National Instruments NI-7931 User manual

NI-7931

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI-7932R
Controller for FlexRIO™
This document describes how to begin using the NI-7932R.
Figure 1. NI-7932R
Related Information
For information about the device specifications, refer to the NI-7932R Specifications at
ni.com/manuals.
Contents
FlexRIO Documentation........................................................................................................... 2
Safety Guidelines...................................................................................................................... 3
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines...............................................................................4
Verifying the System Requirements..........................................................................................4
What You Need to Get Started..................................................................................................5
Unpacking the Kit..................................................................................................................... 5
Preparing the Environment....................................................................................................... 6
Wiring Power to the NI-7932R................................................................................................. 6
Powering on the NI-7932R....................................................................................................... 7
STATUS LED....................................................................................................................7
Connecting the NI-7932R to the Host Computer......................................................................8
Installing the FlexRIO Adapter Module................................................................................... 8

Configuring the System in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)............................. 9
Setting a System Password............................................................................................. 10
Installing Software on the NI-7932R...................................................................................... 10
Adding the NI-7932R to a LabVIEW Project.........................................................................11
Adding a FlexRIO Adapter Module to the Target...........................................................11
Programming Options............................................................................................................. 12
Programming with LabVIEW.........................................................................................12
Text-based Programming................................................................................................ 12
Removing the Adapter Module...............................................................................................12
Troubleshooting the NI-7932R............................................................................................... 12
Why Can't the NI-7932R Communicate with the Network?.......................................... 13
Why Doesn't the Device Appear in MAX?.....................................................................13
Appendix: Front Panel............................................................................................................ 14
NI-7932R Front Panel.....................................................................................................14
Worldwide Support and Services............................................................................................ 16
Where to Go Next................................................................................................................... 17
FlexRIO Documentation
Table 1. FlexRIO Documentation Locations and Descriptions
Document Location Description
Getting started guide
for your controller for
FlexRIO
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains installation instructions
for your FlexRIO system.
Specifications
document for your
controller for
FlexRIO
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains specifications for your
controller for FlexRIO.
Getting started guide
for your adapter
module
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains signal information,
examples, and CLIP details for
your adapter module.
Specifications
document for your
adapter module
Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains specifications for your
adapter module.
LabVIEW FPGA
Module Help
Embedded in LabVIEW Help
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains information about the
basic functionality of the
LabVIEW FPGA Module.
2| ni.com | NI-7932R Getting Started Guide

Table 1. FlexRIO Documentation Locations and Descriptions (Continued)
Document Location Description
Real-Time Module
Help
Embedded in LabVIEW Help
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains information about real-
time programming concepts, step-
by-step instructions for using
LabVIEW with the Real-Time
Module, reference information
about Real-Time Module VIs and
functions, and information about
LabVIEW features on real-time
operating systems.
FlexRIO Help Available from the Start menu
and at ni.com/manuals.
Contains information about the
FPGA module front panel
connectors and I/O, controller for
FlexRIO front panel connectors
and I/O, programming
instructions, and adapter module
component-level IP (CLIP).
FlexRIO Adapter
Module Development
Kit User Manual
Available from the Start menu at
Start»All Programs»National
Instruments»NI FlexRIO»NI
FlexRIO Adapter Module
Development Kit»
Documentation.
Contains information about how
to create custom adapter modules
for use with FlexRIO FPGA
modules.
LabVIEW Examples Available in NI Example Finder.
In LabVIEW, click Help»Find
Examples»Hardware Input
and Output»FlexRIO.
Contains examples of how to run
FPGA VIs and Host VIs on your
device.
IPNet Located at ni.com/ipnet. Contains LabVIEW FPGA
functions and intellectual property
to share.
FlexRIO product
page
Located at ni.com/flexrio. Contains product information and
data sheets for FlexRIO devices.
Safety Guidelines
Caution You can impair the protection provided by the NI-7932R if you use it in a
manner not described in this document.
NI-7932R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines
This product was tested and complies with the regulatory requirements and limits for
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) stated in the product specifications. These requirements
and limits provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the product is
operated in the intended operational electromagnetic environment.
This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However, harmful interference may
occur in some installations, when the product is connected to a peripheral device or test object,
or if the product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize interference with
radio and television reception and prevent unacceptable performance degradation, install and
use this product in strict accordance with the instructions in the product documentation.
Furthermore, any changes or modifications to the product not expressly approved by National
Instruments could void your authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.
Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, operate this product only with
shielded cables and accessories. The DC power input cables and optical SFP+ cables
may be unshielded.
Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, you must use an isolated cable
with the SFP+ ports.
Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, the length of any cable
connected to the TRIG ports and REF CLK ports must be no longer than 3 m (10 ft).
The length of copper cables connected to the SFP+ ports must be no longer than 3 m
(10 ft). The length of cables connected to the USB device ports or host ports must be
no longer than 30 m (100 ft). The lengths of Ethernet cables and optical SFP+ cables
are not limited.
Caution The USB device port is intended only for use in device configuration,
application deployment, debug, and maintenance.
Verifying the System Requirements
To use the NI-7932R, your system must meet certain requirements. For more information
about minimum system requirements, recommended system, and supported application
development environments (ADEs), refer to the readme, which is available on the software
media or online at ni.com/updates.
4| ni.com | NI-7932R Getting Started Guide

