Measurement Computing USB-1616HS-BNC User manual

USB-1616HS-BNC
User's Guide
Document Revision 1, May, 2008
© Copyright 2008, Measurement Computing Corporation

3
HM USB-1616HS-BNC.doc
Your new Measurement Computing product comes with a fantastic extra —
Management committed to your satisfaction!
Refer to www.mccdaq.com/execteam.html for the names, titles, and contact information of each key executive at Measurement
Computing.
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 mission:
To provide PC-based data acquisition hardware and software that will save time and save money.
Simple installations minimize the time between setting up your system and actually making measurements. We offer quick and
simple access to outstanding live FREE technical support to help integrate MCC products into a DAQ system.
Limited Lifetime Warranty: Most MCC products are covered by a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials or
workmanship for the life of the product, to the original purchaser, unless otherwise noted. Any products found to be defective in
material or workmanship will be repaired, replaced with same or similar device, or refunded at MCC’s discretion. For specific
information, please refer to the terms and conditions of sale.
Harsh Environment Warranty® Program: Any Measurement Computing product that is damaged due to misuse, or any
reason, may be eligible for replacement with the same or similar device for 50% of the current list price. I/O boards face some
harsh environments, some harsher than the boards are designed to withstand. Contact MCC to determine your product’s
eligibility for this program
30 Day Money-Back Guarantee: Any Measurement Computing Corporation product may be returned 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.
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 Corporation, 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 Corporation has been notified in
advance of the possibility of such damages.

4
Trademark and Copyright Information
TracerDAQ, Universal Library, Harsh Environment Warranty, Measurement Computing Corporation, and the Measurement
Computing logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Measurement Computing Corporation.
Windows, Microsoft, and Visual Studio are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
LabVIEW is a trademark of National Instruments.
CompactFlash is a registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation.
XBee and XBee-PRO are trademarks of MaxStream, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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 prior written consent from 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.

5
Table of Contents
Preface
About this User's Guide .......................................................................................................................7
What you will learn from this user's guide .........................................................................................................7
Conventions used in this user's guide .................................................................................................................7
Where to find more information .........................................................................................................................7
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-1616HS-BNC ......................................................................................................8
Overview: USB-1616HS-BNC features .............................................................................................................8
Software features ................................................................................................................................................8
Chapter 2
Installing the USB-1616HS-BNC ..........................................................................................................9
What comes with your USB-1616HS-BNC shipment? ......................................................................................9
Hardware .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Optional components .......................................................................................................................................................10
Additional documentation................................................................................................................................................10
Unpacking the USB-1616HS-BNC ..................................................................................................................10
Installing the software ......................................................................................................................................10
Installing the hardware .....................................................................................................................................11
Configuring the hardware.................................................................................................................................11
Connecting the board for I/O operations ..........................................................................................................12
Connectors, cables –main I/O connector.........................................................................................................................12
DSUB37F connector........................................................................................................................................................12
Cabling.............................................................................................................................................................................13
Field wiring and signal termination accessories...............................................................................................................13
Chapter 3
Functional Details ...............................................................................................................................14
USB-1616HS-BNC components ......................................................................................................................14
USB-1616HS-BNC block diagram...................................................................................................................15
Synchronous I/O –mixing analog, digital, and counter scanning ....................................................................15
Analog input .....................................................................................................................................................15
Analog input scanning .....................................................................................................................................................15
Analog output ...................................................................................................................................................18
Example: Analog channel scanning of voltage inputs and streaming analog outputs ......................................................18
Digital I/O.........................................................................................................................................................19
Digital input scanning......................................................................................................................................................19
Digital outputs and pattern generation .............................................................................................................................20
Triggering .........................................................................................................................................................20
Hardware analog triggering .............................................................................................................................................20
Digital triggering..............................................................................................................................................................20
Software-based triggering................................................................................................................................................21
