PASCO 850 Universal Interface User manual

850 Universal Interface (UI-5000)
ON/OFF button
Press and briefly hold to turn the interface on or off. The
button features an LED which glows blue to indicate that
the interface is on.
Digital input ports
Plug digital ScienceWorkshop sensors in here to connect
them to the interface.
Analog input ports
Plug analog ScienceWorkshop sensors in here to connect
them to the interface.
Output ports (banana jack)
Used by the signal generator to output signals of power up
to 15 W.
Connection Status LED
Indicates the status of the interface’s connection to a
computer.
Connection LED Status
Blinking green Ready to connect
Green ON Connected
PASPORT input ports
Plug PASPORT sensors in here to connect them to the
interface.
Output ports (BNC)
Used by the signal generator to output signals of power up
to 500 mW
Included equipment:
•850 Universal Interface (UI-5000)
•AC adapter, 100-240 V AC to 20 V DC at 6 A (120 W), with
power cord
•USB cable
Required equipment:
•USB-compatible computer
•Any PASPORT, ScienceWorkshop, or Universal Interface
sensor(s)
•PASCO Capstone software
Recommended equipment:
•Banana Plug Cord (SE-9750 and SE-9751) for Output 1
•BNC Function Generator Output Cable (UI-5119 and
UI-5129) for Outputs 2 and 3
Introduction
The PASCO 850 Universal Interface is a USB multi-port data
acquisition interface designed for use with any non-wireless
PASCO sensor and PASCO Capstone software (available
separately). Users can plug a sensor into one of the twelve input
ports on the interface, perform the necessary setup in Capstone,
and then begin collecting data. Capstone can be used to record,
display, and analyze the data measured by the sensor. Because
each interface has a unique device ID, multiple interfaces can be
connected to a computer at the same time. PASCO Wireless
sensors can also be used in Capstone alongside the 850.
The 850 Universal Interface comes with a USB cable for
connecting to a computer, as well as a power supply (AC
adapter with power cord) that converts an input of 100 to 240 V
AC into an output of 20 V DC at 6 A.
The 850 Universal Interface includes three built-in signal
generator and power outputs. Output 1 provides up to 15 watts
of power, and Outputs 2 and 3 provide up to 500 milliwatts of
power each. The interface can be configured to output direct
current (DC) or alternating current (AC) in a variety of
waveforms, including sine, square, and triangle waves.
NOTE: The 850 Universal Interface is
compatible with all PASCO PASPORT, Universal
Interface, and ScienceWorkshop sensors. The
PASPORT sensors have a "PS-" prefix, the
Universal Interface sensors have a "UI-" prefix,
and the ScienceWorkshop sensors have a prefix
of "CI-", "ME-", "SN-", or "TD-". For more
information about the compatible sensors, see
the PASCO website at www.pasco.com/sensors.
Get the software
Using the interface requires PASCO Capstone software. We
offer a free trial of Capstone for Windows and Mac. To get the
software, go to pasco.com/downloads.
If you have installed the software previously, check that you have
the latest update by opening the Help menu and selecting
Check for Updates.
Check for a firmware update
1. Press and hold the power button until the LED turns on.
2. Open PASCO Capstone.
3. Connect the interface to PASCO Capstone as described
under Set up the hardware.
4. A notification appears if a firmware update is available.
Click Yes to update the firmware.
5. Close Capstone once the update is complete.
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Set up the hardware
General guidelines
The included power supply (AC adapter) and USB cables are
required for operation. Always plug the power cord of the AC
adapter into a standard, grounded wall outlet.
WARNING: The 850 Universal interface is not
waterproof. To avoid the risk of shock, keep the
interface, AC adapter, and cable away from
water and other liquids at all times. If conducting
an experiment with water or other liquids, keep
the liquid container(s) away from the interface.
For maximum protection, keep liquid containers
closed whenever possible.
During operation, do not cover the heat sink "fins" on the back of
the interface, as these fins help prevent the interface from
overheating during prolonged use.
Connecting the 850 Universal Interface to
your computer
1. Connect the larger end of the USB cable to a USB port or
powered USB hub connected to your computer.
2. Connect the smaller end of the USB cable to the USB port
on the back of the interface.
3. Connect the AC adapter plug to the power jack on the back
of the interface box.
4. Connect the AC power cord to a grounded wall outlet.
5. Push the power button to turn on the interface. The
interface will beep once, and the green LEDs above the
PASPORT input ports will blink once.
