National Instruments 5401 User manual

July 2007
373313H-01
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI Signal Generators
This document explains how to install, configure, and test National
Instruments signal generators for generating arbitrary and standard function
waveforms. This document applies to the NI 5401, NI 5402,NI 5404,
NI 5406, NI 5411, NI 5412, NI 5421, NI 5422, NI 5431, NI 5441, and
NI 5442 devices.
For more information about these devices, including signal generator
features and programming, refer to the NI Signal Generators Help at
Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-FGEN»Documentation.
This online document contains hardware information, concepts, a detailed
VI/function reference for the NI-FGEN instrument driver, and information
specific to your device. For the NI signal generator specifications, refer to the
specifications document included with each device.
For free downloads of the most current versions of documentation, visit
ni.com/manuals. For the latest version of NI-FGEN, visit ni.com/idnet.
Contents
Conventions ...............................................................................................2
1. Verifying the System Requirements ......................................................3
2. Unpacking ..............................................................................................4
3. Verifying the Kit Contents.....................................................................4
EMI Gasket ........................................................................................5
Other Required Items.........................................................................5
4. Installing the Software ...........................................................................5
5. Installing the Hardware..........................................................................6
Cooling Considerations for PXI and PCI Devices.............................6
Installing PXI Modules......................................................................7
Uninstalling PXI Modules .........................................................8
Installing and Uninstalling PXI Express Modules.............................9
Installing PCI Devices .......................................................................10
6. Power On Your Computer or PXI Chassis ............................................11
7. Configuring and Testing in MAX..........................................................12
8. Setting up Synchronization for NI-DAQmx Devices in MAX..............14

NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide 2 ni.com
9. Generating Waveforms Interactively.....................................................15
Generating a Standard Waveform......................................................16
Generating an Arbitrary Waveform ...................................................17
Generating a Video Signal (NI 5431 Only) .......................................18
10. Generating Waveforms Programmatically ..........................................19
NI-FGEN Examples...........................................................................19
NI-FGEN Instrument Driver..............................................................19
NI Composite Video Generator (NI 5431 Only) ...............................19
11. Creating and Editing Waveforms ........................................................20
Appendix A: Front Panels..........................................................................20
NI PXI/PCI-5401 ...............................................................................21
NI PXI/PCI-5402/5406 ......................................................................23
NI PXI-5404 ......................................................................................25
NI PXI-5411/5431 .............................................................................27
NI PCI-5411/5431..............................................................................29
NI PXI/PCI-5412/5421/5422/5441....................................................30
NI PXIe-5442.....................................................................................32
Where to Go for Support ...........................................................................34
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
»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.
♦The ♦symbol indicates that the following text
applies only to a specific product, a specific
operating system, or a specific software version.
This icon denotes a tip, which alerts you to advisory
information.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to
important information.
This icon denotes a hot surface, which indicates
that a device may be hot. Touching the device may
result in bodily injury.

© National Instruments Corporation 3 NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of
precautions to take to avoid injury, data loss, or a
system crash. When this symbol is marked on the
hardware product, refer to the Read Me First:
Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference
document included with the device, for precautions
to take.
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 emphasis or a cross-reference.
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 disk drives, paths, directories,
functions, filenames, and extensions.
monospace italic Italic text in this font denotes text that is a
placeholder for a word or value that you must
supply.
Platform Text in this font denotes a specific platform and
indicates that the text following it applies only to
that platform.
NI-DAQ mx devices The NI 5402/5404/5406/5412/5421/5422/
5441/5442 devices.
Traditional NI-DAQ The NI 5401/5411/5431 devices.
(Legacy) devices
1. Verifying the System Requirements
To use an NI signal generator with NI-FGEN, your system must meet certain
requirements. For more information on minimum system, recommended
system, and supported application development environments (ADEs), refer
to the NI-FGEN Instrument Driver Readme, which is available on the
NI-FGEN CDs.
Note After you install NI-FGEN, you can access the
NI-FGEN Instrument Driver Readme at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-FGEN»Documentation.

NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide 4 ni.com
2. Unpacking
NI signal generators ship in an antistatic envelope to prevent electrostatic
discharge (ESD). ESD can damage several components on the device.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
To avoid damage when handling the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by touching a grounded
object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer chassis
before removing the device from the package.
Remove the device from the envelope and inspect it for loose components or
any sign of damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way.
Do not install a damaged device into your computer.
Store the device in the antistatic envelope when not in use.
3. Verifying the Kit Contents
The following items are included in the NI signal generator kit:
❑NI signal generator
❑SMB-BNC cable (NI 5404/5412/5421/5422/5441/5442 only)
❑NI-FGEN instrument driver DVD-sized case, which contains the
following items:
– NI-FGEN CDs, which include the NI Signal Generators Help
– NI Signal Generators Getting Started Guide
❑NI Analog Waveform Editor CD. Eligible hardware kits receive an
activation license. (NI 5412/5421/5422/5441/5442 only)
❑Other included documents:
– The specifications document for the NI signal generator
– Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference
–Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users (except the
NI 5401/5404/5411/5431 devices)
– Retrofitting Your PXI Module Note to Users
❑(NI 5431 only) NI Composite Video Generator CD

© National Instruments Corporation 5 NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide
EMI Gasket
The NI signal generator kit may also include an EMI gasket and the
Retrofitting Your PXI Module Note to Users that describes under what
conditions you should install the gasket. Refer to the Installing PXI Modules
section for more information about when you should install the gasket.
Other Required Items
In addition to the items contained in the kit, you need the following items to
install your signal generator:
❑1/8 in. flathead screwdriver
❑Cables appropriate for use with your device
♦For PXI devices
• A PXI chassis, a PXI/SCXI combination chassis,
or a PXI/CompactPCI chassis and chassis documentation
• A PXI controller or MXI bridge
♦For PXI Express devices
• A PXI Express chassis and chassis documentation
• A PXI Express controller or a MXI-Express bridge
♦For PCI devices
• A desktop computer with its documentation
Note If your application uses NI-TClk synchronization, you must
use a RTSI cable to connect the devices (PCI DAQmx devices
only).
4. Installing the Software
The NI-FGEN CDs, included with your device, install the instrument driver
for all NI signal generators. NI-FGEN CDs also include the FGEN Soft Front
Panel (SFP), which is an easy, interactive tool that helps you quickly begin
working with the NI signal generator.
To install NI-FGEN, complete the following steps:
1. (Optional) If you are developing an application for the NI signal
generator, install an ADE, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows™/CVI™.
2. Insert the first CD of the NI-FGEN CD set. The NI-FGEN installer
should open automatically.
Note If the installation window does not appear, navigate to the
CD drive, double-click the drive, and double-click setup.exe.

NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide 6 ni.com
3. Follow the instructions in the installation prompts. For installation
troubleshooting information contact NI technical support or visit
ni.com/support.
(Windows Vista) Users may see access and security messages during
installation. Accept the prompts to complete the installation.
4. When the installer completes, a dialog box appears that asks if you want
to restart, shut down, or restart later. Select Restart.
5. If you are using a system running the LabVIEW Real-Time Module,
download NI-FGEN to the target using Measurement & Automation
Explorer (MAX). Refer to the Measurement & Automation Explorer
Remote Systems Help by selecting Help»Help Topics»Remote Systems
in MAX.
(NI 5431 only) Insert the NI Composite Video Generator CD into the
CD drive and follow the instructions in the installation window.
5. Installing the Hardware
Caution You must power off and unplug the computer or chassis
before installing the device.
To prevent damage to the device caused by ESD or contamination,
handle the device using the edges or the metal bracket. Refer to the
Read Me First: Safety and Radio-Frequency Interference document
for more information about handling your device.
Note You must install the NI-FGEN software before installing the
hardware.
Cooling Considerations for PXI and PCI Devices
Caution When installing an NI-DAQmx device (except the
NI 5404), follow the guidelines in the Maintain Forced-Air Cooling
Note to Users document included in the kit to ensure that the device
is cooled effectively.
Thermal Shutdown—If the device temperature rises above the maximum
operating temperature, the device shuts down and MAX or NI-FGEN
notifies you with an error message. For information about the operating
temperatures for your device, refer to the device specifications. To
re-enable the device after thermal shutdown, you must perform a hard reset,
using one of the following methods:

© National Instruments Corporation 7 NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide
• Power off the computer or chassis that contains the device. After the
device has cooled, power on the computer or chassis and reboot the
controller, if necessary.
• Call the niFgen Reset Device VI or the niFgen_ResetDevice function.
• Perform a device reset in MAX. For more information about resetting a
device in MAX, refer to MAX Help for NI-DAQmx by navigating to
Help»Help Topics»NI-DAQmx»MAX Help for NI-DAQmx
within MAX.
Review the guidelines in the Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
and make any necessary adjustments. The thermal shutdown error is reported
until the device has cooled to an acceptable operating temperature and has
been reset successfully.
Installing PXI Modules
To install the device in either a PXI chassis, a PXI/SCXI combination chassis,
or a PXI/CompactPCI chassis, complete the following steps:
1. Power off and unplug the PXI chassis.
2. (Optional) If you need to use the provided EMI gasket to reduce
high-frequency emissions, install it now. Refer to the Retrofitting Your
PXI Module Note to Users for more information about installing the
gasket.
3. Position the PXI chassis so that inlet and outlet vents are not obstructed.
For more information, refer to the chassis documentation.
4. Make sure that the ejector handle is in the unlatched (downward)
position.
5. Hold the PXI module by the ejector handle and slide it into an empty slot.
Make sure that the base engages with the guides in the chassis, as shown
in Figure 1.

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Figure 1. PXI Installation
6. Slide the module completely into the chassis and latch it by pulling up on
the ejector handle. Tighten the captive screws at the top and bottom of
the module front panel.
Caution Performance may suffer if both screws are not tightened
properly.
7. Verify that the PXI chassis fans are operable and free of dust and other
contaminants restricting airflow. Refer to the Cooling Considerations for
PXI and PCI Devices section for more information.
8. Plug in the PXI chassis.
Uninstalling PXI Modules
When removing PXI modules from the chassis, ensure that you are grounded
with a grounding strap or are touching a grounded metal surface. To avoid
ESD, do not touch the exposed connector pins or any exposed circuitry on
the device. When not in use, PXI devices should be stored in the original
antistatic envelope to avoid damage.
Hot Surface During operation, the metal surfaces of PXI devices
may become hot. Be careful when removing the device from the
chassis or when moving it to a different peripheral slot. When
removing the device, hold it by only the ejector handle and front
panel.
1 PXI Chassis
2 Ejector Handle
3 Screws
4 NI PXI signal generator
3
2
4
NI PXI-1042
1

© National Instruments Corporation 9 NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide
Installing and Uninstalling PXI Express Modules
To install a PXI Express module, follow the instructions in the Installing PXI
Modules section and install the module in a PXI Express slot of a
PXI Express chassis. Refer to the chassis documentation to determine which
slots are designated for PXI Express modules.
Figure 2. PXI Express Module Installation
To uninstall a PXI Express module, follow the instructions in the
Uninstalling PXI Modules section.
1 PXI Express Chassis
2 Ejector Handle
3 Screws
4 NI PXI Express signal generator
5 Chassis slot markings
NI PXIe-1062Q
3
4
3
2
5

NI SIgnal Generators Getting Started Guide 10 ni.com
Installing PCI Devices
To install the PCI device, complete the following steps:
1. Power off and unplug the PC.
2. Remove the PC cover.
3. Insert the device into an open PCI slot, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. PCI Installation
Tip To maximize airflow and extend the life of the device, leave
any adjacent PCI slots empty.
1 NI PCI Device 2PCISlot 3 Computer Chassis
1
2
3