cables to the 37-pin connector on MCC’s digital signal conditioning boards. Refer to page
16 for a list of compatible boards.
20
1
37
19
20
1
37
19
The red stripe
identifies pin # 1
Figure 6. C37FF-xcable

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Installing the PCI-DAS4020/12
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20
1
37
19
20
1
37
19
Figure 7. C37FFS-xcable
Field wiring, signal termination and conditioning
You can use the following MCC screw terminal board to terminate field signals and route them into the PCI-
DAS4020/12 board using the C40FF-x cable:
CIO-MINI40 –40-pin universal screw terminal board.
You can use the following MCC screw terminal boards to terminate field signals and route them into the PCI-
DAS4020/12 board using the C40-37F-x cable directly or by combining the BP40-37-x cable with the C37FF-x
or C37FFS-x cable:
CIO-MINI37 –37-pin universal screw terminal board.
SCB-37 –37 conductor, shielded signal connection/screw terminal box.
Details on these products are available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/products/screw_terminal_bnc.aspx.
Digital Signal Conditioning
For digital signal conditioning, you can connect the PCI-DAS4020/12 to the following boards using the C40-
37F-x cable directly or by combining the BP40-37-x cable with the C37FF-x or C37FFS-x cable.
CIO-ERB24 –24 Form C, 6A relays.
CIO-ERB08 –Eight Form C, 6A relays.
SSR-RACK24 –24-channel solid state module rack.
SSR-RACK08 –24-channel solid state module rack.
Details on these products are available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/products/signal_conditioning.aspx.

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Chapter 3
Functional Details
PCI-DAS4020/12 block diagram
PCI-DAS4020/12 functions are illustrated in the block diagram shown here.
BNC
BNC
Input
MUX
Gain & Offset
AUTOCAL
ADC
IN
System
Timing
Controller
Dual
32K x 24
SRAM
PC Bus
Controller
Dual12-bit
DAC
Digital I/0
(82C55)
PCI Bus Connector
(5V, 32 BIT, 33 MHZ)
VREF
CONV
Attenuator/
Amplifier
Analog
Clock/
Trigger
Local Bus
External Pacer
TRIG1, TRIG2,
or GATE
Four analog input channels per board
50 Ohm
Analog
Outputs
24 I/O
Four
Channels
12
S
Figure 8. PCI-DAS4020/12 functional block diagram
Analog input signal path
Four single-ended analog input channels, connect from BNC connectors to individual amplifiers and then
connect to dedicated ADC’s. Each path allows for:
50 ohm or high-Z termination, selected by solder gap
±1 V or ±5 V bipolar ranges, software-selectable (refer to the table below)
Auto-calibration for offset and gain adjustments for each channel and each range
Input range
Full Scale Input Range
Attenuation
Divider Output
+5 V to -5 V
5
±1 V
+1 V to -1 V
1
±1 V

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Functional Details
18
Analog output
Two 12-bit voltage outputs are software programmable for ±10 V or ±5 V. The D/A is the Analog Devices
AD7237 Dual DAC. Since the DAC is dual buffered, the DAC output voltage is updated after the MS nibble is
written to the DAC.
The DACs initially power-up and are reset to 0 V. There is no calibration on these DACs. The offset and gain
errors are minimized by using precision components. The following table shows the DAC input coding.
DAC input coding
DAC Range
Input Code Binary
12 bit Input Code Hex
12 bit Output Voltage
± 10 V
0000 0000 0000
000h
10.000 V
± 10 V
1000 0000 0000
800h
0 V
± 10 V
1111 1111 1111
FFFh
+9.99513 V
± 5 V
0000 0000 0000
000h
5.000 V
± 5 V
1000 0000 0000
800h
0 V
± 5 V
1111 1111 1111
FFFh
+4.99756 V
Figure 9. Analog output block diagram
Digital I/O
The digital I/O is an 82C55 digital logic device. An external interrupt source pin (pin 1) and external interrupt
enable pin (pin 3) on the auxiliary 40-pin connector (P3) are used for external interrupts. These lines are pulled
up and an OR operation is performed on them to generate the external interrupt signal. Both are active low.
Power distribution
The PCI-DAS4020/12 board is powered by the PCI bus. The only power used is +5 V.
Input impedance configuration
Each analog input and the trigger/clock input channel on the PCI-DAS4020/12 has a dedicated solder gap. A
solder gap consists of two copper pads that you can solder together to change the input impedance of the
channel. When the solder gaps are open (default), the input impedance is 1.5 MΩ. When the solder gaps are
closed, the input impedance is 50 Ω.
To close the solder gaps and change the impedance to 50 ohm, solder the two copper pads together. To close the
solder gap, touch a soldering iron to the two contacts until some rosin core solder flows across the copper pads
and forms a small blob of solder. Be careful not to overheat the pads, or they may delaminate from the circuit
board. Do not add too much solder, as it could flow onto other components and cause an electrical short or other
defect.

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Functional Details
19
Solder Gap Configuration
Input Impedance
Open
1.5 M typical
Close
50
The board designation for the analog input channels and the trigger/clock BNC input are listed below.
Solder Gap board label
Channel
SG1
Channel 0
SG2
Channel 1
SG3
Channel 2
SG4
Channel 3
SG5
TRIG/Ext Clock input
Solder gaps for the analog input channels are located on the rear of the board (circuit-side) and are labeled SG1
to SG4. See Figure 10.
Figure 10. Analog input channel solder gap locations (circuit-side)
The solder gap for the trigger/clock input is located on the front of the board (component-side) and is labeled
SG5. See Figure 11.
Figure 11. Trigger/clock input solder gap location (component-side)

PCI-DAS4020/12 User's Guide Functional Details
20
An example of each input impedance configuration option is shown in Figure 12.
Solder gap SG3
is open (1.5 Mohms)
Solder gap SG4
is closed (50 ohms)
Figure 12. Open and closed solder gaps