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NI USB-6211 signal noise

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While using analog inputs of the USB-6211 device (Labview 8.5 / Win 7) the signal became more and more noisy. By surprise I got a perfect signal after having disconnected and connected the USB card to the system again. This behaviour is reproducible for all cards (n=4) we are using in our lab. Is this a known issue with the 6211 card and, if yes is there any method to reset the card using labview?

 

Thanks!

 

Christian

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Hi Christian
I use 6211 cards so I would like to be able to try and reproduce this behaviour. Could you post the code containing the FAQ reads, and give me some idea of the signal source? How long does it take for the noise to be apparent?
Regards, Michael
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Hi Michael,

 

Thanks for the quick feedback! I attached the source code as well as one screenshot that might help to find the critical part. The default state of the program continuously reads data from a laser scanning device (see screenshot 1). The measurement itself is performed

 

 

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Christian,

 

I find your images of the noisy and good data interesting: No noise appears when the diameter is less than about 2.8. Is there something about the laser scanner which could affect the noise levels at various diameters?

 

You said that the signal becomes more and more noisy.  How long does this take(time or iterations)? Is the software and all the equipment running continuously during that time? Are you scanning the same part or different parts? Is the part growing hair? Do you see the increase in noise if no part is present to be scanned?  Does it happen if the scanner is turned off?

 

Sequence structures and local variables often lead to poorly performing LabVIEW code because LV is a dataflow language and these elements violate dataflow.  Search the Forum for numerous posts on those topics and alternatives.  They may be causing some problems, but probably have nothing to do with your noise.

 

In Case 2 the Initiate Motion Change loop will always stop after one iteration, so why have a loop?

 

Lynn

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Lynn,

 

I did run a number of different configurations and finally figured out that this is a hardware problem: The DAQ card is used in differential mode. The laser scanner is a floating source needing a resistor between AI- and AI GND. I guess that electrostatic noise did increase with time and did disappear after resetting the device. Nevertheless I will follow your advice and improve the code as suggested.

 

Thanks!

 

Christian

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Christian,

 

I am glad you solved your problem.  The manuals for most NI DAQ cards recommend resistors from both AI inputs to AI GND to assure that a suitable path for bias currents exists when operated in differential mode.

 

Lynn

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