LabJack U12 User Manual

Published on LabJack (http://labjack.com)
U12 User's Guide
The complete manual for the LabJack U12. To make a PDF of the whole manual, click "Export All" towards the upper-right of this
page. If you are looking at a PDF or hardcopy, realize that the original is an online document at
http://labjack.com/support/u12/users-guide.
User's Guide
1 - Installation
The LabJack U12 requires a PC running Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP. To determine your operating system version, go to:
Start => Settings => Control Panel => System => General
and make sure the version number is 4.10.2222 or higher (Win98SE=4.10.2222, WinME=4.90.3000, Win2000=5.0.2195,
WinXP=5.1.XXXX).
It does not matter if the hardware or software is installed first.
If you experience installation problems on Windows 98 Second Edition, before contacting us, please go the Windows 98 Second
Edition support page.
1.1 - Hardware Installation
With the PC on and using the included cable, connect the LabJack U12 to the USB port on the PC or USB hub. The USB cable
provides power and communication for the LabJack U12. The status LED should immediately blink 4 times (at about 4 Hz), and
then stay off while the LabJack enumerates.
Enumeration is the process where the PC’s operating system gathers information from a USB device that describes it and it’s
capabilities. The low-level drivers for the LabJack U12 come with Windows and enumeration will proceed automatically. The first
time a device is enumerated on a particular PC, it can take a minute or two, and Windows might prompt you about installing
drivers. Accept all the defaults at the Windows prompts, and reboot the PC if asked to do so. The Windows Installation CD might
also be needed at this point. Make sure a CD with the correct version of Windows is provided. Enumeration occurs whenever the
USB cable is connected, and only takes a few seconds after the first time.
When enumeration is complete, the LED will blink twice and remain on. This means Windows has enumerated the LabJack
properly.
If the LabJack fails to enumerate:
Make sure you are running Windows OS version 4.10.2222 or higher,
Try connecting the LabJack to another PC,
Try connecting a different USB device to the PC,
Check our online forum and/or contact LabJack.
1.2 - Software Installation
Although, the low-level USB drivers for the LabJack are included with Windows, high-level drivers are needed to send and receive
data. Get started by going to labjack.com/support/u12.
When the LabJack installation is finished, it will start the National Instruments LabVIEW Run-Time Engine (LVRTE) setup. The
LVRTE is required for the example applications such as LJtest. If prompted to reboot after this installation, go ahead and do so.
Virus scanners can often interfere with the installation of the LVRTE. If you have trouble running the example applications, repeat
the LabJack software installation to make sure the LVRTE is installed.
To test the installation, start LJtest by selecting
1

LabJack U12 Specifications

General

Brand	LabJack
Model	U12
Category	Computer Accessories
Language	English

Summary

1 - Installation

1.1 - Hardware Installation

Covers the physical connection and enumeration process of the LabJack U12 to a PC via USB.

1.2 - Software Installation

Details the steps for installing the necessary software and drivers for the LabJack U12.

2 - Hardware Description

2.1 - A10-A17

Describes the eight analog input channels (A10-A17) of the LabJack U12, their configuration, and specifications.

2.2 - AO0 & AO1

Explains the two analog output channels (AO0 & AO1) of the LabJack U12, their resolution and voltage output.

2.3 - IO0-IO3

2.4 - D0-D15

3 - Example Applications

3.1 - LJconfig

3.4 - LJlogger

Details LJlogger, used for saving data to disk, logging to HTML, and performing actions on trigger events.

3.5 - LJscope

Describes LJscope, which simulates an oscilloscope by reading analog input channels in burst mode.

3.6 - LJstream

3.7 - LJtest

Details LJtest, a utility for running a sequence of diagnostic tests on the LabJack U12 itself.

4 - Programming Reference

4.1 - EAnalogin

Details the EAnalogIn function for reading a single analog input voltage, including its parameters and return values.

4.2 - EAnalogOut

Explains the EAnalogOut function for setting the voltage of analog outputs AO0 and AO1, including parameters.

4.3 - ECount

Describes the ECount function for reading and resetting the counter (CNT), including parameters and outputs.

4.4 - EDigitalln

Details the EDigitalln function for reading the state of a single digital input, including its parameters.

4.5 - EDigitalOut

Explains the EDigitalOut function for setting the state of a single digital output, including parameters.

4.6 - AlSample

Describes the AlSample function for reading multiple analog inputs and controlling IO ports, including parameters.

4.7 - AlBurst

Details the AlBurst function for acquiring multiple scans at a specified rate from analog inputs.

4.8 - AIStreamStart

Explains the AIStreamStart function for initiating hardware-timed continuous data acquisition.

4.9 - AIStreamRead

Describes the AIStreamRead function for retrieving data from the stream buffer after AIStreamStart.

4.10 - AIStreamClear

Details the AIStreamClear function for stopping continuous acquisition initiated by AIStreamStart.

4.11 - AOUpdate

Explains the AOUpdate function for setting analog output voltages and controlling digital I/O.

4.12 - AsynchConfig

4.13 - Asynch

4.14 - BitsToVolts

4.15 - VoltsToBits

4.16 - Counter

4.17 - Digitallo

Details the Digitallo function for reading and writing to all 20 digital I/O.

4.25 - PulseOut

4.31 - SHT1X

4.32 - SHTComm

4.34 - Synch

4.35 - Watchdog

5 - Low-Level Function Reference

5.1 - AlSample

Describes the low-level AlSample command for reading analog inputs and controlling IO.

5.2 - DIO

5.3 - Counter

5.4 - Counter/AO/DIO

5.5 - AlBurst

Details the AlBurst command for collecting multiple analog input channels at a specified data rate.

5.6 - AlContinuous

Explains the AlContinuous command for collecting analog input data at a continuous sample rate.

5.7 - Pulseout

5.10 - Watchdog

5.13 - Asynch

5.14 - SPI

5.15 - SHT1X

Appendix A - Specifications

General

+5 Volt Power Supply (+5V)

Analog Inputs (Al0 - A17)

Provides detailed specifications for the analog input channels, including range, resolution, and accuracy.

Analog Outputs (AO0 & AO1)

Lists specifications for the analog output channels, including voltage and current.

D

CNT