National Instruments NI 9234 Manual

NI-9234

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
NI 9234
4-Channel, ±5 V, 24-Bit Software-Selectable
IEPE and AC/DC Analog Input Module
This document contains the verification and adjustment procedures for the National
Instruments 9234. For more information on calibration, visit ni.com/calibration.
Contents
Software.................................................................................................................................... 1
Documentation.......................................................................................................................... 2
Test Equipment......................................................................................................................... 3
Test Conditions......................................................................................................................... 4
Initial Setup............................................................................................................................... 4
Verification ............................................................................................................................... 5
Accuracy Verification....................................................................................................... 5
Gain Matching Verification.............................................................................................. 6
Phase Matching Verification ............................................................................................ 8
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio Verification .................................................................. 9
IEPE Current Verification ................................................................................................ 11
IEPE Compliance Voltage Verification ........................................................................... 12
Adjustment................................................................................................................................ 14
Accuracy Adjustment ....................................................................................................... 14
EEPROM Update ..................................................................................................................... 14
Reverification ........................................................................................................................... 15
Accuracy Under Calibration Conditions .................................................................................. 15
Worldwide Support and Services ............................................................................................. 16
Software
Calibrating the NI 9234 requires the installation of NI-DAQmx 9.2 or later on the calibration
system. You can download NI-DAQmx from ni.com/downloads. NI-DAQmx supports
LabVIEW, LabWindowsTM/CVI, C/C++, C#, and Visual Basic .NET. When you install
NI-DAQmx you only need to install support for the ADE that you intend to use.

2|ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
Documentation
Consult the following documents for information about the NI 9234, NI-DAQmx, and your
application software. All documents are available on ni.com and help files install with the
software.
NI cDAQ-9174/9178 USB Chassis Quick Start
NI-DAQmx installation and hardware setup
NI 9234 Operating Instructions and Specifications
NI 9234 specific information, specifications, and calibration interval
NI-DAQmx Readme
Operating system and application software support in NI-DAQmx
LabVIEW Help
LabVIEW programming concepts and reference information about NI-DAQmx
VIs and functions
NI-DAQmx C Reference Help
Reference information for NI-DAQmx C functions and NI-DAQmx C properties
NI-DAQmx .NET Help Support for Visual Studio
Reference information for NI-DAQmx .NET methods and NI-DAQmx .NET
properties, key concepts, and a C enum to .NET enum mapping table

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |3
Test Equipment
Table 1 lists the equipment recommended for the performance verification and adjustment
procedures. If the recommended equipment is not available, select a substitute using the
requirements listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Recommended Equipment
Equipment
Recommended
Model Where Used Requirements
Calibrator Fluke 5700A Accuracy,
Adjustment
Use a high-precision voltage source
with an accuracy ≤100 ppm and an
output that is able to be not grounded
(floating).
Function
Generator
NI 4461 Gain
Matching
Use a function generator capable of
sourcing 1 kHz and 10 kHz ±4.5 Vpk
AC sinusoidal signals with amplitude
uncertainty of ±10% or less.
Phase
Matching
Use a function generator capable of
sourcing both 1 kHz and 10 kHz
±4.5 Vpk AC sinusoidal signals with
amplitude uncertainty of ±10% or less.
CMRR Use a function generator capable of
sourcing 1 kHz ±4.5 Vpk AC sinusoidal
signals with amplitude uncertainty of
±0.04dB or less.
DMM NI 4070 IEPE
Current
Use DMM in current mode in the
smallest range to measure 2 mA DC
with a measurement uncertainty
≤0.5%.
Source
Measure
Unit (SMU)
Keithley Model
2400
IEPE
Compliance
Voltage
Use an SMU capable of sourcing 20 V
DC with an accuracy ≤0.1% while
sinking >2 mA DC.
BNC Cable — All Use a length appropriate for your
application.
Chassis NI cDAQ-9178 All —

