What are the exact connections to a BNC2110 to test event counters in MAX?

[sonarman]

I am trying to test my 6034E / BNC-2110 setup, using MAX.  The anallog inputs seem fine, but I am having trouble getting external events counted by Counter 0 or 1.  I am testing the device using Test Panels in MAX.  What is the precise wiring to do this properly?  Also, do the counters require repetitive TTL events, or can I just twiddle 5 volts on  and off by hand, to watch the counter?

[Laura F.]

Hello sonarman,

When you are using test panels in MAX, you should be able to pick the "Edge Source" to be whatever PFI line you want to connect your signal to on the BNC 2110.  For example, when I try this I choose my Edge Source to be Dev1/PFI1 so I would connect to this terminal in the digital and timing I/O section of the 2110. 

If you do not see what I describe, you may have an older version of NI-DAQmx and you might upgrade to NI-DAQmx 7.5. 

You may be able to just switch 5V on and off depending on how fast the voltage actually changes.  The counter needs the rise time to be within TTL specifications.  If this isn't working, then I would try using a TTL pulse.  You can produce TTL pulses with your second counter if you need to using an example program. 

I hope this helps,

Laura

[sonarman]

Hello Laura,

Thanks for your help.  I have tried using the 5-volt supply on the Digital and Timing IO as the source of the pulse, since I don't have easy access to a TTL signal right now.  I simply connect and disconnect the 5 volts to PFI0 (or another PFI, depending on what I have set up as a souce), and watch the count in MAX.  The count never increments using this setup.  (It does increment with an internal counter.)  I have this feeling that I'm missing something incredibly simple.  By the way, I am using NI taditional, in order to (later) interface the A/D board with other software that does not support DAQmx.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Dave

[Laura F.]

Hi Dave,

I tried using the +5V from the BNC-2110 to generate a signal to count as you have done, and I don't get any counts either.  However, when I use a signal that is connected to a button, it counts fine.  I think the best way to test your counters without any extra hardware is to use a digital line.  You can start your test panels for the event counting on one of your PFI lines.  Have that same PFI line connected to one of the DIO lines on the 2110.  Then use the DIO tab to toggle the output state of that line.  Then when you switch back to the counter tab,  you should see some counts in the counter value field. 

Thanks,

Laura

[sonarman]

Hi Laura,

Thanks for your help.  It will take me awhile (about one month) to get back to this.  I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your help.

Dave

[Kevin_Price]

Dave,

I don't have similar hw to test, but did you know that with some boards and/or terminal connection blocks, the various PFI lines may already float high?   If that's the case with your setup, then you could try intermittently connecting to 0V instead of 5V...

-Kevin P.