Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16 App Note #022

© 2007 United Electronic Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
Introduction Test Setup
The first step we took was to check the equipment.
Purpose: This paper outlines the use of an AI-201-16 layer to record readings from a We made use of a PowerDNA Cube (updated to the latest firmware), equipped
pressure transducer (e.g. Fluke PV350).
with one DNA-AI-201 layer (new firmware, new calibration).
Test Setup Devices An Ethernet crossover cable connects the PowerDNA Cube to a laptop.
Our test setup consisted of
The DNA-AI-201 layer is connected to the DNA-STP-37 terminal board with a
• (1) Fluke PV350 DNA-CBL-37 ribbon cable.
• (1) Generic air compressor, outputting ~85-90 PSI Channel 0 is tested in differential mode and single-ended mode using a
• (1) DNA-CM5 with (1) DNA-AI-201-16 Analog Input layer in differential six-digit precision voltage source. Noise has a maximum of 1.5mV at G=1 in
mode, 100x gain, via a DNA-STP-37 terminal board. single-ended mode. At worst, the connection/cube may be responsible for
the reading being off by 1-2 PSI; however, when gain is applied in differential
To double-check results (and to zero the enabled PV350), we made use of an mode, the maximum becomes < 1 PSI.
accurate DMM and precision Voltage Source.
Pins used: 19 Channel 0 Input, 37 Channel 0 Return; 30 AGND.
Next, we used the zero-offset compensation of the PV350 to set the readout
on the DMM to zero.
The transducer leads were then attached to the STP Board wires (on pins 19,
37), and we confirmed a nearly zero reading under DASYLab (see Section 2.2
for the readout).
Finally, we used DASYLab to read values at ~85 PSI.
As an exercise, we did the same under single-ended mode at ~90 PSI. The
results are available in Section 2.2.

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 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
Measurement and Results using DASYLab Click in an open space on the worksheet to drop the AI module.
Select PowerDNA > Add Device... and add your Cube’s IP.
DASYLab Setup: You should have the PowerDNA and Framework drivers
(both included in the PowerDNA Software Suite) installed; a menu “UeiDAQ”
should be visible in the DASYLab menubar.

Select the “Analog Input” module from UEIDAQ menu:

Then browse the Cube devices to select the AI channels you want to use.

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 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
An Analog Input block is created. Press the Channel Setup button to adjust the Analog Input parameters
Double click on this block to open the property page (changes are applied to the currently selected channel!)

Note: Changing the “low limit” and

“High limit” parameters will adjust the
gain of the analog input amplifier

Change the channel setup to Differential mode; this reduces noise on the line.
Click OK to commit the changes to the Channel Setup.
Click OK again to accept the Analog Input setup.

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 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
Next, we will plot the data.
We will display data in a Y/t chart – To add this type of chart, select
Module>>Display>>Y/t Chart in the menu bar
© 2007 United Electronic Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
When the Y/t Chart block is created, simply connect the output of the Analog
Input Block to the input of the Y/t chart in order to display data that will be
acquired in this chart
In the lower-left corner of the screen, a small child window labeled Y/tChart00
will be minimized.
Page: 
 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
Select the Y/t Chart window and restore it (or maximize it) so that it is visible Bring the main DASYLab window back into focus. We will now adjust the
and usable. sampling frequency, and additional measurement parameters:

From the Y/t Chart’s menu, select Axes » Y Scale... UeiDAQ»Measurement Setup

This action brings forward the Time Base Settings.

Adjust the chart’s axes
to display a range from Select the “UeiDaq: pdna://Dev0/AI” tab, and adjust your sample rate using
–10mV to 90mV, and the listbox. By default, DASYLab will select an automatic block size (number
click OK to commit the of samples) based on your sampling rate settings:
changes. The chart is
now ready to plot data.

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 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
Additional settings are available from the UeiDaq»Hardware Setup menu, a Running the experiment under DASYLab: Run the program by pressing the
selection page will allow tuning data acquisition settings: Start Button. This is the very first button in the toolbar. This action begins the
experiment.

The Y/t chart set up

For our experiment, we earlier should display the
need not change any information as soon as the
of these settings. button is pressed.

You are now ready to Results for our experiment

run the experiment. follow on the next pages.

© 2007 United Electronic Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page: 

 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
As a moot academic exercise, here is the waveform for ~90 PSI in single-end-
ed mode. Note the additional line noise.

« 0 PSI

« 85 PSI

We recommend that experiments always be run in differential mode, with the

highest usable gain to retrieve the most accurate signal.

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 Pressure Transducer • Using AI-201-16
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