The green Connection Status LED below the power button
should light up to indicate that the interface is now connected to
the computer. If it does not, check the connection between the
interface and the computer.
Plugging a sensor into the interface
•PASPORT sensors plug into the ports labeled with
PASPORT and a number.
•ScienceWorkshop analog sensors with DIN connectors
plug into the analog inputs, labeled A, B, C, and D on the
interface.
•ScienceWorkshop digital sensors with stereo phone (tip-
ring-sleeve) plugs connect into the digital inputs, labeled
1, 2, 3, and 4 on the interface.
NOTE: PASCO Capstone will automatically
detect and recognize connected PASPORT and
Universal Interface sensors, but not
ScienceWorkshop analog or digital sensors. For
information on connecting these sensors to the
program, see the manual for the individual
sensor, as well as the PASCO Capstone online
help.
PASPORT plugs
Stereo phone plugs
DIN plugs
Extender cables
If you need extra distance between the sensor and the 850
Universal Interface, use an extender cable such as the 8-Pin
DIN Extension Cable (UI-5218), PASPORT Sensor Extension
Cable (PS-2500), or Phone Jack Extender Cable (PI-8117). Note
that the 8-Pin DIN Cable Assembly included with several
ScienceWorkshop sensors, such as the Light Sensor
(CI-6504A), can also be used as an extension cable, although
Universal Interface sensors specifically require the DIN
Extension Cable (UI-5218).
IMPORTANT: DO NOT connect more than one
extender cable between a sensor and the 850
Universal Interface. Connect the sensor to the
interface either directly or, at most, through one
extender cable.
Using the 850 Interface as a signal
generator The PASCO 850 Universal Interface has
three signal output ports on its front panel.
Output 1 is a signal generator with a built-
in power amplifier. This port has two 4
millimeter (mm) banana jack ports that can
provide ±15 volts at up to 1 amp (or 15
watts) for a variety of AC waveforms
(including sine, square, triangle, and
positive and negative ramps), or direct
current (DC) if needed. The output
frequency range for the waveforms is 0.001
Hz to 100,000 Hz (or 100 kHz), with a
resolution of 0.001 Hz. The output has
over-current detection, voltage offset and
limiting, phase shift, selectable current limiting (0.55 A, 1.10 A,
or 1.5 A), and a frequency sweep function.
Outputs 2 and 3 are signal generators with BNC connectors that
can provide ±10 V at up to 50 mA (or 500 mW) for the same
waveforms as Output 1. The frequency range for these ports is 0
to 500,000 Hz (500 kHz) for the sine wave, with lower maximum
frequencies for the other waveforms and a resolution of 0.001
Hz for all waveforms. These outputs have voltage limiting, phase
shift, and a frequency sweep function.
The output for all three signal generators is controlled by PASCO
Capstone software. The interface can measure the output
voltage, frequency, and peak amplitude for all three output ports,
as well as the output current for Output 1.
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Signal generator setup
To set up the 850 Universal Interface to act as a signal
generator, follow these steps based on the output port being
used.
Output Port 1:
1. Insert a banana patch plug cord into the ground port ( ) of
Output 1. Connect the other end of the cord to the ground
on the circuit board (or other device) which will be supplied
with a signal.
2. Insert a second banana patch plug cord into the signal
generator port ( ) of Output 1. Connect the other end
of the cord to the positive lead on the circuit board (or other
device).
Output Port 2 or 3:
1. Connect the output port on the 850 Universal Interface to
one end of a BNC Function Generator Output Cable,
shrouded (UI-5129) or unshrouded (UI-5119). Ensure a
stable connection by tightening the BNC connector.
2. Connect the other ends of the 850 Universal Interface to
the circuit board or other device which will be supplied with
a signal. Make sure to attach the red lead to the positive
lead on the device and the black lead to the ground on the
device.
Signal generator configuration
For information on setting up the signal generator using PASCO
Capstone, consults the Capstone online help and search for
"Set up signal generator". The online help contains information
on how to configure various features of the signal generator,
including (but not limited to):
•Waveform
•Frequency
•Amplitude
•Phase Shift
•Voltage Offset
•Sweep Type
850 Expansion Port
The back of the 850 Universal Interface features a 44-pin
Expansion Port. This port can be used to connect the interface
to a breadboard, allowing the interface to process additional
input and output signals beyond those from the ports on the
front of the device.
