National Instruments 5412 Manual

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
NI 5412
Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 2
Software.................................................................................................................................... 2
Documentation.......................................................................................................................... 3
Password................................................................................................................................... 4
Calibration Interval................................................................................................................... 4
Test Equipment......................................................................................................................... 4
Test Conditions.................................................................................................................5
Self-Calibration Procedures...................................................................................................... 5
MAX................................................................................................................................. 6
FGEN Soft Front Panel..................................................................................................... 6
NI-FGEN .......................................................................................................................... 6
External Calibration Options ....................................................................................................7
Complete Calibration........................................................................................................ 8
Optional Calibration ......................................................................................................... 8
External Calibration Procedures............................................................................................... 10
Writing the Calibration Procedure.................................................................................... 10
Calibration Procedures in LabVIEW........................................................................ 10
Calibration Procedures in LabWindows/CVI........................................................... 10
Calibration Procedures in C...................................................................................... 10
Verifying NI 5412 Specifications..................................................................................... 10
Verifying the Oscillator Frequency Accuracy.......................................................... 12
Verifying the DC Gain and Offset Accuracy ........................................................... 14
Verifying the AC Voltage Amplitude Absolute Accuracy....................................... 22
Verifying Frequency Response (Flatness)................................................................ 25
Adjusting the NI 5412 ...................................................................................................... 28
Initializing the External Calibration Session ............................................................ 29
Adjusting the Analog Output.................................................................................... 30
Adjusting the Oscillator Frequency .......................................................................... 39
Adjusting the Calibration ADC ................................................................................ 42
Closing the External Adjustment Session ................................................................ 46
Calibration Utilities .................................................................................................................. 47
MAX................................................................................................................................. 47
FGEN SFP ........................................................................................................................47
NI-FGEN .......................................................................................................................... 47
Where to Go for Support .......................................................................................................... 48

2|ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
Introduction
This document contains instructions for calibrating the NI 5412 arbitrary waveform generator.
This calibration procedure is intended for metrology labs. It describes specific programming
steps for writing an external calibration procedure for the NI 5412.
Refer to ni.com/calibration for additional information about calibration solutions from
National Instruments.
Software
Calibrating the NI 5412 requires installing NI-FGEN version 2.3 or later on the calibration
system. You can download NI-FGEN from the National Instruments web site at ni.com/
updates. NI-FGEN supports programming the Password and the External Calibration
Procedures in the LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI™, and C application development
environments (ADEs). When you install NI-FGEN, you need to install support only for the ADE
that you intend to use.
NI-FGEN 2.3 or later includes all the functions and attributes necessary for calibrating the
NI 5412. For LabWindows/CVI, the NI-FGEN function panel (niFgen.fp) provides help
about the functions available. LabVIEW support is in the niFgen.llb file, and all calibration
VIs appear in the Functions palette.
Calibration functions are C function calls or LabVIEW VIs in NI-FGEN. In this document, the
C function call is shown first, followed by the corresponding LabVIEW VI or NI-FGEN
LabVIEW property node, in parentheses. The C function calls are valid for any compiler capable
of calling a 32-bit DLL. Many of the functions use constants defined in the niFgen.h file.
To use these constants in C, you must include niFgen.h in your code when you write the
calibration procedure. Refer to Table 1 for file locations.
Table 1. Calibration File Locations
File Name and Location Description
IVI\Bin\niFgen_32.dll The NI-FGEN library, which provides the
functionality for calibrating the NI 5412.
IVI\Lib\msc\niFgen.lib
IVI\Lib\bc\niFgen.lib
Allows you to create applications that call
functions in the niFgen_32.dll:
• For Microsoft Visual C/C++, link to
msc\niFgen.lib.
• For LabWindows/CVI, link to the library
appropriate to your current compatibility
mode (msc for Microsoft Visual C/C++).
IVI\Include\niFgen.h A header file for the accessible functions in the
niFgen_32.dll. You must include this file in
any C code that you write to call these functions.

