Can't get analog output working even using only MAX Test Panel

[steve3]

I'm using a PCI-6110e through the MAX Test Panel, and while I can get digital I/O and analog input working, I can't see any signal from analog out. Is this a problem with the card or the software?

[JustinBritten]

steve3,

How are you connecting your multimeter to view the analog output signal? If you are using a MAX Test Panel to generate an output voltage on channel 0, then you should be connecting your multimeter, or other measurement device, to DAQ0OUT and AOGND (pins 22 and 55). You may also test analog output channel 1 by using DAQ1OUT and AOGND (pins 21 and 54). Does this sound right to you?

NI PCI-6110/6111 User Manual
http://digital.ni.com/manuals.nsf/websearch/0A3DCFC67FA3510B86256BA600675B28?OpenDocument&node=132100_US

Regards,
Justin Britten

Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[steve3]

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Yes, that's exactly how I connected it. I'm using an oscilloscope connected to pins 22/55 for channel 0 or pins 21/54 for channel 1, but I don't see any voltage output. I've tried using the sine wave generator and the "update channel" feature in the test panel.

On another note, I got the analog output to work successfully from a DAQCard-1200 on a laptop, and I don't believe I'm doing anything differently than I am on the desktop with the PCI-6110E.

Thanks,
Steve Lieberman

[JustinBritten]

Steve,

The most simple test we have to verify whether or not the analog output channels work properly on your board is to use a MAX Test Panel (not a Virtual Channel Test Panel) and output either a DC Voltage or a Sine Wave (try both). If you do not see anything on 22/55 or 21/54 then one of these situations may exist:

1. Your cable is bad
2. Your terminal block is bad
3. The analog output hardware on your DAQ board is bad

If you successfully performed analog output with your DAQCard-1200 using the same terminal block and cable, then your DAQ board may be bad. Has it ever worked for analog output? Did you just receive it?

You can test analog output lines on the cable and the terminal block using a continuity checker u
sually available on a multimeter.

If you do prove it is your DAQ board then you may initiate an RMA (Return Materials Authorization) via our phone support. If you have just received this board, or it is less than 30 days old, you may have it declared dead on arrival. If you need to perform an RMA after performing the cable and terminal block tests, then please go to http://www.ni.com/ask to initiate the phone request.

Regards,
Justin Britten

[steve3]

The terminal block and connector I'm using are different on both systems (the DAQCard-1200 only has 50 pins). However, both the terminal block and connector are brand new.

We did receive the card used from another project (that is now completed) and it is possible it could be damaged -- but -- wouldn't it be odd that neither of the two analog channels is working? I would think that only one of the DACs would have burned out if anything.


Thanks again,
Steve Lieberman

[JustinBritten]

Steve,

Yes, it would be less likely since there are two independent DACs; however, nonethless still possible. The MAX Configuration and Diagnostic Utility is the closest application to the driver level and, as such, there isn't another test that we can perform. Check the analog output and analog ground pins for continuity on the cable and the terminal block, even though they are both new. If they both check out fine, then the problem is most likely in your DAQ board.

I assume you used the same multimeter to check both the 6110 and the 1200, so you know the problem isn't in the measurement device.

Regards,
Justin Britten