LAWSON LABS, INC.    |    3217 Phoenixville Pike    |    Malvern, PA 19355    |    610 725-8800 or 800 321-5355    |    e-mail lawsnlab@netaxs.com    |    web www.lawsonlabs.com
Manual   -   Model 301  



TABLE OF CONTENTS

  INTRODUCTION    
  SECTION 1:   INSTALLATION  
  SECTION 2:   OPERATION   Establishing Communications
      Polled Mode Overview
      System Calibration
      Connecting Analog Inputs
      Connector Pinout
      Digital Input Output
      Other Commands
      Scanning Mode
  SECTION 3:   OPERATING SUGGESTIONS  
  SECTION 4:   TROUBLESHOOTING  
  SECTION 5:   INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS  
  SECTION 6:   MODEL 301 SPECIFICATIONS  
  WARRANTY      










































INTRODUCTION



    The Lawson Labs, Inc. Model 301 24-Bit Data Acquisition System is a high-resolution device for translating voltages into digital form. The Model 301 communicates with a host computer using USB (Universal Serial Bus). It has two multiplexed differential analog input channels and eight each digital input and digital output lines. The analog input and digital I/O sections are optically isolated from the computer.

    The Model 301 is intended for DC and low frequency applications. The data rate is programmable from 50 to 1000 samples/second. At a data rate of 50 samples/second, the RMS noise approaches one count, providing 23 bits effective resolution. (The converter is guaranteed monotonic to 23 bits.) Effective resolution decreases with increasing data rates. Even so, 20-bit effective resolution is maintained at 1000 samples/second.

    The Model 301 requires a single DC supply in the range of 9 to 15 volts to power the isolated circuitry. With the optional preregulator, the range is 15 to 30 VDC. Current draw is typically 25 milliamps in normal operation. The power and analog inputs are protected against substantial overvoltages.

    Both polled and scanning modes are available. In scanning mode, the Model 301 maintains its own time base and transmits a pre-defined scan of one or two input channels at a preset interval. Self-calibration can remove offset and gain errors under software control.

    The exceptional resolution, stability, flexibility and price are achieved by combining an accurate, but complex, delta-sigma type A/D converter with a microcontroller supervisor. The microcontroller simplifies the task of interfacing to the converter itself.










































INSTALLATION



    The Model 301 interconnections consist of a DB25 cable connector, a USB connector, and a 2-terminal power connector

NOTE:   Always handle circuit cards by the edges. Static electricity can damage computer circuitry, so care should be taken to control static discharge.

    For operational checks, only the power supply and serial cable need be connected. The power supply voltage can range from 9 to 15 VDC and does not need to be regulated. Power is connected to the terminals on the orange terminal block. The power terminals are labeled "+" and "-". The wall-mounted transformer supplied has a white stripe on the positive wire. A battery, or other DC supply (in the correct voltage range), can be substituted. The board is protected against reverse voltage but will not operate without a properly connected supply. The power can be connected before or after the serial interface connection is made. Note that the computer chassis ground is not connected to ground at the Model 301 because of the optical isolation. If your Model 301 has been mounted in the standard enclosure it will have a 47K ohm resistor placed between the computer's ground and the Model 301's chassis ground. This resistor should be removed if the two grounds are to be more than 100 volts apart. (Contact the factory for details.)

    For maximum accuracy the board should be enclosed in the shielded box. Open cell is placed against both sides of the board to minimize air currents. Although a copper/solder junction is not considered a good thermocouple, there are many such junctions and collectively, they can have an effect on the least significant bits.


FIGURE 1:
    MODEL 301 BLOCK DIAGRAM

 
 


   The software drivers provided include a system-level USB driver, a DLL and sample application code, with source, in VC or VB. Win98 and Win2000 are supported. Refer to the read_1st.txt file on the disk before installing the drivers. Do not forget to follow the steps described there for adding your Model 301's ID number to the device list. The latest version of the driver software and sample application code can be downloaded at no charge from www.lawsonlabs.com. In some cases, an updated microcontroller chip may be required to take advantage of new features.










































OPERATION




  Establishing Communications

    Once the drivers are installed, run the executable version of the VC or VB sample application. (The VB code has a more-developed user interface.) Before any other communications can succeed, the Model 301 needs to be initialized. Each Model 301 has a unique identification number permanently programmed into the controller and printed on its label. You will need to enter that number. The driver will then locate the requested device and assign it to the application for as long as the application is loaded.