Stop trigger modes ...........................................................................................................................................................21
Pre-triggering and post-triggering modes ........................................................................................................................21
Counter inputs ..................................................................................................................................................22
Tips for making high-speed counter measurements (> 1 MHz) .......................................................................................22
Mapped channels .............................................................................................................................................................22
Counter modes .................................................................................................................................................................23
Debounce modes..............................................................................................................................................................24
Encoder mode ..................................................................................................................................................................27

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide
6
Timer outputs....................................................................................................................................................30
Example: Timer outputs...................................................................................................................................................30
Using detection setpoints for output control.....................................................................................................31
What are detection setpoints? ..........................................................................................................................................31
Setpoint configuration overview ......................................................................................................................................31
Setpoint configuration......................................................................................................................................................32
Using the setpoint status register......................................................................................................................................33
Examples of control outputs ............................................................................................................................................34
Detection setpoint details.................................................................................................................................................38
DAC or timer update latency ...........................................................................................................................................38
Chapter 4
Calibrating the USB-1616HS-BNC .....................................................................................................40
Chapter 5
Specifications......................................................................................................................................41
Analog input .....................................................................................................................................................41
Accuracy..........................................................................................................................................................................42
Analog outputs..................................................................................................................................................42
Digital input/output...........................................................................................................................................43
Counters............................................................................................................................................................43
Input sequencer.................................................................................................................................................44
External acquisition scan clock........................................................................................................................................44
Triggering .........................................................................................................................................................45
Frequency/pulse generators ..............................................................................................................................45
Power consumption ..........................................................................................................................................45
External power..................................................................................................................................................45
USB specifications ...........................................................................................................................................46
Environmental ..................................................................................................................................................46
Mechanical .......................................................................................................................................................46
Signal I/O connectors and pin out ....................................................................................................................46
Declaration of Conformity ..................................................................................................................48

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 USB-1616HS-BNC so that you get the most out
of its analog I/O, digital I/O, and counter/timer I/O features.
This user's guide also refers you to related documents available on our web site, and to technical support
resources.
Conventions used 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
The following electronic documents provide information that can help you get the most out of your USB-
1616HS-BNC.
MCC's Specifications: USB-1616HS-BNC (the PDF version of the Specifications chapter in this guide) is
available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/USB-1616HS-BNC.pdf.
MCC's Quick Start Guide is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/DAQ-Software-Quick-Start.pdf.
MCC's Guide to Signal Connections is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/signals/signals.pdf.
MCC's Universal Library User's Guide is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-user-guide.pdf.
MCC's Universal Library Function Reference is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/sm-ul-functions.pdf.
MCC's Universal Library for LabVIEW™User’s Guide is available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/SM-UL-LabVIEW.pdf.
USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide (this document) is also available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/PDFmanuals/USB-1616HS-BNC.pdf.

8
Chapter 1
Introducing the USB-1616HS-BNC
Overview: USB-1616HS-BNC features
The USB-1616HS-BNC is supported under popular Microsoft®Windows®operating systems. The USB-
1616HS-BNC board is a multifunction measurement and control board designed for the USB bus.
Through its front-panel BNC connectors, the USB-1616HS-BNC provides 16 differential analog inputs with
16-bit resolution. It offers seven software-selectable analog input ranges of ±10 V, ±5 V, ±2 V, ±1 V, ±0.5 V,
±0.2 V, and ±0.1V.
Through its 37-pin DSUB connectors, the USB-1616HS-BNC provides:
two 16-bit, 1 MHz analog output channels with an output range of -10 V to +10 V
16 high-speed lines of digital I/O
two timer outputs
four 32-bit counters.
The USB-1616HS-BNC provides up to 4 MHz scanning on all digital input lines1.
You can operate all analog I/O, digital I/O, and counter/timer I/O synchronously.
Software features
For information on the features of InstaCal and the other software included with your USB-1616HS-BNC, 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.
