NI USB-6000: User Guide
NI USB-6000: User Guide
NI USB-6000
USB Multifunction DAQ Device
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This user guide describes how to use the National Instruments USB-6000 data acquisition
(DAQ) device.
The NI USB-6000 is a USB device that provides eight single-ended analog input (AI) channels,
four digital input/output (DIO) channels, and a 32-bit counter.
Figure 1. NI USB-6000 Top and Back Views
1 2 3
Caution Do not operate the device in a manner not specified in this document.
Misuse of the device can result in a hazard. You can compromise the safety protection
built into the device if the device is damaged in any way. If the device is damaged,
contact National Instruments for repair.
Caution Do not substitute parts or modify the device except as described in this
document. Use the device only with the chassis, modules, accessories, and cables
specified in the installation instructions.
Caution Do not operate the device in an explosive atmosphere or where there may
be flammable gases or fumes. If you must operate the device in such an environment,
it must be in a suitably rated enclosure.
This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However, harmful interference may
occur in some installations, when the product is connected to a peripheral device or test object,
or if the product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize interference with radio
and television reception and prevent unacceptable performance degradation, install and use this
product in strict accordance with the instructions in the product documentation.
Furthermore, any modifications to the product not expressly approved by National Instruments
could void your authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.
Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, the length of any wire or cable
connected to the screw terminal connector must be no longer than 0.5 m (20 in.).
To avoid ESD damage in handling the device, take the following precautions:
• Ground yourself with a grounding strap or by touching a grounded object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer chassis before removing the
device from the package.
Remove the device from the package and inspect it for loose components or any other signs of
damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device
in your computer.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.
Packing List
The NI USB-6000 is shipped in a box that contains:
• NI USB-6000
• Screw terminal connector plug
• Hi-Speed USB Cable
• NI-DAQmx DVD
• NI USB-6000 Quick Start
NI Application
Software Tutorial Location
Refer to the Where to Go from Here section for information about programming examples for
NI-DAQmx.
Edge Counter
AI Start Trigger
ADC
P0.0 / PFI 0 Control
P0.1 / PFI 1 Static
P0.2 DIO
P0.3
USB 2.0 USB
AI 0 Full Connector
Speed (Micro-B)
1 MΩ
Interface
MUX AMP ADC AI FIFO
AI 7
1 MΩ
16-Position
Screw Terminal
Plug
LED Indicator
The NI USB-6000 has a blue LED indicator that indicates device status, as listed in Table 2.
Note For a complete list of accessories and ordering information, refer to the
pricing section of the NI USB-6000 product page at ni.com.
D GND
P0.x / PFI x
P0.0/PFI 0
2 1 0
P0.1/PFI 1
P0.2
P0.3
3 AI GND
AI 0
0
AI 1
1
AI 2
2
AI 3
AI (±10V)
3
AI GND
AI 4
4
AI 5
5
AI 6
6
AI 7
7
AI GND
Signal
Name Reference Direction Description
Signal
Name Reference Direction Description
PFI 1 D GND Input PFI 1—A digital trigger input. Refer to the
Using PFI 1 to Trigger an Analog Input
Acquisition section for more information.
AI <0..7> AI GND Input Analog Input Channels 0 to 7—Analog
input voltage channels. Refer to the Analog
Input section for more information.
Analog Input
The NI USB-6000 has eight ±10 V fixed-range analog input channels for single-ended analog
input measurements.
AI 0
1 MΩ
MUX AMP ADC AI FIFO
AI 7
1 MΩ
The main blocks featured in the analog input circuitry are as follows:
• MUX—The multiplexer (MUX) routes one AI channel at a time to the amplifier (AMP).
• AMP—The amplifier (AMP) buffers analog input signal, before the signal is sampled by
the analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
• ADC—The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes the AI signal by converting the
analog voltage into digital code.
• AI FIFO—The NI USB-6000 can perform both single and multiple analog-to-digital
conversions of a fixed or infinite number of samples. A first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer
holds data during AI acquisitions to ensure that no data is lost.
AI
Voltage NI USB-6000
Source
AI GND
Signals of ±10 V at any analog input pin with respect to AI GND are accurately measured.
Beyond ±10 V, the input signal will begin clipping as shown in Figure 7. Typically, this clipping
begins at ±10.5 V.
20
AI 1
15 Result
10
Amplitude (V)
–5
–10
–15
–20
Examples: Example:
• Ungrounded thermocouples • Plug-in instruments with non-isolated
• Signal conditioning with isolated outputs outputs
• Battery devices
Noise coupling is one of the main error sources in measurements. Electrostatic and magnetic
noise coupling are the result of differences in the signal path. Magnetic coupling is proportional
to the area between the two signal conductors. Electrical coupling is a function of how much the
electric field differs between the two conductors. To reduce these noises, NI recommends the
following wiring methods:
• Reduce the wire length between leads connecting the signals to the device.
