optel OPBOX User manual

Przedsiębiorstwo Badawczo-Produkcyjne
OPTEL Sp. z o.o.
ul. Morelowskiego 30
PL- 2-429 Wrocław
tel.: [phone]
fax.: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
http://www.optel.pl
Wrocław, 21.0 .2008
OPBOX - USB 2.0
Ultrasonic box with integrated p lser and receiver rev. 3
OPBOX - USB 2.0 is a complete ultrasonic testing device, suitable for all ultrasonic
measurements, and due to many additional inputs and outputs, it can be used as a controller
for more complicated devices.
The box can work together with following
devices:
•2 - 32 channel multiplexer - the
OPBOX can control it directly;
•Scanner - it has input for incremental
encoders;
The box contains one channel pulser &
receiver and can be used with one
transducer or with two (one is sending and
the second receiving) for pulse-echo and
through transmission measurements.
Size: 164mm x 138mm x 34 mm
Power S pply: 9V DC / 2A
Technical data
A/D converter:
- Resolution: 8 bit (internal 10bits)
- Sampling frequency: 12. , 2 , 0 or 100MHz1
Delay time: Post trigger 2 6µs
Data buffer: 2 6, 12, 1k, 2k,4k,8k,16k, 32k, 64k, 128kB1
Analog parameters
- Input amplifier gain: from -29dB to 67dB
- Input preamplifier 0dB or +24dB
- Sensitivity: 0.1mV - 1Vpp
- Bandwidth: 0. MHz - 2 MHz (-3dB)
- Input impedance 0 Ohm, 10pF
- Filters switchable 0. – 6MHz1, 0. – 10MHz1, 0. – 1 MHz1, 0. – 2 MHz1,
1 – 6MHz1, 1 – 10MHz1, 1 – 1 MHz1, 1 – 2 MHz1,
2 – 6MHz1, 2 – 10MHz1, 2 – 1 MHz1, 2 – 2 MHz1,
4 – 6MHz1, 4 – 10MHz1, 4 – 1 MHz1, 4 – 2 MHz1

DAC (TGC) with arbitrary waveform generator
- Resolution of time step 0.0 ms
- Resolution 8 bit
- Max. Gain changing 48dB pro step
Counters / Input for incremental encoder:
- Counters for Incremental
Encoders 2 channel
8-bit
Trigger
- Internal trigger rate Software
- External trigger rate TTL Signal
- Multiplexer TTL Signal
- Trigger output signal TTL Signal
Additional inp ts:
- Multiplexer control up to 32 channels
- 2 digital lines TTL Signal
O tp t:
- digital lines TTL Signal
Data b s USB 2.0 (48MHz Bulk transfer)
P lser:
- Pulse Voltage off - 360V (positive pulse, Short circuit step pulser)
in 13 levels
- Pulse length (loading time) from 0 – 3.1us with resolution 0.1us
- Fall Time <= 20 ns
- Pulse Duration Short circuit, bandwidth up to about 0MHz
- Output impedance < 1 Ohm
1 - software selected
Wall Socket adapter (i.e Sunny Computer Technology Europe Model: SYS 1308-W2E)
Plug type: USA, Europe, UK
Input Voltage Type: Universal Range
AC Input Voltage: 90~264 Vac
AC Input Frequency: 47~63 Hz
AC Input Current: 1A RMS
No. of Outputs: Single O/P
Load Regulation: +/- %
Min. O/P Amper: 0A
Operation Temperature: 0~40°C
Protection: Short, Over Voltage, Over Current
MTBF: 3 000 Hours
Hold Up Time: 10 ms
Safety: GS/TUV, CB
Weight: 143 grams
Dimension: 7 mm x 34 mm x 43 mm