4|ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
Test Conditions
The following setup and environmental conditions are required to ensure the NI 9234 meets
published specifications.
• Keep connections to the device as short as possible. Long cables and wires act as antennas,
picking up extra noise that can affect measurements.
• Verify that all connections to the device are secure.
• Use shielded copper wire for all cable connections to the device. Use twisted-pairs wire to
eliminate noise and thermal offsets.
• Maintain an ambient temperature of 23 ±5 °C. The device temperature will be greater than
the ambient temperature.
• Keep relative humidity below 80%.
• Allow a warm-up time of at least 10 minutes to ensure that the NI 9234 measurement
circuitry is at a stable operating temperature.
Initial Setup
Complete the following steps to set up the NI 9234.
1. Install NI-DAQmx.
2. Make sure the NI cDAQ-9178 power source is not connected.
3. Connect the NI cDAQ-9178 to the system safety ground.
a. Attach a ring lug to a 14 AWG (1.6 mm) wire.
b. Connect the ring lug to the ground terminal on the side of the NI cDAQ-9178 using
the ground screw.
c. Attach the other end of the wire to the system safety ground.
4. Install the module in slot 8 of the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis. Leave slots 1 through 7 of the
NI cDAQ-9178 chassis empty.
5. Connect the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis to your host computer.
6. Connect the power source to the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis.
7. Launch Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
8. Right-click the device name and select Self-Test to ensure that the module is working
properly.

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |5
Verification
The following performance verification procedures describe the sequence of operation and test
points required to verify the NI 9234 and assumes that adequate traceable uncertainties are
available for the calibration references.
Accuracy Verification
Complete the following procedure to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9234.
1. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
2. Connect the NI 9234 to the calibrator as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Accuracy Verification Connections to the NI 9234
3. Verify that the calibrator output is not grounded (floating).
Notes The analog inputs on the NI 9234 are grounded, so the calibrator must be
not grounded (floating) to prevent ground loop measurement errors.
To float the output of the Fluke 5700A, enable External Guard mode (EX GRD).
4. Set the calibrator voltage to a Test Point value indicated in Table 4.
5. Set the calibrator to Operate mode (OPR).
6. Acquire and average samples.
a. Create an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 2.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 3.
c. Start the task.
Table 2. NI 9234 Configuration for Accuracy Verification
Min (V) Max (V) Scaled Units Channel Configuration
-5 5Vo l t s DC Coupled
Table 3. NI 9234 Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Samples Per Channel Rate (kHz)
Finite Samples 10240 10.24
NI 9234Calibrator
+AIx
HI
LO
–

6|ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
d. Average the readings and record the average.
e. Compare the average to the limits in Table 4.
f. Clear the task.
7. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
8. Repeat steps 3 through 7 for each test point in Table 4.
Note The test limits listed in Table 4 are derived using the values in Table 21.
9. Disconnect the calibrator from the device.
10. Repeat steps 1 through 9 for each channel on the NI 9234.
Gain Matching Verification
Complete the following procedure to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9234.
1. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
2. Connect the NI 9234 to the calibrator. Refer to Figure 2 for a connection diagram.
Figure 2. Gain Matching Verification Connections to the NI 9234
3. Verify that the calibrator output is not grounded (floating).
Notes The analog inputs on the NI 9234 are grounded, so the calibrator must be
not grounded (floating) to prevent ground loop measurement errors.
To float the output of the Fluke 5700A, enable External Guard mode (EX GRD).
4. Set the calibrator voltage to 4.0 V.
5. Set the calibrator to Operate mode (OPR).
Table 4. NI 9234 Verification Test Limits for Accuracy
Test Point 1-Year Limits
Location Value (V) Lower Limit (V) Upper Limit (V)
Max 4.0 3.9952 4.0048
Mid 0.0 -0.0012 0.0012
Min -4.0 -4.0048 -3.9952
NI 9234Calibrator
+AIx
HI
LO
–

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |7
6. Acquire and average samples.
a. Create an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 5.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 6.
c. Start the task.
d. Average the readings and record the average as V1.
e. Clear the task.
f. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
g. Set the calibrator voltage to -4.0 V.
h. Set the calibrator to Operate mode (OPR).
i. Start the task.
j. Average the readings and record the average as V2.
k. Clear the task.
7. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
8. Disconnect the calibrator from the device.
9. Perform the following calculation using the recorded V1and V2values.
10. Repeat steps 1 through 9 for each channel.
11. Compare the channel-to-channel gain difference to the maximum limit of ±40 mdB.
If the Gain Matching verification procedure determines that the NI 9234 is outside of the limits,
refer to Worldwide Support and Services for assistance in returning the device to NI.
Table 5. NI 9234 Configuration for Gain Matching Verification
Min (V) Max (V) Scaled Units Channel Configuration
-5 5Vo l t s DC Coupled
Table 6. Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Samples Per Channel Rate (kHz)
Finite Samples 10240 10.24
Gain dB() 20 10 log×V1V2
–
8
------------------





