©NationalInstruments Corporation 1-1 NI5911 User Manual
1
Taking Measurementswith the NI 5911Thank you for buying a National Instruments 5911 digital oscilloscope
with flexible resolution. This chapter provides information on installing,
connecting signals to, and acquiring data from your NI 5911.
Installing the NI 5911
There are two main steps involved in installation:
1. Install the NI-SCOPE driversoftware. You use this driver to write
programsto control your NI 5911 in different application development
environments(ADEs). NI-SCOPE also allows you to interactively
control your NI 5911 with VirtualBench-Scope.
2. Install your NI 5911. For step-by-step instructions for installing
NI-SCOPE and the NI 5911, see the Where to Start with Your National
Instruments Oscilloscope/Digitizer.
Connecting Signals
Figure 1-1 shows the front panel for the NI 5911. The front panel contains
threeconnectors—a BNC connector, an SMB connector, and a 9-pin mini
circularD IN connector (see Figure 1-2).
The BNC connectoris for attaching the analog input signal you wish to
measure.The BNC connector is analog input channel 0. To minimize noise,
donot allow the shell of the BNC cable to touch or lie near the metal ofthe
computerchassis. The SMB connector is for external triggers and for
generatinga probe co mpensation signal. The SMB connector is PFI1. The
DINconnector gives you access to an additional external trigger line. The
DIN connectorcan be used to access PFI2.