Signals on the external connectors
Front panel:
Lemo:
PE – Measured input signal (sending/receiving)
TT – Measured input signal (receiving)
DB15:
PIN 1 – Vreg (voltage regulator for external pulser or multiplexer;
from 0 to 8. V)
PIN 2 – Trigger for external pulser or multiplexer; TTL Signal
PIN 3 – Counter for Incremental Encoder Channel 1
PIN 4 – digital input, TTL Signal
PIN – M0 – address line for multiplexer
PIN 6 – M2 – address line for multiplexer
PIN 7 – M4 – address line for multiplexer
PIN 8 – GND
PIN 9 – GND
PIN 10 - Counter for Incremental Encoder Channel 2
PIN 11 - digital input, TTL Signal
PIN 12 – GND
PIN 13 – M1 – address line for multiplexer
PIN 14 – M3 – address line for multiplexer
PIN 1 – M – address line for multiplexer
Back panel:
DC2.1 – power supply – DC 9V / 2A
USBB – USB 2.0 connector
LED’s:
Red – power supply indicator
Yellow – USB transfer indicator
Green – USB connected
Characteristic of the box
One of the most important features of the OPBOX – USB 2.0 is a synchronization between the
pulser signal and the internal clock, that controls the A/D converter. This allows very precise
measurements of the time of flight – better than 1ns.
Post trigger (delay) time is software programmable in the range of 0 - 2 us with a resolution
of 1us and has stability within the range of 1ns. It is particularly important in the case of
scanning devices, since it allows achieving a very small time skew between different positions
(channels). 1ns would correspond to a clock frequency of 1GHz which is much higher than the
actual frequency used.

Characteristic of the p lser on board
Pulser circuit waveform: The rising edge of the Trigger signal initiates the transducer charging
process which takes from 0us to 3.1us. After this time a transistor switch which discharges the
transducer is turned on (discharge time is about 20ns, but it can be longer, if the capacitance
of the transducer is larger).
Because of the very low output impedance of the device (<1 Ohm) and short discharge time
the pulse generated with this device could be concerned as a real pulse answer for the most
transducers. Transducers with a parallel matching inductance should not be used directly,
since they do not allow the transducer to be pre-charged (the inductance causes a short-
circuit). They require additional small capacitor, switched in series. We can deliver such
adapter, if required. Pulser is not sensitive to short circuit.
Software Package – how to install and se the software, delivered with the OPBOX
The OPBOX – USB 2.0 software (for Windows 9 ,98/NT 4.0/2000/XP/Vista) includes all
necessary functions for ultrasonic measurements. CD or DVD includes:
Where:
1. Connect OPBOX – USB 2.0 to the Power Supply
2. Connect OPBOX – USB 2.0 to the PC. Because USB is hot pluggable, Windows should
be able to detect OPBOX – USB 2.0, and the Add New Hardware Wizard should open
automatically as soon as you connect it to the USB port. Follow the onscreen
instructions for the wizard. When you are prompted to select a driver for this device,
browse to the DRIVER folder and select the INF file (for Windows
Vista:<drive>:driver\vista\opbox_vista.inf for other Windows systems:
<drive>:driver\xp_2000_98_9 \opbox.inf)

3. Run run_me_first.bat for installing National Instruments NI-VISA and OPBOX –USB
2.0 standard software silently or install the National Instruments NI-VISA and OPBOX –
USB 2.0 in basic mode using the setup.exe. You can find the distribution setup.exe
under <drive>:nivisa\setup.exe. and <drive>:install\setup.exe. Please remember after
basic installations follow the onscreen instructions for the wizard. When you are
prompted to select a driver for devices PLEASE select USB low driver.
4. Reboot your computer.
. START-> OPBOX – USB 2.0 -> opbox.exe
Control Panel -> Hardware Manager. NI-VISA USB Devices -> OPBOX – USB 2.0 s.7.0. rev 0.3

