National Instruments NI VISION PCI-8254R User manual

PCI-8254R

Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R
The NI PCI-8254R (NI 8254R) is an IEEE 1394a interface device for PCI with reconfigurable I/O
(RIO). This document describes how to install and configure the necessary hardware and software
components to begin using the NI 8254R.
What You Need to Get Started
You need the following items to set up and use the NI 8254R:
❑NI 8254R IEEE 1394a interface device
❑IEEE 1394 camera
❑IEEE 1394a cable
❑Cable for digital I/O
❑External power supply to support powering isolated outputs
❑Computer running Microsoft Windows Vista/2000/XP with at least one available PCI slot
Visit ni.com/info and enter rdvisionvista for more information about National Instruments
image acquisition device compatibility with Windows Vista.
❑NI Vision Acquisition Software 8.2.1 or later, which includes the NI-IMAQdx and NI-IMAQ I/O
driver software.
❑Optional software for developing applications:
– NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection
– NI Vision Development Module
–LabVIEW
– LabVIEW FPGA Module
– LabWindows™/CVI™
– Microsoft Visual Basic
Optional Equipment
National Instruments offers a variety of products for use with the NI 8254R, 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
• 24 V, 50 W power supply (part number 778794-01)
• NI Vision I/O Terminal Block and Prototyping Accessory (part number 779166-01)
• IEEE 1394 cameras
1 When using this accessory with the NI 8254R, three of the digital I/O signals on the device are not accessible. Refer to
Chapter 3, Signal Connections, of the NI PCI-8254R User Manual for more information.

Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R 2 ni.com
• LED ringlight and constant current source (part number 778787-01)
• 12 mm fixed focal length lens (part number 778789-01)
Refer to the National Instruments catalog, visit ni.com, or call the National Instruments office nearest
you for more specific information about these products
Related Documentation
The following documents contain additional information that you may find helpful:
•NI PCI-8254R User Manual—Contains information about programming options, hardware
functionality, and signal connections.
•NI Vision Acquisition Software Release Notes—Contains information about new functionality,
minimum system requirements, and installation instructions for the NI-IMAQdx driver software.
• Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-IMAQdx—Describes how to configure
NI-IMAQdx driver software, NI image acquisition devices, and cameras using Measurement &
Automation Explorer (MAX).
•NI-IMAQdx User Manual—Contains fundamental programming concepts for the NI-IMAQdx
driver software and terminology for using NI image acquisition devices.
•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 references for the parameters you can set for the NI-IMAQ I/O device in the Read/Write
control. To locate the information, search for NI-IMAQ I/O in the LabVIEW Help.
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.
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

©National Instruments Corporation 3 Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R
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.
Yo u 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 occur
in electrical distribution systems. The following is a description of Measurement (Installation3)
Categories:
• Measurement Category I is for measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to the
electrical distribution system referred to as MAINS4voltage. 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
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.
3 Measurement Category is also referred to as Installation Category.
4 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.

Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R 4 ni.com
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 8254R 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:
1. Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as the computer
chassis.
2. 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.
3. 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 8254R 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. Refer to the Specifications section for
typical power requirements for the NI 8254R.
1. Install NI Vision Acquisition Software before installing the NI 8254R. Refer to the
NI Vision Acquisition Software Release Notes for specific installation 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.
4. Touch a metal part on the computer case to discharge any static electricity on your clothes or body.
Static electricity can damage the device.
5. Choose an unused PCI slot, and remove the corresponding expansion slot cover on the back panel
of the computer.
6. Remove your device from the antistatic package and gently rock the device into the slot. The
connection may be tight, but do not force the device into place.
Note Check that the bracket of your device lines up with the hole in the back panel rail of the
computer chassis.
7. Secure the device mounting bracket to the back panel rail of the computer.

