Pickering Pxi 41-660 User manual

Page 1
pickering
PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
Issue 2.4 June 2017
User Manual
Programmable
High Voltage Attenuator
(Model No. 41-660/661)
pickeringtest.com pickering

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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
Page (II) REED RELAY MODULE 40-110/115/120/125
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© COPYRIGHT (2017) PICKERING INTERFACES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, translated or stored in any form, or by
any means without the written permission of Pickering Interfaces.
Technical details contained within this publication are subject to change without notice.
ISO 9001
Reg No. FM38792

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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
Page (III)
REED RELAY MODULE 40-110/115/120/125
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TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For Technical Support please contact Pickering Interfaces either by phone, the website or via e-mail.
WARRANTY
All products manufactured by Pickering Interfaces are warranted against defective materials and workmanship for a period of
three years, excluding programmable power supplies, from the date of delivery to the original purchaser. Any product found to be
defective within this period will, at the discretion of Pickering Interfaces be repaired or replaced.
Products serviced and repaired outside of the warranty period are warranted for ninety days.
Extended warranty and service are available. Please contact Pickering Interfaces by phone, the website or via e-mail.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Pickering Interfaces operates under an environmental management system similar to ISO 14001.
Pickering Interfaces strives to full all relevant environmental laws and regulations and reduce wastes and releases to the
environment. Pickering Interfaces aims to design and operate products in a way that protects the environment and the health and
safety of its employees, customers and the public. Pickering Interfaces endeavours to develop and manufacture products that can
be produced, distributed, used and recycled, or disposed of, in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information
pickeringtest.com
Germany
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Sweden
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
USA
Tel: (West) [phone]
Tel: (East) [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Czech Republic
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
France
Tel [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
Pickering Interfaces Headquarters
Stephenson Road Clacton-on-Sea CO15 4NL United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
China
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
Page (IV) REED RELAY MODULE 40-110/115/120/125
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MEANING / DESCRIPTION SYMBOL
PROTECTIVE EARTH (GROUND)
To identify any terminal which is intended for connection to an external conductor for
protection against electric shock in case of a fault, or the terminal of a protective earth
(ground) electrode.
DANGEROUS VOLTAGE
To indicate hazards arising from dangerous voltages.
WARNING / CAUTION
An appropriate safety instruction should be followed or caution to a potential hazard
exists.
Refer to the relevant instructions detailed within the product manual.
HEAVY
If this product is heavy reference should be made to the safety instructions for
provisions of lifting and moving.
STATIC SENSITIVE
To indicate that static sensitive devices are present and handling precautions should
be followed.
!
kg
SAFETY SYMBOLS
PRODUCT SAFETY
The following safety symbols may be used on the product and throughout the product documentation.

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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
Copyright Statement ...................................................................II
Technical Support and Warranty................................................III
Product Safety .............................................................................IV
Contents (this page)....................................................................V
Warnings and Cautions ..............................................................VII
Section 1
Technical Specication...................................................... 1.1
Section 2
Technical Description ........................................................ 2.1
Functional Description................................................. 2.1
Section 3
Installation....................................................................................3.1
Pre Operation Checks...........................................................3.1
Hardware Installation ............................................................3.2
Software Installation .............................................................3.2
Section 4
Programming Guide........................................................... 4.1
Programming Options For Pickering PXI Cards........ 4.1
Soft Front Panel............................................................ 4.3
Section 5
Connector Information....................................................... 5.1
Section 6
Trouble Shooting ................................................................ 6.1
Section 7
Maintenance Information................................................... 7.1
Software Update ........................................................... 7.1
Component Layout....................................................... 7.1
CONTENTS

