VTI Instruments EX1401, User Manual

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VTI Instruments Corp.
16 EX1401 Introduction
scan. The output of limit evaluations is presented via front panel LEDs, digital I/O port, LAN events,
and through the instrument driver.
The EX1401 features an 8-channel digital I/O port on the rear panel of the instrument. This port
can be used as an arm/trigger source, for presentation of limit evaluation information, and as a
general purpose output device. As a general purpose output device, each DIO channel can be
independently programmed with regards to its output functionality and its static level to assume
when enabled as an output. For expanded and more automated operation, each DIO channel can be
independently linked to one or multiple limit conditions on one or more input channels. The digital
I/O port is bank isolated to reduce ground loop noise issues with external equipment.
Triggering
The EX1401 supports a full function trigger model with a separate arm source and trigger source
event structure. Trigger and arm source events can be independently programmed from a variety of
sources including Immediate, Software, External TTL, Digital I/O, LAN events, and LXI alarms.
Multi-Function Display
The menu driven LCD display available on the rear side of the instrument provides instrument
status, diagnostic reports, network details, and can also start, stop, and monitor measurement
sequences that log data to an external USB disk without PC control.
USB Data Recording
The EX1401 can export acquisition data at full speed to an external USB memory device, so that it
can be used as a standalone data logger. This will also be useful to keep a redundant back up of data
for high reliability applications, while streaming data over the Ethernet interface. It supports
standard maximum partition size of all of EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, VFAT/FAT32, and MSDOSFS
filesystems. The data will be stored in Hierarchical Data Format, HDF5 file format. HDF5 being an
open standard data file format, users can choose from a wide variety of tools to decompress, view
and export the time stamped measurement data. For more information on HDF5 file formats and
tools, visit the HDF Group’s website:
https://www.hdfgroup.org . The external USB memory device
can also be used to store the user’s desired instrument configuration.
End-to-End Self-test
The EX1401 can perform internal diagnostics through self-test mechanism. This Built-In-Self-Test
(BIST) checks for internal board voltage levels, system temperature, various status indicators,
LEDs, cooling fan, LCD display and +2.5V reference voltage on every input channel, and health of
internal CJC sensors. This self-test will be performed automatically upon power-up, and can be
initiated though software or the rear panel LCD interface, any time after the instrument is booted.
This Built-In-Self-Test provides test system confidence and peace of mind by ensuring that the
complete instrumentation measurement path is functional and delivers the most accurate result
possible.