Chapter4 ConnectingSignals
ATE Series User Manual 4-24 ni.com
Single-Ended Connection Considerations
A single-ended connection is onein which the AT E Series device AI
signalis referenced to a grou nd that can be shared with other input signals.
Theinput signal is tied to the positive input of th ePGIA, and the groundis
tied to the negative input of the PGIA.
When everychannel is configured for single-ended input, up to 16 analog
input channels are available(up to 64 channels on the AT-MIO-64E-3).
Youcan use single-ended input connections for any input signal that meets
the followingconditi ons:
•The inputsignal is high level (greater than 1 V).
•Theleads connecting the signal to the AT E Series device are less than
10 ft (3 m).
•The input signal can share a common reference point with other
signals.
DIFFinput connections are recommended for greater signal integrity for
anyinput signal that does not m eetthe preced ing conditions.
Youcan software configure the ATE Series device channels for two
differenttypes of single-en ded connections—RSE configuration and
NRSEco nfiguration.The RSE configuration is used for floating signal
sources;in this case, the AT E Series device provides the reference ground
point for the external signal. The NRSE input configuration is used for
ground-referencedsignal s ources; in this case, the externalsignal suppli es
its ownreference ground point and the AT E Series device should not
supply one.
In single-ended configurations,more e lectrostatic and magnetic noise
couplesinto the si gnal connections than in differential configurations. The
couplingis the result of differences in the signal path. Magnetic coupling is
proportional to the area between the two signal conductors. Electrical
coupling is a function of howmuch the electric field differsbetween the
twocondu ctors.