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |3
The calibration process is described in the Password and the External Calibration Procedures
sections, including step-by-step instructions on calling the appropriate calibration functions.
Documentation
Consult the following documents for information about the NI PXI-5412, NI-FGEN, and your
application software. All documents are available on ni.com, and the Help files install with the
software.
<LabVIEW>\instr.lib\niFgen\
niFgen.llb (LabVIEW)
Contains VIs that correspond to the functions in
the niFgen_32.dll.
IVI\Drivers\niFgen\niFgen.fp
(CVI)
Contains the function panels for the functions in
niFgen32.dll.
NI Signal Generators Getting Started Guide
Contains: NI-FGEN installation, hardware installation, and hardware programming
NI PXI-5412 Specifications
Contains: NI PXI-5412 specifications and calibration interval
NI-FGEN Readme
Contains: Operating system and application software support in NI-FGEN
NI Signal Generators Help
Contains: Detailed information about NI PXI-5412.
LabVIEW Help
Contains: LabVIEW programming concepts and reference information about
NI-FGEN VIs and functions
NI-FGEN C Reference Help
Contains: Reference information for NI-FGEN C functions and NI-FGEN
C properties
Table 1. Calibration File Locations (Continued)
File Name and Location Description

4|ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
Password
The default calibration password is NI.
Calibration Interval
National Instruments recommends a calibration interval of one year for the NI PXI-5412. You
should adjust the recommended calibration interval based on the measurement accuracy
demands of your application.
Test Equipment
External calibration requires different equipment for each applicable specification. Refer to
Table 2 for a list of equipment.
Table 2. Equipment Required for Calibrating the NI 5412
Instrument
Applicable
Specification
Minimum
Specifications
Recommended
Instrument
Digital multimeter
(DMM)
AC accuracy,
DC gain and
offset
DCV accuracy:
≤0.05%
DC input impedance:
≥1GΩ
ACV accuracy:
≤0.16%
AC input impedance:
≥1MΩ
Bandwidth: ≥100 kHz
NI PXI-4070
Agilent
HP 34401A
Keithley 2000
Banana(m)-to-BNC(f)
adapter
— —
BNC(m)-to-SMB(f)
cable
50 Ω, RG-223 —

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |5
Test Conditions
Follow these guidelines to optimize the connections and the environment during calibration:
• Keep connections to the NI 5412 short.
• Keep relative humidity below 80%.
• Maintain a temperature between 18 °C and 28 °C.
• Observe the 15 minute warm-up time.
Self-Calibration Procedures
The NI 5412 can perform self-calibration, which adjusts the gain and offset of the main analog
path. Self-calibration uses only an onboard ADC to measure the output voltage. You can
implement self-calibration on the NI 5412 by following procedures similar to the Verifying the
DC Gain and Offset Accuracy and the Adjusting the Analog Output procedures. However, output
impedance, oscillator frequency, and the calibration ADC are not adjusted during
self-calibration.
You can initiate self-calibration interactively from Measurement & Automation Explorer
(MAX) or from the FGEN Soft Front Panel (SFP). Alternatively, you can initiate self-calibration
programmatically using NI-FGEN.
Spectrum analyzer,
frequency meter, or
signal source analyzer
Frequency
accuracy
Ability to measure
10 MHz or greater
sine waves
Frequency accuracy
to ≤500 ppb
NI PXI-5660
Agilent HP 8560E
Agilent
HP 53131A or
HP 53132A
with timebase
option 001, 010, or
012
Rohde & Schwarz
(R&S) FSUP
BNC(m)-to-SMB(f)
cable
50 Ω, RG-223 —
Power meter/sensor Frequency
response
(flatness)
VSWR: (50 kHz to
120 MHz) ≤1.11
Relative power
accuracy: ≤0.022 dB
R&S NRP-Z91
Type N(f)-to-SMB
plug adapter
VSWR: 1.3 Pasternak PE9316
Table 2. Equipment Required for Calibrating the NI 5412 (Continued)
Instrument
Applicable
Specification
Minimum
Specifications
Recommended
Instrument