1Higher rates—up to 12 MHz—are possible depending on the platform and the amount of data being transferred.

9
Chapter 2
Installing the USB-1616HS-BNC
What comes with your USB-1616HS-BNC shipment?
As you unpack your USB-1616HS-BNC, verify that the following components are included.
Hardware
USB-1616HS-BNC
USB cable (2-meter length)
TR-2U power supply and CA-1* line cord
AC-to-DC conversion power supply and cord plugs into the external power connector of the USB-1616HS-
BNC.
* European customers: Contact Measurement Computing to order the CA-261 line cord for your region.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Installing the USB-1616HS-BNC
10
Optional components
If you ordered any of the following products with your USB-1616HS-BNC, they should be included with your
shipment.
Cables
C37FM-x cable
Signal conditioning accessories
Measurement Computing provides signal termination products for use with the USB-1616HS-BNC. Refer
to the "Field wiring and signal termination accessories" section on page 13 for a complete list of compatible
accessory products.
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 USB-1616HS-BNC and information regarding installation of that software.
Please read this booklet completely before installing any software or hardware.
Unpacking the USB-1616HS-BNC
As with any electronic device, you should take care while handling to avoid damage from static
electricity. Before removing the USB-1616HS-BNC 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: [email protected]
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.
We recommend that you download the latest Windows Update onto your computer before installing and
operating the USB-1616HS-BNC.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Installing the USB-1616HS-BNC
11
Installing the hardware
To connect the USB-1616HS-BNC to your system, turn your computer on, and then do the following:
Refer to the "Specifications" chapter on page 41 of this user’s guide to make sure that the input signals do
not exceed the specified limits.
Connect the analog inputs to the BNC connectors on the front panel of the USB-1616HS-BNC.
Connect the TR-2U external supply or another compatible 6-16 VDC power supply to the USB-1616HS-
BNC's external power connector, and plug the other end into a power outlet.
The USB-1616HS-BNC requires 9 V of external power.
Connect the USB cable to the USB-1616HS-BNC USB connector and to a USB port on your computer. A
USB2.0 port is recommended—connecting to a USB1.1 port results in lower performance.
When you connect the USB-1616HS-BNC for the first time, a Found New Hardware message opens as the
USB-1616HS-BNC is detected. When the message closes, the installation is complete.
The power LED (bottom LED) blinks during device detection and initialization, and then remains solid if
properly detected. If not, check if the USB-1616HS-BNC has sufficient power. When the device is first
powered on, there is usually a momentary delay before the power LED begins to blink, or come on solid.
Caution! Do not disconnect any device from the USB bus while the computer is communicating with the
USB-1616HS-BNC, or you may lose data and/or your ability to communicate with the USB-
1616HS-BNC.
Configuring the hardware
All hardware configuration options on the USB-1616HS-BNC are software-controlled. You can select some of
the configuration options using InstaCal, such as the edge used for pacing when using an external clock.
Once selected, any program that uses the Universal Library initializes the hardware according to these
selections.
Caution! Turn off power to all devices connected to the system before making connections. Electrical shock
or damage to equipment can result even under low-voltage conditions.
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.
Caution! Always handle components carefully, and never touch connectors or circuit components unless
you are following ESD guidelines in an appropriate ESD-controlled area. These guidelines include
using properly-grounded mats and wrist straps, ESD bags and cartons, and related procedures.
Avoid touching board surfaces and onboard components. Only handle boards by their edges. Make
sure the USB-1616HS-BNC does not come into contact with foreign elements such as oils, water,
and industrial particulate.
The discharge of static electricity can damage some electronic components. Semiconductor
devices are especially susceptible to ESD damage.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Installing the USB-1616HS-BNC
12
Connecting the board for I/O operations
Connectors, cables –main I/O connector
The following table lists the board I/O connector type, compatible cables, and compatible accessory products
for the USB-1616HS-BNC.
