National Instruments PCI/PXI-781 R Series User manual

PXI-7842

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
This document explains how to install and configure National Instruments PCI/PXI-781xR,
PCI/PXI-783xR, PCIe/PXI-784xR, and PCIe/PXI-785xR, referred to collectively as NI 78xxR devices.
This document also contains a tutorial section that demonstrates how to begin taking a measurement
using a LabVIEW FPGA example VI.
Figure 1. PCI, PCI Express, and PXI R Series Devices
NI 78xx R Required Components
The following items are necessary to set up and use the NI 78xxR:
❑The following software packages:
–LabVIEW
– LabVIEW FPGA Module
– NI-RIO device drivers
– (Optional) LabVIEW Real-Time Module
Refer to Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver, for information on R Series software
support.
❑Development computer or PXI/CompactPCI chassis and PXI/CompactPCI embedded controller
running Windows Vista/XP/2000.
❑At least one cable and accessory for connecting signals to the NI 78xxR. For a list of applicable
cable and accessory options, refer to the Connectivity Options section.

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO 2 ni.com
Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver
Before installing the NI 78xxR, you need to install the application software and device driver. Visit
ni.com/info and enter rdsoftwareversion to determine which minimum versions of software
you need for the device you are using.
Refer to the LabVIEW Release Notes for installation instructions for LabVIEW and system requirements
for the LabVIEW software. Refer to the LabVIEW Upgrade Notes for additional information about
upgrading to the most recent version of LabVIEW for Windows.
Refer to the LabVIEW FPGA Module Release and Upgrade Notes for installation instructions and
information on getting started with the LabVIEW FPGA Module.
Refer to the LabVIEW Real-Time Module Release and Upgrade Notes for system requirements,
installation instructions, and additional information on using the LabVIEW Real-Time Module.
Refer to the NI-RIO Readme on NI-RIO installation media for system requirements and installation
instructions for the NI-RIO driver.
The listed documents are available at ni.com/manuals. In LabVIEW 8.0 or later, you can also view
the LabVIEW Manuals directory that contains these documents by selecting Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»LabVIEW»LabVIEW Manuals.
Step 2. Install the Device, Accessories, and Cables
This section describes how to unpack and install the NI PCI/PCIe/PXI-78xxR devices.
Note You must install NI-RIO device driver software before installing the NI 78xxR.
Unpacking
The NI 78xxR is shipped in an antistatic package to prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging
device components. To prevent such damage when handling the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as your computer
chassis.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis before removing the device
from the package.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
Remove the device from the package and inspect the devices for loose components or any other sign of
damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device into the
computer.
Store the NI 78xxR in the antistatic envelope when not in use.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
Installing the NI 78xx R
You can install the NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR in any available PCI/PCI Express expansion slot in the computer,
and the NI PXI-78xxR in any available peripheral slot in the PXI or CompactPCI chassis. To achieve the
best noise performance, leave as much room as possible between the NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR and other
boards.
Note You must install the software before installing the hardware. For software installation
information, refer to Step 1. Install Application Software and Driver.
1. Power off and unplug the computer or PXI chassis.
Caution Refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility document packaged
with your PXI chassis or device before removing equipment covers or connecting or disconnecting
any signal wires.
2. Remove the computer cover and/or the expansion slot cover on the computer, or the filler panel of
an unused PXI slot on the PXI chassis.
3. Touch any metal part of the computer or chassis to discharge any static electricity.
4. For the NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR, insert the device into the applicable PCI/PCI Express system slot on
your computer. Gently rock the device into place. Do not force the device into place. For the
NI PXI-78xxR, insert the device into the PXI slot. Use the injector/ejector handle to fully inject the
NI PXI-78xxR into place.
Figure 2. Installing an NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR Device
1 NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR Device 2 PCI/PCI Express System Slot 3 PC with PCI/PCI Express Slot
3
1
2

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO 4 ni.com
Figure 3. Installing an NI PXI-78xxR Device in a PXI Chassis
5. For the NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR, secure the device mounting bracket to the computer back panel rail.
For the NI PXI-78xxR, secure the device front panel to the chassis front panel mounting rail using
the front-panel mounting screws.
6. For the NI PCI/PCIe-78xxR, replace the computer cover, if applicable.
7. Plug in and power on the computer or PXI chassis.
To confirm that your device is recognized, complete the following additional steps:
1. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»Measurement & Automation to open
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).
2. Expand Devices and Interfaces.
3. Verify that the device appears under Devices and Interfaces»RIO Devices.
1 PXI Chassis
2 PXI System Controller
3NIPXI-78
xxR Device
4 Injector/Ejector Handle
5 Front-Panel Mounting Screws
6 Module Guides
7 Power Switch
3
4
PXI-1000B
6
1
7
2
5

