Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
ELAN DIGITAL SYSTEMS LTD.
LITTLE PARK FARM ROAD,
SEGENSWORTH WEST,
FAREHAM,
HANTS. PO15 5SJ.
TEL: (44) (0)1489 579799
FAX: (44) (0)1489 577516
e-mail: support@pccard.co.uk
website:
http://www.pccard.co.uk
USBcount50
USER'S GUIDE
ES381
Important Notice: Please refer to Safety Data 4.4.1, before using this instrument
All Trademarks are duly acknowledged.
The USBcount50 is Patent Pending.
REVISION HISTORY
ISSUE
PAGES
DATE
NOTES
1
30
27.02.2006
FIRST ISSUE
1
Elan Digital Systems Ltd.
USBcount50 USER'S GUIDE Iss1
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Elan ES381
- Page 1 TEL: (44) (0)1489 579799 FAX: (44) (0)1489 577516 e-mail: support@pccard.co.uk website: http://www.pccard.co.uk USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE ES381 Important Notice: Please refer to Safety Data 4.4.1, before using this instrument All Trademarks are duly acknowledged. The USBcount50 is Patent Pending. REVISION HISTORY ISSUE PAGES...
-
Page 2: Table Of Contents
OVERVIEW... 5 ABOUT THE USBCOUNT50... 6 General ... 6 USBcount50 Architecture ... 7 Using More Than One USBcount50... 8 2.3.1 Stacked Mode... 8 2.3.1.1 Assembling The Stack... 8 2.3.1.2 Disassembling The Stack ... 10 2.3.1.3 USB Connections For Stacked Configurations... 11 2.3.1.4 Software For Stacked Configurations ... - Page 3 4.4.4 Software ... 30 Elan Digital Systems Ltd. USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1...
- Page 4 Disclaimer This document has been carefully prepared and checked. No responsibility can be assumed for inaccuracies. Elan reserves the right to make changes without prior notice to any products herein to improve functionality, reliability or other design aspects. Elan does not assume any liability for loses arising out of the use of any product described herein;...
-
Page 5: Overview
1 OVERVIEW The USBcount50 is an isolated digital pulse counter that has the following features: • Single channel pulse counter with BNC input and USB PC interface • Each USBcount50 can be stacked to increase channel count (each requires its own USB connection) •... -
Page 6: About The Usbcount50
2 ABOUT THE USBcount50 2.1 General The USBcount50 has been designed to allow a broad range of input frequencies and pulses to be measured. The input stage supply is programmable to allow the counter to work in circuits generating various Voh levels. Each USBcount50 can be used as an independent single channel counter but to enhance flexibility several USBcount50s can be stacked together to make a combined 2,3 or 4-channel device. -
Page 7: Usbcount50 Architecture
2.2 USBcount50 Architecture The figure below shows a simplified diagram of the USBcount50. STACK CONN INPUT PROTECTION CONTROLLER & COUNTER CONTROLLER Vsupply DATA 8-BIT DAC ISOLATION BARRIER Figure 2.2-1 USBcount50 Architecture Diagram Elan Digital Systems Ltd. USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1... -
Page 8: Using More Than One Usbcount50
2.3 Using More Than One USBcount50 2.3.1 Stacked Mode A unique feature of the USBcount50 architecture is that up to 4 devices can be stacked to make a multi-channel instrument. In order to use a stacked configuration, you must purchase the stacking connector kit. - Page 9 Repeat this for all except the last counter to be stacked. For the last counter in the stack, do the same as above but use the short length connector. This time, the pins are shorter so they stop well inside the counter’s case. This counter MUST be the bottom counter in the stack.
-
Page 10: Disassembling The Stack
Start with the bottom counter. Hold it in one hand, and put the next counter on top of the 1 , the same way around. Align the stacking connectors and when the stacking connectors are partly mated engage the front “P” shaped clip (BNC end) on the 2 counter into the “P”... -
Page 11: Usb Connections For Stacked Configurations
2.3.1.3 USB Connections For Stacked Configurations All stacked counters need a USB connection. A standard hub may be useful for multi-channel stacks to get enough USB ports. Each counter needs about 200mA. Plugging more than 2 counters into a hub will mean that the hub may need to be powered externally. - Page 12 The “about” tab lists all the counters that have been found. The list shows the serial number and revision data for each counter. Elan Digital Systems Ltd. USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1...
-
Page 13: Stacking Do's And Don'ts
2.3.1.5 Stacking Do’s And Don’ts • Do power off all counters (remove USB lead) before connecting and disconnecting counters from the stack • Don’t remove any counters from the stack while the software is running • Don’t remove any counters from the stack while any of them are powered •... -
Page 14: Non-Stacked (Mis) Mode
2.3.2 Non-Stacked (MIS) Mode It is also possible to use multiple USBcount50s as independent instruments. In this mode, the counters are NOT connected together via the stacking interface This configuration is also termed Multi-Instrument mode or MIS mode. In MIS mode, each counter can use its own timebase setting, and each counter input will remain electrically isolated from the others (unless you connect their BNC grounds together). - Page 15 where “p” is the COM port number and “c” is the assigned channel number. For example, if you want to run 2 counters in MIS mode, use Window’s Device Manager to get the two COM port numbers for the two counters (see 3.2). Lets assume they are COM4 and COM5. Next, locate the USBcount50.exe program (normally under “Program Files\USBcount50”) and highlight the file.
