NI PXIe-4138/4139 Getting Started Guide

Verifying the System Requirements

To use the NI-DCPower instrument driver, your system must meet certain requirements. Refer to the product readme, which is available on the driver software media or online at ni.com/manuals, for more information about minimum system requirements, recommended system, and supported application development environments (ADEs).

Unpacking the Kit

⚠ [Notice] To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging the module, ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as your computer chassis.

1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis.
2. Remove the module from the package and inspect it for loose components or other signs of damage.

⚠ [Notice] Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.

ℹ [Note] Do not install a module if it appears damaged in any way.

3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.

Store the module in the antistatic package when the module is not in use.

Kit Contents

Figure 1: Diagram showing the contents of the NI PXIe-4138/4139 kit. It displays the PXIe module itself (labeled 1), an output connector assembly (labeled 2), a booklet titled 'Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information' (labeled 3), and a booklet titled 'Product documentation' (labeled 4).

• 1. NI PXIe-4138/4139 System SMU Device
• 2. Output Connector Assembly
• 3. Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information
• 4. Product documentation

Other Equipment

There are several required items not included in your PXIe-4138/4139 kit that you need to operate the PXIe-4138/4139. Your application may require additional items not included in your kit to install or operate your PXIe-4138/4139.

Required Items

• A PXI Express chassis and chassis documentation. For more information about compatible chassis options, refer to ni.com.
• A PXI Express embedded controller or MXI controller system that meets the system requirements specified in this guide and chassis documentation.

Optional Items

• PXI Slot Blocker Kit (NI part number 199198-01)
• NI screwdriver (NI part number 781015-01)

Visit ni.com for more information about these additional items.

Preparing the Environment

Ensure that the environment you are using the PXIe-4138/4139 in meets the following specifications:

Temperature and Humidity

⚠ [Notice] This model is intended for use in indoor applications only.

Installing the Software

You must be an Administrator to install NI software on your computer.

1. Install an ADE, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows™/CVI™.
2. Download the driver software installer from ni.com/downloads or install the driver software from the physical media included with your product.

NI Package Manager downloads with the driver software to handle the installation. Refer to the NI Package Manager Manual for more information about installing, removing, and upgrading NI software using NI Package Manager.

3. Follow the instructions in the installation prompts.

ℹ [Note] Windows users may see access and security messages during installation. Accept the prompts to complete the installation.

4. When the installer completes, select Restart in the dialog box that prompts you to restart, shut down, or restart later.

Installing the PXIe-4138/4139

⚠ [Notice] To prevent damage to the PXIe-4138/4139 caused by ESD or contamination, handle the module using the edges or the metal bracket.

1. Ensure the AC power source is connected to the chassis before installing the PXIe-4138/4139. The AC power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you install the PXIe-4138/4139.
2. Power off the chassis.
3. Inspect the slot pins on the chassis backplane for any bends or damage prior to installation. Do not install a module if the backplane is damaged.
4. Position the chassis so that inlet and outlet vents are not obstructed. For more information about optimal chassis positioning, refer to the chassis documentation.
5. Remove the black plastic covers from all the captive screws on the module front panel.
6. Identify a supported slot in the chassis. The following figure shows the symbols that indicate the slot types.

Figure 2: Diagram illustrating PXI Express chassis slot types. It shows a PXIe chassis backplane with five numbered slots, each with a symbol indicating its type: 1. PXI Express System Controller Slot, 2. PXI Peripheral Slot, 3. PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slot, 4. PXI Express System Timing Slot, 5. PXI Express Peripheral Slot.

• 1. PXI Express System Controller Slot
• 2. PXI Peripheral Slot
• 3. PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slot
• 4. PXI Express System Timing Slot
• 5. PXI Express Peripheral Slot

PXIe-4138/4139 modules can be placed in PXI Express peripheral slots, PXI Express hybrid peripheral slots, or PXI Express system timing slots.

7. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.
8. Ensure that the ejector handle is in the downward (unlatched) position.
9. Place the module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the chassis. Slide the module into the slot until it is fully inserted.

Figure 3: Diagram demonstrating the physical installation of a module into a PXIe chassis. It shows the chassis (labeled 1), the hardware module being inserted (labeled 2), and the ejector handle in the downward, unlatched position (labeled 3).

10. Latch the module in place by pulling up on the ejector handle.
11. Secure the module front panel to the chassis using the front-panel mounting screws.

ℹ [Note] Tightening the top and bottom mounting screws increases mechanical stability and also electrically connects the front panel to the chassis, which can improve the signal quality and electromagnetic performance.

12. Cover all empty slots using either filler panels (standard or EMC) or slot blockers with filler panels, depending on your application.

ℹ [Note] For more information about installing slot blockers and filler panels, go to ni.com/r/pxiblocker.

13. Connect the output connector assembly to the device. Tighten any thumbscrews on the output connector assembly to hold it in place.
14. Power on the chassis.

Related Information: Why Is the ACCESS LED Off When the Chassis Is On? on page 14

PXIe-4138 Pinout

Diagram of the PXIe-4138 module's front panel connector. It shows a 24-pin connector with pins labeled A through K. An inset shows a magnified view of the connector. Labels indicate 'ACCESS' (LED A), 'ACTIVE' (LED B), 'OUTPUT LO' (C), 'SENSE LO' (D), 'GUARD' (E, G, H, I), 'OUTPUT HI' (F), 'SENSE HI' (J), and 'Chassis Ground' (K).