What You Need to Get Started
• The NI-7932R shipping kit, which includes the following components:
– The NI-7932R device
– FlexRIO Support DVD
Note FlexRIO Support 15.1 is the earliest supported driver for the
NI-7932R.
–NI-7932R Getting Started Guide (this document)
– Power screw terminal connector plug
– A to Mini-B device port USB cable
• A host computer running Windows, with NI software installed in the following order:
Note Visit ni.com/info and enter the Info Code rdsoftwareversion to
determine which software versions you need to use the NI-7932R and
supported FlexRIO adapter modules.
– LabVIEW
– LabVIEW Real-Time
– LabVIEW FPGA
– FlexRIO Support1
• A DC power supply as described in the NI-7932R Specifications
• A FlexRIO adapter module or custom adapter module (optional)
• A number 2 Phillips screwdriver
• A number 1 Phillips screwdriver
• A small flat-blade screwdriver
• Straight through shielded Ethernet cable (if connecting to a network) or crossover
shielded Ethernet cable (if connecting directly to a PC)
Unpacking the Kit
Caution To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging the device,
ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as
your computer chassis.
1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis.
2. Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose components or any
other sign of damage.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
1LabVIEW 2015, FlexRIO Support 2015, LabVIEW Real-Time 2015, and LabVIEW FPGA 2015
are the earliest versions of software that support the NI-7932R.
NI-7932R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

Note Do not install a device if it appears damaged in any way.
3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.
Preparing the Environment
Ensure that the environment you are using the NI-7932R in meets the following specifications.
Operating temperature (IEC 60068-2-1,
IEC 60068-2-2)
0 °C to 55 °C
Operating humidity (IEC 60068-2-56) 10% to 90% RH, noncondensing
Pollution Degree 2
Maximum altitude 2,000 m at 25 °C ambient temperature
Indoor use only.
Note Refer to the NI-7932R Specifications at ni.com/manuals for complete
specifications.
Caution Clean the hardware with a soft, nonmetallic brush. Make sure that the
hardware is completely dry and free from contaminants before returning it to
service.
Wiring Power to the NI-7932R
The NI-7932R requires a 9 V to 30 V external power supply that meets the specifications in
the NI-7932R Specifications. The NI-7932R filters and regulates the supplied power and
provides power for the I/O modules.
Note You can latch the power plug to the NI-7932R using two screws tightened to
0.20 to 0.25 N · m (1.8 to 2.2 lb · in.) of torque.
The maximum wire gage accepted by the power connector plug is 16 AWG. You must use a
stripped wire length of 10 mm (.394 in).
When the POWER LED on the front panel is lit green, the device is powered.
The NI-7932R has reverse-voltage protection.
Complete the following steps to connect a power supply to the NI-7932R.
1. Ensure the power source is turned off.
2. Connect a positive wire to the positive terminal of the power connector plug, and connect
a negative wire to the negative terminal of the power connector plug.
6| ni.com | NI-7932R Getting Started Guide