-
Page 16: Input Control
2.4 Input Control 2.4.1 Input Supply The USBcount50 supports a programmable input supply via the slider control. Supplies from 1.50V to 5.00V are possible, and the slider control adjusts in 256 steps of 13.67mV per step. This range allows the user to match against common industry standard logic levels present in their circuit to be measured Note that the input switching threshold is not a linear function of the supply voltage, rather the... -
Page 17: Counter Modes
2.5 Counter Modes 2.5.1 General In RUN mode, the counter continually display readings (assuming these is an input signal of course). Clicking ONCE, takes a single reading and then places the counter into STOP mode, so that further readings cease. During measurements, the indicator in the reading panel changes colour depending on the state of the input signal or internal gate: Yellow means the first stage of integration has started (could be the... - Page 18 Green means the reading is done. Red means the reading over-flowed i.e. external period too long or external frequency too high. Try a shorter internal period or lower internal frequency. If the counter waits for more than 2 seconds whilst in Period mode and no external signal has been detected, the indicator will blink rapidly white-grey-white-grey etc.
-
Page 19: Frequency Mode
2.5.2 Frequency Mode The counter can be put into Frequency mode using the selection button shown below. Note too that clicking on a new period selection item will change to Frequency mode. In this mode of operation, the counter will use an internally generated gating period of 0.1s, 1s or 10s, to integrate (count) pulses that arrive at the input during the period. -
Page 20: Period Mode
2.5.3 Period Mode Period mode uses an internally generated reference clock to time the period between two edges on the input waveform. It is selected as shown. The reference clock can be selected from 100MHz, 10MHz or 1MHz. The pair of edges that is timing is measured can be selected from: Note that for all practical purposes the first and last listed settings will yield the same answer, but there may be cases where being able... - Page 21 Period mode should be used if you have a single pulse or a slow input frequency. In the latter case, by timing the period from edge to edge allows a very accurate measurement of low frequencies by simply inverting the period measured. This is known as reciprocal mode.
-
Page 22: Period Mode
2.5.4 Period Mode 3 SOFTWARE INSTALLATION 3.1 Windows 98SE and Windows Me Before plugging in the hardware: Use the supplied install CD and run the setup program. This will copy all the required files and drivers to your PC. After running the setup program: Insert the USBcount50 into a free USB socket, or into a USB hub port. - Page 23 Once the hardware has installed, there is no need to make any settings for the allocated COM port…the software takes care of all this at run time. Start the USBcount50 software and you will see the following display To find out what the various buttons and knobs do, simply hover over them for a brief explanation.
-
Page 24: Windows 2K And Xp
3.2 Windows 2K and XP Before plugging in the hardware: Use the supplied install CD and run the setup program. This will copy all the required files and drivers to your PC. After running the setup program: Insert the USBcount50 into a free USB socket, or into a USB hub port. - Page 25 Once the hardware has installed, there is no need to make any settings for the allocated COM port…the software takes care of all this at run time. Start the USBcount50 software and you will see the following display To find out what the various buttons and knobs do, simply hover over them for a brief explanation.
-
Page 26: Troubleshooting
3.3 Troubleshooting • Check that the counter hardware installed properly. Use the device manager as shown above and check that there are no yellow exclamation marks on any of the USBcount50 devices. If there are, try deleting that device, then un-plug and re-plug the counter. -
Page 27: Hardware Specification
4 HARDWARE SPECIFICATION All parameters typical @ 20°C unless otherwise stated 4.1 Power Requirements Supply Voltage: Total Supply Current: 4.2 Mechanical Mass: Case Material Data: Size (typical in mm): 4.3 Environmental Humidity: General Operating Temperature: Storage Temperature: Operating Location: Operational Category: Pollution Degree: From BNC end to USB end Not including “P”... -
Page 28: Performance
4.4 Performance 4.4.1 Safety Data and Maximum Ratings Always observe these when using the USBcount50 The USBcount50 contains no user serviceable parts inside. Do not open the plastic housing. There may be lethal voltages inside the plastic housing. Do not use the instrument if the housing is damaged or is poorly fitting. -
Page 29: Performance
Isolation rating: Transient isolation 4.4.2 Performance Measurement modes: RUN mode: STOP mode: ONCE mode: Input connector: Input DC resistance: Input capacitance: Input 3dB bandwidth: Input protection: Input supply: Main counter: Maximum count rate: Master clock: Master clock skew: Internal reference clocks: Internal reference periods: Period edge detection: 4.4.3 Miscelaneous... - Page 30 4.4.4 Software USBcount50 support: Recommended system: USBcount50 registry hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\USBcount50 (this key is deleted during un-install) Elan Digital Systems Ltd. Win98SE/Me/2000/XP Pentium Class 600MHz or better, 16-Bit colour depth graphics better acceleration, 800x600 min screen resolution, 256MBytes RAM USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1 with...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the ES381 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers