Installing and configuring the hardware for analog SB Acquisition in a Triton Imaging System

Minimum System Requirements

Windows XP, Windows 2000 SP#4

2 Available PCI 32 slots (Not PCI Express)

Description

The Triton Imaging, Inc. SB-Logger analog interface uses a pair of National Instruments PCI bus boards to perform acquisition functions.  The 4-input NI PCI-4474 (or 8-input PCI-4472) performs the 24bit A/D functions. The NI PCI 6601 board provides the trigger signal output.

Note: Both boards must be present in the system, even if an external trigger source is used.

Location of the Boards

Both boards use the computer’s PCI bus, the NI 447x board is a “bus master” device and should be installed in a bus master capable PCI slot.  These normally are the slots closest to the CPU (usually slots 1 and 2). The NI 447x board will NOT work on the other side of a "PCI bus bridge".  The NI-6601 board can be installed in any free PCI slot.

Installation Checklist

1. Install the National Instruments drivers and application
2. Install the PCI-447x A/D board
3. Install the PCI-6601 trigger board.
4. Install the RTSI cable between the two cards (34-pin ribbon cable)
5. Configure the National Instruments driver application.

Installing the Drivers

Neither board is recognized by Windows, the drivers must be installed BEFORE the boards are plugged into the system.  Failure to do so may cause Windows to "Plug and Play" an incorrect driver.  Removing these drivers can be difficult.

The drivers can be found on 2 CD ROMs supplied with the boards, drivers for both boards are installed at the same time.  Default settings are used throughout there is no need to change anything, the following windows should appear:

Click Install Software

Click Next

Click Next

Looks complicated - just click next!

Check I accept - click Next

Check I accept - click Next

Click Next

Installation starts

Insert CD#2 and click Rescan Drive

Installation continues

Installation complete - click Next

Click SHUT DOWN

When Windows has exited, disconnect the power cord and insert the NI 4474 board in a free PCI slot:

Connect the power and re-start windows, the following is displayed:

Select Install automatically and hit Next

Click Finish

You may register if you wish but its not necessary.

Close Windows and remove the power cord

Install the NI PCI 6601 board:

And then the RTSI cable:

Connect the power cord and Restart Windows -the following is displayed

Click Next

Click finish.

If all windows appeared as above then both boards have been recognized, and the drivers are installed.

We can check this by launching Measurement and Automation.

There is further configuration to be done.

Right click on NI-DAQmx Devices to add the RTSI Device.

 We need to configure the RTSI Cable device.

 Right Click on RTSI Cable and add the two devices to the RTSI Cable.

We should now have this configuration.

Note:

The RTSI cable provides synchronization between the two boards.

This is a 34-pin ribbon cable.

Please ensure this cable is installed.