How to connect Position sensor (Thorlab) to the NI DAQ (6343)?

[mi1111]

Hello,

Working on project where I have to read the position of the light beam using optical position sensor.

I use optical position sensor from thorlabs (PDQ30C) and for the data acquisition I use NI-DAQ(6343).

Now position sensor has 6 pin Hiros connection cable and now I need to connect the position sensor to the DAQ , but do now have idea how to connect and at what port of the DAQ I have to connect.

Position sensor :

https://www.thorlabs.de/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=4400&pn=PDQ30C

Link shows six pin connector  and how each pin gives different signal.

NI-DAQ 6343:

https://www.ni.com/documentation/en/multifunction-io-device/latest/usb-6343/pinout-bnc/

Could any one give me some idea how to make connection between position sensor and DAQ for data acquisition.

Thank you

[cbutcher]

Looks like you need a +ve power supply line and a -ve power supply line, and then two Analog Input values to measure the X and Y values.

Connect pins 1 and 2 to your Analog Inputs of choice, and 5 to the common (GND) value for both the power supply/ies and DAQ.

Connect 4 and 6 to +- voltages respectively.

For others' reference, the datasheet can be found here: https://www.thorlabs.com/drawings/b9c5691259b472d2-9F6EB426-A265-47DD-59C2F13832EADE1A/PDQ30C-SpecSh...

[mi1111]

So in short,

I connect 1 and 2 pin to the analog input and 5 to the common.

Can I apply power supply from DAQ by connecting 4 and 6 pin to the one of the analog output port?

[cbutcher]

In short, no.

The voltage levels on an analog output are suitable but the maximum current is much too low for your sensor.

[mi1111]

I checked on specification of the DAQ (Analog output ) it shows output current +- 5mA

and limit for the sensor is 35mA

[cbutcher · Accepted solution]

The DAQ value is a maximum. The sensor value is a requirement. You need at least that much.

You can if you need supply the positive value from the DAQ board via the +5V output, which can source 1A, but you have no negative supply.

[GerdW · Accepted solution]

Hi mi,

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@mi1111 wrote:

and limit for the sensor is 35mA

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That's not a "limit", but a requirement!

Use an external power supply!