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SECTION 1 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
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SECTION 1 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
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MUX
Buffer
Resistor
Ladder
Input
Output
41-660/661
Programmable High Voltage Attenuator
●High Input Impedance
●600 Volt Input Rating
●Available With Single or Differential Input
Configurations
●Buffered Single Ended Output Signal
Provides Low Output Impedance
●Wide Output Bandwidth
●High Channel Density
●VISA Drivers Supplied for Windows
●2 Year Warranty
The 41-660 and 41-661 are high voltage attenuators
designed to reduce the high output voltages commonly
generated by some types of sensors. This is in order to
produce manageable signal levels that can be acquired
by typical data acquisition devices in a PXI system.
The 41-660 provides 10 single ended attenuator
channels while the 41-661 provides 5 differential
attenuator channels. The attenuated signals are
provided on 50Ωoutputs to ensure they can drive
simple data acquisition systems with no significant loss
of signal level. Each model provides attenuation factors
of 10 to 160, permitting a 600V peak signal to be
attenuated to less than 4 Volts.
The 41-661 attenuates both the common mode and
differential signal equally to ensure the signal cannot
overload the data acquisition system and provides a
single ended output from a difference amplifier.
Attenuation values are controlled by high quality
instrument grade relays to ensure long service life. All
active devices are fully protected against the application
of over-voltages or short circuit loads.
Block Diagram for the 41-660 Programmable High
Voltage Attenuator (1 of 10 channels shown)
MUX
Buffer
Resistor
Ladder
Input A
Output
MUX
Buffer
Resistor
Ladder
Input B
Variable Gain
Difference
Amplifier
Block Diagram for the 41-661 Programmable Differential
High Voltage Attenuator (1 of 5 channels shown)
ISSUE 4.6 MAY 2017

Page 1.2
SECTION 1 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
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Power Requirements
+3.3V +5V +12V -12V
00.5A max 0.15A max 0.15A max
Width and Dimensions
Size: Single width 3U PXI/CompactPCI
instrument module
Connectors
PXI bus: 32-bit P1/J1 backplane connector
Front panel connector: 50-pin male D-type
Product Order Codes
10-Channel High Voltage Attenuator 41-660-001
5-Channel Differential High Voltage Attenuator 41-661-001
Other versions can be supplied with lower channel count
or different input impedance. Please contact your Pickering
Interface sale office with your requirements.
Specification
Number of Input Channels
41-660:
41-661:
10 off (Single Ended)
5 off (Differential)
Maximum Input Voltage: ±600V
Input Impedance
41-660:
41-661 (Differential):
41-661 (Common Mode):
1MΩ
0.666MΩ
0.5MΩ
Attenuation Values:
Attenuation Accuracy:
10, 20, 40, 80 or 160
1% excluding DC offset
Output Offset Voltage
41-660:
41-661:
<10mV
<40mV
Output Impedance:
Output Voltage (Max):
Output Current:
Output Bandwidth:
Output Slew Rate:
50Ω nominal, single ended
±10V into open circuit
Up to 10mA per channel
20kHz
13V/µs typical
PCI Interface: 33MHz 32-bit address
PCB Layout for the 41-660 High Voltage Attenuator
Mating Connectors & Cabling
For connection accessories for the 41-660/661 module
please refer to the 90-005D 50-pin D-type Connector
Accessories data sheet where a complete list and
documentation can be found for accessories.