©National Instruments Corporation 5 Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
Step 3. Connect Signals
Figure 4 shows the I/O connector pin assignments and locations for NI 781xR digital-only R Series
devices. Figure 5 shows the I/O connector pin assignments and locations for NI 783xR/784xR/785xR
Multifunction R Series devices.
Figure 4. NI 781xR Connector Pin Assignments and Locations
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
+5V
+5V
DIO28
DIO31
DIO33
DIO35
DIO37
DIO39
DIO0
DIO2
DIO3
DIO5
DIO6
DIO7
DIO8
DIO1
DIO4
DIO9
DIO10
DIO11
DIO12
DIO13
DIO14
DIO15
DIO16
DIO17
DIO18
DIO19
DIO20
DIO21
DIO22
DIO23
DIO24
DIO25
DIO26
DIO27
DIO29
DIO30
DIO32
DIO34
DIO36
DIO38
351
362
373
38 4
395
40 6
41 7
42 8
439
44 10
45 11
46 12
47 13
4814
49 15
50 16
51 17
52 18
5319
54 20
55 21
56 22
57 23
5824
59 25
60 26
61 27
62 28
6329
64 30
65 31
66 32
67 33
6834
CONNECTOR 1
(RDIO)
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
CONNECTOR 0
(RDIO)
CONNECTOR 2
(RDIO)
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
CONNECTOR 3
(RDIO)

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO 6 ni.com
Figure 5. NI 783xR/784xR/785xR Connector Pin Assignments and Locations
Caution Connections that exceed any of the maximum ratings of input or output signals on the
NI 78xxR can damage the NI 78xxR device and the computer or chassis. NI is not liable for any
damage resulting from such signal connections. For the maximum input and output ratings for each
signal, refer to the NI R Series Multifunction RIO Specifications, available at ni.com/manuals.
+5V
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DIO8
DIO10
DIO12
DIO14
AOGND7
AOGND6
AOGND5
AOGND4
AOGND3
AOGND2
AOGND1
AOGND0
No Connect
AI7–1
AIGND7
AI6–1
AI5–1
AIGND5
AI4–1
AI3–
AIGND3
AI2–
AI1–
AIGND1
AI0–
+5V
DIO1
DIO2
DIO4
DIO5
DIO6
DIO7
DIO0
DIO3
DIO9
DIO11
DIO13
DIO15
AO71
AO61
AO51
AO41
AO3
AO2
AO1
AO0
AISENSE
AI7+1
AIGND6
AI6+1
AI5+1
AIGND4
AI4+1
AI3+
AIGND2
AI2+
AI1+
AIGND0
AI0+
351
362
373
38 4
395
40 6
41 7
42 8
439
44 10
45 11
46 12
47 13
4814
49 15
50 16
51 17
52 18
5319
54 20
55 21
56 22
57 23
5824
59 25
60 26
61 27
62 28
6329
64 30
65 31
66 32
67 33
6834
1No Connect on the NI 7830R
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
+5V
+5V
DIO28
DIO31
DIO33
DIO35
DIO37
DIO39
DIO0
DIO2
DIO3
DIO5
DIO6
DIO7
DIO8
DIO1
DIO4
DIO9
DIO10
DIO11
DIO12
DIO13
DIO14
DIO15
DIO16
DIO17
DIO18
DIO19
DIO20
DIO21
DIO22
DIO23
DIO24
DIO25
DIO26
DIO27
DIO29
DIO30
DIO32
DIO34
DIO36
DIO38
351
362
373
38 4
395
40 6
41 7
42 8
439
44 10
45 11
46 12
47 13
4814
49 15
50 16
51 17
52 18
5319
54 20
55 21
56 22
57 23
5824
59 25
60 26
61 27
62 28
6329
64 30
65 31
66 32
67 33
6834
CONNECTOR 1
(RDIO)
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
TERMINAL 34
TERMINAL 68
TERMINAL 35
TERMINAL 1
CONNECTOR 0
(RMIO)
CONNECTOR 2
(RDIO)

