In addition to bug fixes, the following software changes have been made for this release
Counter Output
The Counter Output module has been enhanced to use Global variables for the two user-supplied parameters. Until this update, the Counter Output settings were fixed, and could not be changed at runtime. Users have requested the ability to change both the counter output frequency and duty cycle while the measurement is running. The update adds a button to the right of each parameter. Clicking the button displays a selection dialog that lists the 999 available global variables by name, in numeric order
While the measurement is running, the Counter module will periodically check the value of the selected global variables, and will update the counter output to use the new values.
Because the module uses global variables, rather than channel inputs, the counter output data stream change will lag the global variable change by one or more blocks.
To define a meaningful name for the global variable, go to the Options menu and select Global Variables and Settings->Define Global Variables. Double click on the global variable and enter a name in the dialog that appears.
The “unnamed” global variable can be used in the counter module, for example: ${VAR_1}
The “named” global variable can be used in the counter module, for example: ${FREQ}
Pulse Width Modulation of counter output signals can be supported as follows:
1. Add a Slider module and Write Global Variable module to the worksheet and connect the output of the Slider module to the input of a Write Global Variable module.
2. Open the Counter Output module and specify the global variable for the Frequency parameter.
3. When the worksheet is run, and the slider is adjusted, you will see a change in the frequency of the signal from the Output Module
Digital pattern triggering
Digital pattern triggering is supported by the USB-DIO32HS only. Other devices will not show digital pattern triggering as a supported trigger type.
The digital pattern trigger can be used to trigger digital input.
The Pattern parameter specifies the digital pattern that the trigger hardware will use. The Mask parameter allows digital bits that are not being acquired to still be used for triggering.
The acquisition will be triggered when the digital signal is Above/Below/Equal/Not Equal (as selected by the trigger sense parameter) the digital pattern.
Support for 32-bit DIO port
The TC-32 is the first device to support a 32-bit digital port. Since DASYLab modules can only support up to 16 bits, the 32-bit port on the TC-32, as well as the one on the expansion board, need to be treated as 2 16-bit modules in DASYLab.
When in Alarm mode, the bits of FirstPortB (and SecondPortB for the expansion board) that are alarm bits cannot be written to by an output module; however, they can be read by an input module.
Saving/loading worksheets
The new driver was tested to verify that it can successfully load worksheets created with earlier drivers. However, worksheets created with this driver cannot be loaded successfully with earlier drivers, because the data structure for the Counter Output module has been extended.
Installer and Package
The MCC-DRV 13.4 update installer works the same as the previous installer, 13.3.
·The package cannot be enabled at the same time as the old MCC-DAQ driver (Classic). If an earlier version of this package is enabled, it will be disabled and uninstalled prior to running the installer.
·The MSI installer included with the Configurator package will not create an Add/Remove Programs (Programs and Features) entry. It can only be uninstalled by disabling the package in the Configurator.
·When disabling the package, the uninstall is silent, with no dialog boxes. As a result, it is much faster.
·The user must use the DASYLab Configurator to disable this package prior to uninstalling DASYLab 13.
·If the user uninstalls DASYLab without disabling the driver, the driver MSI installer will remain in the program files folder, and can be run to remove the driver.