    If you ever cannot regain access to a Model 301, unplug the USB cable, wait for the hourglass to disappear (if you see it), then re-plug in the USB cable. This process will re-enumerate the device.






  Polled Mode Overview

    In polled mode, individual conversions are requested with individual commands. Other commands set the digital outputs, change input channels, recalibrate the system, or change to scanning mode. To maintain compatibility with earlier products, the offset correction channel is designated channel 7. The full scale calibration channel is designated as channel 6. The two available analog input channels are called channels 0 and 1.






  System Calibration

    To confirm proper operation, select channel 7 and you should see a voltage in the general vicinity of zero. The offset portion of the system calibration removes errors caused by the input signal conditioning circuitry as well as offset errors in the A/D converter itself. Confirm that the reading is close to zero volts. Channel 6 should read close to +5 volts after a system calibration. The full-scale calibration removes gain and signal conditioning errors.






  Connecting Analog Inputs

    A battery is a convenient voltage source for checking the Model 301. Connect the positive and negative ends of the battery to a pair of positive and negative analog input pins on the analog input connector. (Pins 14 and 1, respectively for channel 0). You will also need a wire from one end (normally the negative) of the battery to ground at the Model 301 to insure that the input voltage at both input terminals is within 6.5 volts of ground. The ground at pin 3 is provided for the purpose. This extra ground is for common-mode requirements only, and while necessary, it is non- critical. Remember that the Model 301 is optically isolated and floats in comparison to the computer chassis ground. A typical D cell should read about 1.5 volts. Reverse the wires and note the polarity change. Connecting the input wires directly together will cause a potential of zero volts. An open circuit will read unpredictably. A positive overvoltage will read 5 volts. A negative overvoltage will read -5 volts. The analog input channels are protected against continuous overvoltage up to 60 volts.

    Because of the extreme resolution possible with the Model 301 it is necessary to carefully shield your input signals from electrical noise. Electrical noise can be radiated through the air and picked up by wiring and/or circuitry. It can also be introduced via the power connections. Also, air currents can create sufficient temperature changes to cause thermal noise.


FIGURE 2:
    25-PIN CONNECTOR PINOUT


  PIN 13 Digital Ground    
      PIN 25 Digital Out 7
  PIN 12 Digital In 0    
      PIN 24 Digital Out 6
  PIN 11 Digital In 1    
      PIN 23 Digital Out 5
  PIN 10 Digital In 2    
      PIN 22 Digital Out 4
PIN 9 Digital In 3    
      PIN 21 Digital Out 3
  PIN 8 Digital In 4    
      PIN 20 Digital Out 2
  PIN 7 Digital In 5    
      PIN 19 Digital Out 1
  PIN 6 Digital In 6    
      PIN 18 Digital Out 0
  PIN 5 Digital In 7    
      PIN 17 Digital Ground
  PIN 4 Digital Ground    
      PIN 16 Analog Ground
  PIN 3 Analog Ground    
      PIN 15 CHANNEL 1+
  PIN 2 CHANNEL 1-    
      PIN 14 CHANNEL 0+
  PIN 1 CHANNEL 0-    


Note: For maximum protection, any unused input terminals should be connected to ground. This is done to protect the circuitry from static discharges which can be of extremely high voltage. Open inputs can also pick up noise. Strain-relief is recommended for all permanent wiring on the connector. Otherwise, physical stress may cause the failure of an electrical connection. The connector hood provided has a strain-relief clamp. +






  Digital Input/Output

    The digital input word, from pins 5 through 12 on the input/output connector, is updated with each conversion in polled mode and with each packet of ten conversions in normal scanning mode. For digital input scanning, the digital input byte is updated and transmitted once per conversion. The digital inputs are active low. They can be activated by a contact closure to digital ground or by any 5 volt logic signal referenced to the same ground.The digital input word is displayed as an integer between 0 and 255. You may want to view it in binary format so thatindividual inputs show as ones and zeros.