6|ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
MAX
To initiate self-calibration from MAX, complete the following steps:
1. Launch MAX.
2. Select My System»Devices and Interfaces»PXI System from the tree control.
3. Select the device that you want to calibrate.
4. Initiate self-calibration in one of the following ways:
•Click Self-Calibrate in the upper right corner.
• Right-click the device name and select Self-Calibrate from the drop-down menu.
FGEN Soft Front Panel
To initiate self-calibration from the FGEN SFP, complete the following steps:
1. Select the device that you want to calibrate using the Device Configuration dialog box
(Edit»Device Configuration).
2. Open the Calibration dialog box (Utility»Calibration).
3. Click Perform self-calibration.
NI-FGEN
To self-calibrate the NI 5412 programmatically using NI-FGEN, complete the following steps:
1. Call niFgen_init (niFgen Initialize VI) to open an NI-FGEN session using the following
parameters:
•resourceName: The name of the device that you want to calibrate. You can find this
name under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.
•IDQuery: VI_TRUE
•resetDevice: VI_TRUE
•vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference through this parameter
receives the value that identifies the session created by this function. This value acts
as the session handle and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent NI-FGEN
functions.
2. Call niFgen_SelfCal (niFgen Self Cal VI) using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
3. Call niFgen_close (niFgen Close VI) to close the NI-FGEN session using the following
parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |7
External Calibration Options
External calibration involves both verification and adjustment. Verification is the process of
testing the device to ensure that the output accuracy is within certain specifications. You can use
verification to ensure that the adjustment process was successful or to determine if the
adjustment process needs to be performed.
Adjustment is the process of measuring and compensating for device performance to improve
the output accuracy. Performing an adjustment updates the calibration date, resetting the
calibration interval. The device is guaranteed to meet or exceed its published specifications for
the duration of the calibration interval.
This document provides two sets of test limits for most verification stages, the calibration test
limits and the published specifications. The calibration test limits are more restrictive than the
published specifications. If all the output errors determined during verification fall within the
calibration test limits, the device is guaranteed to meet or exceed its published specifications for
a full calibration interval (two years). For this reason, you must verify against the calibration test
limits when performing verification after adjustment.
If all the output errors determined during verification fall within the published specifications, but
not within the calibration test limits, the device meets its published specifications. However, the
device may not remain within these specifications for another two years. The device will meet
published specifications for the rest of the current calibration interval. In this case, you can
perform an adjustment if you want to improve the output accuracy or reset the calibration
interval. If some output errors determined during verification do not fall within the published
specifications, you must perform an adjustment to restore the device operation to its published
specifications.
The Complete Calibration section describes the recommended calibration procedure. The
Optional Calibration section describes alternate procedures that allow you to skip adjustment if
the device already meets its calibration test limits or published specifications.

Complete Calibration
Performing a complete calibration is the recommended way to guarantee that the NI 5412 meets
or exceeds its published specifications for a two-year calibration interval. At the end of the
complete calibration procedure, you verify that the output error falls within the calibration test
limits. Figure 1 shows the programming flow for complete calibration.
Figure 1. Complete Calibration Programming Flow
Optional Calibration
You can choose to skip the adjustment steps of the calibration procedure if the output error is
within the calibration test limits or the published specifications during the first verification. If all
the output errors determined during the first verification fall within the calibration test limits, the
device is guaranteed to meet or exceed its published specifications for a full calibration interval.
In this case, you can update the calibration date, effectively resetting the calibration interval,
without actually performing an adjustment. Refer to the Adjusting the NI 5412 section for
more information.
8 | ni.com | NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
Adjust
(Cal Dates and
Temperatures
Updated)
Verify
Document
Post-Adjustment
Results
Meets
Calibration
Te st Limits?
Review
Verification/
Adjustment
Procedure or
Return Device
Verify
Self-Calibrate
Calibration/
Verification
Complete
Ye s No
Document
Pre-Adjustment
Results