12
3
1. Positive terminal
2. Negative terminal
3. No connect
3. Install the power connector on the front panel of the NI-7932R.
4. Turn on the external power source(s).
Powering on the NI-7932R
When you apply power for the first time to the NI-7932R, the controller boots into safe mode.
The POWER LED illuminates, the STATUS LED illuminates briefly, and then the STATUS
LED blinks twice every few seconds.
After you install software on the controller, subsequent reboots will boot the controller into the
NI Linux Real-Time operating system.
You can optionally configure the NI-7932R to launch an embedded stand-alone LabVIEW
Real-Time application each time you boot the controller.
STATUS LED
The STATUS LED is off during normal operation. The NI-7932R indicates specific error
conditions by flashing the STATUS LED a certain number of times every few seconds, as
shown in the following table.
LED State Indication
2 flashes every few
seconds
There is no software installed, which is the out-of-box state, or the
controller has detected an error in its software.
An error can occur when an attempt to upgrade the software is
interrupted. Refer to the MAX Help for information about reinstalling
software on the controller.
3 flashes every few
seconds
The controller is in safe mode. Refer to the MAX Help for
information about safe mode.
NI-7932R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7

LED State Indication
4 flashes every few
seconds
The software has crashed twice without rebooting or cycling power
between crashes. This usually occurs when the controller runs out of
memory. Review your Real-Time VI and check the memory usage.
Modify the VI as necessary to solve the memory usage issue.
Continuously
flashing
The controller has not booted into NI Linux Real-Time. The
controller either booted into an unsupported operating system, was
interrupted during the boot process, or detected an unrecoverable
software error.
Solid The controller is booting up.
Continuously
flashing
This indicates a hardware error. An internal power supply has failed.
Check front-panel I/O and adapter module connections for shorts.
Remove any shorts and power cycle the controller. If the problem
persists, contact National Instruments.
Off Normal operation.
Connecting the NI-7932R to the Host Computer
Complete the following steps to connect the NI-7932R to the host computer using the USB
device port.
1. Power on the host computer.
2. Connect the NI-7932R to the host computer using the USB A-to-B cable.
Note Alternatively, you can use the RJ-45 Ethernet port to connect the
NI-7932R to the host computer.
The device driver software automatically detects the NI-7932R. If the device driver
software does not detect the NI-7932R, verify that you installed the appropriate NI
software in the correct order on the host computer.
Tip You can also use the Ethernet port to connect directly to the host computer or
network. Refer to the user manual on ni.com/manuals for more information about
Ethernet connections.
Related Information
Troubleshooting the NI-7932R on page 12
Installing the FlexRIO Adapter Module
Skip this section if you are not using a FlexRIO adapter module.
8| ni.com | NI-7932R Getting Started Guide

1. Gently insert the guide pins and the high-density card edge of the FlexRIO adapter
module into the corresponding connectors of the NI-7932R.
The connection may be tight, but do not force the adapter module into place.
2. Tighten the captive screws on the FlexRIO adapter module to secure it to the NI-7932R.
The following figure shows the NI-7932R with the FlexRIO adapter module connected.
Figure 2. NI-7932R with FlexRIO Adapter Module
Refer to the getting started guide for your adapter module for more information about your
adapter module, including programming information.
Configuring the System in Measurement &
Automation Explorer (MAX)
After connecting the NI-7932R to the host computer, complete the following steps to
configure the system for the first time in MAX.
1. Launch MAX on the host computer.
2. Expand Remote Systems in the MAX configuration tree and select the system. MAX
lists the system as the model name followed by the serial number, such as
NI-7932R-030521C9.
Related Information
Why Doesn't the Device Appear in MAX? on page 13
NI-7932R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9