Board connectors, cables, and accessory equipment
Main connectors
16 standard BNC female connectors for analog input. The shell of the BNC is the low
differential input and the center conductor is the high differential input.
37-pin DSUB female connector (DSUB37F connector)for digital I/O, counter/encoder
inputs, timer output, and analog output
Compatible cable for the 37-
pin DSUB connector
C37FM-x (see Figure 1). x= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 50-foot lengths
Compatible accessory products
CIO-MINI37
CIO-MINI37-VERT
CIO-TERMINAL
SCB-37
Refer to the "Field wiring and signal termination accessories" section on page 13 for
descriptions of these compatible accessory products.
DSUB37F connector
Pin number
Name
Description
1
SELFCAL
Self-calibration. Factory use only. Do not connect.
2
DAC0
Digital-to-analog converter; analog output 0
3
AGND
Analog common
4
TMR1
Timer output 1; 16-bit, frequency pulse generator output
5
DGND
Digital common
6
TMR0
Timer output 0; 16-bit, frequency pulse generator output
7
TTLTRG
TTL trigger input
8
CTR2
Counter input, CTR2
9
CTR0
Counter input, CTR0
10
Port B –B0
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 0
11
Port B –B2
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 2
12
Port B –B4
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 4
13
Port B –B6
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 6
14
DGND
Digital common
15
Port A –A0
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 0
16
Port A –A2
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 2
17
Port A –A4
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 4
18
Port A –A6
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 6
19
DGND
Digital common
20
SGND
Signal Ground
21
DAC1
Digital to analog converter; analog output 1
22
AGND
Analog common
23
+5VDC
+5 VDC power out
24
XPACR
A/D pacer clock I/O
25
DGND
Digital common
26
CTR3
Counter input, CTR3
27
CTR1
Counter input, CTR1
28
DGND
Digital common
29
Port B –B1
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 1
30
Port B –B3
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 3
31
Port B –B5
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 5
32
Port B –B7
Digital I/O: digital port B, bit 7
33
DGND
Digital common
34
Port A –A1
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 1
35
Port A –A3
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 3
36
Port A –A5
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 5
37
Port A –A7
Digital I/O: digital port A, bit 7

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Installing the USB-1616HS-BNC
13
Cabling
Use a C37FM-x37-pin cable to connect to the USB-1616HS-BNC's 37-pin device I/O connector.
Female connector Male connector
20
1
37
19
1
20
19
37
The red stripe
identifies pin # 1
Figure 1. C37FM-x cable
Field wiring and signal termination accessories
You can connect the USB-1616HS-BNC to the following accessory boards using the C37FM-x cable.
CIO-MINI37 –37-pin screw terminal board. Details on this product are available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=102&pf_id=255.
CIO-MINI37-VERT –37-pin screw terminal board with vertical 37-pin male D connector. Details on this
product are available on our web site at
www.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=102&pf_id=256.
CIO-TERMINAL –37-pin screw terminal board with on-board prototyping area. Details on this product are
available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=102&pf_id=282.
SCB-37 –37-conductor, shielded signal connection/screw terminal box. Details on this product are
available on our web site at www.mccdaq.com/cbicatalog/cbiproduct.asp?dept_id=196&pf_id=1166.

14
Chapter 3
Functional Details
This chapter contains detailed information on all of the features available from the board, including:
a diagram and explanations of physical board components
a functional block diagram
information on how to use the signals generated by the board
diagrams of signals using default or conventional board settings
USB-1616HS-BNC components
These USB-1616HS-BNC components are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3.
16 BNC connectors for voltage measurement
One 37-pin DSUB connector for digital I/O, counter/encoder inputs, timer output, and analog output
One USB port
One external power connector
Two LED indicators ("Active" and "Power")
Figure 2. USB-1616HS-BNC components –front view
Figure 3. USB-1616HS-BNC components –rear view
External power connector (DC IN)
The USB-1616HS-BNC requires external power. Connect the TR-2U power supply to the external power
supply connector. This power supply provides 9 VDC power to the USB-1616HS-BNC.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Functional Details
15
USB-1616HS-BNC block diagram
Figure 4 shows a simplified block diagram of the USB-1616HS-BNC. This device provides all of the functional
elements shown in the figure.