Features of the OPBOX – USB 2.0 s.7.0. rev 0.3 – Each devices has unique serial number – i.e.
SN 07.04 rev.2
Description of control f nction OPBOX – USB 2.0
List of function includes on viopbox.dll
Sample_OpenOpbox
Sample_CloseOpbox
Sample_ResetOpbox
Sample_Set_PreAmp
Sample_Set_Source
Sample_Set_Gain
Sample_Set_GainMode
Sample_Set_Trigger
Sample_InitData
Sample_Stop_Trigger
Sample_Start_Trigger
Sample_Set_VPuls
Sample_Set_Channel
Sample_Set_Delay
Sample_Set_Freq
Sample_Set_Depth
Sample_Set_Filtr
Sample_Set_DivXY8
Sample_Set_TPuls
Sample_StartBulk
Sample_StopBulk
Sample_GetData

Sample_StartRUN
Sample_StopRUN
Sample_StartSINGLE
Sample_SendTGC
Basic control f nctions:
F nction Description DLL Command
Sample_OpenOpbox Open driver for OPBOX –
USB 2.0
int Sample_OpenOpbox (void);
Ret rn:
0 – success
-1 – error
Sample_CloseOpbox Close driver void Sample_CloseOpbox (void);
Sample_ResetOpbox Reset – restart the devices
with default parameters
void Sample_ResetOpbox (void);
Sample_Set_Source Set signal source
(switching between PE and
TT connectors)
void Sample_Set_Source (int source);
Parameter:
source:
1 - TT
0 – PE
Sample_Set_GainMo
de
Set gain mode (switching
between DAC and constant
gain)
void Sample_Set_GainMode (int
gainmode);
Parameter:
gainmode:
0 – constant
1 - DAC
Sample_Set_Gain Set constant gain void Sample_Set_Gain(int gain);
Parameter:
gain: from -29 to 67
Sample_InitData Initialize data acquisition –
start measurement
void Sample_InitData(void);
Sample_Set_Channel Set active channel
(external multiplexer)
void Sample_Set_Channel(int channel);
Parameter:
channel - from 1 to 32
Sample_Set_Freq Set sampling frequency void Sample_Set_Freq(int freq);
Parameter:
freq: 0 – 100MHz
1 – 0MHz
2 – 2 MHz
3 – 12. MHz
Sample_Set_Filtr Set filter bandwidth void Sample_Set_Filtr(int filter);
Parameter:
filter:
0 - 0. – 6MHz,
1 - 0. – 10MHz,
2 - 0. – 1 MHz,
3 - 0. – 2 MHz,
4 - 1 – 6MHz,
- 1 – 10MHz,
6 - 1 – 1 MHz,
7 - 1 – 2 MHz,

8 - 2 – 6MHz,
9 - 2 – 10MHz,
10 - 2 – 1 MHz,
11 - 2 – 2 MHz,
12 - 4 – 6MHz,
13 - 4 – 10MHz,
14 - 4 – 1 MHz,
1 - 4 – 2 MHz;
Sample_Set_TPuls Set impulse length void Sample_Set_TPuls (double tpuls);
Parameter:
tpuls - from 0 to 3.1
Sample_Set_VPuls Set impulse voltage void Sample_Set_VPuls (int vreq);
Parameter:
Vreq – from 0 to 13
where: 0 – pulser is switch off
Sample_Set_Trigger Set active trigger void Sample_Set_Trigger(int
triggermode)
Parameter:
Triggermode:
0 – internal software
trigger
1 – external trigger channel 1 -
Counter for Incremental Encoder
Channel 1 PIN 3 BD1
2 - – external trigger
channel 2 - Counter for
Incremental Encoder
Channel 2 PIN 10 BD1
Sample_Set_DivXY8 Set divider for counter for
incremental encoder – for
both channels
void Sample_Set_DivXY8(int divxy)
Parameter:
divxy – from 1 to 2
Sample_Stop_Trigge
r
Disable responding for
external trigger
void Sample_Stop_Trigger (void);
Sample_Start_Trigge
r
Enable responding for
external trigger
void Sample_Start_Trigger (void);
Sample_SendTGC Send DAC/TGC curve void Sample_SendTGC(int hrating,
unsigned char *tablicaTGC);
Parameter:
hrating – length of DAC/TCG array bulk
transfer read/write data 12
1024
2048
4096
8192
16384
32768
6 36
131072
Sample_Set_PreAmp Set pre – amplifier gain void Sample_Set_PreAmp (int preAmp);
Parameter:
preAmp
1 – 0dB
0 – +24dB