• Twist each input signal with an AI GND to minimize the area between conductors.
Refer to the NI Developer Zone document, Field Wiring and Noise Considerations for Analog
Signals, for more information. To access this document, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info
Code rdfwn3.
The difference in ground potential between two instruments connected to the same building power
system is typically between 1 and 100 mV, but the difference can be much higher if power
distribution circuits are improperly connected. If a grounded signal source is incorrectly measured,
this difference can appear as measurement error. Follow the connection instructions for grounded
signal sources to eliminate this ground potential difference from the measured signal
When using RSE connections with ground-referenced signal sources, there can be a potential
difference between AI GND and the ground of the sensor as shown in the bottom-rightmost cell
of Table 5. This ground loop causes measurement errors, and care must be taken to minimize
this error.
For static ground loop error, measuring the potential difference between AI GND (VB) and the
ground of the sensor (VA) prior to signal measurement and then subtracting it from the signal
measurement helps to minimize the error.
For dynamic ground loop errors, using an NI DAQ product that has differential input capability
helps to fully minimize the error.
Refer to the NI Developer Zone document, Field Wiring and Noise Considerations for Analog
Signals, for more information. To access this document, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info
Code rdfwn3.
AI Start Trigger
You can configure PFI 1 as the AI Start Trigger for analog input tasks. Refer to the Using PFI 1
to Trigger an Analog Input Acquisition section for more information.
Figure 8 shows P0.<0..3> connected to signals configured as digital inputs and digital outputs.
NI USB-6000
D GND +5 V
Switch
P0.0
1
P0.1
LED 2
P0.2
3
+5 V
P0.3
LED
4
I/O Connector
1 P0.0 configured as a digital input receiving a 0 V or 5 V signal from a switch
2 P0.1 configured as an active drive digital output driving an LED
3 P0.2 configured as a digital input receiving a TTL signal
4 P0.3 configured as an open collector digital output driving an LED
Power-On States
At system startup and reset, the hardware sets all DIO lines to high-impedance inputs. The DAQ
device does not drive the signal high or low. Each line has a weak pull-down resistor connected
to it.
Source/Sink Information
The default configuration of the digital I/O ports is active drive, allowing 3.3 V operation, with
a source/sink current limit of ±4 mA.
External
Pull-Up
Resistor P0.0 with Output Drive Type
VCC
Rpull Set to Open Collector
External
Load
GND
47.5 kΩ
Onboard
Pull-Down
Resistor
NI USB-6000
Note: Ensure that the current flowing across Rpull does not violate the maximum sinking current specifications
(4 mA).
For more information about how to set the DIO configuration, refer to the KnowledgeBase
document, Configuring NI Devices to be Open-Drain (Open Collector) or Push-Pull (Active
Drive). To access this document, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code ex52sp.
I/O Protection
To protect the NI USB-6000 against overvoltage, undervoltage, and overcurrent conditions, as
well as ESD events, you should use the following guidelines:
• If you configure a DIO line as an output, do not connect it to any external signal source,
ground signal, or power supply.
• If you configure a DIO line as an output, understand the current requirements of the load
connected to these signals. Do not exceed the specified current output limits of the DAQ
device.
National Instruments has several signal conditioning solutions for digital applications
requiring high current drive.
• If you configure a DIO line as an input, do not drive the line with voltages outside of its
normal operating range. The DIO lines have a smaller operating range than the AI signals.
• Treat the DAQ device as you would treat any static-sensitive device. Always properly
ground yourself and the equipment when handling the DAQ device or connecting to it.
Example Programs
NI-DAQmx driver software includes example programs to help you get started programming
with the NI USB-6000. Modify example code and save it in an application, or use examples to
develop a new application, or add example code to an existing application.
To locate NI software examples, go to ni.com/info and enter the Info Code daqmxexp.
For additional examples, refer to zone.ni.com.
To run examples without the device installed, use an NI-DAQmx simulated device. For more
information, in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), select Help»Help Topics»
NI-DAQmx» MAX Help for NI-DAQmx and search for simulated devices.
Related Documentation
Note You can download these documents at ni.com/manuals.
Each application software package and driver includes information about writing applications
for taking measurements and controlling measurement devices. The following references to
documents assume you have NI-DAQmx 9.8 or later, and where applicable, version 8.5 or later
of the NI application software.
NI USB-6000
The NI USB-6000 Quick Start packaged with the NI USB-6000 describes how to install
NI-DAQmx and NI application software, install the device, and confirm that your device is
operating properly.
The NI USB-6000 Specifications lists the specifications to which the device complies with.