Figure 4. USB-1616HS-BNC functional block diagram
Synchronous I/O –mixing analog, digital, and counter scanning
The USB-1616HS-BNC can read analog, digital, and counter inputs, while generating up to two analog outputs
and digital pattern outputs at the same time. Digital and counter inputs do not affect the overall A/D rate
because these inputs use no time slot in the scanning sequencer.
For example, one analog input channel can be scanned at the full 1 MHz A/D rate along with digital and counter
input channels. Each analog channel can have a different gain, and counter and digital channels do not need
additional scanning bandwidth as long as there is at least one analog channel in the scan group.
Digital input channel sampling is not done during the "dead time" of the scan period where no analog sampling
is being done either.
Analog input
The USB-1616HS-BNC has a 16-bit, 1-MHz A/D coupled with 16 differential analog inputs. Seven software
programmable ranges provide inputs from ±10 V to ±100 mV full scale.
Analog input scanning
The USB-1616HS-BNC has several scanning modes to address various applications. You can load the
512-location scan buffer with any combination of analog input channels. All analog input channels in the scan
buffer are measured sequentially at 1 µs per channel by default.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Functional Details
16
For example, in the fastest mode, with ADC settling time set to 1 µs, a single analog channel can be scanned
continuously at 1 MS/s; two analog channels can be scanned at 500 kS/s each; 16 analog input channels can be
scanned at 62.5 kS/s.
Settling time
For most applications, leave the settling time at its default of 1 µs. However, if you are scanning multiple
channels, and one or more channels are connected to a high-impedance source, you may get better results by
increasing the settling time. Remember that increasing the settling time reduces the maximum acquisition rate.
You can set the settling time to 1 µs, 5 µs, 10 µs, or 1 ms.
Example: Analog channel scanning of voltage inputs
Figure 5 shows a simple acquisition. The scan is programmed pre-acquisition and is made up of six analog
channels (Ch0, Ch1, Ch3, Ch4, Ch6, and Ch7). Each of these analog channels can have a different gain. The
acquisition is triggered and the samples stream to the PC. Each analog channel requires one microsecond of
scan time—therefore the scan period can be no shorter than 6 µs for this example. The scan period can be made
much longer than 6 µs—up to 1 s. The maximum scan frequency is one divided by 6 µs, or 166,666 Hz.
Figure 5. Analog channel scan of voltage inputs example
Since the targeted number of oversamples is 256 in this example, each analog channel in the scan group
requires 256 microseconds to return one 16-bit value, making the minimum scan period for this example 7 x
256 µs, or 1792 µs. The maximum scan frequency is the inverse of this number, 558 Hz.
Example: Analog and digital scanning, once per scan mode
The scan is programmed pre-acquisition and is made up of six analog channels (Ch0, Ch2, Ch5, Ch11, Ch13,
Ch15) and four digital channels (16-bits of digital IO, three counter inputs.) Each of the analog channels can
have a different gain.
The acquisition is triggered and the samples stream to the PC via the USB cable. Each analog channel requires
one microsecond of scan time. Therefore, the scan period can be no shorter than 6 µs for this example. All of
the digital channels are sampled at the start of scan and do not require additional scanning bandwidth as long as
there is at least one analog channel in the scan group. The scan period can be made much longer than 6 µs, up to
1 second. The maximum scan frequency is one divided by 6 µs or 166,666 Hz.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Functional Details
17
Figure 6. Analog and digital scanning, once per scan mode example
The counter channels may return only the lower 16-bits of count value if that is sufficient for the application.