Sample_Set_Delay Set post trigger delay void Sample_Set_Delay(int hdelay);
Parameter:
hdelay from 0 to 2
Sample_Set_Depth Set length bulk transfer void Sample_Set_Depth(double rating);
Parameter:
rating – from 1 to 131072
Sample_StopBulk Stop bulk transfer void Sample_StopBulk (void);
Sample_StartBulk Open memory channel for
bulk transfer
void Sample_StartBulk (void);
Sample_GetData Get measurement data void Sample_GetData (int hrating, int
offset,unsigned char *tablica);
Parameter:
hrating - length of DAC/TCG array =
bulk transfer read/write data:
12
1024
2048
4096
8192
16384
32768
6 36
131072
offset – offset from 0 to hrating
*tablica - pointer to array
Sample_StartRUN Start continually
measurements; Loop for
InitMeas and GetData
void Sample_StartRUN(double rating);
Parameter:
rating – from 1 to 131072
Sample_StartSINGLE Single measurement;
InitMeas and GetData
void Sample_StartSINGLE(double
rating);
Parameter:
rating – from 1 to 131072
Sample_StopRUN Stop continually
measurements; Break loop
for InitMeas and GetData
and clear fifo queue
void Sample_StopRUN(double rating);
Parameter:
rating – from 1 to 131072
Sample for visual basic: viopbox.bas under <drive>:dll_samples;
Sample for ansi c: viopbox.h under <drive>:dll_samples;
Sample for LabView please see paragraph: USB Instrument Control Tutorial -
http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/4478
USB RAW Bulk Communication with LabVIEW - http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/epd/p/id/3622

Standard software
OPBOX – USB 2.0 software rev. 0.9 2008 @ PBP OPTEL sp. z o.o. http://www.optel.pl
Main Panel
Overview of Hotkey Selection:
Hotkey F nction
F1 STOP/START enables / disables selected acquisition mode –
start /stop measurement
F2 Load Settings Load the configuration/settings file
F3 Save Settings Saving the configuration/settings file
F4 Print Screen This option will create a hardcopy of the
screen into graphics mode compatible
printers. The printout will include everything
currently on the screen.
F Load data Load in a previously saved data/measurement
file and restore the capture settings as they
were when the data was saved
F6 Save data Saving the current measurement/data and
current configuration/settings to the file
F7 Pattern
F8 Protocol
F9 Info Short information about the OPTEL Sp. z o.o
F10 Exit Exit

Settings on the main panel F nction
P lser Ampl - Set impulse voltage from off to
360V range in 13 levels
P lser Time - Set impulse length from 0us to
3.1us (step 0.1us)
Mode - PE – Measured input signal
(sending/receiving); TT – Measured input
signal (receiving)
Channel - This function allows choosing the
channel, if multiplexer is used.
Filtr [MHz] – Set bandwidth pass filter: 0. -
6MHz, 0. - 10MHz,0. - 1 MHz, 0. - 2 MHz,
1 - 6MHz,1 - 10MHz,1 - 1 MHz,1 - 2 MHz, 2 -
6MHz, 2 - 10MHz,2 - 1 MHz, 2 - 2 MHz,4 -
6MHz, 4 - 10MHz,4 - 1 MHz, 4 - 2 MHz;
Sampling – Set sampling frequency: 100MHz,
0MHz, 2 MHz or 12. MHz
Trigger – Set Trigger Mode – internal/ext.
1/ext. 2.
Internal – software trigger
Ext.1 - Counter for Inc. Encoder Channel 1
Ext.2 - Counter for Inc. Encoder Channel 2
Co nter Div - Set divider for counter for
incremental encoder – for both encoder
channels
PreAmplif - Set pre – amplifier gain; off /
+24dB
GainMode - Set gain mode (switching between
DAC and constant gain and freehand DAC)
Gain [dB] – Set constant gain / amplification
from -29 to +67[dB]
Exponent – Set DAC curve using exponential
function
Offset - Allows to set the voltage offset
Average - This function allows to average the
signal (using the mean worth of many
measurements). Averaging of 2, 4, 8, 16 and
32 signals is possible.
Window – Set the length of the measurement
window/memory
Delay - The time distance between the pulse
(trigger) and the beginning of the window, that
is visible on the screen can be set

