How Do I Generate a Current Output With My PCI-6704E Using the Test Panel Utility in MAX?
Hardware: Signal Sources (AWG/FG/AO)>>Analog Output Devices>>PCI-6704
Problem: How do I generate a current output with my PCI-6704E using the Test Panel utility in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) 2.0 (or higher)?
Solution: There are two ways to accomplish this:
First Method:The Analog Output section of the Test Panel in MAX only allows you to generate voltages on your analog output channels 0 through 15. You will need to create a Virtual Channel in MAX if you want to test your current output channels. To do this:
- Right-click on the "Data Neighborhood" folder in MAX and select "Create New" (or "Insert" for MAX 1.x) from the pop-up menu.
- Highlight "Virtual Channel" from the list and click the Finish button.
- Select Analog Output for the channel type from the pull-down menu and click the Next button.
- Give the channel a name and a description and click the Next button.
- In the subsequent dialog box, you will be prompted to select the type of sensor or measurement that best matches your setup. Select Current and proceed to the next dialog box.
- Enter mA for the units, 0 for the minimum value, and 20 for the maximum value. Proceed to the next dialog box.
- You will be asked to select a scale, after which you’ll be asked to select the data acquisition (DAQ) device and a channel number. You’ll notice that you only have a choice of channels 16 through 31, since these are the current output channels on the PCI-6704E. Once you’ve selected the channel number, click on the Finish button.
- Now test this Virtual Channel by opening the "Data Neighborhood" folder in MAX. Right-click on the name of your Virtual Channel and select Test Panel from the pop-up menu. You will see a field labeled Value in which you can enter the value of current in mA that you want to generate. (Notice that there isn’t an Update button here. This is because there is an auto-refresh feature that will automatically update the channel when you enter a new number in the Value field.)
Note: The help files in MAX 2.x contain information about Virtual Channels. You may access this information by selecting the "Data Neighborhood" folder. The help files will display in the right-hand side of the MAX window. See also KnowledgeBase 22QD2THE (linked below) for more information about creating Virtual Channels.
Second Method:
In Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) you can select a channel beyond 15 to access the current output channels of your board. Once you enter a channel greater than 15 your output will be current, not voltage, and will have a range of 0-20mA.
Note The labels will still indicate volts as an output but should be read as amps.
Related Links: KnowledgeBase 22QD2THE: What Is a Virtual Channel? How Do I Create One?
Product Manuals: PCI/PXI-6703/6704 User Manual
Attachments:
Report Date: 11/02/2001
Last Updated: 04/07/2004
Document ID: 2F1GJMFT
