National Instruments NI PCIe-8255 User manual

NI PCIe-8255R Quick Start Guide
The NI PCIe-8255R is an IEEE 1394a1and IEEE 1394b interface device
for PCI Express (PCIe) with reconfigurable I/O (RIO). This document
explains how to install and configure the NI 8255R.
What You Need to Get Started
You need the following items to set up and use the NI 8255R:
❑NI Vision Acquisition Software 8.2 or later
❑NI Vision Acquisition Software Release Notes
❑Computer running Windows 2000/XP with at least one PCIe slot
❑IEEE 1394 camera
❑9-pin IEEE 1394 cable for interfacing to IEEE 1394b cameras
❑6-pin to 9-pin cable or 6-pin to 9-pin adapter for interfacing to
IEEE 1394a cameras
❑External power supply to support powering isolated outputs
❑Optional software packages and documentation:
– NI Vision Development Module
– NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection
–LabVIEW
– LabVIEW FPGA Module
– LabWindows™/CVI™
1 To connect an IEEE 1394a camera to the NI 8255R, you will need a 6-pin to 9-pin cable or a 6-pin to 9-pin adapter.

NI PCIe-8255R User Manual 2 ni.com
Optional Equipment
National Instruments offers a variety of products for use with the
NI 8255R, including the following:
• Digital I/O cable and horizontal DIN rail terminal block
(part number 778790-01)1
• Digital I/O cable and vertical DIN rail terminal block
(part number 778791-01) 1
• NI Vision I/O Terminal Block and Prototyping Accessory
(part number 779166-01) 1
• 24 V, 50 W power supply (part number 778794-01) for powering
isolated outputs
• Sony IEEE 1394a high resolution monochrome camera
(part number 778849-01)
• Basler IEEE 1394a standard resolution monochrome camera
(part number 778785-01)
• LED ringlight and constant current source (part number 778787-01)
• 12 mm fixed focal length lens (part number 778789-01)
For specific information about these products, refer to the
National Instruments catalog, visit ni.com, or contact the National
Instruments office nearest you.
Safety Information
Caution The following paragraphs contain important safety information you must follow
when installing and operating the device.
Do not operate the device in a manner not specified in the documentation.
Misuse of the device may result in a hazard and may compromise the safety
protection built into the device. If the device is damaged, turn it off and do
not use it until service-trained personnel can check its safety. If necessary,
return the device to National Instruments for repair.
Keep away from live circuits. Do not remove equipment covers or shields
unless you are trained to do so. If signal wires are connected to the device,
hazardous voltages can exist even when the equipment is turned off. To
avoid a shock hazard, do not perform procedures involving cover or shield
removal unless you are qualified to do so. Disconnect all field power prior
to removing covers or shields.
1 When using this accessory with the NI 8255R, three of the digital I/O signals on the device are not accessible. Refer to the
Connectors section of the NI PCIe-8255R User Manual for more information.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 NI PCIe-8255R User Manual
If the device is rated for use with hazardous voltages (>30 Vrms, 42.4 Vpk,
or 60 Vdc), it may require a safety earth-ground connection wire. Refer to
the device specifications for maximum voltage ratings.
Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install
unauthorized parts or modify the device. Use the device only with the
chassis, modules, accessories, and cables specified in the installation
instructions. All covers and filler panels must be installed while operating
the device.
Do not operate the device in an explosive atmosphere or where flammable
gases or fumes may be present. Operate the device only at or below the
pollution degree stated in the specifications. Pollution consists of any
foreign matter—solid, liquid, or gas—that may reduce dielectric strength
or surface resistivity. The following is a description of pollution degrees.
• Pollution Degree 1—No pollution or only dry, nonconductive
pollution occurs. The pollution has no effect.
• Pollution Degree 2—Normally only nonconductive pollution occurs.
Occasionally, nonconductive pollution becomes conductive because of
condensation.
• Pollution Degree 3—Conductive pollution or dry, nonconductive
pollution occurs. Nonconductive pollution becomes conductive
because of condensation.
Clean the device and accessories by brushing off light dust with a soft,
nonmetallic brush. Remove other contaminants with a stiff, nonmetallic
brush. The unit must be completely dry and free from contaminants before
returning it to service.
You must insulate signal connections for the maximum voltage for which
the device is rated. Do not exceed the maximum ratings for the device.
Remove power from signal lines before connection to or disconnection
from the device.
Caution National Instruments measurement products may be classified as either
Measurement Category I or II. Operate products at or below the Measurement Category
level specified in the hardware specifications.
Measurement Category1: Measurement circuits are subjected to working
voltages2and transient stresses (overvoltage) from the circuit to which they
are connected during measurement or test. Measurement Category
establishes standardized impulse withstand voltage levels that commonly
1 Measurement Categories as defined in electrical safety standard IEC 61010-1.
2 Working voltage is the highest rms value of an AC or DC voltage that can occur across any particular insulation.

