To generate finite pulse train with Lab-PC-1200, must I use all THREE counters?

[yliu]

I've read the example of generate finite pulse train (8253).vi. I just wonder whether I can generate finite pulse train with Lab_PC-1200 by simply using only two counters ( using 'pulse train' function).

[Sonya W.]

The "Finite Pulse Train (8253).vi" LabVIEW example program does require all three of the Lab-PC-1200's counters to generate a finite pulse train. The documentation for this example explains how it operates and why three counters are required (File => VI Properties => Documentation). However, you could modify this example to only require the use of counters 1 and 2 if you have a stable, external clock source to replace counter 0.

Since counter 0 is connected to an internal clock source, it is used in this example to generate the timebase for counters 1 and 2. Again, if the external clock source is stable, it could be used to generate the timebase for counters 1 and 2. This would allow counter 0 to be used for another purpose.

I hope this helps.

Son
ya Wornson
Applications Engineer
National Instruments