National Instruments Portable Generator NI PXI 5422 User Manual

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE  
NI PXI-5422  
This document contains step-by-step instructions for writing a calibration  
Calibration Procedures in C...................................................... 12  
Verifying NI PXI-5422 Specifications ............................................ 13  
Verifying the Oscillator Frequency Accuracy.......................... 15  
Verifying the DC Gain and Offset Accuracy ........................... 17  
Adjusting the NI PXI-5422.............................................................. 31  
Initializing the External Calibration Session............................ 35  
 
What Is Calibration?  
Calibration consists of verifying the output accuracy of a device and  
correcting for any output error. Verification is measuring the performance  
of a device and comparing the results to the specifications of the device.  
NI calibrates every NI PXI-5422 at the factory. During the factory  
calibration process, the calibration constants are stored in an onboard  
EEPROM. These values are loaded from this EEPROM and used as needed  
by the NI PXI-5422.  
The NI PXI-5422 supports two types of calibration: self-calibration (or  
internal calibration) and external calibration.  
Self-Calibration  
Self-calibration, also known as internal calibration, uses a software  
command and requires no external connections. Self-calibration improves  
output accuracy by compensating for variables, such as temperature and  
time, that may have changed since the last external calibration.  
Self-calibration retains the traceability of the external calibration.  
External Calibration  
External calibration is generally performed at either NI or a metrology lab.  
This procedure replaces all calibration constants in the EEPROM and is  
equivalent to a factory calibration at NI. Because the external calibration  
procedure changes all EEPROM constants, it invalidates the original  
calibration certificate. If an external calibration is done with a traceable  
instrument, a new calibration certificate can be issued.  
Why Should You Calibrate?  
The accuracy of electronic components drifts with time and temperature,  
which can affect output accuracy as a device ages. Calibration verifies  
that the NI PXI-5422 still meets its specified accuracy and NI standards. If  
adjustments are necessary, calibration makes the adjustments to restore  
the accuracy.  
How Often Should You Calibrate?  
Self-calibration can be performed as necessary to compensate for  
environmental changes.  
Caution Although you can use self-calibration repeatedly, self-calibrating the  
NI PXI-5422 more than a few times a day may cause excessive wear on the relays over  
time.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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The output accuracy requirements of your application determine how often  
you should externally calibrate the NI PXI-5422. NI recommends that you  
perform a complete external calibration at least once every two years.  
You can shorten this interval based on the accuracy demands of your  
application. Refer to the External Calibration Options section for more  
information.  
Software and Documentation Requirements  
This section describes the software and documentation required for both  
self-calibration and external calibration.  
Software  
Calibrating the NI PXI-5422 requires installing NI-FGEN version 2.2 or  
later on the calibration system. You can download NI-FGEN from the  
Instrument Driver Network at ni.com/idnet. NI-FGEN supports  
programming the Self-Calibration Procedures and the External  
Calibration Procedures in the LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and C  
application development environments (ADEs). When you install  
NI-FGEN, you only need to install support for the ADE that you intend to  
use.  
NI-FGEN 2.2 or later includes all the functions and attributes necessary for  
calibrating the NI PXI-5422. For LabWindows/CVI, the NI-FGEN  
function panel (niFgen.fp) provides help about the functions available.  
LabVIEW support is in the niFgen.llbfile, and all calibration functions  
appear in the function palette.  
Calibration functions are C function calls or LabVIEW VIs in NI-FGEN.  
In this document, the C function call is shown first, followed by the  
corresponding LabVIEW VI, or NI-FGEN LabVIEW property node,  
in parentheses. The C function calls are valid for any compiler capable of  
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calling a 32-bit DLL. Many of the functions use constants defined in the  
niFgen.hfile. To use these constants in C, you must include niFgen.h  
in your code when you write the calibration procedure. Refer to Table 1  
for file locations.  
Table 1. Calibration File Locations  
File Name and Location  
Description  
IVI\Bin\niFgen_32.dll  
The NI-FGEN library, which provides the  
functionality for calibrating the  
NI PXI-5422.  
IVI\Lib\msc\niFgen.lib  
Allows you to create applications that call  
functions in the niFgen_32.dll:  
For Microsoft Visual C/C++, link to  
msc\niFgen.lib.  
For LabWindows/CVI, link to the library  
appropriate to your current compatibility  
mode (mscfor Microsoft Visual C/C++).  
IVI\Include\niFgen.h  
A header file for the accessible functions in  
the niFgen_32.dll. You must include this  
file in any C code that you write to call these  
functions.  
<LabVIEW>\instr.lib\niFgen\niFgen.llb Contains VIs that correspond to the functions  
(LabVIEW)  
IVI\Drivers\niFgen\niFgen.fp  
Contains the function panels for the function  
(CVI)  
in the niFgen32.dll.  
The calibration process is described in the Self-Calibration Procedures and  
the External Calibration Procedures sections, including step-by-step  
instructions on calling the appropriate calibration functions.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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Documentation  
For information about NI-FGEN and the NI PXI-5422, you may find the  
following documents helpful:  
NI Signal Generators Getting Started Guide  
NI Signal Generators Help  
NI PXI-5422 Specifications  
NI-FGEN Instrument Driver Quick Reference Guide  
The NI Signal Generators Getting Started Guide provides instructions for  
installing and configuring NI signal generators.  
The NI Signal Generators Help includes detailed information about  
the NI PXI-5422 and the NI-FGEN functions. You can access this help file  
by selecting Start»Programs»National Instruments»NI-FGEN»  
Documentation»NI Signal Generators Help. For the latest versions  
of NI documentation, refer to ni.com/manuals.  
Self-Calibration Procedures  
The NI PXI-5422 is capable of performing self-calibration, which adjusts  
the gain and offset of the main and direct analog paths. Self-calibration  
exclusively uses an onboard A/D converter (ADC) to measure the output  
voltage. You can implement self-calibration on the NI PXI-5422 by  
following procedures similar to the Verifying the DC Gain and Offset  
Accuracy and the Adjusting the Analog Output procedures. However,  
output impedance, oscillator frequency, and the calibration ADC cannot be  
adjusted during self-calibration.  
You can initiate self-calibration interactively from Measurement &  
Automation Explorer (MAX) or from the FGEN Soft Front Panel (SFP).  
Alternately, you can initiate self-calibration programmatically using  
NI-FGEN.  
MAX  
To initiate self-calibration from MAX, complete the following steps:  
1. Launch MAX.  
2. Select My System»Devices and Interfaces»NI-DAQmx Devices.  
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3. Select the device that you want to calibrate.  
4. Initiate self-calibration in one of the following ways:  
Click Self-Calibrate in the upper right corner.  
Right-click the device name under Devices and Interfaces,  
and select Self-Calibrate from the drop-down menu.  
FGEN Soft Front Panel  
To initiate self-calibration from the FGEN SFP, complete the following  
steps:  
1. Select the device that you want to calibrate using the Device  
Configuration dialog box (Edit»Device Configuration).  
2. Open the Calibration dialog box (Utility»Calibration).  
3. Click Perform self-calibration.  
NI-FGEN  
To self-calibrate the NI PXI-5422 programmatically using NI-FGEN,  
complete the following steps:  
1. Call niFgen_init(niFgen Initialize VI) to open an NI-FGEN session  
using the following parameters:  
resourceName: The name of the device that you want to calibrate.  
You can find this name under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.  
IDQuery: VI_TRUE  
resetDevice: VI_TRUE  
vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference  
through this parameter receives the value that identifies the  
session created by this function. This value acts as the session  
handle and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent  
NI-FGEN functions.  
2. Call niFgen_SelfCal(niFgen Self Cal VI) using the following  
parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
3. Call niFgen_close(niFgen Close VI) to close the NI-FGEN session  
using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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External Calibration Options  
External calibration involves both verification and adjustment. Verification  
is the process of testing the device to ensure that the output accuracy is  
within certain specifications. You can use verification to ensure that the  
adjustment process was successful or to determine if the adjustment  
process needs to be performed.  
Adjustment is the process of measuring and compensating for device  
performance to improve the output accuracy. Performing an adjustment  
updates the calibration date, resetting the calibration interval. The device is  
guaranteed to meet or exceed its published specifications for the duration  
of the calibration interval.  
This document provides two sets of test limits for most verification stages,  
the calibration test limits and the published specifications. The calibration  
test limits are more restrictive than the published specifications. If all of  
the output errors determined during verification fall within the calibration  
test limits, the device is guaranteed to meet or exceed its published  
specifications for a full calibration interval (two years). For this reason,  
you must verify against the calibration test limits when performing  
verification after adjustment.  
If all of the output errors determined during verification fall within the  
published specifications, but not within the calibration test limits, the  
device meets its published specifications. However, the device may not  
remain within these specifications for another two years. The device will  
meet published specifications for the rest of the current calibration interval.  
In this case, you can perform an adjustment if you want to improve  
the output accuracy or reset the calibration interval. If some output  
errors determined during verification do not fall within the published  
specifications, you must perform an adjustment to restore the device  
operation to its published specifications.  
The Complete Calibration section describes the recommended  
calibration procedure. The Optional Calibration section describes  
alternate procedures that allow you to skip adjustment if the device  
already meets its calibration test limits or published specifications.  
Complete Calibration  
Performing a complete calibration is the recommended way to guarantee  
that the NI PXI-5422 meets or exceeds its published specifications for a  
two-year calibration interval. At the end of the complete calibration  
procedure, you verify that the output error falls within the calibration test  
limits. Figure 1 shows the programming flow for complete calibration.  
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Self-Calibrate  
Document  
Pre-Adjustment  
Results  
Verify  
Adjust  
(Cal Dates and  
Temperatures  
Updated)  
Document  
Post-Adjustment  
Results  
Verify  
Meets  
Calibration  
Test Limits?  
Yes  
No  
Review  
Verification/  
Adjustment  
Procedure or  
Return Device  
Calibration/  
Verification  
Complete  
Figure 1. Complete Calibration Programming Flow  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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Optional Calibration  
You can choose to skip the adjustment steps of the calibration procedure  
if the output error is within the calibration test limits or the published  
specifications during the first verification. If all of the output errors  
determined during the first verification fall within the calibration test  
limits, the device is guaranteed to meet or exceed its published  
specifications for a full calibration interval. In this case, you can update  
the calibration date, effectively resetting the calibration interval, without  
actually performing an adjustment. Refer to the Adjusting the NI PXI-5422  
section for more information.  
If all of the output errors determined during the first verification fall within  
the published specifications, but not within the calibration test limits,  
adjustment is also optional. However, you cannot update the calibration  
date because the device will not necessarily operate within the published  
specifications for an additional two years.  
Note Regardless of the results of the first verification, if you choose to perform an  
adjustment you must verify that the output error falls within the calibration test limits  
at the end of the calibration procedure.  
Figure 2 shows the programming flow for the optional calibration.  
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Self-Calibrate  
Verify  
Document  
Pre-Adjustment  
Results  
Meets  
Calibration  
Test Limits?  
Yes  
No  
Meets  
Published  
Yes  
No  
Specifications?  
Results  
Within  
Published Specs  
(Adjustment  
Optional)  
Update Calibration  
Dates and  
Temperatures  
Without Adjusting  
Adjust  
(Cal Dates and  
Temperatures  
Updated)  
Adjust  
Anyway?  
No  
Yes  
Document  
Post-Adjustment  
Results  
Verify  
Meets  
Calibration  
Test Limits?  
Calibration/  
Verification  
Complete  
Yes  
No  
Review  
Verification/  
Adjustment  
Procedure or  
Return Device  
Figure 2. Optional Calibration Programming Flow  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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External Calibration Requirements  
This section describes the test equipment and test conditions required for  
calibration.  
Test Equipment  
External calibration requires different equipment for each applicable  
specification. Refer to Table 2 for a list of equipment.  
Table 2. Equipment Required for Calibrating the NI PXI-5422  
Applicable  
Specification  
Minimum  
Specifications  
Recommended  
Instrument  
Instrument  
Digital multimeter  
(DMM)  
DC gain and offset DC accuracy 50 ppm NI PXI-4070  
Resolution 1 µV  
Agilent HP 34401A  
Keithley 2000  
Male banana to  
female BNC adapter  
Male BNC to  
female SMB cable  
50 Ω, RG-223  
Spectrum analyzer or  
frequency meter  
Frequency accuracy Ability to measure  
10 MHz or higher  
NI PXI-5660  
Agilent HP 8560E  
sine waves  
Agilent HP 53131A  
or HP 53132A  
with timebase option  
001, 010, or 012  
Frequency accuracy  
to 500 ppb  
Male BNC to  
female SMB cable  
50 Ω, RG-223  
Test Conditions  
Follow these guidelines to optimize the connections and the environment  
during calibration:  
Keep connections to the NI PXI-5422 short.  
Keep relative humidity below 80%.  
Maintain a temperature between 18 °C and 28 °C.  
Observe the 15-minute warm-up time.  
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The complete external calibration procedure consists of self-calibrating,  
verifying the performance of the NI PXI-5422, adjusting the calibration  
constants, and verifying again after the adjustments. In some cases, the  
complete calibration procedure may not be required. Refer to the External  
Calibration Options section for more information.  
The external calibration procedure automatically stores the calibration date  
to allow traceability.  
Writing Your Calibration Procedure  
Before you begin to write your calibration program, review the  
programming flows in Figures 1 and 2.  
Calibration Procedures in LabVIEW  
To write calibration procedures in LabVIEW, you must use the  
VIs included in the niFgen.llbfile. After installation, these VIs  
appear within the NI-FGEN Calibration palette under Functions»  
Instrument I/O»Instruments Drivers»NI-FGEN»Calibration.  
Calibration Procedures in LabWindows/CVI  
To write calibration procedures in LabWindows/CVI, you must use the  
functions included in the niFgen.fpfile. After installation, you can locate  
the calibration functions under the Calibration class node.  
Calibration Procedures in C  
To write calibration procedures in C, you must include the niFgen.h  
file in the code that calls the calibration functions, and you must link  
the niFgen.libfile into the build of your executable.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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Verifying NI PXI-5422 Specifications  
Note Always self-calibrate the NI PXI-5422 before beginning a verification procedure.  
This section provides instructions for verifying the NI PXI-5422  
specifications. This section also includes instructions for updating the  
calibration cycle.  
Verification determines whether the device is performing within its  
specifications prior to external adjustment. Verification and external  
adjustment together comprise a complete calibration. To verify that the  
NI PXI-5422 still meets its specifications, you must use NI-FGEN to  
control the NI PXI-5422.  
The steps in the verification procedures describe the code that you use to  
generate the appropriate signals, as well as the NI-FGEN function calls  
that you make to verify specifications.  
You can verify the following specifications for the NI PXI-5422:  
Oscillator frequency accuracy  
DC gain and offset accuracy  
The verification procedure for each of these specifications includes setting  
up, programming, and cleaning up.  
Note If any of these tests fail immediately after you perform an external adjustment, verify  
that you have met the required test conditions before you return the NI PXI-5422 to NI for  
repair.  
Refer to Table 2 for information about which instrument to use for  
verifying each specification. Refer to Figure 3 for the names and locations  
of the NI PXI-5422 front panel connectors.  
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NI PXI-5422  
16-Bit 200 MS/s AWG  
ACCESS  
CH 0  
ACTIVE  
CLK  
IN  
PFI 0  
PFI 1  
Figure 3. NI PXI-5422 Front Panel Connectors  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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NI PXI-5422 Calibration Procedure  
 
Verifying the Oscillator Frequency Accuracy  
This test verifies the frequency accuracy of the oscillator on the  
NI PXI-5422. The verification involves generating a 10 MHz sine wave  
with the NI PXI-5422 and measuring the sine wave frequency with one of  
the instruments from Table 2.  
To verify the frequency accuracy of the oscillator on the NI PXI-5422,  
complete the following steps:  
1. Connect the NI PXI-5422 CH 0 front panel connector to the instrument  
measuring the frequency accuracy with a male BNC to female SMB  
cable.  
2. Call niFgen_init(niFgen Initialize VI) using the following  
parameters:  
resourceName: The name of the device that you want to verify.  
You can find this name under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.  
IDQuery: VI_TRUE  
resetDevice: VI_TRUE  
vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference  
through this parameter receives the value that identifies the  
session created by this function. This value acts as the session  
handle and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent  
NI-FGEN functions.  
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the sample rate  
(niFgen property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Sample Rate)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_SAMPLE_RATE  
value: 200000000  
4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the gain (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform  
Gain) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_GAIN  
value: 1  
Note You can adjust this value based on which measuring device you use.  
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5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the offset (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform  
Offset) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET  
value: 0  
Note You can adjust this value based on which measuring device you use.  
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto set the analog filter state  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Filter Enabled)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_FILTER_ENABLED  
value: VI_TRUE  
7. Generate an array of waveform samples. The waveform should have  
20 samples per cycle with a total of 500 samples. This configuration  
results in 25 sine wave cycles. Because you set the sample rate to 200  
MS/s and because you are using 20 samples per cycle, the resulting  
waveform is a 10 MHz sine wave.  
Note The sample values of this waveform must fall between –1.0 and 1.0.  
8. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform(niFgen Create Arbitrary  
Waveform VI) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform you created  
in step 7  
wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in  
step 7  
wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this  
parameter receives the value (waveform handle) that identifies  
the waveform created by this function.  
9. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
10. Measure the frequency out of the NI PXI-5422.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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A frequency error of 45 Hz for a 10 MHz signal corresponds to an  
error of 4.5 ppm. This limit accounts for the initial accuracy and the  
frequency deviation caused by temperature and aging. Refer to Table 3  
for frequency ranges.  
Table 3. Frequency Ranges  
Calibration Test Limit  
Published Specifications 25 ppm  
Low  
High  
Low  
High  
9,999,955 Hz  
10,000,045 Hz  
9,999,750 Hz  
10,000,250 Hz  
11. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI) to  
abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
12. Call niFgen_close(niFgen Close VI) to close the instrument  
driver session, to destroy the instrument driver session and all of  
its properties, and to release any memory resources NI-FGEN uses.  
Use the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
Verifying the DC Gain and Offset Accuracy  
This test verifies the DC gain and offset accuracy of the NI PXI-5422 into  
a high-impedance load by generating a number of DC voltages and offsets,  
measuring the voltage with a DMM, and comparing the NI PXI-5422 to the  
error limits.  
The DC gain and offset accuracy verification procedure has three  
sub-procedures that verify the following:  
Main analog path gain  
Main analog path offset  
Direct path gain  
Verifying the Main Analog Path Gain  
To verify the gain of the NI PXI-5422 main analog path, complete the  
following steps:  
1. Connect the NI PXI-5422 CH 0 front panel connector to the DMM for  
measuring DC gain and offset accuracy.  
2. Call niFgen_init(niFgen Initialize VI) using the following  
parameters:  
resourceName: The name of the device that you want to verify.  
You can find this name under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.  
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IDQuery: VI_TRUE  
resetDevice: VI_TRUE  
vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference  
through this parameter receives the value that identifies the  
session created by this function. This value acts as the session  
handle and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent  
NI-FGEN functions.  
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto set the analog filter state  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Filter Enabled)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_FILTER_ENABLED  
value: VI_FALSE  
4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the load impedance  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Load Impedance)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_LOAD_IMPEDANCE  
value: 10000000000  
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the analog path (niFgen  
property node: Output Attributes»Analog Path) using the following  
parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_PATH  
value: NIFGEN_VAL_MAIN_ANALOG_PATH  
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the output impedance  
(niFgen property node: Basic Operation»Output Impedance) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OUTPUT_IMPEDANCE  
value: 50  
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7. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto enable the analog output  
(niFgen property node: Basic Operation»Output Enabled) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OUTPUT_ENABLED  
value: VI_TRUE  
8. Create an array of waveform samples for the positive full-scale DC  
waveform. This array should contain 500 samples with each sample  
having the value 1.0(representation: double).  
9. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform(niFgen Create Arbitrary  
Waveform VI) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform you created  
in step 8  
wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in  
step 8  
wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this  
parameter receives the value (waveform handle) that identifies the  
waveform created by this function (positive full-scale handle).  
10. Create an array of waveform samples for the negative full-scale DC  
waveform. This array should contain 500 samples with each sample  
having the value –1.0(representation: double).  
11. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform(niFgen Create Arbitrary  
Waveform VI) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform that you  
created in step 10  
wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in  
step 10  
wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this  
parameter receives the value (waveform handle) that identifies the  
waveform created by this function (negative full-scale handle).  
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12. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the offset (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform  
Offset) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET  
value: 0  
13. Repeat steps 14 through 24 for each of the 24 iterations listed in  
Table 4, changing the Gain value for each iteration. You can use  
Table 4 to record the results of these steps.  
© National Instruments Corporation  
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© National Instruments Corporation  
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14. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the gain (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform  
Gain) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_GAIN  
value: The Gain value listed in Table 4 for the current iteration  
15. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to choose the positive  
full-scale DC waveform (niFgen property node: Arbitrary  
Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE  
value: The wfmHandle from step 9 (positive full-scale handle)  
16. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
17. Measure the DC voltage out of the NI PXI-5422. Record this value in  
the Measured Positive Full-Scale value column of Table 4.  
18. Subtract the Ideal Positive Full-Scale value from the Measured  
Positive Full-Scale value and record the result under Error Positive  
Full-Scale. The Error Positive Full-Scale value should be less than  
or equal to the limit you are using.  
19. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI) to  
abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
20. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to choose the negative  
full-scale DC waveform (niFgen property node: Arbitrary  
Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE  
value: The wfmHandle from step 11 (negative full-scale handle)  
21. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
22. Measure the DC voltage out of the NI PXI-5422. Record this value in  
the Measured Negative Full-Scale column of Table 4.  
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23. Subtract the Ideal Negative Full-Scale value from the Measured  
Negative Full-Scale value and record the result under Error Negative  
Full-Scale. The Error Negative Full-Scale value should be less than  
or equal to the limit you are using.  
24. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI) to  
abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
25. Return to step 14 until iterations are completed.  
26. Verify that both the Error Positive Full-Scale value and the Error  
Negative Full-Scale value are less than or equal to the limit you are  
using. If either of the errors is greater than the Calibration Test Limit  
or the Published Specification, perform an external adjustment.  
Verifying the Main Analog Path Offset  
To verify the offset of the NI PXI-5422 main analog path, complete the  
following steps:  
1. Create an array of waveform samples for the mid-scale DC waveform  
(0 VDC). This array should contain 500 samples with each sample  
having the value 0.0(representation: double).  
2. Call niFgen_CreateArbWaveform(niFgen Create Arbitrary  
Waveform VI) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
wfmSize: The size in samples (500) of the waveform that you  
created in step 1.  
wfmData: The array of waveform samples that you created in  
step 1.  
wfmHandle: The variable passed by reference through this  
parameter receives the value (waveform handle) that identifies  
the waveform created by this function (mid-scale handle).  
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to choose the mid-scale  
handle DC waveform (niFgen property node: Arbitrary Waveform  
Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle) using the following  
parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE  
value: The wfmHandle from step 2 (mid-scale handle)  
4. Repeat steps 5 through 15 for each of the 24 iterations listed in Table 5,  
changing the Ideal Positive Offset, Ideal Negative Offset, and Gain  
values for each iteration. You can use Table 5 to record the results of  
these steps.  
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NI PXI-5422 Calibration Procedure  
 
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the offset (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform  
Offset) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET  
value: The Ideal Positive Offset value listed in Table 5 for the  
current iteration  
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the gain (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform  
Gain) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_GAIN  
value: The Gain value listed in Table 5 for the current iteration  
7. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
8. Measure the positive DC voltage out of the NI PXI-5422. Record the  
positive DC voltage out measurement in the Measured Positive  
Offset column of Table 5.  
9. Subtract the Ideal Positive Offset from the Measured Positive Offset  
and record the result under Error Positive Offset. The Error Positive  
Offset should be less than or equal to the limit you are using.  
10. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI) to  
abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
11. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the offset (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary  
Waveform Offset) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET  
value: The Ideal Negative Offset value listed in Table 5 for the  
current iteration  
12. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
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13. Measure the negative DC voltage out of the NI PXI-5422. Record  
negative DC voltage out measurement in the Measured Negative Offset  
column of Table 5.  
14. Subtract the Ideal Negative Offset from the Measured Negative Offset  
and record the result under Error Negative Offset. The Error Negative  
Offset should be less than or equal to the limit you are using.  
15. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI) to  
abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
16. Return to step 5 until all iterations are completed.  
17. Verify that all errors are less than or equal to the limit you are using.  
If any of the errors are greater than the Calibration Test Limit or the  
Published Specification, perform an external adjustment.  
Verifying the Gain of the Direct Path  
To verify the gain of the NI PXI-5422 Direct path, complete the following  
steps:  
Note The offset is not adjustable for the Direct path.  
1. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the offset (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary  
Waveform Offset) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_OFFSET  
value: 0  
2. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the analog path (niFgen  
property node: Output Attributes»Analog Path) using the following  
parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_PATH  
value: NIFGEN_VAL_DIRECT_ANALOG_PATH  
3. Repeat steps 4 through 15 for each of the seven iterations listed  
in Table 6, changing the Gain value for each iteration. You can use  
Table 6 to record the results of these steps.  
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4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the gain (niFgen  
property node: Arbitrary Waveform Output»Arbitrary  
Waveform Gain) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_GAIN  
value: The Gain value listed in Table 6 for the current iteration  
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to choose the positive  
full-scale DC waveform (niFgen property node: Arbitrary  
Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle) using  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE  
value: The wfmHandle from step 9 of the Verifying the Main  
Analog Path Gain section (positive full-scale handle)  
6. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
7. Measure the positive DC voltage out of the NI PXI-5422. Record the  
positive DC voltage out measurement in the Measured Positive  
Full-Scale Value column of Table 6.  
8. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI)  
to abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
9. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to choose the negative  
full-scale DC waveform (niFgen property node: Arbitrary  
Waveform Output»Arbitrary Waveform Handle) using  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ARB_WAVEFORM_HANDLE  
value: The wfmHandle from step 11 of the Verifying the Main  
Analog Path Gain section (negative full-scale handle)  
10. Call niFgen_InitiateGeneration(niFgen Initiate Generation VI)  
to initiate the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
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NI PXI-5422 Calibration Procedure  
 
 
11. Measure the negative DC voltage out of the NI PXI-5422. Record the  
negative DC voltage out measurement in the Measured Negative  
Full-Scale Value column of Table 6.  
12. Call niFgen_AbortGeneration(niFgen Abort Generation VI) to  
abort the waveform generation using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
13. Average the Measured Positive Full-Scale Value and Measured  
Negative Full-Scale Value to calculate the Offset.  
14. Verify that the Offset is less than or equal to the Offset Limit listed in  
Table 6 for the current iteration.  
15. Subtract the Offset and the Ideal Full-Scale Value from the Measured  
Full-Scale Value to get the Error Full-Scale Value for both the positive  
and negative settings, respectively.  
16. Return to step 4 until all iterations are completed.  
17. Verify that these errors are less than or equal to the limits you are using.  
If any of the errors are greater than the Calibration Test Limit or the  
Published Specification, perform an external adjustment.  
18. Call niFgen_close(niFgen Close VI) to close the instrument driver  
session, to destroy the instrument driver session and all of its  
properties, and to release any memory resources that NI-FGEN  
uses. Use the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_init  
Adjusting the NI PXI-5422  
If the NI PXI-5422 successfully passes all verification within the  
calibration test limits, adjustment is recommended, but not required, to  
guarantee its published specifications for the next two years. If the  
NI PXI-5422 was not within the calibration test limits for each verification  
procedure, perform the adjustment procedure to improve the accuracy of  
the NI PXI-5422. Refer to the External Calibration Options section to  
determine which procedures to perform.  
An adjustment is required only once every two years. The adjustment  
procedure automatically updates the calibration date and temperature in  
the EEPROM of the NI PXI-5422.  
If the NI PXI-5422 passed verification within the calibration test limits and  
you do not want to do an adjustment, you can update the calibration date  
and onboard calibration temperature without making any adjustments by  
completing the following steps:  
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1. Call niFgen_InitExtCal(niFgen Init Ext Cal VI) to open an  
NI-FGEN external calibration session using the following parameters:  
resourceName: The name of the device you want to calibrate.  
This name can be found under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.  
password: The password required to open an external  
calibration session. If this password has not been changed  
since manufacturing, the password is NI.  
vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference  
through this parameter receives the value that identifies the  
external calibration session created by this function. This value  
acts as the session handle and is passed as the first parameter to  
all subsequent NI-FGEN functions.  
2. Call niFgen_CloseExtCal(niFgen Close Ext Cal VI) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
action: NIFGEN_VAL_EXT_CAL_COMMIT  
The external calibration procedure adjusts the analog output, the oscillator  
frequency, and the calibration ADC. Analog output adjustment  
characterizes the DC gains and the offsets of the analog path to ensure  
the analog output voltage accuracy. Adjusting the oscillator frequency  
adjusts the onboard oscillator to ensure frequency accuracy. Calibration  
ADC adjustment characterizes the onboard ADC gain and offset so that  
self-calibration results in an accurately calibrated device.  
You cannot perform an external calibration using a standard NI-FGEN  
session. You must create an external calibration session using  
niFgen_InitExtCal(niFgen Init Ext Cal VI). An external calibration  
session allows you to use NI-FGEN functions and attributes that are  
specifically for external calibration, while still allowing you to use all  
the standard NI-FGEN functions and attributes with the external calibration  
session.  
Along with the standard NI-FGEN attributes, the external calibration  
session uses a set of calibration constants that are determined during the  
calibration procedure and stored in the device onboard memory when  
the session is closed. NI-FGEN uses these calibration constants during  
a standard NI-FGEN session to ensure that the device operates within its  
specifications.  
You must close an external calibration session by using  
niFgen_CloseExtCal(niFgen Close Ext Cal VI), as shown in Figure 4.  
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NI PXI-5422 Calibration Procedure  
 
Initialize Ext Cal Session  
Initialize Analog Output Calibration  
Adjust Main Path Pre-Amp Offset  
Adjust Main Path Pre-Amp Gain  
Adjust Main Path Post-Amp  
Gain and Offset  
Adjust Direct Path Gain  
Initialize Oscillator  
Frequency Calibration  
Adjust Oscillator Frequency  
Initialize Calibration  
ADC Calibration  
Adjust Calibration ADC  
Close Ext Cal Session  
Figure 4. NI PXI-5422 External Calibration Procedure  
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Initializing the External Calibration Session  
Call niFgen_InitExtCal(niFgen Init Ext Cal VI) to open an NI-FGEN  
external calibration session using the following parameters:  
resourceName: The name of the device you want to calibrate.  
This name can be found under Devices and Interfaces in MAX.  
password: The password required to open an external calibration  
session. If this password has not been changed since manufacturing,  
the password is NI.  
vi: A pointer to a ViSession. The variable passed by reference through  
this parameter receives the value that identifies the external calibration  
session created by this function. This value acts as the session handle  
and is passed as the first parameter to all subsequent NI-FGEN  
functions.  
Adjusting the Analog Output  
The analog output adjustment procedure has several sub-procedures that  
adjust the following:  
Main path pre-amplifier offset  
Main path pre-amplifier gain  
Main path post-amplifier gain and offset  
Direct path gain  
In each of these sub-procedures, you put the device in several  
configurations and take several output measurements. You then pass  
these measurements to NI-FGEN, which determines the calibration  
constants for the device.  
Initializing Analog Output Calibration  
1. Call niFgen_InitializeAnalogOutputCalibration(niFgen  
Initialize Analog Output Calibration VI) using the following  
parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
2. Call niFgen_WriteBinary16AnalogStaticValue(niFgen Write  
Binary 16 Analog Static Value VI) to set the main DAC value using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
value: 0  
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3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the analog path value  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Path) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_PATH  
value: NIFGEN_VAL_FIXED_LOW_GAIN_ANALOG_PATH  
4. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the gain DAC value  
(niFgen property node: Calibration»Gain DAC Value) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_GAIN_DAC_VALUE  
value: 2000  
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the offset DAC value  
(niFgen property node: Calibration»Offset DAC Value) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OFFSET_DAC_VALUE  
value: 32767  
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto set the analog filter state  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Filter Enabled)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_FILTER_ENABLED  
value: VI_FALSE  
7. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the pre-amplifier  
attenuation (niFgen property node: Calibration»Pre-Amplifier  
Attenuation) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_PRE_AMPLIFIER_ATTENUATION  
value: 0  
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8. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the post-amplifier  
attenuation (niFgen property node: Calibration»Post-Amplifier  
Attenuation) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_POST_AMPLIFIER_ATTENUATION  
value: 0  
9. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the output impedance  
(niFgen property node: Basic Operation»Output Impedance) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OUTPUT_IMPEDANCE  
value: 50  
10. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto enable the analog output  
(niFgen property node: Basic Operation»Output Enabled) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OUTPUT_ENABLED  
value: VI_TRUE  
11. Call niFgen_Commit(niFgen Commit VI) to commit the attribute  
values to the device using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
Adjusting the Main Path Pre-Amplifier Offset  
1. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the analog path value  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Path) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_PATH  
value: NIFGEN_VAL_FIXED_LOW_GAIN_ANALOG_PATH  
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2. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the post-amplifier  
attenuation (niFgen property node: Calibration»Post-Amplifier  
Attenuation) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_POST_AMPLIFIER_ATTENUATION  
value: 0  
3. Call niFgen_WriteBinary16AnalogStaticValue(niFgen Write  
Binary 16 Analog Static Value VI) to set the main DAC value using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
value: 0  
4. Repeat steps 5 through 8 for each of the 10 iterations listed in Table 7,  
changing the Analog Filter Enable, Pre-Amplifier Attenuation, and  
Current Configuration values for each iteration.  
Table 7. Attributes and Values for Main Path Pre-Amplifier Offset  
Analog Filter  
Pre-Amplifier  
Attenuation  
Iteration  
Enable  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
Current Configuration  
1
2
0
3
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_0DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_3DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_6DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_9DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_12DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_0DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_3DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_6DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_9DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_12DB  
3
6
4
9
5
12  
0
6
7
3
8
6
9
9
10  
12  
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5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto set the analog filter state  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Filter Enabled)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_FILTER_ENABLED  
value: The Analog Filter Enable value for the current iteration  
from Table 7.  
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the pre-amplifier  
attenuation (niFgen property node: Calibration»Pre-Amplifier  
Attenuation) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_PRE_AMPLIFIER_ATTENUATION  
value: The Pre-Amplifier Attenuation value for the current  
iteration from Table 7.  
7. Take the following voltage measurements at the NI PXI-5422 CH 0  
front panel connector into a high-impedance load:  
a. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the gain DAC value  
(niFgen property node: Calibration»Gain DAC Value) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_GAIN_DAC_VALUE  
value: 2000  
b. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the offset DAC  
value (niFgen property node: Calibration»Offset DAC Value)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OFFSET_DAC_VALUE  
value: 50000  
c. Call niFgen_Commit(niFgen Commit VI) to commit the  
attribute values to the device using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
d. Wait 500 ms for the output to settle.  
e. Use the DMM to measure the voltage output by the device. This  
measurement is measurement0, which is used in step 8.  
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f. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the gain DAC value  
(niFgen property node: Calibration»Gain DAC Value) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_GAIN_DAC_VALUE  
value: 1000  
g. Call niFgen_Commit(niFgen Commit VI) to commit the  
attribute values to the device using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
h. Wait 500 ms for the output to settle.  
i. Use the DMM to measure the voltage output by the device. This  
measurement is measurement 1, which is used in step 8.  
j. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the offset DAC  
value (niFgen property node: Calibration»Offset DAC Value)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OFFSET_DAC_VALUE  
value: 15000  
k. Call niFgen_Commit(niFgen Commit VI) to commit the  
attribute values to the device using the following parameter:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
l. Wait 500 ms for the output to settle.  
m. Use the DMM to measure the voltage output of the device. This  
measurement is measurement 2, which is used in step 8.  
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8. Call niFgen_CalAdjustMainPathPreAmpOffset(niFgen Cal  
Adjust Main Path Pre Amp Offset VI) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
configuration: The Current Configuration value for the current  
iteration from Table 7.  
gainDACValues: An array containing two elements—the two  
values (2000, 1000) that you set as the gain DAC in the order that  
you measured them.  
offsetDACValues: An array containing two elements—the two  
values (50000, 15000) that you set as the offset DAC in the order  
that you measured them.  
measuredOutputs: An array containing three elements—the  
three output voltages (measurement 0, measurement 1,  
measurement 2) that you measured in the order that you  
measured them.  
Adjusting the Main Path Pre-Amplifier Gain  
1. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the analog path value  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Path) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_PATH  
value: NIFGEN_VAL_FIXED_LOW_GAIN_ANALOG_PATH  
2. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the post-amplifier  
attenuation (niFgen property node: Calibration»Post-Amplifier  
Attenuation) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_POST_AMPLIFIER_ATTENUATION  
value: 0  
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NI PXI-5422 Calibration Procedure  
 
 
3. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the offset DAC value  
(niFgen property node: Calibration»Offset DAC Value) using the  
following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_OFFSET_DAC_VALUE  
value: 32000  
4. Repeat steps 5 through 8 for each of the 10 iterations listed in Table 8,  
changing the Analog Filter Enable, Pre-Amplifier Attenuation, and  
Current Configuration values for each iteration.  
Table 8. Attributes and Values for Main Path Pre-Amplifier Gain  
Analog Filter  
Pre-Amplifier  
Attenuation  
Iteration  
Enable  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_FALSE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
VI_TRUE  
Current Configuration  
1
2
0
3
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_0DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_3DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_6DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_9DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_OFF_12DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_0DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_3DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_6DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_9DB  
NIFGEN_VAL_CAL_CONFIG_MAIN_PATH_FILTER_ON_12DB  
3
6
4
9
5
12  
0
6
7
3
8
6
9
9
10  
12  
5. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViBooleanto set the analog filter state  
(niFgen property node: Output Attributes»Analog Filter Enabled)  
using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_ANALOG_FILTER_ENABLED  
value: The Analog Filter Enable value for the current iteration  
from Table 8.  
NI PXI-5422 Calibration Procedure  
42  
ni.com  
 
   
6. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViReal64to set the pre-amplifier  
attenuation (niFgen property node: Calibration»Pre-Amplifier  
Attenuation) using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_PRE_AMPLIFIER_ATTENUATION  
value: The Pre-Amplifier Attenuation value for the current  
iteration from Table 8.  
7. Take the following voltage measurements at the NI PXI-5422 CH 0  
front panel connector into a high-impedance load:  
a. Call niFgen_SetAttributeViInt32to set the gain DAC value  
(niFgen property node: Calibration»Gain DAC Value) using  
the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"  
attributeID: NIFGEN_ATTR_GAIN_DAC_VALUE  
value: 1500  
b. Call niFgen_WriteBinary16AnalogStaticValue(niFgen  
Write Binary 16 Analog Static Value VI) to set the main DAC  
value using the following parameters:  
vi: The session handle returned from niFgen_InitExtCal  
channelName: "0"