They could also return the full 32-bit result if necessary. Similarly, the digital input channel could be the full
24 bits if desired or only eight bits if that is sufficient. If the three counter channels are all returning 32-bit
values and the digital input channel is returning a 16-bit value, then 13 samples are being returned to the PC
every scan period, with each sample being 16-bits. The 32-bit counter channels are divided into two 16-bit
samples—one for the low word, and the other for the high word. If the maximum scan frequency is 166,666 Hz,
then the data bandwidth streaming into the PC is 2.167 MS/s. Some slower PCs may have a problem with data
bandwidths greater than 6 MS/s.
The USB-1616HS-BNC has an onboard 1 MS buffer for acquired data.
Example: Sampling digital inputs for every analog sample in a scan group
The scan is programmed pre-acquisition and is made up of six analog channels (Ch0, Ch2, Ch5, Ch11, Ch13,
Ch15) and four digital channels (16-bits of digital input, three counter inputs.) Each of the analog channels can
have a different gain.
The acquisition is triggered and the samples stream to the PC via the USB cable. Each analog channel requires
one microsecond of scan time therefore the scan period can be no shorter than 6 µs for this example. All of the
digital channels are sampled at the start of scan and do not require additional scanning bandwidth as long as
there is at least one analog channel in the scan group. The 16-bits of digital input are sampled for every analog
sample in the scan group. This allows up to 1 MHz digital input sampling while the 1 MHz analog sampling
bandwidth is aggregated across many analog input channels.
The scan period can be made much longer than 6 µs—up to 1 second. The maximum scan frequency is one
divided by 6 µs, or 166,666 Hz. Note that digital input channel sampling is not done during the "dead time" of
the scan period where no analog sampling is being done either.
Figure 7. Analog and digital scanning, once per scan mode example

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Functional Details
18
If the three counter channels are all returning 32-bit values and the digital input channel is returning a 1-bit
value, then 18 samples are returned to the PC every scan period, with each sample being 16-bits. Each 32-bit
counter channel is divided into two 16-bit samples—one for the low word and the other for the high word. If the
maximum scan frequency is 166,666 Hz, then the data bandwidth streaming into the PC is 3 MS/s. Some slower
PCs may have a problem with data bandwidths greater than 6 MS/s.
The USB-1616HS-BNC has an onboard 1 MS buffer for acquired data.
Averaging
Certain acquisition programs apply averaging after several samples have been collected. Depending on the
nature of the noise, averaging can reduce noise by the square root of the number of averaged samples.
Although averaging can be effective, it suffers from several drawbacks:
Noise in measurements only decreases as the square root of the number of measurements—reducing RMS
noise significantly may require many samples. Thus, averaging is suited to low-speed applications that can
provide many samples.
Only random noise is reduced or eliminated by averaging. Averaging does not reduce or eliminate periodic
signals.
Analog output
The USB-1616HS-BNC has two 16-bit, 1 MHz analog output channels. Analog outputs can be updated at a
maximum rate of 1 MHz.
The channels have an output range of -10 V to +10 V. Each D/A can continuously output a waveform. In
addition, a program can asynchronously output a value to any of the D/A channels for non-waveform
applications, assuming that the D/A is not already being used in the waveform output mode.
When used to generate waveforms, you can clock the D/As in several different modes.
Internal output scan clock: The onboard programmable clock can generate updates ranging from 1 Hz to
1 MHz.
External input scan clock: A user-supplied external input scan clock at XPCR can pace both the D/A and
the analog input.
Internal input scan clock: The internal ADC scan clock.
Example: Analog channel scanning of voltage inputs and streaming analog
outputs
The example shown in Figure 8 adds two DACs and a 16-bit digital pattern output to the example presented in
Figure 5 on page 16.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Functional Details
19
Figure 8. Analog channel scan of voltage inputs and streaming analog outputs example
This example updates all DACs and the 16-bits of digital I/O. These updates happen at the same time as the
output scan clock. All DACs and the 16-bits of pattern digital output are updated at the beginning of each scan.