    The digital output command puts a latched 8-bit digital word at pins 18 through 25 on the input/output connector. Valid values are in the range of 0 to 255. The digital outputs are buffered to source or sink 20 MA. Note that when sinking current, the voltage may rise significantly above 0 volts.






  Other commands

    The software drivers provided include a system-level USB driver, a DLL and sample application code, with source, in VC or VB. Win98 and Win2000 are supported. Refer to the read_1st.txt file on the disk before installing the drivers. Do not forget to follow the steps described there for adding your Model 301's ID number to the device list. The latest version of the driver software and sample application code can be downloaded at no charge from www.lawsonlabs.com. In some cases, an updated microcontroller chip may be required to take advantage of new features.






  Scanning Mode

    The Model 301 will send data back continuously at the preset rate if a start scan command is sent. There are six different types of scan, single-channel, single-channel with digital input, multi-channel, multi-channel with digital input, multi-channel with calibration data, and multi-channel with digital input and calibration data. For single-channel scanning, the Model 301 will take data on whatever channel was selected when the scan was started. Channel change commands can be sent at any time during single-channel scanning. For multi-channel scanning, the Model 301 controls the channel selection. Do not send channel change commands during multi-channel scanning. You can send digital output commands at any time during either type of scan without altering the data acquisition timing.

    Calibration scan adds a reading of channel 7, the offset channel, at the end of each scan. The application then subtracts the offset value from the other data to provide active zero-drift supression.










































OPERATING SUGGESTIONS
    The Model 301 features fully differential inputs. A basic understanding of differential measurements will help you to use your card to best advantage. The plus and minus input pins should be wired directly to the voltage being measured. In this way, it is assured that the only current flowing in the wires will be the input current of the A/D converter. Because the wires have finite resistance, any current flowing will cause a voltage drop and a corresponding error. The Model 301 requires a vanishingly small input current so the error caused by even very long wires is negligible. For proper operation it is necessary that the positive and negative inputs both be within 6 volts of ground. For a floating voltage source, this is generally accomplished by connecting a third wire between the Model 301 ground and a ground terminal at the source of the measured voltage. Ground currents may flow in this wire, but the resulting voltage drop will not cause a measurement error. Redundant grounding can cause ground loops. Ground loops can cause erratic behavior because currents will flow through different paths at different times causing unpredictable voltage drops.


FIGURE 3:

    TYPICAL INPUT CONNECTIONS

 
 


   Best results are obtained with filtered, buffered voltages. Electrical noise travels through the air and can be picked up by interconnecting wires. The first defense against noise is shielding. Use shielded wire with the shield connected at one or both ends to ground. (See above.) The lower the impedance of the voltage source, the less susceptible the wiring will be to electrical noise. If noise problems persist, try to locate the source of the interference and shield it. Electric motors, electric heaters and flickering fluorescent lights are potential sources of interference.


FIGURE 4:
    EFFECT OF DATA RATE ON EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION AND SETTLING TIME

  DATA RATE   (Hz.)   EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION (Bits)   SETTLING TIME (ms.)
  50   22.5   160
 100   22   80
  250   21.5   32
  500   20.5   16
 1000   20    8


   Settling time is the time in milliseconds required to obtain a fully valid reading after an instantaneous full-scale step

   Effective resolution is defined as total resolution minus RMS noise. Numbers above use an oversampling factor of four.

   See the FuncDesc.doc file and the sample application source code for programmer's information. We will continue to add operating system and language support for the Model 301 as appropriate.














































TROUBLESHOOTING






  Can't Initialize the Model 301

A.)   Make sure that power is connected properly to the 301.
B.)   If hubs are being used, make sure they are powered.
C.)   Double-check your cabling.
D.)   Try unplugging the USB cable from the Model 301. If you see the hourglass, wait for it to disappear, then plug the cable back in. Close and reopen the application. You may also need to cycle power to the Model 301 itself.
E.)   It may be possible under some circumstances for your Model 301 to be marked as belonging to an application that is not responding. It may be necessary to explicitly free the device. Select "utilities" in our sample application and free the device in question. Then unplug and replug the USB cable to re-enumerate the device.
F.)   Make sure the ID number of the device you want to initialize is listed in the configuration file. See the read_1st.txt file for details.