Meas rement Gates
Using cursors it is possible to set two
measurement gates in which different functions
can be performed.
In the part of the main screen, visible here the
positions of this gates and the maximum
amplitude, attenuation, phase of signal is
shown.
Control change the background color
depending of color of the measurement gate.
Colors settings
Using the control it is possible to set personal
color of the background of display, trace, grid,
measurement gates, trace of the memories.
On the top of main panel
Choose between RF Signal and Detector
(absolute, Positive and Negative) display in
upper window.
The software allows storing a signal and
showing it (for reference purposes) on the
display. Three such memories are available.
Click on the square in the upper right area of
the window causes, that the signal actually
shown is shown on the main window in a frozen
form in the color of the memory square
Special function for measuring thickness, sound
velocity i.e. when transducer is with delay
lines.
Please see below Sample 1.
If the square is selected, then only default-
white measurement gate are working and the
velocity measurement is calculate from the
trigger to the signal between the gate limits.
Choose units axis Y between [dB], [%], [V]
In the middle of main panel
Meas ring thickness, so nd velocity and
time of flight
This function works on following basis: the user
chooses, which signals should be used for
thickness and/or velocity measurement (for
example the reflection from first and second
wall of a sample with parallel walls) This allows
to use this software with almost any kind of
samples, containments etc. For people using
this software it is necessary to have some
knowledge about such kind of measurements

and physics of ultrasounds.
The next step is to choose (toggle button “V”),
if thickness or sound velocity should be
measured. Than it is necessary to mark, which
value should be used as constant. The
remaining value will be calculated.
The information from the window Ref. Multipl.
(Reflection multiplication) is used for this
calculation – it informs the software between
how many reflections the gates are set.
Time of flight shows the time of the signal in
the first gate.
If the square is
selected, then only default- white
measurement gate are working and the
velocity measurement is calculate from the
trigger to the signal between the gate limits.
On the bottom of main panel
Choose units axis X between [us], [sample],
[mm]
On the bottom window are two measurement
(depending on setting units axis X cursors
showing: frequency / time / distance)
C rsor - Using the control it is possible to set
personal color of the third cursor on the upper
window.
Bottom window can be used to show many
different results. Its modes can be selected by
click on the beam, placed on it right bottom
side.

Bottom window feat res
zoom
Upper window – yellow trace of the measurement signal – with two measurement gates (white
and blue) and the third red cursor for the zoom with is displayed on the bottom window.
Bottom window – with zoom of the measurement signal choosing by red cursor on the upper
window
FFT windowed
This function shows the real part of the FFT (with Hamming window applied) of the whole
signal, shown on the upper window:
Additional features are available:
Freq ency [MHz] 2.44 - Domain frequency is shown.
Filter – Software/digital bandwidth filter can be used. Bandwidth is set by cursors. Default -
white cursor is for low frequency limit and default – the blue cursor is for high frequency limit.
If the square “filter” is selected, a digital bandwidth pass filter is applied to the measured
signal.
Ring slide – for adjustment the axis Y ratio.

