Is Calibration required??

[Padhu]

Hi friends

I am new to NI-DAQ devices and am using a brand-new NI-USB-6259 for capturing external analog signals.

To familiarise myself with the NI-DAQ as well as LabView, i tried connecting a signal-generator (with its Output set to Sine wave: 2Vp-p and 100Hz frequency ) to one of the anlog input channels ai20 in NI-USB-6259.I also set up the lab view for capturing the same (congifured the NI-DAQ assistant with the corresponding ai channel, set the input range to 1v to -1v, Single-ended mode).

But i could not capture the sine wave.i am just able to view some random noise signals.

My question is: whether i should any calibration before using it?? Under Input voltage set-up, i see the "calibration" tab. Should i do anything with this before capturing any signals.

Please suggest me if i am going wrong anywhere or whats needs to be done.

Thanks and regards,

k.S.Padmanabhan

[AdnanZ]

How old is the device? Are you sure you have connected everything right? Can you let us know what pins you connected the signal to? Did you try reading the signal in MAX first? Also, since it's single-ended, the source must be a floating signal source. Have  a look at Table 1 at the following page:

Field Wiring and Noise Considerations for Analog Signals

Message Edited by Adnan Z on 10-07-2009 09:06 AM

[Padhu]

Its a new device. Got it a fotnight back.

Earlier, i have grounded(connected to AI GND) channel 1, ai1 and captured the same. I was able to view the signal at ai1 close to 0V i.e kept bouncing around 0V and the exact volatge was in uV range.

With respect to my current connections, i feel everything is fine. I have connected a probe from the Signal generator with the red wire of probe connected to channel ai20 (Pin-49 in connector) and the black wire of probe connected to AI GND(Pin-51 in connector). The NI-DAQ is then connected to my laptop through the USB interface.

I am getting the same thing in MAX as with running LabView.

[Padhu]

Also in Ni-DAQ Assistant, under Voltage Input Setup-->Calbration tab,

i can see that a random  date for calibration date and expiration date is present by default. Its 1/1/1904 for both the dates.

[Padhu]

Hi Guys

Fixed it up. There was a problem with the setting of Signal generator. AM able to view the signal correctly.

On a sidenote, i would like to know when the calibration needs to be done?