The NI-DAQmx Help contains API overviews, general information about measurement
concepts, key NI-DAQmx concepts, and common applications that are applicable to all
programming environments. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»
NI-DAQmx Help.
LabVIEW
If you are a new user, use the Getting Started with LabVIEW manual to familiarize yourself with
the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and the basic LabVIEW features you use to
build data acquisition and instrument control applications. Open the Getting Started with
LabVIEW manual by selecting Start»All Programs»National Instruments»LabVIEW»
LabVIEW Manuals or by navigating to the labview\manuals directory and opening
LV_Getting_Started.pdf.
Use the LabVIEW Help, available by selecting Help»LabVIEW Help in LabVIEW, to access
information about LabVIEW programming concepts, step-by-step instructions for using
LabVIEW, and reference information about LabVIEW VIs, functions, palettes, menus, and
tools. Refer to the following locations on the Contents tab of the LabVIEW Help for information
about NI-DAQmx:
• Getting Started with LabVIEW»Getting Started with DAQ—Includes overview
information and a tutorial to learn how to take an NI-DAQmx measurement in LabVIEW
using the DAQ Assistant.
• VI and Function Reference»Measurement I/O VIs and Functions»DAQmx - Data
Acquisition VIs and Functions—Describes the LabVIEW NI-DAQmx VIs and functions.
• Property and Method Reference»NI-DAQmx Properties contains the property
reference.
• Taking Measurements—Contains the conceptual and how-to information you need to
acquire and analyze measurement data in LabVIEW, including common measurements,
measurement fundamentals, NI-DAQmx key concepts, and device considerations.
LabWindows/CVI
The Data Acquisition book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains Taking an NI-DAQmx
Measurement in LabWindows/CVI, which includes step-by-step instructions about creating a
measurement task using the DAQ Assistant. In LabWindows/CVI, select Help»Contents, then
select Using LabWindows/CVI»Data Acquisition. This book also contains information about
accessing detailed information through the NI-DAQmx Help.
The NI-DAQmx Library book of the LabWindows/CVI Help contains API overviews and
function reference for NI-DAQmx. Select Library Reference»NI-DAQmx Library in the
LabWindows/CVI Help.
The NI Measurement Studio Help is fully integrated with the Microsoft Visual Studio help. To
view this help file from within Visual Studio, select Measurement Studio»NI Measurement
Studio Help. For information related to developing with NI-DAQmx, refer to the following
topics within the NI Measurement Studio Help:
• For step-by-step instructions on how to create an NI-DAQmx application using the
Measurement Studio Application Wizard and the DAQ Assistant, refer to Walkthrough:
Creating a Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx Application.
• For help with NI-DAQmx methods and properties, refer to NationalInstruments.DAQmx
namespace and NationalInstruments.DAQmx.ComponentModel namespace.
• For conceptual help with NI-DAQmx, refer to Using the Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx
.NET Library and Creating Projects with Measurement Studio NI-DAQmx.
• For general help with programming in Measurement Studio, refer to Getting Started with
the Measurement Studio Class Libraries.
To create an NI-DAQmx application using Visual Basic .NET or Visual C#, follow these general
steps:
1. In Visual Studio, select File»New»Project to launch the New Project dialog box.
2. Choose a programming language (Visual C# or Visual Basic .NET) then select
Measurement Studio to see a list of project templates.
3. Select NI DAQ Windows Application. You add DAQ tasks as part of this step.
The NI-DAQmx C Reference Help describes the NI-DAQmx Library functions, which you can
use with National Instruments data acquisition devices to develop instrumentation, acquisition,
and control applications. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DAQ»
Text-Based Code Support»NI-DAQmx C Reference Help.
Training Courses
If you need more help getting started developing an application with NI products, NI offers
training courses. To enroll in a course or obtain a detailed course outline, refer to ni.com/
training.
Many DAQ specifications and user guides/manuals are available as PDFs. You must have Adobe
Reader 7.0 or later (PDF 1.6 or later) installed to view the PDFs. Refer to the Adobe Systems
Incorporated Web site at www.adobe.com to download Acrobat Reader. Refer to the National
Instruments Product Manuals Library at ni.com/manuals for updated documentation
resources.
A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is our claim of compliance with the Council of the European
Communities using the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. This system affords the user
protection for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and product safety. You can obtain the DoC
for your product by visiting ni.com/certification. If your product supports calibration,
you can obtain the calibration certificate for your product at ni.com/calibration.
Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for more information on National Instruments trademarks. Other
product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. For patents covering National
Instruments products/technology, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the
National Instruments Patents Notice at ni.com/patents. You can find information about end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party
legal notices in the readme file for your NI product. Refer to the Export Compliance Information at ni.com/legal/export-compliance
for the National Instruments global trade compliance policy and how to obtain relevant HTS codes, ECCNs, and other import/export data.
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