How to Use 5B Series Modules with the DAQ Channel Wizard

Introduction

This application note steps you through using your 5B Series analog modules with the DAQ Channel Wizard.

Note: To use the DAQ Channel Wizard requires NI-DAQ version 5.0 or greater on the PC platform, or 6.0 or greater on the MAC platform.

With the DAQ Channel Wizard, you can implement custom channel names that map real world values to your acquired data. Thus, you can use your existing data acquisition programs without modification for scaling and conversion. For example, a DAQ board connected to a thermocouple will acquire data as a voltage. This voltage, however, actually corresponds to a real-world temperature value. Upon receiving this voltage, it is up to you to accurately process that voltage and convert it into units of temperature, which would normally require you to add a separate conversion routine to your existing program. By using the DAQ Channel Wizard, you can create your own custom channels that automatically relate voltage to temperature. You can use your existing data acquisition program to measure temperature using the custom channels, with no modification to the program.

Because of the built-in mapping features of the DAQ Channel Wizard, using custom channels with the 5B Series analog modules is extremely easy. You can continue to use your existing data acquisition program, but now with the signal conditioning ability of the 5B Series accessories.

All 5B Series linear input modules automatically map a real-world signal to a DC voltage output. The actual input values will vary, based on the type of module you have. The output of all modules, however, is either 0 to +5 V, or ±5 V. The same applies to analog output modules. These modules input a DC range value, but map this to a real-world voltage or current.

Note: This application note assumes you have already installed NI-DAQ and a language interface such as LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, or ComponentWorks. Additionally, a data acquisition board must be properly installed and configured in order to use the DAQ Channel Wizard.

Analog Input Modules



Note: Because the 5B37 Thermocouple module is nonlinear, it cannot be used with the DAQ Channel Wizard. For more information about using this module please refer to the related link, Using Transfer Functions with 5B37 Products.

To configure a 5B Series analog input module, launch the DAQ Channel Wizard and press the New button to configure a new custom channel. If you are using NI-DAQ version 6.0 or later, you will be prompted for the type of channel you wish to configure. Choose Analog Input and continue.

The next screen will ask you to name and describe your channel, as well as list the type of measurement it will be. Because 5B Series modules deal exclusively with voltage mapping, always choose the Voltage Measurement option from the list, regardless of the type of input module.

The next screen will ask you to define the real-world values you will be dealing with. Enter a name for the unit descriptor. For example, if you are using a frequency input module, you enter Hz. You will also need to define the input range of the module, which is unique to each module and printed in a table on the side of the module. Type in the input range listed into the Channel Wizard. For example, in the case of the frequency input module, you might enter a <min> of 0 and a <max> of 10,000. Because this information determines the scaling factors of the channel, verify that the input range entered is exactly as printed on the side of the module.

The next screen will prompt you for your scaling method and module output. Because 5B modules automatically map input values to output values linearly, choose the Map Ranges option from the list. From the table on the side of the module, enter the output range of the module. In most cases, the range is either 0 to +5 V or –5 V to +5 V.

The next screen will ask you for information about your hardware. Select your DAQ board from the list and choose the channel to which the module is connected. In most cases, this channel will correspond directly to the 5B backplane slot in which the module is installed. Choose the type of input mode you will be using for the channel. Your data acquisition board should always be configured in Nonreferenced Single Ended mode for use with 5B Series backplanes. If you are using a board that does not function in the NRSE mode, configure it in Referenced Single Ended (RSE) mode, and configure your 5B backplane accordingly.

Note: Depending on the type of DAQ board you are using, you may not be able to change the input mode from within the Channel Wizard. If this is the case, quit the Channel Wizard and launch the NI-DAQ Configuration Utility to configure the card to the proper input mode. This will usually require you to shut down and reconfigure jumpers located on your board.

Press the Finish button to complete the channel setup. You will be taken back to the main Channel Wizard screen where you can verify that all information was entered correctly by highlighting the channel from the list and pressing the Edit button. You should see a window similar to the following example, which shows possible configuration settings for a 5B45 (0 to 10 kHz) frequency input module. Verify that all information was entered correctly, making changes if necessary.

Return to the main Channel Wizard Screen. Press the Save button to save your changes. The channel setup is complete, and you can now use the custom channel name in your data acquisition applications. The value returned will automatically be scaled to the correct units. If you wish to test the newly created channel, you can press the Test button to go to the DAQ Live Monitor for that channel.

See Also:
Using Transfer Functions with 5B37 Products

Analog Output Modules

Note: Analog output with the DAQ Channel Wizard requires NI-DAQ version 6.0 or greater.

To configure a 5B Series analog output module, launch the DAQ Channel Wizard and press the New button to configure a new custom channel. Choose Analog Output and continue.

The next screen will ask you to name and describe your channel, as well as list the type of measurement it will be. Since 5B Series modules deal exclusively with voltage mapping, always choose the Voltage option from the list, regardless of the type of module.

The next screen will ask you to define the real-world values you will be dealing with. Enter a name for the unit descriptor. For example, if you are using a current output module, you enter mA. You will also need to define the output range of the module, which is unique to each module and printed in a table on the side of the module. Type in the output range listed into the Channel Wizard. For example, in the case of the current output module, you might enter a <min> of 0 and a <max> of 20. Because this information determines the scaling factors of the channel, verify that the output range entered is exactly as printed on the side of the module.

The next screen will prompt you for your scaling method and module input. Because 5B modules automatically map output values to input values linearly, choose the Map Ranges option from the list. From the table on the side of the module, enter the input range of the module. In most cases, this is 0 to +5 V, –5 V to +5 V, or –10 V to +10 V.

The next screen will ask you for information about your hardware. Select your DAQ board from the list and choose the channel to which the module is connected. This value can be either 0 or 1, depending on whether the module is installed in slot 15 or 16, respectively, of your backplane.

Note: If you are using an 8-channel backplane, configure the backplane jumpers for slots 6 and 7 to route to channels 15 and 16, respectively.

Press the Finish button to complete the channel setup. You will be taken back to the main Channel Wizard screen where you can verify that all information was entered correctly by highlighting the channel from the list and pressing the Edit button. You should see a window similar to the following example, which shows possible configuration settings for a 5B39 current output module. Verify that all information was entered correctly, making changes if necessary.



Return to the main Channel Wizard Screen. Press the Save button to save your changes. The channel setup is complete, and you can now use the custom channel name in your analog output applications. Simply input the value you wish the module to update, and the driver does the rest. If you wish to test the newly created channel, you can press the Test button to go to the DAQ Live Monitor for that channel.

Conclusion

This concludes the step-by-step setup of your 5B Series devices with the DAQ Channel Wizard. We believe you will agree with us that using the Channel Wizard with 5B modules, once you have done it, is really much easier than reading about how to use it!

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