Key Digital ES381 manual “USBcount50 /MISpc”, Non-Stacked MIS Mode

2.3.2 Non-Stacked (MIS) Mode

It is also possible to use multiple USBcount50s as independent instruments. In this mode, the counters are NOT connected together via the stacking interface4.

This configuration is also termed Multi-Instrument mode or MIS mode.

In MIS mode, each counter can use its own timebase setting, and each counter input will remain electrically isolated from the others (unless you connect their BNC grounds together).

2.3.2.1 USB Connections For Non-Stacked Configurations

All counters need a USB connection. A standard hub may be useful for multi counter use to get enough USB ports.

Each counter needs about 200mA. Plugging more than 2 counters into a hub will mean that the hub may need to be powered externally. Please refer to the hub’s documentation for more details about the power available per port.

2.3.2.2 Software For Non-Stacked Configurations

By default when you run USBcount50, it will automatically detect all the counters connected via USB and will also check to see if the counters are electrically connected together via the stack. To run in Non-Stacked MIS mode, the software must be “told” to drive one particular counter. You can then simply run multiple copies of the USBcount50 software, one copy for each particular counter.

In order to achieve this mode of operation, USBcount50 accepts a command line parameter

“USBcount50 /MISp:c”

4They can of course still be snapped together, but remember NOT to fit any of the stacking connectors so that the counters remain electrically independent of each other.

Elan Digital Systems Ltd. 14 USBcount50 USER’S GUIDE Iss1