National Instruments SCXI User manual

CVI™, LabVIEW™, Measurement Studio™, National Instruments™, NI™, ni.com™, NI-DAQ™, and SCXI™ are trademarks of National Instruments
Corporation. Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. For patents covering
National Instruments products, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your CD,
or ni.com/patents.
323236A-01 © 2003 National Instruments Corp. All rights reserved. April 2003
SCXI Quick Start Guide
Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation
This document assumes you have already installed, configured, and tested
a data acquisition (DAQ) device. If you have not done so, follow the
instructions in the DAQ Quick Start Guide for NI-DAQ 7.0 included with
the DAQ device before continuing. This document does not cover
PXI chassis, PXI combo chassis, the SCXI-1000DC chassis, the SCXI
switch modules, multichassis systems, or parallel-mode operation of any
module. Refer to the module, chassis, or cable adapter documentation for
information on these topics. If you are installing an SCXI switch, refer to
the NI Switches Getting Started Guide.
Contents
Conventions ............................................................................................ 2
Measurement System Overview ............................................................. 3
Step 1. Unpack the Module and Accessories.......................................... 4
Step 2. Verify the Components ............................................................... 5
Step 3. Set up the Chassis ....................................................................... 6
Step 4. Install Modules............................................................................ 7
Step 5. Attach Terminal Blocks .............................................................. 8
Step 6. Attach Sensors ............................................................................ 8
Step 7. Connect Modules to the DAQ Device ........................................ 9
Step 8. Power on the SCXI Chassis ........................................................ 9
Step 9. Launch Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).............. 9
Step 10. Add the SCXI Chassis .............................................................. 10
Step 11. Configure the Chassis ............................................................... 11
Traditional NI-DAQ ........................................................................ 11
NI-DAQmx ...................................................................................... 13
Step 12. Configure the SCXI Modules ................................................... 15
Traditional NI-DAQ ........................................................................ 15
NI-DAQmx ...................................................................................... 18
Step 13. Test the Chassis......................................................................... 21
Step 14. Configure Channels and Tasks ................................................. 21
Configure a Task in NI-DAQmx ..................................................... 22
Configure Global Channels for NI-DAQmx ................................... 24
Configure Virtual Channels for Traditional NI-DAQ ..................... 25
Getting Started Developing an Application ............................................ 25
Examples.......................................................................................... 25
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SCXI Quick Start Guide 2 ni.com
Information about Measurement Applications and Devices ............26
LabVIEW ..................................................................................26
LabWindows/CVI .....................................................................27
Measurement Studio..................................................................27
ANSI C without NI Application Software ................................27
.NET Languages without NI Application Software ..................27
Device Documentation..............................................................27
Training Courses .......................................................................28
Technical Support .....................................................................28
Troubleshooting.......................................................................................28
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this guide.
»The »symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options
to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options
from the last dialog box.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such
as menu items and dialog box options.
italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction
to a key concept. This font also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the
keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
properties, methods, variables, filenames and extensions, and code
excerpts.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 SCXI Quick Start Guide
Measurement System Overview
Figure 1 depicts the measurement system overview, showing the path of
real-world physical phenomena to your measurement application. Signal
conditioning components use sensors and transducers to measure signals
analyzed and presented through application software.
Figure 1. Measurement System Overview
Your Measurement Application
Application Software
LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio,
or other programming environments
Configuration
Measurement
& Automation
Explorer (MAX)
Application Programming Interface (API)
NI-DAQmx, Traditional NI-DAQ, NI-SWITCH,
or other API
Driver Engines
NI-DAQmx, Traditional NI-DAQ, VISA, etc.
Data Acquisition and Modular Instrumentation
SCXI
Sensors and Transducers
Real-World Signals and Physical Phenomena
+
V
–
+
HV
–
+
mV
–
+
–
PCI PXI
8
7
6
ONSTANDBY
PXI/SCXI Combination
®
MAINFRAME
SCXI
SCC
SC-2345
PCMCIA
Signal Conditioning

SCXI Quick Start Guide 4 ni.com
Step 1. Unpack the Module and Accessories
Your module is shipped in an antistatic package to prevent electrostatic
damage (ESD) to the module. ESD can damage several components on the
module.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
To avoid such damage when you handle the module, take the following
precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the chassis before
removing the module from the package.
Remove the module from the package and inspect the module for loose
components or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the module appears
damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged module in the chassis.
Store the module in the antistatic package when the module is not in use.
Refer to the device documentation for safety and compliance information.

