GPI The UNIVERSAL Way

 

DAD version 5.1d introduced a new way to install GPI devices. This method works for PCI and USB GPI devices in Windows 2000 and XP.

 

  1. Install the Instacal Software that was provided with the GPI card. If the software is not available, it can be downloaded at: http://www.computerboards.com/download.htm

     

  1. After the software has been installed, physically connect the USB GPI 8 to the workstation and power the USB device. 

 

 NOTE: If using a PCI GPI card, shut down the machine and install the card now. 

 

  1. Go to START > PROGRAMS > MEASUREMENT COMPUTING and run InstaCal. Select your board and run a test, the Relay Noise Test works great.

 

 NOTE: This MUST happen before DAD will see the USB device.

 

  1. Start up DAD. After DAD has loaded. Go to SETUP and select CFI & README. Open the workstation’s CFI file.

 

  1. Find the [EXTERNAL_DEVICES] section of the file and go to the line     REMOTE = 0.

Modify this line to: REMOTE=UNIVERSAL

NOTE: The line GPO_GPI=0 0 0 should be left as is. DAD will automatically fill in these values depending on the type / style of the GPI Device. 

 

  1. Save the changes and close the file. Hit the yellow REFRESH Button, then EXIT DAD. Once DAD has exited, reboot the PC.

 

To test the card, start DAD, open the LIBRARY, open the COMMAND window and type the line PULSE GPO 1 1000 and hit EXECUTE. This will send a relay from DAD to GPO 1. One should be able to hear a “click” on the unit itself when the relay opens, then closes.

 

 

 

 Other notes:  If a different unit has been plugged into a pre-configured DAD workstation, the application will say there is a unit on 0 and 1. One should delete the unit on 0 (select the unit and press the big red X). After doing this reboot the workstation. When the workstation reboots, go back into the application and Test a relay. Now DAD will talk to the new unit.