  Won't respond to a data request

A.)   Remember to wait for the result from the previous request before issuing another.
B.)   Occasional USB traffic does not go through. You can request again if the initial request fails.






  Data is consistent, but wrong

A.)   Do a system calibration.
B.)   Make sure another A/D input channel isn't badly over- range.
C.)   Resend the rate information. If power is momentarily lost to the isolated circuitry, the A/D rate will be forgotton.






  Data fluctuates wildly during scanning

A.)   If either the DLL's data buffer overflows, your data may lose registration, that is, high, middle and low bytes of the answer may be confused. Stop and restart the scan, or reset the data buffer pointers to correct the problem.
B.)   If "A" persists, slow the scanning rate, or locate and suspend the other application or system driver that is causing the USB driver to not be serviced frequently enough.






  Model 301 data is noisy

A.)   Lower the data rate or increase averaging.
B.)   Check shielding and grounding. Check that the DC common- mode range of +/-6 volts is being observed.
C.)   Make sure another A/D input channel isn't badly over- range.










































INTERNAL ADJUSTMENTS
    Hardware calibration is set at the factory and should never need adjustment. The software should always be able to calibrate to yield peak performance.

    There are two potentiometers on the board. The potentiometer closest to the power input connector is the common-mode rejection adjustment. The other adjusts the reference voltage. Changing the reference voltage has the effect of changing the gain.

    If you wish to reset the common-mode adjustment, first connect the + and - input pins of a channel to a ground on the analog input connector. Zero the channel by using the offset command. Now remove the connection to ground and connect both input pins to the 5 volt reference on pin 8 of the analog input connector. Adjust the common-mode potentiometer for a reading of zero. Repeat for best results.

    The A/D gain is set by connecting a known voltage to an analog channel. Do a system calibration, then adjust the gain potentiometer to obtain the desired reading. Repeat for best results.











































SPECIFICATIONS


A/D TYPE
24-bit delta-sigma converter with microcontroller supervisor and optical isolation.

MONOTONICITY
23 bits

LINEARITY
+/-0.002% of full scale.

DIFFERENTIAL INPUT RANGE
+/-5 volts

DC COMMON MODE RANGE
+/-6.5 volts

DC COMMON MODE REJECTION
-100 dB typical

ANALOG INPUTS
2, multiplexed true differential protected to +/-60 volts.

INPUT IMPEDANCE
10^13 ohms typical

PROGRAMMABLE DATA RATE
50 to 1000 Hz, lower rates are generated through digital averaging.

EFFECTIVE RESOLUTION
Effective resolution is defined as total resolution in bits minus RMS noise in bits.
Figures below use an oversampling ratio of four.

Rate
Effective Resolution in Bits
1000
20
500
21
200
22
50
22.5


SCANNING MODE
Three scan types are available, single channel, multi-channel, and a calibration scan that adds a reading of the zero channel at the end of each scan for offset drift compensation. The max number of data points per second in multi-channel scanning mode is 200. Any of the three scan types can add a digital input into the data stream after each conversion. That feature allows maximum timing accuracy for digital events.

DIGITAL INPUTS
8 bits, contact closure or 5 volt logic compatible.

DIGITAL OUTPUTS
8 latched, ruggedized, double-buffered 5V outputs.

POWER REQUIREMENT
11 to 15 VDC, regulated or unregulated, for isolated circuitry or 15 to 30 VDC with pre-regulator option

TYPICAL POWER CONSUMPTION
The microcontroller operates as a low-power USB bus-powered device. The analog input and digital I/O requires 25 MA (add drive current for active digital outputs, up to 20 MA each).

SIZE
Board only 5.5 x 3.7 x 0.75 inches
Enclosure 6.0 x 4.2 x 1.25 inches











































LIMITED WARRANTY
    The Lawson Labs, Inc. Model 301 is guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of delivery. Products must be returned to Lawson Labs for warranty service. Contact Lawson Labs at   "800 321-5355"   for return authorization before returning anything for service.

    The above warranty is in lieu of all warranties express or implied. Lawson Labs will not be liable for indirect or consequential damages caused by any defect in this product. Some states do not allow the limitation of consequential damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.


























lawsnlab@lawsonlabs.com
last reviewed/modified: 1-7-04 (Tim Van Dusen)