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |9
If all the output errors determined during the first verification fall within the published
specifications, but not within the calibration test limits, adjustment is also optional. However,
you cannot update the calibration date because the device cannot necessarily operate within the
published specifications for an additional two years.
Note Regardless of the results of the first verification, if you choose to perform an
adjustment, you must verify that the output error falls within the calibration test limits
at the end of the calibration procedure.
Figure 2 shows the programming flow for the optional calibration.
Figure 2. Optional Calibration Programming Flow
Self-Calibrate
Verify
Document
Pre-Adjustment
Results
Meets
Calibration
Te st Limits?
Meets
Published
Specifications?
Update Calibration
Dates and
Temperatures
Without Adjusting
Results
Within
Published Specs
(Adjustment
Optional)
Adjust
Anyway?
Adjust
(Cal Dates and
Te m p e r atures
Updated)
Verify Document
Post-Adjustment
Results
Meets
Calibration
Te st Limits?
Calibration/
Verification
Complete
Review
Verification/
Adjustment
Procedure or
Return Device
Ye s No
Ye s No
Ye sNo
Ye sNo

10 |ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
External Calibration Procedures
The complete external calibration procedure consists of self-calibrating, verifying the
performance of the NI 5412, adjusting the calibration constants, and verifying again after the
adjustments. In some cases, the complete calibration procedure may not be required. Refer to the
External Calibration Options section for more information.
The external calibration procedure automatically stores the calibration date to allow traceability.
Writing the Calibration Procedure
Before you begin to write the calibration program, review the programming flowcharts in
Figures 1 and 2.
Calibration Procedures in LabVIEW
To write calibration procedures in LabVIEW, you must use the VIs included in the
niFgen.llb file. After installation, these VIs appear within the NI-FGEN Calibration palette
under Functions» Instrument I/O»Instrument Drivers»NI-FGEN»Calibration.
Calibration Procedures in LabWindows/CVI
To write calibration procedures in LabWindows/CVI, you must use the function panels included
in the niFgen.fp file. After installation, you can locate the calibration functions under the
Calibration class node.
Calibration Procedures in C
To write calibration procedures in C, you must include the niFgen.h file in the code that calls
the calibration functions, and you must link the niFgen.lib file into the build of your
executable.
Verifying NI 5412 Specifications
Note Always self-calibrate the NI 5412 before beginning a verification procedure.
This section provides instructions for verifying the NI 5412 specifications and for updating the
calibration cycle.
Verification determines whether the device is performing within its specifications prior to
external adjustment. Verification and external adjustment together compose a complete
calibration. To verify that the NI 5412 still meets its specifications, you must use NI-FGEN to
control the NI 5412.
The steps in the verification procedures describe the code that you use to generate the
appropriate signals, as well as the NI-FGEN function calls that you make to verify
specifications.

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |11
You can verify the following specifications for the NI 5412:
• Oscillator frequency accuracy
• DC gain and offset accuracy
• AC accuracy
• Flatness
The verification procedure for each of these specifications includes setting up, programming,
and cleaning up.
Note If any of these tests fail immediately after you perform an external
adjustment, verify that you have met the required test conditions before you return
the NI 5412 to NI for repair.
Refer to Table 2 for information about which instrument to use for verifying each specification.
Refer to Figure 3 for the names and locations of the NI PXI-5412 and the NI PCI-5412 front
panel connectors.
Figure 3. NI PXI-5412 and NI PCI-5412 Front Panel Connectors

12 |ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
Verifying the Oscillator Frequency Accuracy
This test verifies the frequency accuracy of the oscillator on the NI 5412. The verification
involves generating a 10 MHz sine wave with the NI 5412 and measuring the sine wave
frequency with one of the instruments from Table 2.
To verify the frequency accuracy of the oscillator on the NI 5412, complete the following steps:
1. Connect the NI 5412 CH 0 front panel connector to the instrument measuring the frequency
accuracy with a male BNC to female SMB cable.
2. Call niFgen_init (niFgen Initialize VI) using the following parameters:
•resourceName: The name of the device that you want to verify. You can find this
name under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.
•IDQuery: VI_TRUE
•resetDevice: VI_TRUE
•vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference through this parameter
receives the value that identifies the session created by this function. This value acts
as the session handle and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent NI-FGEN
functions.
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the sample rate (niFgen property node:
Arbitrary Waveform Output»Sample Rate) using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_SAMPLE_RATE
•value: 100000000
4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the gain (niFgen property node:
Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Gain) using the following
parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_GAIN
•value: 1
Note You can adjust the gain value based on which measuring device you use.
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the offset (niFgen property node:
Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Offset) using the following
parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET
•value: 0