FFT c rsors
This function shows the real part of the FFT (with Hamming window applied) of the signal,
shown on the upper window in the region, embraced by the gate, that appears on the upper
window in this mode (red on the above picture).
Additional features are available:
Freq ency [MHz] - Domain frequency is shown.
Filter – Software/digital bandwidth filter can be used. Bandwidth is set by cursors. Default -
white cursor is for low frequency limit and default – the blue cursor is for high frequency limit.
If the square “filter” is selected, a digital bandwidth pass filter is applied to the measured
signal.
Ring slide – for adjustment the axis Y ratio.
FFT power spectr m
It shows power spectrum of FFT of the signal from upper window, calculated with following
formula:
Power Spectrum = [FFT{X}]**2/n**2

Additional features are available:
Freq ency [MHz] - Domain frequency is shown.
Filter – Software/digital bandwidth pass filter can be use. Bandwidth is set by cursors. Default
- white cursor is for low frequency limit and default – the blue cursor is for high frequency
limit. If the square “filter” is selected, a digital bandwidth pass filter is applied to the measured
signal.
Ring slide – for adjustment the axis Y ratio.
Amplification of the received signal and gain c rve (TGC f nction)
The OPBOX has not only a simple amplifier, but a special function, allowing amplifying the
signal depending on the time, passed from the start (trigger). This function is called time-gain
compensation (TGC).
OPBOX allows setting the curve, which controls the amplifier during measurement using
arbitrary waveform generator. Upper window allows controlling it, if it is used in gain curve
mode. Additionally it is necessary to set (upper right part of the screen) the gain mode. It is
possible to select following modes:
1. Constant: Gain is not changed during the time.
2. C rve: gain is changing exponentially. It will compensate for exponential signal decay
(typical for sound signals) by amplifying the signal by an exponential factor that
depends on elapsed time. Exponent is defined by the exponent setting.
3. Free hand: Amplification depends on the curve, that can be freely drawn using the
upper window:
Red cursor cross in the upper window allows drawing the curve in the way that is wished by
the user – after click on button: Acquire

To draw the curve, the user must click on Acq ire, after the curve is ready on Done and Set,
and the transfer of the curve to the card is fulfilled with set.
Protocol Panel – under F8 Protocol

Overview of Hotkey Selection:
Hotkey F nction
F1 Run Periodical Periodical Measurement with adjusted interval
and cycle length
F2 Run Standard measurement with speed what fast
computer can
F Sequence It is also possible to decide, if the information
from different channels should be added (to
produce for example one spectrum
information from many channels) or treated
as a sequence (each channel is separated).
F6 Save *.csv Save as csv – Saving all results to the file cvs
F8 Reset Clear all measurement results
F10 Back Back to the main panel
Settings on the protocol panel F nction
It is possible to store the results as the whole measurements (the whole wave information -
raw data) or as measurement results (thickness, wave velocity) or as FFT
Additional comments
can be added to the csv
file.
Choose what kind of
result must be saved to
the files.
Settings for Periodical
measurement.
Interval between
measuring.
Length of the
measurement cycle.
F Sequence panel

Exit from the OPBOX – USB 2.0 software:
When the OPBOX software is to be closed last panel is displayed. If the settings should be
saved then OPBOX software will start with this settings.
EXAMPLE OF MEASUREMENTS WITH THE OPBOX
For better understanding we have prepared an example, showing the use of OPBOX. Especially
with the goal to explain such functions as: One cursor measurement, pattern use.
Fig.1 Measurement of a piece of polystyrol, ca. 39 mm length.

Fig.2 Measurement of parameters: time of flight, sound speed, distance, using pulse echo (PE)
method.
First such parameters as window, delay, gain – depending on the measured object must be set
and naturally the mode (PE). Now we must set the gates so, that the signal reflected from the
wall is inside (first and the second reflection) – as shown on the picture 2. In the field
“thickness” the correct thickness must be given. The sound speed in the measured material is
shown in the field “Velocity”.
Fig.3 Measurement of parameters: time of flight, sound speed, distance, using PE method and
one cursor
First such parameters as window, delay, gain – depending on the measured object must be set
and naturally the mode (PE) and the function One Cursor Measurement. Now we must set the
white gate(as on the Fig. 3 (Gate1 – white) on the signal reflected from the sample wall.
Thickness must be set correctly. The result of the sound speed measurement is visible in the
field Velocity. The measurement with one cursor is not so exact as with two, because it
includes hardware delay (in electronics and transducer used).