SECTION 1 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
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Programming
Pickering provide kernel, IVI and VISA (NI & Keysight) drivers
which are compatible with all Microsoft supported versions of
Windows and popular older versions. For a list of all supporting
operating systems, please see: www.pickeringtest.com/os
The VISA driver is also compatible with Real-Time Operating
Systems such as LabVIEW RT. For other RTOS support
contact Pickering. These drivers may be used with a variety of
programming environments and applications including:
Pickering Interfaces Switch Path Manager
MTQ Testsolutions Tecap Test & Measurement Suite
National Instruments products (LabVIEW, LabWindows/
CVI, Switch Executive, MAX, TestStand, VeriStand, etc.)
Microsoft Visual Studio products (Visual Basic, Visual C+)
Keysight VEE Mathworks Matlab Marvin ATEasy
Drivers for popular Linux distributions are available, other
environments are also supported, please contact Pickering
with specific enquiries.
Operating/Storage Conditions
Operating Conditions
Operating Temperature:
Humidity:
Altitude:
0°C to +55°C
Up to 90% non-condensing
5000m
Storage and Transport Conditions
Storage Temperature:
Humidity:
Altitude:
-20°C to +75°C
Up to 90% non-condensing
15000m
PXI & LXI Chassis Compatibility
Compatible with all chassis conforming to the 3U PXI and
3U cPCI specification. Compatible with Legacy and Hybrid
peripheral slots in a 3U PXI Express chassis.
Compatible with Pickering Interfaces LXI Modular Chassis.
For information on driving your switching solution in an LXI
environment refer to the LXI Product Guide.
PXI & CompactPCI Compliance
The module is compliant with the PXI Specification 2.2. Local
Bus, Trigger Bus and Star Trigger are not implemented.
Uses a 33MHz 32-bit backplane interface.
Safety & CE Compliance
All modules are fully CE compliant and meet applicable EU
directives: Low-voltage safety EN61010-1:2001,
EMC Immunity EN61000-6-1:2001, Emissions EN55011:1998.
Please refer to the 200 page
Pickering Interfaces “Connection
Solutions” catalog for the full list
of connector/cabling options,
including drawings, photos and
specifications. Available in either
print or as a download.
Alternatively our web site has
dynamically linked connector/
cabling options, including pricing,
for all Pickering PXI modules.
Ever wondered what PXI is all
about?
Pickering Interfaces’ “PXImate”
explains the basics of PXI
and provides useful data for
engineers working on switch
based test systems.
The PXImate is available free
on request from the Pickering
website.
“The Big PXI Catalog” gives
full details of Pickering’s entire
range of PXI switch modules,
instrument modules and
support products.
At over 500 pages, the Big
PXI Catalog is available on
request or can be downloaded
from the Pickering website.
The “PXI
Module Map”
- a simple fold-
out selection
guide to all
Pickering’s
1000+ PXI
Modules.
The “Cables &
Connectors
Map” - outlines
the cable and
connector
options
available
for all PXI
Modules.
Latest Details
Please refer to our Web Site for Latest Product Details.
www.pickeringtest.com

Page 1.4
SECTION 1 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
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SECTION 2 - TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
SECTION 2 - TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
A functional block diagram is provided in Figure 2.1. The Module is powered by a +5V input via Compact PCI
connector J1. The signal interface to the attenuator is via the front panel mounted 50-pin D-type male connector, J2.
The module comprises a PCB populated with 10 resistor ladders which perform the attenuation function, followed by
10 buffer ampliers and - in the case of the 41-661 - 5 variable gain differential ampliers. The resistor ladders and
the gain of the differential ampliers are controlled by reed relays. The relays are energised via signals from relay
drivers U8 to U12, the relay drivers have data latched into them from the control logic which in turn is addressed by
PCI bridge U1. Module conguration is determined by hardwired links and data stored in EEPROM U7. PCI Bridge
U1 is congured by EEPROM U2.
50-PIN D-TYPE
CONNECTOR
J2
RELAY
DRIVERS
U8, U9,
U10, U11,
U12
MODULE
CONFIGURATION
U7
PCI
BRIDGE
U1
PCI BRIDGE
CONFIGURATION
U2
TERMINATING
RESISTORS
R6 TO R17
COMPACT PCI
BUS
CONNECTOR
J1
+5V
0V
RELAY COILS
RELAY
CONTACTS
CONTROL
LOGIC
U3, U4,
U5, U6
ATTENUATOR
INPUT
OUTPUT
RESISTOR
LADDER
GND
BUFFER
AMPLIFIER
INPUT B
RESISTOR
LADDER
GND
BUFFER
AMPLIFIER
INPUT A
RESISTOR
LADDER
BUFFER
AMPLIFIER
OUTPUT
DIFFERENTIAL
AMPLIFIER
GAIN
SWITCHING
GND
41-660 SINGLE-ENDED ATTENUATOR 41-661 DIFFERENTIAL ATTENUATOR
X10
X5
GND
GND
GND
Figure 2.1 - Programmable Attenuator Module (41-660/661): Functional Block Diagram