=

8|ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
Phase Matching Verification
Complete the following procedure to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9234.
1. Connect the NI 9234 to the function generator as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Phase Matching Verification Connections to the NI 9234
2. Configure function generator according to Table 7.
3. Set the function generator frequency to a value indicated in Table 10.
4. Acquire and average samples.
a. Create an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 8.
Note Wait 20 s for the AC coupling filter on the NI 9234 to settle.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 9.
c. Enable the function generator.
d. Start the task.
Table 7. Function Generator Configuration for Phase Matching Verification
Signal Type Amplitude (Vpk)
Sinewave ±4.5
Table 8. NI 9234 Configuration for Phase Matching Verification
Min (V) Max (V) Scaled Units Channel Configuration
-5 5Vo l t s AC Coupled
Table 9. NI 9234 Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Samples Per Channel Rate (kHz)
Finite Samples 16384 51.2
NI 9234
Function
Generator
HI AI0
AI1
AI2
AI3
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
LO

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |9
e. Disable the function generator.
f. Clear the task.
5. Calculate the phase for each channel on the NI 9234. NI recommends using the Extract
Single Tone Information VI to calculate phase.
6. Compare the channel-to-channel phase difference to the limits in Table 10.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each test point in Table 10.
If the Phase Matching verification procedure determines that the NI 9234 is outside of the limits,
refer to Worldwide Support and Services for assistance in returning the device to NI.
Common-Mode Rejection Ratio Verification
Complete the following procedure to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9234.
1. Connect the NI 9234 to the function generator and short the positive pin and negative shell
of the NI 9234 channel.
2. Connect the function generator to the chassis ground as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. CMRR Verification Connections to the NI 9234
3. Configure the function generator according to Table 11.
Table 10. NI 9234 Verification Test Limits for Phase Matching
Generator Frequency (kHz) Phase Matching Channel-to-Channel Limit
1±0.085°
10 ±0.49°
Table 11. Function Generator Configuration for CMRR Verification
Signal Type Amplitude (Vpk)Frequency (kHz)
Sinewave ±0.5 1
Function
Generator NI 9234
+AIx
HI
LO
–

10 |ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
4. Acquire a reference amplitude.
a. Create and configure an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 12.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 13.
c. Enable the function generator.
d. Start the task.
e. Record the measured amplitude as AmplitudeAcq.
f. Disable the function generator.
g. Clear the task.
5. Perform the following calculation using the recorded AmplitudeAcq.
h. Compare the calculation result to the minimum CMRR limit of 40 dB.
6. Repeat steps 1 through h for each channel.
If the Common-Mode Rejection Ratio verification procedure determines that the NI 9234 is
outside of the limits, refer to Worldwide Support and Services for assistance in returning the
device to NI.
Table 12. NI 9234 Configuration for CMRR Verification
Min (V) Max (V) Scaled Units Channel Configuration
-5 5Vo l t s DC Coupled
Table 13. NI 9234 Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Samples Per Channel Rate (kHz)
Finite Samples 16384 51.2
CMRR 20 10 log×–
AmplitudeAcq
0.5
----------------------------------- 



=

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |11
IEPE Current Verification
Complete the following procedure to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9234.
1. Connect the NI 9234 to the DMM as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5. IEPE Current Verification Connections to the NI 9234
2. Configure the DMM for a DC current measurement in the lowest appropriate range to
measure 2 mA.
3. Measure IEPE Source short circuit current.
a. Create an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 14.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 15.
c. Start the task.
d. Record the DMM measurement.
e. Clear the task.
4. Compare the DMM measurement to the minimum current limit of 2.0 mA.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for each channel.
If the IEPE Current verification procedure determines that the NI 9234 is outside of the limits,
refer to Worldwide Support and Services for assistance in returning the device to NI.
Table 14. NI 9234 Configuration for IEPE Current Verification
Min (V) Max (V)
Scaled
Units
Channel
Configuration IEPE Excitation
-5 5Vo l t s AC Coupled Enabled
Table 15. NI 9234 Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Rate (kHz)
Continuous Samples 51.2
DMM NI 9234
+AIx
HI
LO
–

12 |ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
IEPE Compliance Voltage Verification
Complete the following procedure to determine the As-Found status of the NI 9234.
1. Connect the NI 9234 to the DMM as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6. IEPE Compliance Voltage Verification Connections to the NI 9234
(IEPE Source Short Circuit Current Measurement)
2. Configure the DMM for a DC current measurement in the lowest appropriate range to
measure 2 mA.
3. Measure IEPE Source short circuit current.
a. Create an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 16.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 17.
c. Start the task.
d. Record the DMM measurement DMMCurrent.
e. Perform the following calculation using the recorded DMMCurrent value.
SMUSourceCurrent = -(0.95 × DMMCurrent)
4. Record the calculation result as SMUSourceCurrent.
Table 16. NI 9234 Configuration for IEPE Voltage Verification
Channel Configuration IEPE Excitation
AC Coupled with IEPE Enabled
Table 17. NI 9234 Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Rate (kHz)
Continuous Samples 51.2
DMM NI 9234
+AIx
HI
LO
–

