NI USB-6211 to Photogate

[PatrickClancy]

I am trying to figure out how to connect the NI USB-6211 to a PASCO ME-9215A photogate timer. I am using the photogate to measure the period of a large angled pendulum. The photogate is connected to the timer using a RJ12 cable. I would prefer connecting the timer to the DAQ to make it easier, however being able to take timings from the photogate into labVIEW is my main priority.

Any help is much appreciated,

Thank you 

[Kevin_Price]

Based on a quick look, it appears that the PASCO photogate timer provides a few distinct timing measurements when connected to a photogate.  A USB-6211 can be programmed to do the same kinds of measurements plus many more, provided you have an electrically compatible photogate signal.  For example, both TTL and CMOS logic levels are compatible.

So it isn't the *timer* you would connect to the DAQ device, it's the photogate.  Then start from LabVIEW's shipping examples for counter measurements to start learning how to do the programming for timing measurements.   Perhaps at first it'll be useful to send the photogate signal to both DAQ and PASCO timer so you check the results of your program.

-Kevin P

[PatrickClancy]

Thank you for your response, I just have a follow on question:

What do you mean by  "shipping examples for counter measurements". I am unsure what this means. 

Kind regards 

Patrick C

[GerdW]

Hi Patrick,

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@PatrickClancy wrote:

What do you mean by  "shipping examples for counter measurements". I am unsure what this means. 

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open the LabVIEW example finder to find the examples shipped with LabVIEW…

[JÞB]

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@PatrickClancy wrote:

Thank you for your response, I just have a follow on question:

What do you mean by  "shipping examples for counter measurements". I am unsure what this means. 

Kind regards 

Patrick C

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LabVIEW installs a large collection of example code.  You can launch the example finder from the Getting Started Window (Menu Edit>>Show Getting Started Window) or, from the Help menu (Menu Help>>Find Examples)

The DAQmx Help file should also have links to the LabVIEW examples.  If you are new to DAQmx I strongly recommend that you spend some time looking in the Help and Examples.  Then post back with any concepts you need clarification of.