TBX-68T Pinout Ctr0/1

[creativeimpulse]

Hi Guys,

I have a TBX-68T breakout module, I configured it on the my DAQ card and used the digital i/o to flip the bits on the J12 using the test panel in NI MAX, works fine. I then selected the counter option and configured a periodic pulse using ctr0. The GUI provides all the options, but doesn't mention any of the pins on the board. I don't seem to be able to find the ctr0out pin, or any documentation that explains where I might find it. The Datasheet doesn't mention the counters, although it does mention the PFI mappings, but the PFI mappings aren't declared in the pinout either...

Do I need to setup a routing in the Labview tool to allow a ctr0 output from the TBX-68T?  Can the TBX output a counter waveform? Do I need to use a CB-68LP or equivalent to get access to the signal? the TBX is very much what I have available right now, I'm aware it's a fairly specialised analogue in device, but the pinout details seem rather scant...

Anyone help?

Rob

[Kevin_Price]

This is just an educated guess after consulting the image I found here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/National-Instruments-TBX-68T-Isothermal-Terminal-Block-for-NI-PCI-4351-USB-4...

For many NI devices, at least some of the static unbuffered DIO pins can also map to counter tasks as PFI pins.  Any that I've seen map #'s directly as DIOx<-->PFIx.  Further, each counter routes its internal input and output pins to specific PFI pins by default.  On most devices, you can programmatically choose to route differently if you like.

You can either find docs that identify the default mapping, use trial and error to figure it out by testing each unbuffered DIO/PFI pin, or programmatically tell the counter to route its output to a specific desired DIO/PFI pin.

-Kevin P

[creativeimpulse]

Thanks Kevin,

I got my multimeter out this morning and tracked the pin from the 68 way across the board, ctr0out (68 way pin 2) seems to emerge at DIO6. However, when I put a scope probe on Pin 2 of the 68 way whilst running the test panel to ctr0, nothing. So it looks like I have no signal coming from the card, I'm not really clear if this is because the card is non functional, or the test panel doesn't work. The board passes it's self test.

Cheers

Rob

[creativeimpulse]

Hi Kevin,

Solved... I ran up the example from the DAQmx library in pace of the test panel, that has a DAQmx property config action that configures the output. When set to PFI8, ctr1 will come out on DIO4. Interestingly ctr0 didn't, no idea why but this solves my immediate problem. The documentation is lamentable...

Cheers

Rob

[Kevin_Price]

Glad you've got yourself a workaround, but am pretty surprised that the DIO #'s and PFI #'s don't correspond.  What device are you using?  The only time I used a TBX-68T was for a special-purpose temperature board that never got DAQmx support.

-Kevin P

[creativeimpulse]

Its an old PCI-6032E, via a 68 pin shielded cable into the TBX-68T.

[Kevin_Price · Accepted solution]

Dunno if it helps, but here's the manual for the board I used to use (PCI-4351). http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370841b.pdf

 Appendix B shows signal mapping between channel names and pin #'s.  Maybe you can cross reference with the similar info for your board?

-Kevin P

[creativeimpulse · Accepted solution]

Pages 64-66 are the business sir, thank you muchly!