The Expansion Port provides access to the following features:
•3 additional analog input channels, labeled XA, XB, and XC
in PASCO Capstone.
•8 digital input/output (I/O) channels, labeled I/O 1 through
I/O 8 in Capstone.
•An additional port for each of the three outputs of the signal
generator, outputting the same signals as the ports on the
front panel.
Connecting to the Expansion Port
To access the Expansion Port in PASCO Capstone, first connect
your 850 Universal Interface to Capstone as described in Set up
the hardware. From the Hardware Setup panel, select the
Show Expansion Port icon to display the Expansion Port
interface within the window. To hide the panel, click the Show
Expansion Port icon again.
The channels of the 850 Expansion Port can be connected as
follows:
•The analog channels can be configured as either a voltage
sensor or a peak amplitude sensor.
•The digital channels can be configured as either a digital
output or a digital input.
•All of the inputs and outputs of the Expansion Port are
available to use in Blockly programs within Capstone.
NOTE: The Expansion Port’s analog inputs have
a limit of 10 V. The digital I/O ports can be set to
output either 3.3 V or 5 V using the Digital
Output tool in Capstone. The Digital Output tool
can also be used to turn individual digital
outputs on or off.
Pin definitions
The 850 Expansion Port features 44 pins, each of which serves
a different function when connected. The pins on the expansion
port are numbered from right to left and from top to bottom. In
the top row, pin 1 is located on the far right and pin 15 is located
on the far left; in the middle row, pin 16 is on the right and pin 30
is on the left; and in the bottom row, pin 31 is on the right and
pin 44 is on the left.
The functions of each pin are as follows:
•Pins 1-8: Digital I/O ports (I/O 1 through I/O 8)
•Pins 9-13: PASPORT Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) port
-Pin 9: SCLK
-Pin 10: MISO
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-Pin 11: MOSI
-Pin 12: SSn
-Pin 13: INTRn
•Pin 14: Provides a constant +5 V DC at 1 A
•Pins 15-28: Ground
•Pin 29: Analog Input XA, inverting
•Pin 30: Analog Input XA, non-inverting
•Pin 31: Analog Input XB, inverting
•Pin 32: Analog Input XB, non-inverting
•Pin 33: Analog Input XC, inverting
•Pin 34: Analog Input XC, non-inverting
•Pin 35: Output port for Output 2 of the signal generator
•Pin 36: Return (ground) port for Output 2 of the signal
generator
•Pin 37: Output port for Output 3 of the signal generator
•Pin 38: Return (ground) port for Output 3 of the signal
generator
•Pin 39: Provides a constant +12 V DC at 150 mA
•Pin 40: Provides a constant -12 V DC at 150 mA
•Pins 41-42: Output port for Output 1 of the signal
generator
•Pins 43-44: Return (ground) port for Output 1 of the signal
generator
Software help
The PASCO Capstone Help provide additional information on
how to use this product with the software. You can access the
help within the software or online.
Software: Help > PASCO Capstone Help
Online: help.pasco.com/capstone
Specifications and accessories
Visit the product page at pasco.com/product/UI-5000 to view the
specifications and explore accessories. You can also download
support documents from the product page.
Technical support
Need more help? Our knowledgeable and friendly Technical
Support staff is ready to answer your questions or walk you
through any issues.
Chat pasco.com
Phone [phone] x1004 (USA)
[phone] (outside USA)
Email [e-mail]
Regulatory information
Limited warranty
For a description of the product warranty, see the Warranty and Returns page at
www.pasco.com/legal.
Copyright
This document is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Permission is granted to non-
profit educational institutions for reproduction of any part of this manual, providing
the reproductions are used only in their laboratories and classrooms, and are not
sold for profit. Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written
consent of PASCO scientific, is prohibited.
Trademarks
PASCO and PASCO scientific are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO
scientific, in the United States and in other countries. All other brands, products, or
service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to
identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For more information visit
www.pasco.com/legal.
Product end-of-life disposal
This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations
that vary by country and region. It is your responsibility to recycle your
electronic equipment per your local environmental laws and regulations
to ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health
and the environment. To find out where you can drop off your waste
equipment for recycling, please contact your local waste recycle or disposal
service, or the place where you purchased the product. The European Union
WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol on the product or its
packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste
container.
CE statement
This device has been tested and found to comply with the essential requirements
and other relevant provisions of the applicable EU Directives.
FCC statement
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
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