usb 6211 counter signal connectivity

[Jaclyn]

I am going to use the USB 6211 board to generate two pulses, one to trigger a camera, and one to trigger a fuel injection system.  I have a LabView program which I think should work in producing these two pulses.  However, I am unsure about the signal connections.  I know that I will need to connect the output of one counter to the camera, and the output of the second counter to the fuel injection system to recieve the pulses, however, there are numerous other counter connection components, and I am unsure if these should be used or not, such as gate, or source.  I have read the USB 6211 manual, but still don't fully understand how to connect the counters for generating two pulses.  Thanks!
-Jaclyn

[Robert_F]

Hello Jaclyn,

Here is a great tutorial on how counters work.  Are you creating just two pulses?  Is there a specific time interval that you are trying to achieve?  The easiest way to create just two pulses is to use two digital lines.  However, if there is some timing issue in between each pulse, you would want to use the counters.

If you are creating two pulses with the counters, then you would want to use PFI 4 (Pin 6) & PFI 5 (Pin 7).  These PFI lines are for the counter out terminals.  The source and gate terminals should be internally routed, so you shouldn’t have to worry about connecting any thing to them.  The counter out terminal is the terminal that will give you the digital pulses that you desire.

[Deakin_user2013]

Hi Rob..

Just curious..

Did you mean to control a DC motor via PWM through the counter output, one simply connect PFI4 and DGND to the +V and GND of a DC motor?

I am also having some trouble getting this right. Please help.

I am using USB 6211 as well. Codings are attached.

[Alex-D]

That should work but the problem you may run into is the current needed to energize the coils. The output lines may not source enough current to the motor to make it turn. To eliminate this you may want to use a relay or something similar to supply the current from another source and only use the output to trigger the relay. But theoretically you could connect the output to the motor and it would work (if it could source enough current). 

Also it is recommended when replying to an old forum post to instead create a new post with a link to the old. This enables better tracking and support for that post. Have a good day.