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SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION
Page 3.1
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SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION
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kg
PREOPERATION CHECKS (UNPACKING)
1. Check the module for transport damage and report any damage immediately to Pickering Interfaces.
Do not attempt to install the product if any damage is evident.
2. Position the chassis relative to any other equipment the module(s) will connect with. Ensure the chassis is not
connected to the electrical supply.
3. Ensure that the designated area for the chassis containing the module is of at and solid construction to
withstand and support the combined weight of the module(s) and chassis.
SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION
!
Refer to the Warnings and Cautions at the front of this manual
Modular products require installation in a suitable PXI/LXI chassis. The module is designed for indoor use only.
Figure 3.1 - Installing the Module into a PXI/cPCI/LXI Chassis
PXI / LXI Chassis

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SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION pickering
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SECTION 3 - INSTALLATION
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
First install the appropriate Pickering PXI switch card drivers by running the installer program Setup.exe (provided
in a compressed zip le), either from the CD-ROM supplied, or by downloading the latest version from our website
pickeringtest.com - the recommended method. Setup is accompanied by a ReadMe le containing
additional installation information. A single installation covers all cards in the System 40, System 45 and System
50 ranges.
When installation completes, the installed drivers’ ReadMe le is offered for display. It can also be displayed
later using a shortcut on the Programs>>Pickering menu.
If you are not a LabVIEW user you should choose the “full” version, and once that has been installed run
the LabVIEW Runtime Engine installer via the shortcut on the Programs>>Pickering menu. In the absence of
LabVIEW the Runtime Engine is required to support the Pickering Test Panels application.
!
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION (CHASSIS)
1. The chassis must be electrically installed in accordance with local regional electrical codes by a qualied
engineer.
2. The chassis must be grounded.
Electrostatic discharge can damage the components on the module. To avoid such damage in handling the
board refer to page VII.
Ensure that there is adequate ventilation.
The module should be installed in accordance with the following procedure:
1. Ensure that the system is turned OFF but still connected to mains so that it remains grounded.
2. Choose an appropriate slot in the rack.
3. Remove the blanking plate for the chosen slot.
4. Ensure that the injector/ejector handle is in its downward position. Align the module with the card guides on
the top and bottom of the slot.
Do not raise the injector/ejector handle whilst inserting the module as the module will not insert properly.
5. Hold the handle whilst slowly sliding the module into the card guides until the handle catches on the injector/
ejector rail (refer to Figure 3.1).
6. Raise the injector/ejector handle until the module rmly seats into the backplane. The front panel of the
module should be ush with the front panel of the chassis.
7. Secure the front panel of the module using both screws to the chassis front panel mounting rails.
8. In a system employing a remote control interface to connect an external controller to a PXI chassis or to link
multiple chassis, power-up the system as follows:
a. For a system comprising an external controller and one chassis, power up the chassis before powering up
the external controller.
b. For a system comprising more than one chassis, turn ON the last chassis in the system followed by the
penultimate, etc, and nally turn ON the external controller or chassis containing the system controller.
9. For Pickering Interfaces modular LXI installation there is no requirement to use any particular power up
sequence.

SECTION 4 - PROGRAMMING GUIDE
Page 4.1
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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
SECTION 4 - PROGRAMMING GUIDE
PROGRAMMING OPTIONS FOR PICKERING INTERFACES PXI CARDS
Software drivers are supplied for Microsoft Windows operating systems, with specic support for the following
development environments:
●Microsoft Visual Studio (VB, C++, C#)
●Borland C++
●National Instruments LabWindows/CVI
●National Instruments LabVIEW and LabVIEW RT
Windows drivers are supplied in the form of Dynamic Link Libraries, which should also be usable in any other
development environment that supports them.
Some recent drivers developed for the LXI platform are capable of addressing both PXI and LXI domains. Such
duality may be of help to users considering future migration from PXI based systems to LXI based systems, or
indeed systems containing both PXI and LXI components.
Programming for PXI
A number of different Windows drivers are available to meet particular system requirements, and should none of
these be suitable there is also the option of register-level programming. Drivers are generally ‘universal’, handling all
models in the System 40, 45 and 50 ranges; however some models that are not compliant with the Ivi Swtch class
cannot be used with the pi40iv IVI driver. The pipx40 and Pilpxi drivers are also applicable to certain models in the
System 41 (PXI Instruments) range - see these drivers’ System 41 support list.
Please note that this documentation is available in its most up-to-date form as HTML help les, fully hyperlinked for
easy access - both pipx40 and Pilpxi documents are included in the Pipx40vpp software installation.
VISA Driver for Windows - pipx40
The pipx40 driver conforms to the VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) standard for programmable
instrumentation. Instrument control environments such as LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI are based on VISA, and
pipx40 support libraries are provided for them.
Prior installation of VISA from National Instruments is required for the operation of this driver.
Where VISA is available, pipx40 can also be used in general-purpose programming environments such as Visual
C++ and Visual Basic. When IVI is not a system requirement this driver will often yield faster operation than the
pi40iv driver.
Direct I/ODriver for Windows - Pilpxi
The Pilpxi driver accesses cards directly, without using the VISA software layer, while offering similar overall
functionality to pipx40. It is most commonly used in general-purpose programming environments such as Visual
C++ and Visual Basic. Operating speed of the VISA and Direct I/O drivers is generally comparable.
Register-level Programming
Where the supplied drivers are not suitable, register-level programming can be employed - for example:
●If the functionality of the supplied drivers does not meet the application requirements
●If security considerations demand full source-code for the application
●In development environments that have alternate mechanisms for accessing PCI bus
●For operating systems other than Windows

Page 4.2
SECTION 4 - PROGRAMMING GUIDE pickering
PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
General Pickering Card Architecture
With most drivers, before programming a Pickering card it is important to understand the basic architecture of
Pickering cards.
The switches on a Pickering card are organized into logical sub-units, each sub-unit containing a set of objects of
similar type and use. These objects may be switches, digital outputs, digital inputs, resistors, power supplies etc,
depending on the nature of the specic card.
For example a simple matrix card will usually contain a single sub-unit containing the switches arranged in a
2-dimensional array. However a similar card with additional isolating relays connected to the matrix will contain
additional sub-units containing those isolation relays.
Low level drivers include functions to allow the programmer to query the card to ascertain the number of sub-units,
and the size and type of each sub-unit.
For full details of the driver functions available the programmer should refer to the documentation provided.
SOFT FRONT PANEL
The installation CD supplied with the module also includes a Soft Front Panel which can be run on a PC under
Windows. This allows straightforward graphical control of the attenuation function of each channel - an example of
this is shown in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1 - Soft Front Panel for the Attenuator Module

SECTION 5 - CONNECTOR INFORMATION
Page 5.1
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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
SECTION 5 - CONNECTOR INFORMATION
Figure 5.1 - Programmable Attenuator Module 41-660/661: Front Panel
pickering
The front panel connector on the 41-660 and 41-661 Programmable Attenuator modules is shown in Figure 5.1.
The pinout for the 41-660 Single Ended Attenuator is shown in Figure 5.2 and the pinout for the 41-661 Differential
Attenuator is shown in Figure 5.3.