Due to the time it takes to shift the digital data out to the DACs, plus the actual settling time of the digital-to-
analog conversion, the DACs actually take up to 4 µs after the start of scan to settle on the updated value.
The data for the DACs and pattern digital output comes from a PC-based buffer. The data is streamed across the
USB2 bus to the USB-1616HS-BNC.
You can also synchronize everything—input scans, DACs, pattern digital outputs—to one clock, which is either
internally-generated or externally-applied.
Digital I/O
Sixteen TTL-level digital I/O lines are included in each USB-1616HS-BNC. You can program digital I/O in
8-bit groups as either inputs or outputs and scan them in several modes (see "Digital input scanning" below).
You can access input ports asynchronously from the PC at any time, including when a scanned acquisition is
occurring.
Digital input scanning
Digital input ports can be read asynchronously before, during, or after an analog input scan.
Digital input ports can be part of the scan group and scanned along with analog input channels. Two
synchronous modes are supported when digital inputs are scanned along with analog inputs. Refer to "Example:
Sampling digital inputs for every analog sample in a scan group" on page 17 for more information.
In both modes, adding digital input scans has no affect on the analog scan rate limitations.
If no analog inputs are being scanned, the digital inputs can sustain rates up to 4 MHz.
Higher rates—up to 12 MHz—are possible depending on the platform and the amount of data being transferred.

USB-1616HS-BNC User's Guide Functional Details
20
Digital outputs and pattern generation
Digital outputs can be updated asynchronously at any time before, during, or after an acquisition. You can use
both 8-bit ports to generate a digital pattern at up to 4 MHz. The USB-1616HS-BNC supports digital pattern
generation. The digital pattern can be read from PC RAM.
Higher rates—up to 12 MHz—are possible depending on the platform and the amount of data being transferred.
Digital pattern generation is clocked using an internal clock. The onboard programmable clock generates
updates ranging from once every 1 second to 1 MHz, independent of any acquisition rate.
Triggering
Triggering can be the most critical aspect of a data acquisition application. The USB-1616HS-BNC supports the
following trigger modes to accommodate certain measurement situations.
Hardware analog triggering
The USB-1616HS-BNC uses true analog triggering in which the trigger level you program sets an analog DAC,
which is then compared in hardware to the analog input level on the selected channel. This guarantees an analog
trigger latency that is less than 1 µs.
You can select any analog channel as the trigger channel, but the selected channel must be the first channel in
the scan. You can program the trigger level, the rising or falling edge to trigger on, and hysteresis.
A note on the hardware analog level trigger and comparator change state
When analog input voltage starts near the trigger level, and you are performing a rising or falling hardware
analog level trigger, the analog level comparator may have already tripped before the sweep was enabled. If this
is the case, the circuit waits for the comparator to change state. However, since the comparator has already
changed state, the circuit does not see the transition.
To resolve this problem, do the following:
Set the analog level trigger to the threshold you want.
Apply an analog input signal that is more than 2.5% of the full-scale range away from the desired
threshold. This ensures that the comparator is in the proper state at the beginning of the acquisition.
Bring the analog input signal toward the desired threshold. When the input signal is at the threshold
(± some tolerance) the sweep will be triggered.
Before re-arming the trigger, again move the analog input signal to a level that is more than 2.5% of the
full-scale range away from the desired threshold.
For example, if you are using the ±2 V full-scale range (gain = 5), and you want to trigger at +1 V on the rising
edge, set the analog input voltage to a start value that is less than +0.9 V (1 V –(2 V * 2 * 2.5%)).
Digital triggering
A separate digital trigger input line is provided (TTLTRG), allowing TTL-level triggering with latencies
guaranteed to be less than 1 µs. You can program both of the logic levels (1 or 0) and the rising or falling edge
for the discrete digital trigger input.