©National Instruments Corporation 7 Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
The +5V terminals on the I/O connector supply +5 V referenced to D GND. Use these terminals to
power external circuitry. All NI 78xxR devices are equipped with a fuse to protect the supply from
overcurrent conditions. Refer to the R Series Multifunction RIO User Manual, available at ni.com/
manuals, for information about the device-specific fuses.
Connectivity Options
Accessing the signals on the I/O connectors requires at least one cable and one signal accessory. Table 1
summarizes the National Instruments connectivity options available for use with the NI 78xxR device.
For detailed information about connecting I/O signals, refer to the NI R Series Multifunction RIO User
Manual, available at ni.com/manuals.
Table 1. R Series Connectivity Options
Cable
Connector
Accessory DescriptionNI 781xR
NI 783xR/
784xR/785xR
SHC68-68-RMIO
(NI Recommended)
— 0 NI SCB-68 High-performance shielded cable wired
specifically for signal connection from
the RMIO connector†to the NI SCB-68
terminal block to provide higher signal
integrity and noise immunity.
SHC68-68-RDIO
(NI Recommended)
0, 1, 2, 3 1, 2*NI SCB-68 High-performance shielded cable wired
specifically for signal connection from
the RDIO connector†to the NI SCB-68
terminal block to provide higher signal
integrity and noise immunity.
SH68-C68-S 0, 1, 2, 3 1, 2*NI SCB-68 Basic shielded cable for signal
connection from the RMIO or RDIO
connector to the NI SCB-68 terminal
block for noise reduction.
*NI 7830R does not have Connector 2.
†For a diagram of the twisted pairs in the SHC68-68-RMIO and SHC68-68-RDIO cables and the signals to which they
correspond, go to ni.com/info and enter the info code rdrmio.

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO 8 ni.com
Step 4. Using Your NI 78xx R Device with a LabVIEW FPGA Example VI
(NI 783xR/784xR/785xR Only)
The NI-RIO driver installation includes a variety of example projects to help get you started. This
section demonstrates how to use an existing LabVIEW FPGA example project to take an analog input
measurement with the NI 783xR/784xR/785xR device.
Note Examples available for your device are dependent on the device-specific minimum software
requirements. For more information on software requirements for your device, refer to Step 1. Install
Application Software and Driver.
Each R Series example project includes:
• A LabVIEW FPGA VI that can be compiled and run embedded in FPGA hardware
• A Host VI that runs in LabVIEW for Windows and interacts with the LabVIEW FPGA VI
Each example is configured for a specific target and might not be pre-configured for your device. To use
an example for a different target, you must copy the items contained within the VI to a new FPGA target.
Note To acquire real-world data in the analog input measurement taken in this example,
you will also need to provide your own signal source, such as a battery or function generator.
To access the analog input example project and take a measurement, complete the following steps:
1. Launch LabVIEW.
2. In the Getting Started window, click Find Examples to display the NI Example Finder.
3. In the NI Example Finder window, select Hardware Input and Output»R Series. This directory
holds several example projects designed to help you get started using your R Series device.
4. Select Basic I/O and then select Analog Input - R Series.lvproj.
5. The Analog Input example project opens in the Project Explorer window. This project is
precompiled for the NI PCI-7831R. If you are not using an NI PCI-7831R, then you need
to copy the example files into a new target directory and recompile the code. To compile
Analog Input - R Series.lvproj for a new R Series target, complete the following steps:
a. In the Project Explorer window, right-click My Computer and select New»Targets and
Devices to create a new target.
b. Select the Existing target or device radio button.
c. Expand the FPGA Target folder to display a list of the R Series devices you can add.
From the list, select the device for which you want to create a new directory, and click OK.
If your R Series device does not appear under this tree structure, refer to the Step 2. Install the
Device, Accessories, and Cables section and confirm that the device was installed correctly.
d. In the Project Explorer window, expand the original FPGA target and locate the Items to
Move folder. This folder holds all the target VIs and I/O resources necessary to run the
example VI. Click on the folder and drag it to the new FPGA Target.
Note The new target must support all of the analog input items included in this folder.
e. Right-click the Analog Input (FPGA).vi file within the Items to Move folder and select
Compile to recompile the FPGA VI. Recompiling takes several minutes. When the bitstream
generation is complete, close the LabVIEW FPGA Compile Server.
f. Open Analog Input (Host).vi under My Computer and switch to the block diagram to update
the host VI and its references to the FPGA VI.