PXIe-4139 Pinout

Diagrams of the PXIe-4139 module's front panel connectors. Two versions are shown: 'NI PXIe-4139 Precision System SMU' and 'NI PXIe-4139 40W System SMU'. Both show a 24-pin connector with pins labeled A through K. Insets show magnified views. Labels indicate 'ACCESS' (LED A), 'ACTIVE' (LED B), 'OUTPUT LO' (C), 'SENSE LO' (D), 'GUARD' (E, G, H, I), 'OUTPUT HI' (F), 'SENSE HI' (J), and 'Chassis Ground' (K).

Configuring the PXIe-4138/4139 in MAX

Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your NI hardware. MAX informs other programs about which NI hardware products are in the system and how they are configured. MAX is automatically installed with NI-DCPower.

1. Launch MAX.
2. In the configuration tree, expand Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed NI hardware.

Installed modules appear under the name of their associated chassis.

3. Expand your Chassis tree item. MAX lists all modules installed in the chassis. Your default names may vary.

ℹ [Note] If you do not see your module listed, press <F5> to refresh the list of installed modules. If the module is still not listed, power off the system, ensure the module is correctly installed, and restart.

4. Record the identifier MAX assigns to the hardware. Use this identifier when programming the PXIe-4138/4139.
5. Self-test the hardware by selecting the item in the configuration tree and clicking Self-Test in the MAX toolbar. The MAX self-test performs a basic verification of hardware resources.

Related Information: What Should I Do if the PXIe-4138/4139 Doesn't Appear in MAX? on page 13

Self-Calibrating the PXIe-4138/4139

Self-calibration adjusts the PXIe-4138/4139 for variations in the module environment. Perform a complete self-calibration after the first time you install the PXIe-4138/4139.

1. Install the PXIe-4138/4139 and let it warm up for 30 minutes.

ℹ [Note] Warm up begins when the PXI Express chassis has been powered on and the operating system has completely loaded.

2. Self-calibrate the PXIe-4138/4139 by clicking the Self-Calibrate button in MAX or calling niDCPower Cal Self Calibrate or niDCPower_CalSelfCalibrate.

The PXIe-4138/4139 modules are externally calibrated at the factory but you should perform a self-calibration in all of the following situations:

• After first installing the PXIe-4138/4139 in a chassis
• After any module that is in the same chassis as the PXIe-4138/4139 is installed, uninstalled, or moved
• When the PXIe-4138/4139 is in an environment where the ambient temperature varies or the PXIe-4138/4139 temperature has drifted more than ±5 °C from the temperature at the last self-calibration
• Within 24 hours of the previous self-calibration

Related Information: What Should I Do if the PXIe-4138/4139 Fails the Self-Test? on page 14

Programming the PXIe-4138/4139

You can generate signals interactively using InstrumentStudio or you can use the NI-DCPower instrument driver to program your device in the supported ADE of your choice.

Troubleshooting

If an issue persists after you complete a troubleshooting procedure, contact NI technical support or visit ni.com/support.

What Should I Do if the PXIe-4138/4139 Doesn't Appear in MAX?

1. In the MAX configuration tree, expand Devices and Interfaces.
2. Expand the Chassis tree to see the list of installed hardware, and press <F5> to refresh the list.
3. If the module is still not listed, power off the system, ensure that all hardware is correctly installed, and restart the system.
4. Navigate to the Device Manager.

Operating System Description

5. Verify the PXIe-4138/4139 appears in the Device Manager.

a) Under an NI entry, confirm that a PXIe-4138/4139 entry appears.

ℹ [Note] If you are using a PC with a device for PXI remote control system, under System Devices, also confirm that no error conditions appear for the PCI-to-PCI Bridge.

b) If error conditions appear, reinstall NI-DCPower and the PXIe-4138/4139.

Why Is the ACCESS LED Off When the Chassis Is On?

Before proceeding, verify that the PXIe-4138/4139 appears in MAX.

If the ACCESS LED fails to light after you power on the chassis, a problem may exist with the chassis power rails, a hardware module, or the LED.

⚠ [Notice] Apply external signals only while the PXIe-4138/4139 is powered on. Applying external signals while the module is powered off may cause damage.

1. Disconnect any signals from the module front panels.
2. Power off the chassis.
3. Remove the module from the chassis and inspect it for damage. Do not reinstall a damaged module.
4. Install the module in a different chassis slot from which you removed it.
5. Power on the chassis.

ℹ [Note] If you are using a PC with a device for PXI remote control system, power on the chassis before powering on the computer.

6. Verify that the module appears in MAX.
7. Reset the module in MAX and perform a self-test.

What Should I Do if the PXIe-4138/4139 Fails the Self-Test?

1. Restart the system.
2. Launch MAX.

• Failed self-test
  1. Perform self-calibration, then perform the self-test again. The PXIe-4138/4139 must be calibrated to pass the self-test.
• Failed self-calibration
  1. Perform self-calibration again.

3. Power off the chassis.
4. Reinstall the failed module in a different slot.
5. Power on the chassis.
6. Perform the self-test again.

Where To Go Next

Located online at ni.com/manuals

*This item is also installed with the driver software.

NI Services

Visit ni.com/support to find support resources including documentation, downloads, and troubleshooting and application development self-help such as tutorials and examples.

Visit ni.com/services to learn about NI service offerings such as calibration options, repair, and replacement.

Visit ni.com/register to register your NI product. Product registration facilitates technical support and ensures that you receive important information updates from NI.

NI corporate headquarters is located at 11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, TX, 78759-3504, USA.