©National Instruments Corporation 5 SCXI Quick Start Guide
Step 2. Verify the Components
Make sure you have the basic components.
1 Terminal Block or TBX Accessories (optional)
2 SCXI Modules
3 SCXI-1000 or SCXI-1001 Chassis
4 Chassis Power Cord
5 Cable Assembly (Shielded Cable and
Cable Adapter)
6DAQDevice
7 Personal Computer
1 2 3 4
C17181920212223242526272829303132C
V12345678910111213141516V
SCXI1140
SCXI1140
®
MAINFRAME
SCXI
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SCXI Quick Start Guide 6 ni.com
Step 3. Set up the Chassis
Caution Follow proper ESD precautions to ensure you are grounded before installing the
hardware.
1. Power off and unplug the chassis.
2. Set the chassis address switches to off. In the following figure,
all switches are shown in the off position.
Note Older chassis use jumpers inside the front panel, instead of chassis address switches.
Older chassis also differ in fuses and AC power selection. Refer to the chassis
documentation for more information.
3. Confirm the correct power settings (100, 120, 220, or 240 VAC).
4. Connect the power cord.
1 Chassis Power Switch
2 Chassis Address Switches
3 Chassis Power Settings
4 Power Cord Connector
1
3
2
4

©National Instruments Corporation 7 SCXI Quick Start Guide
Step 4. Install Modules
Caution Make sure the chassis is powered off.
1. Insert all of the modules into the chassis.
2. Tighten the module thumbscrews.
1 Thumbscrews 2 Module
®
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4
3
2
1
1
1
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SCXI Quick Start Guide 8 ni.com
Step 5. Attach Terminal Blocks
Attach the terminal blocks to the front of the modules. Refer to
ni.com/products to determine valid terminal block and module
combinations. Refer to the TBX installation guide for the terminal block if
you are using a TBX adapter.
Step 6. Attach Sensors
Wire sensors to the terminal block or accessory terminals.
• For signal connection information, refer to the module or accessory
documentation.
• If any module in the SCXI system has switch or jumper settings, refer
to Getting Started with SCXI for more information about configuring
the hardware.
• For more information about sensors, refer to the following documents:
– If you are using sensors, refer to ni.com/sensors.
– If you are using LabVIEW, refer to the LabVIEW Measurements
Manual packaged with LabVIEW or available from
ni.com/manuals.
– If you are using other application software, refer to NI-DAQmx
Help for information on common measurements. Access the help
file from Start»Programs»National Instruments»
NI-DAQ»NI-DAQmx Help.
1 Modules with Installed Terminal Blocks
2 Attaching a Terminal Block to the
SCXI Module
3 SCXI Module Front Panels
®
5
4
3
2
1
ADDRESS
1
2
3

©National Instruments Corporation 9 SCXI Quick Start Guide
Step 7. Connect Modules to the DAQ Device
1. Attach the cable adapter, if necessary.
• If you have several modules in the system, determine which of the
modules occurs first in the following list. Attach the cable adapter
to the rear connector of this SCXI module.
– SCXI-1520, SCXI-1530, SCXI-1531, SCXI-1540,
SCXI-1581, SCXI-1140
– SCXI-1102, SCXI-1102/B/C, SCXI-1104/C, SCXI-1112,
SCXI-1125, SCXI-1126, SCXI-1141, SCXI-1142,
SCXI-1143
– SCXI-1100, SCXI-1120/D, SCXI-1121, SCXI-1122
– SCXI-1124, SCXI-116x
• If you have only one module, attach the cable adapter to the
module.
Use the screws provided to secure the adapter to the chassis.
Caution Do not force the adapter if there is resistance. Forcing the adapter can bend pins.
2. Connect one end of the cable to the adapter or module and the other
end to the DAQ device. Notice which SCXI module is connected to the
DAQ device; you will use this information in a later step.
Step 8. Power on the SCXI Chassis
The chassis power switch is shown in step 3.
Step 9. Launch Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)
Double-click the Measurement & Automation Explorer icon on the
desktop to launch MAX.
Note Refer to the Hardware Installation Wizard at ni.com/support/install for
SCXI configuration instructions with RT Series products. Select Hardware
Configuration and click Real-Time Configuration Wizard.

