Driver Software Lets DMM Digitize 1.8 Msamples/s

May 26, 2003
High-voltage isolated 6.5-digit multimeter demonstrates the power of virtual instrumentation.

Engineers can operate National Instruments' 6.5-digit FlexDMM digital multimeter (DMM) as a 1.8-Msample/s high-voltage digitizer and accelerate measurement speed by 100% using the DMM2.1 driver software. Designed for NI's PXI-4070 FlexDMM, it can acquire ac- and dc-coupled waveforms up to 300 V (425 V ac peak).

By combining NI's LabView software with the FlexDMM's isolated digitizer mode, engineers can analyze transients, flyback signals, and other nonrepetitive high-voltage ac waveforms in the time and frequency domains. Productivity is improved by using the DMM2.1 simulation mode to create test applications without the FlexDMM hardware in the test configuration. The software provides external calibration procedures and functions for fully calibrating the FlexDMM in onsite calibration and metrology facilities.

DMM2.1 driver software, which ships with the FlexDMM, is optimized for use in NI's LabView, LabWindows/CVI, Visual Basic, and Visual C++. Engineers can measure thousands of channels consisting of voltages, thermocouples, and resistance-temperature detectors (RTDs) by seamlessly integrating the FlexDMM with NI's switches and Switch Executive switch-management software.

FlexDMM users can download and install DMM2.1 as a free upgrade at http://volt.ni.com/niwc/pxi/4070.jsp. The PXI 4070 FlexDMM, priced at $1995, is available within 10 days.

National Instrumentswww.ni.com (800) 258-7022

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About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.

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