Page 5.2
SECTION 5 - CONNECTOR INFORMATION pickering
PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
Figure 5.2 - Single Ended Programmable Attenuator Module 41-660-001: Pinout
41-660-001 50-pin D-type Plug
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
34 CH1 I/P 18 CH5 I/P 1 CH9 I/P
35 GND 19 GND 2 GND
36 CH2 I/P 20 CH6 I/P 3 CH10 I/P
37 GND 21 GND 4GND
38 CH1 O/P 22 CH5 O/P 5 CH9 O/P
39 GND 23 GND 6GND
40 CH2 O/P 24 CH6 O/P 7 CH10 O/P
41 GND 25 GND 8 GND
42 GND 26 CH7 I/P 9 GND
43 CH3 I/P 27 GND 10 NC
44 GND 28 CH8 I/P 11 NC
45 CH4 I/P 29 GND 12 NC
46 GND 30 CH7 O/P 13 NC
47 CH3 O/P 31 GND 14 NC
48 GND 32 CH8 O/P 15 NC
49 CH4 O/P 33 GND 16 NC
50 GND 17 NC
1
2
3
4
5
6
11
12
13
14
15
7
8
9
10
17
18
19
20
21
16
23
24
25
26
27
22
29
30
31
32
33
28
35
36
37
38
39
34
41
42
43
44
45
40
47
48
49
50
46
50-WAY D-TYPE PLUG
41-661-001 50-pin D-type Plug
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
Pin
Number
Signal
Name
34 CH1 I/P 1 18 CH3 I/P 1 1 CH5 I/P 1
35 GND 19 GND 2 GND
36 CH1 I/P 2 20 CH3 I/P 2 3 CH5 I/P 2
37 GND 21 GND 4GND
38 NC 22 NC 5 NC
39 CH1 O/P 23 CH3 O/P 6CH5 O/P
40 NC 24 NC 7NC
41 GND 25 GND 8 GND
42 GND 26 CH4 I/P 1 9 GND
43 CH2 I/P 1 27 GND 10 NC
44 GND 28 CH4 I/P 2 11 NC
45 CH2 I/P 2 29 GND 12 NC
46 GND 30 NC 13 NC
47 NC 31 CH4 O/P 14 NC
48 CH2 O/P 32 NC 15 NC
49 NC 33 GND 16 NC
50 GND 17 NC
Figure 5.3 - Differential Programmable Attenuator Module 41-661-001: Pinout
1
2
3
4
5
6
11
12
13
14
15
7
8
9
10
17
18
19
20
21
16
23
24
25
26
27
22
29
30
31
32
33
28
35
36
37
38
39
34
41
42
43
44
45
40
47
48
49
50
46
50-WAY D-TYPE PLUG

SECTION 6 - TROUBLE SHOOTING
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PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661 Page 6.1
SECTION 6 - TROUBLESHOOTING
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INSTALLATION PROBLEMS
The Plug & Play functionality of Pickering switch cards generally ensures trouble-free installation.
If you do experience any installation problems you should rst ensure that all cards are properly seated in their
slots. Improperly mated cards may go undetected by the operating system, or may be detected as a card of an
unknown type. They can also cause the computer to freeze at various stages in the boot sequence.
If your system employs a remote control interface you should check the integrity of all remote control interface
links. When the system is powered up, and during Windows start-up, you should expect to see periodic activity
on the remote control interface RX/TX (yellow) indicators, clearing to leave only the PWR/LNK (green) LEDs
illuminated. The RX/TX indicators should show activity when you attempt to access a card.
DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY
The Pickering Diagnostic Utility (accessible through the Programs>>Pickering>>PXI Utilities menu) generates
a diagnostic report of the system’s PCI conguration, highlighting any potential conguration problems. Specic
details of all installed Pickering switch cards are included. All the installed Pickering switch cards should be listed
in the “Pilpxi information” section - if one or more cards is missing it may be possible to determine the reason by
referring to the PCI conguration dump contained in the report, but interpretation of this information is far from
straightforward, and the best course is to contact Pickering support: [email protected], if possible
including a copy of the diagnostic report.
In the “VISA information” section, if VISA is not installed its absence will be reported. This does not affect
operation using the Direct I/O driver, and is not a problem unless you wish to use VISA. VISA is a component of
National Instruments LabWindows/CVI and LabVIEW, or is available as a standalone environment.
If VISA is present and is of a sufciently recent version, the section “Pipx40 information” should present a listing
similar to “Pilpxi information”.
Please note that the Diagnostic Utility cannot access cards if they are currently opened by some other application,
such as the Test Panels or Terminal Monitor.
SECTION 6 - TROUBLE SHOOTING
!
Refer to the Warnings and Cautions at the front of this manual

SECTION 6 - TROUBLE SHOOTING pickering
PROGRAMMABLE HIGH VOLTAGE ATTENUATOR 41-660/661
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