SCXI Quick Start Guide 10 ni.com
Step 10. Add the SCXI Chassis
1. Right-click Devices and Interfaces and select Create New.
2. Select the SCXI chassis from the Create New window.
If you are using more than one NI-DAQ API to control an SCXI
chassis in your application, add the chassis in each NI-DAQ API you
are using.
• If you are using Traditional NI-DAQ, select the chassis under
Traditional NI-DAQ Device.
• If you are using NI-DAQmx, select the chassis under NI-DAQmx
Device»NI-DAQmx SCXI Chassis.
When a device is supported by both Traditional NI-DAQ and
NI-DAQmx and both are installed, the same device is listed with a
different name under the Traditional NI-DAQ and NI-DAQmx folders
in Devices and Interfaces.
Note For more information about the Traditional NI-DAQ and NI-DAQmx Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs), refer to the DAQ Quick Start Guide for NI-DAQ 7.0.
3. Click Finish when you are done. A configuration window appears.
Refer to Step 11. Configure the Chassis for more information.
If your device does not automatically appear, press <F5> to refresh the
view in MAX. If the device is still not recognized, refer to
ni.com/support/install for troubleshooting information.
If you are using Traditional NI-DAQ, there is an alternative way to add an
SCXI chassis. Right-click Devices & Interfaces»Traditional NI-DAQ
Devices and select Add SCXI Chassis.
If you are using NI-DAQmx, there is an alternative way to add an SCXI
chassis. Right-click Devices & Interfaces»NI-DAQmx Devices and select
Create New NI-DAQmx Device. Select NI-DAQmx SCXI Chassis and
choose the chassis.

©National Instruments Corporation 11 SCXI Quick Start Guide
Step 11. Configure the Chassis
The configuration process differs depending on the NI-DAQ API you are
using to control the chassis—Traditional NI-DAQ or NI-DAQmx.
Traditional NI-DAQ
If you are using Traditional NI-DAQ, complete the following steps, as
shown in the figures, to configure the SCXI chassis.
1. Select an ID for the SCXI chassis. The ID can be any integer between
1 and 3,200. Use this ID to identify the chassis in your application.
2. Enter the chassis address setting. The chassis address can be any value
between 0 and 31. Make sure the setting matches the chassis address
switches on the SCXI chassis. Refer to Step 3. Set up the Chassis for
help locating the chassis address switches. Click Next.
3. Select whether or not to auto-detect SCXI modules. Click Next.
21 3

SCXI Quick Start Guide 12 ni.com
4. Select the DAQ device, which acts as the communication path between
the chassis and the computer. Click Next.
5. Select the SCXI module that is cabled to the communication device.
If the chassis has only one module, NI-DAQ selects the module by
default.
6. Click Finish to accept the settings.
4 5
6

©National Instruments Corporation 13 SCXI Quick Start Guide
NI-DAQmx
If you are using NI-DAQmx, complete the following steps, as shown in the
figures, to configure the chassis.
1. Select the DAQ device cabled to the communicating SCXI module
from Chassis Communicator. If MAX detects only one DAQ device,
the device is chosen by default, and this option is disabled.
2. Select the module slot connected to the chassis communicator from
Communicating SCXI Module Slot.
3. Enter the chassis address setting in Chassis Address. Make sure the
setting matches the address setting on the SCXI chassis.
4. Select whether or not to auto-detect SCXI modules. If you do not
auto-detect modules, MAX disables Communicating SCXI Module
Slot.
Caution Auto-detecting modules may place the modules in an unknown or undesirable
state. Disconnect any connected devices for which auto-detection could present problems.
5. Click Save.
1
2
3
4
5