NI PCIe-8255R User Manual 4 ni.com
occur in electrical distribution systems. The following is a description of
Measurement (Installation1) Categories:
• Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on circuits
not directly connected to the electrical distribution system referred to
as MAINS2voltage. This category is for measurements of voltages
from specially protected secondary circuits. Such voltage
measurements include signal levels, special equipment, limited-energy
parts of equipment, circuits powered by regulated low-voltage sources,
and electronics.
• Measurement Category II is for measurements performed on circuits
directly connected to the electrical distribution system. This category
refers to local-level electrical distribution, such as that provided by a
standard wall outlet (e.g., 115 V for U.S. or 230 V for Europe).
Examples of Measurement Category II are measurements performed
on household appliances, portable tools, and similar products.
• Measurement Category III is for measurements performed in the
building installation at the distribution level. This category refers to
measurements on hard-wired equipment such as equipment in fixed
installations, distribution boards, and circuit breakers. Other examples
are wiring, including cables, bus-bars, junction boxes, switches,
socket-outlets in the fixed installation, and stationary motors with
permanent connections to fixed installations.
• Measurement Category IV is for measurements performed at the
primary electrical supply installation (<1,000 V). Examples include
electricity meters and measurements on primary overcurrent
protection devices and on ripple control units.
Unpacking
The NI 8255R ships in an antistatic package to prevent electrostatic
discharge from damaging device components. To avoid such damage in
handling the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself via a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object,
such as the 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.
1 Measurement Category is also referred to as Installation Category.
2 MAINS is defined as the (hazardous live) electrical supply system to which equipment is designed to be connected for the
purpose of powering the equipment. Suitably rated measuring circuits may be connected to the MAINS for measuring
purposes.

©National Instruments Corporation 5 NI PCIe-8255R User Manual
Remove the device from the package and inspect it for loose components
or any other signs of damage. Notify National Instruments if the device
appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device in the
computer.
Store the NI 8255R in the antistatic package when not in use.
Installation
The following instructions are for general installation. Refer to the
documentation provided by your computer manufacturer for specific
instructions and warnings about installing hardware in the computer. Refer
to the Specifications section for a list of the typical power requirements for
the NI 8255R.
1. Install NI Vision Acquisition Software before installing the NI 8255R
device. Refer to the NI Vision Acquisition Software Release Notes for
installation and configuration instructions.
2. Power off and unplug the computer.
Caution To protect yourself and the computer from electrical hazards, the computer must
remain unplugged until the installation is complete.
3. Remove the computer cover to expose the expansion slots.
Caution Installing a PCIe device into a PCI, PCI-X, AGP, or any non-PCIe slot can
damage both the computer motherboard and the device. If you are unsure of the difference
between connector types, do not install the device. Refer to the documentation provided by
your computer manufacturer to determine the correct slot in which to install the NI 8255R.
4. Choose an unused x1 or larger PCIe slot, and remove the
corresponding expansion slot cover on the back panel of the computer.
Figure 1 shows the different types of expansion slots available on most
computers.
Note The NI 8255R is intended for a x1 PCIe slot. The NI 8255R will fit into, and can be
used in a x4, x8, or x16 PCIe slot.

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Figure 1. PC Expansion Slots
5. Touch a metal part on the computer case to discharge any static
electricity on your clothes or body before handling the NI 8255R.
Static electricity can damage the device.
6. Remove the NI 8255R from the antistatic package and gently rock the
NI 8255R into the slot. The connection may be tight, but do not force
the device into place.
Note Check that the bracket of the NI 8255R lines up with the hole in the back panel rail
of the computer chassis.
7. Unless your computer secures expansion devices in a different manner,
screw the mounting bracket of the device to the back panel rail of the
computer.
1 PCI 32-bit Connector
2 PCI 64-bit and/or PCI-X Connector
3 PCIe x1 Connector
4 PCIe x16 Connector
2
1
3
4

©National Instruments Corporation 7 NI PCIe-8255R User Manual
8. To provide power to your camera, connect an unused power connector
from the ATX power supply on your computer to the camera power
ATX connector on your NI 8255R.
9. Replace the computer cover.
10. Connect the IEEE 1394 cable to your camera. Refer to your camera
manufacturer documentation for specific instructions about how to
connect the IEEE 1394 cable to your camera.
11. Connect the IEEE 1394 cable to an IEEE 1394 connector on the
NI 8255R front panel. Refer to Figure 2 for the location of the
IEEE 1394b bilingual connectors on the NI 8255R. If you are using an
IEEE 1394a cable, an IEEE 1394a to IEEE 1394b adapter is required.
Alternatively, you can use an IEEE 1394a to IEEE 1394b cable.
12. Plug in and power on the computer.
The NI 8255R is now installed and your camera is connected.
Refer to Figure 2 for information about placement of the connectors on the
NI 8255R.
Figure 2. NI 8255R Connectors
1 IEEE 1394b Bilingual Connector
2 ISO/ATX Power Status LEDs
3 IEEE 1394b Bilingual Connector
4 44-Pin D-SUB Connector
5 Camera Power ATX Connector
NI PCIe-8255R FOR PATENTS: NI.COM/PATENTS
1
2
3
4
5

NI PCIe-8255R User Manual 8 ni.com
Wiring Isolated Output Power to the NI 8255R
Complete the following steps to connect power for the isolated outputs to
the NI 8255R.
Caution Do not connect the NI 8255R isolated power to a source less than 5 VDC or
greater than 30 VDC. Doing so could damage the NI 8255R device.
1. Complete this step if you are using the NI desktop power supply
(part number 778794-01). If you are using a power supply other than
the NI desktop power supply skip this step and proceed to step 2.
a. Disconnect the 4-position power connector from the power
supply, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Removing the 4-Position Power Connector from the Power Supply
b. Depending on your connection method, reconnect the Viso and
Ciso wires to one of the following options:
•V
iso and Ciso on the 44-pin D-SUB
•V
iso and Ciso on the DIN rail terminal block
•V
iso and Ciso on the NI Vision I/O Terminal Block and
Prototyping Accessory
1 4-Position Power Connector
2 V Position
3 C Position
4 Power Supply Wire
2
3
4
1

©National Instruments Corporation 9 NI PCIe-8255R User Manual
Refer to Table 1 for a summary of the isolated power supply
connections.
.
2. Complete this step if you are using a power supply other than the NI
desktop power supply. If you are using the NI desktop power supply,
skip this step and proceed to step 3.
a. Wire the voltage output and the common-mode (ground) output of
the isolated power supply to one of the following options:
•V
iso and Ciso on the 37-pin terminal block
•V
iso and Ciso on the 44-pin D-SUB
•V
iso and Ciso on the NI Vision I/O Terminal Block and
Prototyping Accessory
Refer to Table 1 for a summary of the isolated power supply
connections.
3. (Optional) To suppress electromagnetic interference, install a ferrite on
the power supply cable as close to the connection to the NI 8255R as
possible. Wrap the power supply cable around the ferrite two times, as
shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 4. Installing a Ferrite Connector on the Power Supply Cable
Table 1. Isolated Power Supply Connection Options
Connection Method Viso Ciso
Custom cable 10, 25 14, 26, 29, 33, 36, 39, 42
44-pin D-SUB to 37-pin terminal block 17, 33 12, 16, 18, 28, 32, 34
44-pin D-SUB to 37-pin NI Vision I/O
Terminal Block
Viso terminal Ciso terminal
1 Power Supply Output Cable 2Ferrite
1
2

NI PCIe-8255R User Manual 10 ni.com
Figure 5. Closed Ferrite on the Power Supply Cable
4. Plug the power supply cord into an outlet.
The orange LED on the NI 8255R front panel will illuminate when the
computer is on and an isolated power supply is properly connected.
Configuring the NI 8255R
Caution Updating your computer to Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 may decrease
the performance of your IEEE 1394 devices. Refer to the NI KnowledgeBase article
3J0A446W or Microsoft Knowledge Base article 885222 for more information.
After you have installed the NI 8255R and powered on your computer,
Windows will recognize the device and assign resources to it. Use
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), the National Instruments
configuration utility, to configure the IEEE 1394 camera connected to the
NI 8255R for acquisition.
Note You must install NI Vision Acquisition Software 8.2 or later before configuring your
camera in MAX. Refer to the NI Vision Acquisition Release Notes for information about
configuring your camera.
Related Documentation
The following documents contain additional information about the
NI 8255R:
•NI Vision Acquisition Software Release Notes—This document
contains information about how to install the driver software.
•LabVIEW Help—This document contains reference information for
the NI-IMAQ I/O shutdown states VIs, terminal references for the
configurable I/O module on the NI-IMAQ I/O device, and parameter
1 Power Supply Output Cable 2Ferrite
1
2