build-in Self-Test

[the_intern]

Do any of the (PCI 6541, PCI-6289, PCI-6509, PCI-4070) cards have build-in self-test?

If not what do you recommend to do/build with these cards, in order to test all these card at once?

For instance, do you think I should be self testing PCI-6509, where I could connect first 48 DIO to other 48 DIO and therefore do the self-test

OR

connect first 48 DIO to the PCI-6289 and test them, and then connect other 48 DIO from PCI-6509 to the PCI-6541 DIO lines and then tehm there?

Same would be for analog lines, counters.

Thanks

[Paul_C.]

Hi the_intern,

Those cards have a built in "self-test" function which can be accessed from Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX).  However, this only checks to make sure that the driver is able to communicate with the card.  You can see this by right-clicking on the device in MAX and selecting self-test.  If you need to do more extensive testing on the digital input and output lines you will need to do those manually.  We do have a diagnostic tool for most of our M Series cards (such as the PCI-6289) that tests several of the basic functionality to see if it is within specifications.  The specifc tests performed can be found in the readme.  If you are using DAQmx 8.3 or later, you can use the DAQ diagnostic utility 2.0 found here.  Unfortunately, the 4070, 6541, and 6509 cannot be tested with this utility.  If you need something that will test the functionality of all 4 cards at once, you will need to write a program to do so.  Could you elaborate a little more on why you need to perform this type of test?  Could you test them individually with example programs.  For example, you could use the DMM soft front panel (Start » Programs » National Instruments » NI-DMM) to test the functionality of the PCI-4070.  In addition, you could use test panels in MAX by right-clicking on the devices and selecting test panels.  This will allow you to select whether a DIO line is an input or an output and test each line.  The same could be done on the other DIO device your connecting to read / write back and forth.

I hope this helps,
Paul C.

[the_intern]

My goal is to be able to test every single DIO, CLK, or any other lines that those cards have, individually. For instance, for the NI 6509, I am going to connect first 48 DIO lines to the second 48 DIO lines, and let them go both ways (both of these 48 lines will be at one momeny input, while others are output, and at the other moment vice versa). And then I will measure 2 (two) +5V signals on the DMM. Thats how I would test that card. I have little more trouble of testing the other three. About 4070, I was thinking having a digital potentiometer acrooss it, (step value would be 1/6 of its maximum value, because I will be able to get 6 digit precise value, therefore fully tested DMM). What do you think about these tests, and what sort of tests do you recommend for the 6541 and 6289?

[the_intern]

I was looking over at this DAQ Diagnostic Utility ,and realzied this:

Caution  To test the device, the DAQ Diagnostic Utility reads and writes from various analog and digital lines. To prevent inadvertent operation of external hardware, disconnect the cable from your device before continuing. This utility also performs a device reset on supported DAQ devices. Close all other applications that access the device before starting the utility.

Does the card MUST be disconnected while doing this utility?

[the_intern]

Two more questions (hopefully).

1. You mentioned: "You can see this by right-clicking on the device in MAX and selecting self-test". Is there any way NI can provide me the VIs for these self-tests for these four cards?

2. Can NI povide me with VI that DAQ Diagnostic Utility is build with ?

I need to run one cntinous test for all 4 cards, and that is why I would need their testing VIs...

[Paul_C.]

Hi the_intern

There are niDMM self-test.vi and niHSDIO self-test.vi's currently available for the NI 6541 and NI 4070.  If you right-click on the block diagram and do a search for self test you can find these vi's.  We don't currently provide the vi associated with the DAQ diagnostic utility.  I would highly recommend taking a look at the calibration procedure for the M Series (6289) and DMM cards.  The calibration procedure tests and recalibrates the cards.  The calibration procedure for the 4070 can be found here. The procedure for the NI 6289 can be found here.  In regards to the digital I/O cards, all you need to do is manually wire half of the digital lines to the other half and change them from input to output like you suggested.  For example, you turn the first half to output, output a pattern, and read them on the second half to verify.  Then just  do the same with the second half as digital outputs and you're good.  You could also just connect an analog output to the DMM to verify it works.  This wouldn't give you a very good precision test (that would require a high precision power supply or comparing it to another calibrated high precision DMM as used in the calibration procedure), but it verifies the functionality of the card to some degree.  I could see how the potentiometer would be good test of functionality, however I don't understand what you mean by getting a 6 digit precise value.  It would depend on the accuracy of the resistance.

In regards to you're other post, yes, the DAQ diagnostic utility requires you to disconnect all wires.  The test uses internal routing to test the lines which can be affected by external connections.

I hope this helps,
Paul C.


Message Edited by Paul C. on 11-13-2007 11:25 AM

[the_intern]

Thanks.

I still cannot find those two self test.vi. On what type of block diagram do I right-click (blank, any ?)

Could you give me more path help in order to get to those two VIs.

[the_intern]

I found it...

[the_intern]

Sir,

1. For the self-test.vi that you provide for the NI PCI 6541, do I have to connect STROBE, CLK OUT, PFI[1,2,3], RESERVED lines anywhere?

2. Do I have to connect DIO[0,1,2,...,31] lines one to another?

3. Fo this self-test.vi, do I even have to do any external circuitry ?

4. On the NI PCI 6289, how could I test AI SENSE lines, and PFI lines ?

5. Does NI PCI 4070 self-test.vi tests the DC Voltage/Current, AC Voltage/Current, Resistance and Frequency ? Do I have to do any external circuitry for it?

Thanks

[Ryan_M]

Intern,

The 6542 self test does not perform a channel diagnostic. 

The self test function performs a simple series of tests that ensure the instrument is powered up and responding. Complete functional testing and calibration are not performed by this function.  The function is internal and does not affect external I/O connections or connections between devices.