©National Instruments Corporation 9 Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
g. On the block diagram, right-click the Open FPGA VI Reference function and select
Configure Open FPGA VI Reference from the shortcut menu.
h. In the Configure Open FPGA VI Reference dialog box, click the Browse Project button by
the Open»VI field to open the Select VI dialog box.
i. In the Select VI dialog box, select Analog Input (FPGA).vi in the new target and click OK.
j. Click OK in the Configure Open FPGA VI Reference dialog box.
Note (LabVIEW version 8.5.1 and earlier) LabVIEW versions 8.5.1 and earlier do not use the
Configure Open FPGA VI Reference dialog to update the FPGA target in the host VI. For LabVIEW
version 8.5.1 and earlier, right-click the Open FPGA VI Reference function on the block diagram
and choose Select VI from the shortcut menu. In the Select VI dialog box, select Analog Input
(FPGA).vi in the new target and click OK.
k. In the Project Explorer window, right-click the original FPGA target and select Remove to
delete it from the project.
l. Save the project to a new directory by selecting File»Save As.
6. Click the Run button in Analog Input (Host).vi to run the VI. The host VI displays the data being
acquired by the R Series device. To view real-world data, wire a signal source or voltage source to
AI0+ (RMIO pin 68) and AI0– (RMIO pin 34) of the terminal block.

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO 10 ni.com
Adding Analog Output to the FPGA Application
To expand the LabVIEW FPGA application to include analog output, complete the following steps:
1. On the block diagram of Analog Input (FPGA).vi, insert a new frame between the first and second
frames of the Flat Sequence structure by right-clicking the divider between the first two frames and
selecting Insert Frame from the shortcut menu, as shown in the following figure.
2. In the Project Explorer window, right-click the FPGA target and select New»FPGA I/O.
3. In the New FPGA I/O dialog box, expand Connector0 and select AO0.
Note This example reflects the naming conventions and graphic interface of LabVIEW 8.6. Items
such as FPGA I/O resources may appear differently if you are using earlier versions of LabVIEW.
4. Click Add, then click OK.
5. Click Connector0/AO0 in the Project Explorer window and drag it into the second frame of the
Flat Sequence structure on the block diagram of the FPGA VI. The FPGA I/O Node is created
automatically.

©National Instruments Corporation 11 Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
6. Right-click the input terminal of the new FPGA I/O Node and select Create»Control from the
shortcut menu. Rename the control AO Voltage (bits), as shown in the following block diagram.
7. Save the VI, then right-click Analog Input (FPGA).vi in the Project Explorer window and select
Compile from the shortcut menu to recompile the FPGA VI.
8. Modify the host VI to control the additional AO channel you created by completing the
following steps:
a. Open the Analog Input (Host).vi block diagram.
b. Place a Read/Write Control from the FPGA Interface palette between the Invoke method
and the Read/Write Control that already exists on the block diagram.
c. Wire the FPGA VI Reference Out terminal of the Invoke Method node to the FPGA VI
Reference In terminal of the new Read/Write Control. Wire the FPGA Reference Out
terminal of the new Read/Write Control to the FPGA VI Reference In terminal of the
existing Read/Write Control.
d. Wire the error out output of the Invoke Method node to the error in input of the new
Read/Write Control. Wire the error out output of the new Read/Write Control to the
error in input of the existing Read/Write Control.
e. Click the section labeled Unselected and change it to AO Voltage.
f. Right-click the AO Voltage (bits) terminal and select Create»Control, as shown in the
following block diagram.

Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO 12 ni.com
9. On the front panel, locate the numeric control labeled AO Voltage (bits). Right-click the control,
select Replace from the shortcut menu, and select Knob from the Express»Numeric Controls
palette to change the control type to knob.
10. On the front panel, click and highlight the value in the lower limit of the knob to change the limit
to –32000. Click and highlight the value in the upper limit to change the limit to 32000.
11. Save the VI.
12. Using the terminal block, connect analog output channel 0 to analog input channel 0
by wiring AI0+ (RMIO pin 68) to AO0 (RMIO pin 55) and AI0– (RMIO pin 34) to
AOGND0 (RMIO pin 21), respectively.
13. Click the Run button in Analog Input (Host).vi and adjust the knob that controls analog output
channel 0. Notice how the change in voltage affects the reading on analog input channel 0.
Where to Go From Here
The following resources contain information for writing applications and taking measurements with
R Series Multifunction RIO devices.
Software Documentation
• LabVIEW FPGA documentation
–Getting Started with LabVIEW FPGA 8.x—This KnowledgeBase, available at ni.com/kb,
provides links to the top resources that can be used to assist in getting started with
programming in LabVIEW FPGA.
–FPGA Module book in the LabVIEW Help—Select Help»Search the LabVIEW Help in
LabVIEW to view the LabVIEW Help. Browse the FPGA Module book in the Contents tab
for information about how to use the FPGA Module to create VIs that run on the NI 78xxR
device.
–LabVIEW FPGA Module Release and Upgrade Notes—Contains information about installing
the LabVIEW FPGA Module, describes new features, and provides upgrade information.
To access this document, refer to ni.com/manuals. In LabVIEW 8.0 or later, you can
also view the LabVIEW Manuals directory that contains this document by selecting Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»LabVIEW»LabVIEW Manuals.

©National Instruments Corporation 13 Getting Started with R Series Multifunction RIO
•National Instruments Example Finder—LabVIEW contains an extensive library of VIs and
example programs for use with R Series devices. To access the NI Example Finder, open LabVIEW
and select Help»Find Examples, then select Hardware Input and Output»R Series.
You can also access device-specific examples by selecting Add device from the Hardware
pull-down menu in the NI Example Finder window.
Note If you are using the NI Example Finder for NI 784xR/785xR devices, you can select any
NI 7831R/7833R device from the Select devices to find examples for list and reconfigure the
example for your NI 784xR/785xR target.
Device-Specific Documentation
•NI R Series Multifunction RIO User Manual—Describes the electrical and mechanical aspects of
the NI 78xxR R Series devices, and contains information about R Series device operation and
programming. To access this document, refer to ni.com/manuals.
•NI R Series Multifunction RIO Specifications—Lists the specifications of the NI 78xxR R Series
devices. To access this document, refer to ni.com/manuals.
Additional Resources
•LabVIEW FPGA IPNet—Offers resources for browsing, understanding, and downloading
LabVIEW FPGA functions or IP (Intellectual Property). Use this resource to acquire IP that you
need for your application, download examples to help learn programming techniques, and explore
the depth of IP offered by the LabVIEW FPGA platform. To access the LabVIEW FPGA IPNet,
visit ni.com/ipnet.
Where to Go for Support
The National Instruments Web site is your complete resource for technical support. At ni.com/
support you have access to everything from troubleshooting and application development self-help
resources to email and phone assistance from NI Application Engineers.
National Instruments corporate headquarters is located at 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin,
Texas, 78759-3504. National Instruments also has offices located around the world to help address
your support needs. For telephone support in the United States, create your service request at
ni.com/support and follow the calling instructions or dial 512 795 8248. For telephone support
outside the United States, contact your local branch office:
Australia 1800 300 800, Austria 43 662 457990-0, Belgium 32 (0) 2 757 0020,
Brazil 55 11 3262 3599, Canada 800 433 3488, China 86 21 5050 9800,
Czech Republic 420 224 235 774, Denmark 45 45 76 26 00, Finland 358 (0) 9 725 72511,
France 01 57 66 24 24, Germany 49 89 7413130, India 91 80 41190000, Israel 972 3 6393737,
Italy 39 02 41309277, Japan 0120-527196, Korea 82 02 3451 3400, Lebanon 961 (0) 1 33 28 28,
Malaysia 1800 887710, Mexico 01 800 010 0793, Netherlands 31 (0) 348 433 466,
New Zealand 0800 553 322, Norway 47 (0) 66 90 76 60, Poland 48 22 328 90 10,
Portugal 351 210 311 210, Russia 7 495 783 6851, Singapore 1800 226 5886,
Slovenia 386 3 425 42 00, South Africa 27 0 11 805 8197, Spain 34 91 640 0085,
Sweden 46 (0) 8 587 895 00, Switzerland 41 56 2005151, Taiwan 886 02 2377 2222,
Thailand 662 278 6777, Turkey 90 212 279 3031, United Kingdom 44 (0) 1635 523545

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