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |13
5. Connect the SMU to the channel you want to verify on the NI 9234. Refer to Figure 7 for
a connection diagram.
Figure 7. IEPE Compliance Voltage Verification Connections to the NI 9234
(IEPE Source Compliance Voltage Measurement)
6. Configure the SMU as a current source and set the voltage limit to the lowest appropriate
range to measure 24 V.
7. Measure IEPE Source compliance voltage.
a. Create and configure an AI voltage task on the NI 9234 according to Table 18.
b. Configure the AI voltage task timing according to Table 19.
c. Set the source current on the SMU to the recorded SMUSourceCurrent value.
d. Start the task.
e. Enable the SMU.
f. Record the SMU measurement SMUVoltage.
g. Disable the SMU.
h. Clear the task.
8. Compare the voltage measurement from the SMU to the minimum voltage limit of 19 V.
9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 for each channel.
If the IEPE Compliance Voltage verification procedure determines that the NI 9234 is outside of
the limits, refer to Worldwide Support and Services for assistance in returning the device to NI.
Table 18. IEPE Compliance Verification Equipment Configuration
Channel Configuration IEPE Excitation
AC Coupled with IEPE Enabled
Table 19. NI 9234 Timing Configuration
Sample Mode Rate (kHz)
Continuous Samples 51.2
SMU NI 9234
+AIx
HI
LO
–

14 |ni.com |NI 9234 Calibration Procedure
Adjustment
The following performance adjustment procedure describes the sequence of operations required
to adjust the NI 9234.
Accuracy Adjustment
Complete the following procedure to adjust the accuracy performance of the NI 9234.
1. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
2. Connect the NI 9234 to the calibrator as shown in Figure 1.
3. Adjust the NI 9234.
a. Initialize a calibration session on the NI 9234. The default password is NI.
b. Input the external temperature in degrees Celsius.
c. Call the NI 9234 get C Series adjustment points function to obtain an array of
recommended calibration voltages for the NI 9234.
d. Set the calibrator to a reference value determined by the array of recommended
calibration voltages.
e. Set the calibrator to Operate mode (OPR).
f. Call and configure the NI 9234 gain instance of the DAQmx adjustment function
according to Table 20.
g. Set the calibrator to Standby mode (STBY).
h. Repeat steps d through g for each calibration voltage in the array.
i. Disconnect the NI 9234 from the calibrator.
j. Short AI+ and AI- on the BNC connector together for the channel under adjustment
on the NI 9234.
k. Take a measurement using the NI 9234 offset instance of the DACQmx adjust function
for the channel under adjustment.
l. Close the calibration session.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each channel on the NI 9234.
EEPROM Update
When an adjustment procedure is completed, the NI 9234 internal calibration memory
(EEPROM) is immediately updated.
If you do not want to perform an adjustment, you can update the calibration date and onboard
calibration temperature without making any adjustments by initializing an external calibration,
setting the C Series calibration temperature, and closing the external calibration.
Table 20. Adjustment Configuration
Physical Channel Reference Value
cDAQMod8/aixThe reference value from the array of adjustment points

NI 9234 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |15
Reverification
Repeat the Verification section to determine the As-Left status of the device.
Note If any test fails Reverification after performing an adjustment, verify that you
have met the Test Conditions before returning your device to NI. Refer to Worldwide
Support and Services for assistance in returning the device to NI.
Accuracy Under Calibration Conditions
The following calibration specifications are valid under the following conditions:
• Ambient temperature 23 ±5 °C
• NI 9234 installed in slot 8 of an NI cDAQ-9178 chassis
• Slots 1 through 7 of the NI cDAQ-9178 chassis are empty
Note The test limits listed in Table 4 are derived using the values in Table 21.
Note For operational specifications, refer to the most recent NI 9234 Operating
Instructions and Specifications online at ni.com/manuals.
Table 21. NI 9234 Accuracy Under Calibration Conditions
Percent of Reading (Gain Error) Percent of Range*(Offset Error)
±0.09% ±0.024% (±1.2 mV)
*Range equals 5.1 V

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