SCXI Quick Start Guide 14 ni.com
6. The SCXI Chassis Configuration window opens. The Modules tab is
selected by default. If you did not auto-detect modules, select an SCXI
module from the Modules listbox. Be sure to locate the module in the
correct slot.
7. MAX provides a default name for the Device Name field. To change
the name, click in the field and enter a unique alphanumeric ID for the
SCXI module.
8. If you are using a connected accessory, select it from Accessory.
9. Click Details for more configuration options. Refer to Step 12.
Configure the SCXI Modules for more information.
10. If you need to change any chassis settings, click the Chassis tab. Mst
users will not need to change chassis settings.
11. Click OK to accept and save the settings for this chassis.
Note You cannot save the chassis configuration until you finish entering module
information. A message at the top of the SCXI Chassis Configuration window alerts you
of the status of the configuration. You cannot save if an error appears in the message box.
If a warning appears in the message box, you can save the configuration, though NI
recommends fixing the source of the warning before saving.
610 7 8 9
11

©National Instruments Corporation 15 SCXI Quick Start Guide
Step 12. Configure the SCXI Modules
The configuration process differs depending on the NI-DAQ API you are
using to program the modules—Traditional NI-DAQ or NI-DAQmx.
Traditional NI-DAQ
If you are using Traditional NI-DAQ, complete the following steps to
configure the SCXI modules.
1. Select the chassis from Devices and Interfaces»Traditional
NI-DAQ Devices.
2. Right-click a module slot and choose Properties.

SCXI Quick Start Guide 16 ni.com
3. The General tab is selected by default. Choose which DAQ device
connects to the module from Connected to. Select the checkbox if the
DAQ device controls the chassis.
4. Some modules require an operating mode—multiplexed or parallel.
Select a mode from Operating Mode.
5. Some modules feature software-selectable filter and/or gain settings
for each channel. Available settings vary between modules. If
applicable, click the Channel tab. Select settings from the displayed
fields.

©National Instruments Corporation 17 SCXI Quick Start Guide
6. Click the Accessory tab. Select a compatible device from the
Accessory listbox.
7. Click OK to accept the settings.

SCXI Quick Start Guide 18 ni.com
NI-DAQmx
If you are using NI-DAQmx, complete the following steps to configure the
modules. You can skip this step if you are using a single MIO device with
your SCXI system in multiplexed mode.
1. Select the chassis from Devices and Interfaces»NI-DAQmx Devices.
2. Right-click the module and choose Properties.
Note You also can access module properties by selecting the Modules tab of the SCXI
Chassis Configuration window and clicking Details.

©National Instruments Corporation 19 SCXI Quick Start Guide
3. Some SCXI modules have jumper-selectable settings. If you are
configuring such a module, click the Jumpers tab and enter the
hardware-selected settings.
4. Click the Accessory tab.
5. To change the accessory selected during chassis configuration, select a
module accessory from the Accessory drop-down listbox.
6. Click Configure to edit accessory settings. Not all accessories have
settings. Refer to the accessory documentation for more information.

SCXI Quick Start Guide 20 ni.com
7. If you are using an AI module, click the Cabling tab.
Note You will not have to adjust the information in the cabling tab if you are using
standard multiplexed mode operation. If you are using parallel mode operation,
multichassis configuration, or another special configuration, adjust the options on the
Cabling tab.
8. Select the DAQ device connected to the SCXI module from the Which
device connects to this module? drop-down listbox. In most cases,
the device selected here and the module digitizer are the same.
9. Select a DAQ device from the Module Digitizer drop-down listbox.
The device can be different from the device selected from the Which
device connects to this module? listbox.
10. If operating in parallel mode, click Parallel Mode.
11. If the module is installed in a daisy-chained chassis, select an index
number from the Multichassis Daisy-Chain Index drop-down
listbox. The listbox appears only if two or more chassis have been
added and saved.
12. Click OK.
For information about software-configurable properties of the module,
refer to Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for Traditional
NI-DAQ or Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-DAQmx. To
access this help in MAX, select Help»Help Topics»Traditional NI-DAQ
or Help»Help Topics»NI-DAQmx.