Elan ES381 User manual
ELAN DIGITAL SYSTEMS LTD.
LITTLE PARK FARM ROAD,
SEGENSWORTH WEST,
FAREHAM,
HANTS. PO15 5SJ.
TEL: (44) (0)1489 579799
FAX: (44) (0)1489 577516
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
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 1 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
CONTENTS
1OVERVIEW................................................................................................ 5
2ABOUT THE USBCOUNT50 ..................................................................... 6
2.1 General ............................................................................................................ 6
2.2 USBcount50 Architecture .............................................................................. 7
2.3 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 ............................................... 11
2.3.1.5 Stacking Do’s And Don’ts ................................................................ 13
2.3.2 Non-Stacked (MIS) Mode....................................................................... 14
2.3.2.1 USB Connections For Non-Stacked Configurations......................... 14
2.3.2.2 Software For Non-Stacked Configurations ....................................... 14
2.4 Input Control ................................................................................................ 16
2.4.1 Input Supply............................................................................................. 16
2.5 Counter Modes.............................................................................................. 17
2.5.1 General..................................................................................................... 17
2.5.2 Frequency Mode ...................................................................................... 19
2.5.3 Period Mode............................................................................................. 20
2.5.4 Period Mode............................................................................................. 22
3SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ................................................................. 22
3.1 Windows 98SE and Windows Me ............................................................... 22
3.2 Windows 2K and XP .................................................................................... 24
3.3 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................ 26
4HARDWARE SPECIFICATION ............................................................... 27
4.1 Power Requirements .................................................................................... 27
4.2 Mechanical .................................................................................................... 27
4.3 Environmental .............................................................................................. 27
4.4 Performance .................................................................................................. 28
4.4.1 Safety Data and Maximum Ratings ......................................................... 28
4.4.2 Performance ............................................................................................. 29
4.4.3 Miscelaneous............................................................................................ 29
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 2 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
4.4.4 Software ................................................................................................... 30
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 3 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
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; neither does its use convey any license under its patent rights or the rights of
others. Elan does not guarantee the compatibility or fitness for purpose of any product
listed herein. Elan products are not authorized for use as components in life support
services or systems. Elan should be informed of any such intended use to determine
suitability of the products.
Software supplied with Elan PC-Cards, Compact Flash cards or USB devices is
provided “as-is” with no warranty, express or implied, as to its quality or fitness for a
particular purpose. Elan assumes no liability for any direct or indirect losses arising
from use of the supplied code.
Copyright © 2006 Elan Digital Systems Ltd.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
- Consult an Elan authorized dealer or service representative for help.
Elan is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by using other than
recommended cables and connectors or by unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment.
Unauthorized changes or modifications could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
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.
Listed Products
The models covered by this installation guide are intended only for installation in Listed computers for
use in business or home.
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 4 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
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)1
• 300V Cat II isolation between BNC ground and USB ground2
This means that there is no DC path through the USBcount50
from the counters input to the PC’s ground
• Up to 50MHz input counting, 100MHz with suitable input signal
• 10ns timing resolution
• Single shot or continuous update
• 28-bit counter gives 268 million : 1 dynamic range
• Two modes of operation: Frequency mode or Period mode
• Frequency mode can use 0.1s, 1s or 10s integration times. Large
dynamic range of counter means 1s integration setting can be
used from 1KHz up to 100MHz i.e. no auto-ranging required
• Period mode can use internal 1MHz, 10MHz or 100MHz
reference clocks coupled with edge detection logic for
rising→rising, falling→falling, falling→rising, rising→falling.
Large dynamic range of counter means 100MHz clock setting can
be used from 10us up to 26.8s i.e. no auto-ranging required
• Period mode (aka reciprocal counting mode) is able to measure
frequencies down to below 4mHz.
• Programmable input stage voltage level from 1.5V to 5.0V in 256
steps
• Input protected to 30V DC
• Host powered from USB (200mA typ)
• Stacked configurations of 2,3 and 4 channels are supported
• Power/activity LED
1A stacking connector kit is required
2In stacked configurations the channels share a common ground at the BNC terminals
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 5 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
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. In
this case, each counter is synchronised with the others so that the
compound device acts like a single multi-channel instrument. Each
USBcount50 still needs its own USB connection and the combined
device shares a common ground between all the BNC connectors i.e.
the channels are isolated from the USB but not from each other.
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 6 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
2.2 USBcount50 Architecture
The figure below shows a simplified diagram of the USBcount50.
CONTROLLER
&
COUNTER
STACK
CONN
BNC
PSU
DATA
USB
CONTROLLER USB
ISOLA
T
ION BARRIER
8-BIT DAC
`
Vsupply
INPUT PROTECTION
Figure 2.2-1 USBcount50 Architecture Diagram
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 7 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
2.3 Using More Than One USBcount50
2.3.1 Stacked Mode
A unique feature of the USBcount50 architecture is that up to 4
devices3can be stacked to make a multi-channel instrument.
In order to use a stacked configuration, you must purchase the
stacking connector kit. This kit comprises 3 long lead connectors
and 1 short lead connector as shown:
2.3.1.1 Assembling The Stack
To stack the USBcount50 devices, first be sure that none of them are
connected to a USB port.
Before you begin, put the short lead connector to one-side…you’ll
use that one last.
Now, insert one of the long connectors from the top of one of the
counters (it doesn’t really matter which one). Push the pins of the
connector into the top of the stacking connector from the side where
you can see the top of the black connector down inside the counter.
Be careful when doing this, don’t use too much force or you may
damage the connector pins. Push the long connector all the way in
until it seats down on the counter’s internal connector. You should
be able to see the gold pins about 2-3mm beyond the bottom surface
of the counter. The connectors have no pin orientation…they can go
in 2 possible ways round…both are OK.
3Don’t stack more than 4, the software will reject this.
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 8 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
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. The reason for this is that if you use the long
connector, the pins could be shorted out accidentally, or you may
touch the pins when the counter is connected to a high voltage and
you could get an electric shock! Similarly, if you plan to use only
one counter, make sure there is no stack connector fitted or the
shorter connector type is fitted.
This is a safety critical point so please note it carefully.
Now you can assemble the stack.
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 9 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
Start with the bottom counter. Hold it in one hand, and put the next
counter on top of the 1st, 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 2nd counter into
the “P” shaped slot on the 1st counter.
Now, bring the back edge “P” clip (USB end) of the 2nd counter
down until it clicks into the 1st counter’s slot. These two counters
are now mated.
Check that as you pushed the 2nd counter down, the stack connector
has not been forced upward…if it has simply press it down until it
seats correctly (see picture above for a guide as to the normal
exposed connector depth after stacking). Repeat this for each
remaining counter, adding each one on top of the previous one.
The counters are now stacked.
2.3.1.2 Disassembling The Stack
Start with the top counter in the stack. Grasp the stack in one hand
and with the other hand’s thumb and forefinger, pinch between the
interface between the top two counters, near the back “P” clip (USB
end). With moderate force, the top counter will pop up and come
free. Remove the stacking connector from the free counter.
Repeat this for all counters in the stack.
Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 10 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1
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