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |13
Note You can adjust the offset value based on which measuring device you use.
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBoolean to set the digital filter state (niFgen property
node: Output Attributes»Digital Filter Enabled) using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_DIGITAL_FILTER_ENABLED
•value: VI_TRUE
7. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the digital filter interpolation factor
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes» Digital Filter Interpolation Factor) using
the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_DIGITAL_FILTER_INTERPOLATION_FACTOR
•value: 4
8. Generate an array of waveform samples. Each waveform should have 10 samples per cycle
with a total of 500 samples and 50 sine wave cycles. Because you set the sample rate to
100 MS/s and because you are using 10 samples per cycle, the resulting waveform is a
10 MHz sine wave.
Note The sample values of this waveform must fall between -1.0 and 1.0.
9. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform (niFgen Create Arbitrary Waveform VI) using the
following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform you created in step 8.
•wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in step 8.
•wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this parameter receives the
value (waveform handle) that identifies the waveform created by this function.
10. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration (niFgen Initiate Generation VI) to initiate the
waveform generation using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init

14 |ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
11. Measure the frequency out of the NI 5412.
A frequency error of 45 Hz for a 10 MHz signal corresponds to an error of 4.5 ppm. This
limit accounts for the initial accuracy and the frequency deviation caused by temperature
and aging. Refer to Table 3 for frequency ranges.
12. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration (niFgen Abort Generation VI) to abort the waveform
generation using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
13. Call niFgen_close (niFgen Close VI) to close the instrument driver session, to destroy
the instrument driver session and all of its properties, and to release any memory resources
NI-FGEN uses. Use the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
Verifying the DC Gain and Offset Accuracy
This test verifies the DC gain and offset accuracy of the NI 5412 into a high-impedance load by
generating a number of DC voltages and offsets, measuring the voltage with a DMM, and
comparing the NI 5412 to the error limits.
The DC gain and offset accuracy verification procedure has two subprocedures that verify the
following:
• Main analog path gain
• Main analog path offset
Verifying the Main Analog Path Gain
To verify the gain of the NI 5412 main analog path, complete the following steps:
1. Connect the NI 5412 CH 0 front panel connector to the DMM for measuring DC gain and
offset accuracy.
2. Call niFgen_init (niFgen Initialize VI) using the following parameters:
•resourceName: The name of the device that you want to verify. You can find this
name under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.
•IDQuery: VI_TRUE
•resetDevice: VI_TRUE
•vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference through this parameter
receives the value that identifies the session created by this function. This value acts
as the session handle and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent NI-FGEN
functions.
Table 3. Frequency Ranges
Calibration Test Limit Published Specifications ±25 ppm
Low High Low High
9,999,955 Hz 10,000,045 Hz 9,999,750 Hz 10,000,250 Hz

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |15
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the load impedance (niFgen property
node: Output»Load Impedance) using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_LOAD_IMPEDANCE
•value: 10000000000
4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32 to set the analog path (niFgen property node:
Output Attributes»Analog Path) using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_PATH
•value: NIFGEN_VAL_MAIN_ANALOG_PATH
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the output impedance (niFgen property
node: Basic Operation»Output Impedance) using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OUTPUT_IMPEDANCE
•value: 50
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBoolean to enable the analog output (niFgen property
node: Basic Operation»Output Enabled) using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OUTPUT_ENABLED
•value: VI_TRUE
7. Create an array of waveform samples for the positive full-scale DC waveform. This array
should contain 500 samples with each sample having the value 1.0 (representation:
double).
8. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform (niFgen Create Arbitrary Waveform VI) using the
following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform you created in step 7.
•wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in step 7.
•wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this parameter receives the
value (waveform handle) that identifies the waveform created by this function
(positive full-scale handle).
9. Create an array of waveform samples for the negative full-scale DC waveform. This array
should contain 500 samples with each sample having the value -1.0 (representation:
double).

16 |ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
10. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform (niFgen Create Arbitrary Waveform VI) using the
following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform that you created in step 9.
•wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in step 9.
•wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this parameter receives the
value (waveform handle) that identifies the waveform created by this function
(negative full-scale handle).
11. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the offset (niFgen property node:
Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Offset) using the following
parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET
•value: 0
Repeat steps 12 through 22 for each of the 24 iterations listed in Table 4, changing the Gain
value for each iteration.
Table 4. Values for Verifying the Gain of the Main Analog Path
Iteration Gain
Ideal
Positive
Full-Scale
(Volts)
Ideal
Negative
Full-Scale
(Volts)
Calibration
Test Limit
(Volts)
Published
Specification
(Volts)
112.000000 12.000000 -12.000000 ±0.019700 ±0.048500
210.000000 10.000000 -10.000000 ±0.016500 ±0.040500
37.000000 7.000000 -7.000000 ±0.011700 ±0.028500
45.000000 5.000000 -5.000000 ±0.008500 ±0.020500
53.500000 3.500000 -3.500000 ±0.006100 ±0.014500
62.500000 2.500000 -2.500000 ±0.004500 ±0.010500
72.000000 2.000000 -2.000000 ±0.003700 ±0.008500
81.650000 1.650000 -1.650000 ±0.003140 ±0.007100
91.250000 1.250000 -1.250000 ±0.002500 ±0.005500
10 0.850000 0.850000 -0.850000 ±0.001860 ±0.003900
11 0.600000 0.600000 -0.600000 ±0.001460 ±0.002900
12 0.415000 0.415000 -0.415000 ±0.001164 ±0.002160

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |17
12. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the gain (niFgen property node:
Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Gain) using the following
parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_GAIN
•value: The Gain value listed in Table 4 for the current iteration.
13. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32 to choose the positive full-scale DC waveform
(niFgen property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle)
using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE
•value: The wfmHandle from step 8 (positive full-scale handle).
13 0.300000 0.300000 -0.300000 ±0.000980 ±0.001700
14 0.205000 0.205000 -0.205000 ±0.000828 ±0.001320
15 0.150000 0.150000 -0.150000 ±0.000740 ±0.001100
16 0.105000 0.105000 -0.105000 ±0.000668 ±0.000920
17 0.075000 0.075000 -0.075000 ±0.000620 ±0.000800
18 0.055000 0.055000 -0.055000 ±0.000588 ±0.000720
19 0.037500 0.037500 -0.037500 ±0.000560 ±0.000650
20 0.026000 0.026000 -0.026000 ±0.000542 ±0.000604
21 0.018500 0.018500 - 0.018500 ±0.000530 ±0.000574
22 0.013000 0.013000 -0.013000 ±0.000521 ±0.000552
23 0.009000 0.009000 -0.009000 ±0.000514 ±0.000536
24 0.006500 0.006500 - 0.006500 ±0.000510 ±0.000526
Error Positive Full-Scale Value = (Measured Positive Full-Scale Value) - (Ideal Positive Full-Scale
Value)
Error Negative Full-Scale Value = (Measured Negative Full-Scale Value) - (Ideal Negative Full-Scale
Value)
Table 4. Values for Verifying the Gain of the Main Analog Path (Continued)
Iteration Gain
Ideal
Positive
Full-Scale
(Volts)
Ideal
Negative
Full-Scale
(Volts)
Calibration
Test Limit
(Volts)
Published
Specification
(Volts)

18 |ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
14. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration (niFgen Initiate Generation VI) to initiate the
waveform generation using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
15. Measure the DC voltage output of the NI 5412. This value is the Measured Positive
Full-Scale Value.
16. Determine the error for positive full-scale using the following formula:
Error Positive Full-Scale =
(Measured Positive Full-Scale Value) - (Ideal Positive Full-Scale Value)
Compare this error to the Published Specification or the Calibration Test Limit listed in
Table 4.
17. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration (niFgen Abort Generation VI) to abort the waveform
generation using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
18. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32 to choose the negative full-scale DC waveform
(niFgen property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle)
using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE
•value: The wfmHandle from step 10 (negative full-scale handle).
19. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration (niFgen Initiate Generation VI) to initiate the
waveform generation using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
20. Measure the DC voltage out of the NI 5412. This value is the Measured Negative Full-Scale
Value.
21. Calculate the error for negative full-scale using the following formula:
Error Negative Full-Scale = (Measured Negative Full-Scale Value) - (Ideal Full-Scale Value)
Compare this error to the Published Specification or the Calibration Test Limit listed in
Table 4.
22. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration (niFgen Abort Generation VI) to abort the waveform
generation using the following parameter:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
23. If any of the errors are greater than the Calibration Test Limit, perform an external
adjustment.