©National Instruments Corporation 5 Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R
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 8254R, shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows the information about placement of the connectors on the NI 8254R.
Figure 1. NI 8254R Connectors
9. Replace the computer cover.
10. Connect the IEEE 1394a cable to your camera. Refer to your camera manufacturer documentation
for specific instructions about how to connect the IEEE 1394a cable to your camera.
11. Connect the IEEE 1394a cable to an IEEE 1394a connector on the NI 8254R front panel. Refer to
Figure 1 for the location of the IEEE 1394a connectors on the NI 8254R.
12. Plug in and power on the computer.
The NI 8254R is now installed and the camera is connected.
Wiring Isolated Output Power to the NI 8254R
This section describes how to connect the NI desktop power supply for the isolated outputs (part number
778794-01) to the NI 8254R. For instructions on how to connect a separate main supply, refer to the
Connecting to the Isolated Outputs Power Supply section.
Caution Do not connect the NI 8254R isolated power to a source less than 5 VDC or greater than
30 VDC. Doing so could damage the NI 8254R.
1 IEEE 1394a Connectors
2 2-Position Isolated Outputs Power Connector
3 44-Pin D-SUB Connector
4 Camera Power ATX Connector
2
1
3
4
N114

Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R 6 ni.com
To connect power for the isolated outputs to the NI 8254R, refer to Figures 2 through 6 while completing
the following steps:
1. If you are using the NI desktop power supply, remove the 4-position power connector connected to
the power supply, shown in Figure 2.
a. Reconnect the wire that was connected to the V position on the 4-position power connector to
the V position on the 2-position isolated outputs power connector, shown in Figure 3.
b. Reconnect the wire that was connected to the C position on the 4-position power connector to
the C position on the 2-position isolated outputs power connector, shown in Figure 3.
Figure 2. Removing the 4-Position Power Connector from the Power Supply
Figure 3. Connecting the 2-Position Power Connector to the Power Supply
2. Plug the 2-position isolated outputs power connector from the power supply into the power
receptacle on the NI 8254R.
1 4-Position Power Connector
2VPosition
3 C Position
4 Power Supply Wire and Optional Ferrule
1 2-Position Isolated Outputs Power Connector
2CPosition
3 V Position
4 Power Supply Wire and Optional Ferrule
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1

©National Instruments Corporation 7 Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R
3. (Optional) To suppress electromagnetic interference, install a ferrite on the power supply cable as
close to the connection to the NI 8254R 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
Figure 5. Closed Ferrite on the Power Supply Cable
4. Plug the power supply cable into the power supply.
5. Plug the power supply cord into an outlet.
1 Power Supply Output Cable
2 Ferrite
3 2-Position Power Connector
1 Power Supply Output Cable
2 Ferrite
3 2-Position Power Connector
1
2
3
1
2
3

Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R 8 ni.com
Figure 6. Wiring Power to the NI 8254R
Connecting to the Isolated Outputs Power Supply
If you use a power supply other than the NI desktop power supply, follow the instructions in this section
to connect power to the NI 8254R.
Note If you are not using the NI desktop power supply, you can optionally use 0.75 mm2, 18 AWG
ferrules according to the manufacturer specifications to terminate the wires leading to the 2-position
power connector, shown in Figure 7. Ferrules are available from Phoenix Contact (part number
3200519).
Figure 7. Wiring a Third-Party Power Supply to the 2-Position Power Connector
Caution Do not connect the NI 8254R isolated power to a source less than 5 VDC or greater than
30 VDC. Doing so could damage the NI 8254R.
1 2-Position Isolated Outputs Power Connector
2 Ferrite (Optional)
3 NI Desktop Power Supply
4 Power Supply Cord (to Outlet)
1 2-Position Power Connector 2 Optional Ferrule 3 Power Supply Wires
4
To Outlet
1 2 3
23
1

©National Instruments Corporation 9 Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R
The NI 8254R ships with a 2-position power connector that plugs directly into the isolated outputs
power input connector on the NI 8254R. To wire power to the 2-position connector, complete the
following steps:
1. Wire the voltage output of the isolated power supply to the isolated outputs power input, labeled V,
on the 2-position connector.
2. Wire the common-mode signal (ground) output of the power supply to the isolated outputs
common-mode signal input, labeled C, on the 2-position connector.
Configuring the NI 8254R
After you have installed the NI 8254R 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 8254R for
acquisition. Refer to the Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-IMAQdx for additional
information about configuring the NI 8254R.
Note Before configuring the device in MAX, ensure that you installed the NI-IMAQdx driver
software.
Specifications
The following specifications apply to the NI IEEE 1394a interface device. These specifications are
typical at 25 °C, unless otherwise stated.
TTL Inputs and Outputs
Digital logic levels
TTL Inputs
Number of channels ...............................................2
Maximum pulse rate ..............................................2 MHz
Minimum pulse detected........................................500 ns
Power-on state........................................................Input (high-impedance) 61.9 kΩpull-up to 5V
TTL Outputs
Number of channels ...............................................10
Output voltage range..............................................0 V to 5 V
Maximum pulse rate ..............................................2 MHz
Level Minimum Maximum
Input low voltage (VIL)0 V 0.5 V
Input high voltage (VIH)2.2 V 5 V
Output low voltage (VOL), at 5 mA —0.4 V
Output high voltage (VOH), at 5 mA 2.4 V —

Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R 10 ni.com
Optically Isolated Inputs and Outputs
Isolated (Current Sinking) Inputs
Number of channels ...............................................13
Input voltage range ................................................0 V to 30 V
Input ON voltage............................................3.5 V to 30 V
Input OFF voltage..........................................0 V to 2 V
Turn-on current ......................................................7.1 mA, typical
14 mA, maximum
Maximum pulse rate ..............................................100 kHz
Minimum pulse detected........................................10 µs
Reverse polarity protection ....................................Yes, –30 V
Isolated (Current Sourcing) Outputs
Number of channels ...............................................4
On-state voltage range ...........................................5 V to 30 V, maximum
Maximum on-state voltage
drop from V ...........................................................1.2 V at 100 mA
Output current
5 V isopower ..................................................50 mA, maximum
24 V isopower ................................................100 mA, maximum
30 V isopower ................................................100 mA, maximum
Maximum pulse rate ..............................................10 kHz (maximum load resistance 100 kΩ)
Minimum pulse generated .....................................100 µs
Reverse polarity protection ....................................Yes
IEEE 1394
Number of ports .....................................................2
Speed......................................................................100, 200, or 400 Mbps
Power Requirements
IEEE 1394 bus power1...........................................18 W, maximum (shared by both ports)
Isolated supply2......................................................5 to 30 VDC
Camera interface ....................................................IEEE 1394a
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions ............................................................10.7 cm ×17.5 cm (4.2 in. ×6.9 in.)
Weight ....................................................................114 g (4.0 oz)
1 The bus power specification assumes that power is provided to the NI 8254R from the host computer power supply via the
ATX power connector. If power is not supplied through this connector, camera power is supplied by the PCI bus and should
be limited to 5 W, shared by both ports.
2 Do not draw more than 500 mA combined from the Viso pins on the 44-pin D-SUB connector. Do not draw more than 100 mA
from 30 V isolated outputs. Do not draw more than 50 mA from 5 V isolated outputs.

©National Instruments Corporation 11 Getting Started with the NI PCI-8254R
Environment
The NI 8254R is intended for indoor use only.
Operating temperature ...........................................0 °C to 55 °C
Storage temperature ...............................................–20 °C to 70 °C
Relative humidity...................................................5% to 90%, noncondensing
Pollution Degree ....................................................2
Measurement Category ..........................................I
Approved at altitudes up to 2,000 m.
Safety
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following standards of safety for electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
• IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1
• UL 61010-1, CSA 61010-1
Note For UL and other safety considerations, refer to the product label, or visit ni.com/
certification, search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the
Certification column.
Electromagnetic Compatibility
This product is designed to meet the requirements of the following standards of EMC for electrical
equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use:
• EN 61326 EMC requirements; Minimum Immunity
• EN 55011 Emissions; Group 1, Class A
• CE, C-Tick, ICES, and FCC Part 15 Emissions; Class A
Note For EMC compliance, operate this device according to product documentation.
CE Compliance
This product meets the essential requirements of applicable European Directives, as amended for
CE marking, as follows:
• 73/23/EEC; Low-Voltage Directive (safety)
• 89/336/EEC; Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC)
Note Refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for this product for any additional regulatory
compliance information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit ni.com/certification,
search by model number or product line, and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
EU Customers At the end of their life cycle, all products must be sent to a WEEE recycling center.
For more information about WEEE recycling centers and National Instruments WEEE initiatives,
visit ni.com/environment/weee.htm.

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Refer to the Terms of Use section on ni.com/legal for more information about National
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ni.com/patents.
© 2005-2007 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved. 374129C-01 Feb07
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.
A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is our claim of compliance with the Council of the European
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