NI 5412 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |19
Verifying the Main Analog Path Offset
To verify the offset of the NI 5412 main analog path, complete the following steps:
1. Create an array of waveform samples for the mid-scale DC waveform (0 VDC). This array
should contain 500 samples with each sample having the value 0.0 (representation:
double).
2. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform (niFgen Create Arbitrary Waveform VI) using the
following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform that you created in step 1.
•wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in step 1.
•wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this parameter receives the
value (waveform handle) that identifies the waveform created by this function
(mid-scale handle).
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32 to choose the mid-scale handle DC waveform
(niFgen property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle)
using the following parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE
•value: The wfmHandle from step 2 (mid-scale handle).
Repeat steps 4 through 14 for each of the 24 iterations listed in Table 5, changing the Ideal
Positive Offset, Ideal Negative Offset, and Gain values for each iteration.
Table 5. Values for Verifying the Offset of the Main Analog Path
Iteration Gain
Ideal
Positive
Offset
(Volts)
Ideal
Negative
Offset
(Volts)
Calibration
Test Limit
(Volts)
Published
Specification
(Volts)
112.000000 6.000000 -6.000000 ±0.021500 ±0.051500
210.000000 5.000000 -5.000000 ±0.018000 ±0.043000
37.000000 3.500000 -3.500000 ±0.012750 ±0.030250
45.000000 2.500000 -2.500000 ±0.009250 ±0.021750
53.500000 1.750000 -1.750000 ±0.006625 ±0.015375
62.500000 1.250000 -1.250000 ±0.004875 ±0.011125
72.000000 1.000000 -1.000000 ±0.004000 ±0.009000
81.650000 0.825000 -0.825000 ±0.003388 ±0.007513
91.250000 0.625000 -0.625000 ±0.002688 ±0.005813

20 |ni.com |NI 5412 Calibration Procedure
4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64 to set the offset (niFgen property node:
Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Offset) using the following
parameters:
•vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init
•channelName: "0"
•attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET
•value: The Ideal Positive Offset value listed in Table 5 for the current iteration.
10 0.850000 0.425000 -0.425000 ±0.001988 ±0.004113
11 0.600000 0.300000 -0.300000 ±0.001550 ±0.003050
12 0.415000 0.207500 -0.207500 ±0.001226 ±0.002264
13 0.300000 0.150000 -0.150000 ±0.001025 ±0.001775
14 0.205000 0.102500 -0.102500 ±0.000859 ±0.001371
15 0.150000 0.075000 -0.075000 ±0.000763 ±0.001138
16 0.105000 0.052500 -0.052500 ±0.000684 ±0.000946
17 0.075000 0.037500 -0.037500 ±0.000631 ±0.000819
18 0.055000 0.027500 -0.027500 ±0.000596 ±0.000734
19 0.037500 0.018750 -0.018750 ±0.000566 ±0.000659
20 0.026000 0.013000 -0.013000 ±0.000546 ±0.000611
21 0.018500 0.009250 -0.009250 ±0.000532 ±0.000579
22 0.013000 0.006500 -0.006500 ±0.000523 ±0.000555
23 0.009000 0.004500 -0.004500 ±0.000516 ±0.000538
24 0.006500 0.003250 -0.003250 ±0.000511 ±0.000528
Error Positive Offset Value = (Measured Positive Offset Value) - (Ideal Positive Offset Value)
Error Negative Offset Value = (Measured Negative Offset Value) - (Ideal Negative Offset Value)
Table 5. Values for Verifying the Offset of the Main Analog Path (Continued)
Iteration Gain
Ideal
Positive
Offset
(Volts)
Ideal
Negative
Offset
(Volts)
Calibration
Test Limit
(Volts)
Published
Specification
(Volts)