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Starting June 2010, we have eliminated CDs and most (if not all) paperwork from our packaging.  Now, the U3 simply has a sticker on the box that directs you to this page (/support/u3).

 

U3 Quickstart (Windows)

1.  Download and install the drivers/software for Windows.

2.  Connect the U3 to the computer or hub.  The status LED should blink at power up, and then stay solid on.  If Windows asks about installing new hardware, just accept the defaults.

3.  Run LJControlPanel which was installed during step #1 above.  Click "Find Devices" and you should get an entry for the U3.  Click on the connection (probably "USB - 1"), and the right side of the screen will display basic information about the device.  Click "Test" to bring up the test panel where you can read all inputs and write all outputs.  This test panel is a great tool to use often, and lets you check out basic hardware operation before trying more complex software.  Make sure you close LJControlPanel before trying other software.

Some basic tests to do in the test panel with 1 jumper wire:

  • Connect a jumper wire from DAC0 (digital to analog converter 0) to FIO0/AIN0 (flexible I/O or analog input 0).  Use the control in the test panel to change DAC0, and you should read back the voltage on FIO0/AIN0.  If you want to connect some other voltage to measure, you likely connect positive to FIO0/AIN0 and negative to GND, but see Section 2.6.3 for more info.
  • FIO4 should be set to DI (digital input) by default.  The State box will be checked, indicating that it is reading high due to the internal pull-up.  Connect one end of the jumper wire to GND, hold the other end inside the FIO4 terminal, and the State box should clear.
  • In the Timers and Counters area, click config and enable Counter 0.  Pin Offset is 4, and no timers are enabled, so Counter0 will appear on FIO4.  Tap the other end of the GND wire inside the FIO4 terminal, and each tap will cause lots (~100) of counts on the Counter0 indicator.
  • Click Config again, enable Timer0, and set its mode to PWM16.  This will result in a 732 Hz square wave out of FIO4, while Counter0 is pushed up to FIO5.  Connect the jumper wire from FIO4 to FIO5 to see Counter0 increment by about 732 per second.
  • Move the jumper wire to connect FIO6 to FIO7.  Set FIO6 to DO.  Toggle the state of FIO6 use the State box and FIO7 should read back the same state.
  • Set FIO7 to AIN and set the Neg. Channel to "0 - 3.6".  Toggle the state of FIO6 and FIO7 should read about 0 and 3.3 volts.

4.  Refer to the U3 User's Guide.

 

Moving forward from here ...

UD Series Software Options:

  • Sample Applications:  LJControlPanel (part of the normal Windows installation) has a test panel where you can view all inputs and manually control all outputs.  LJLogUD collects analog input data in command/response mode (generally 100 Hz or slower), displays it on screen, and writes it to file.  LJStreamUD collects analog input data in stream mode (generally 10 Hz or faster), displays it on screen, and writes it to file.
  • Programming:  If you know any language we probably support it.  This includes C, C++, C#, Delphi, Java, LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, MATLAB, Python, and Visual Basic (VB6/VB.NET).  Start on our UD Series Programming page.
  • DAQFactory:  DAQFactory is measurement and automation software from Azeotech, that allows non-programmers to make custom applications.  Start on our DAQFactory page.
  • CloudDot:  For applications at about 1 Hz or slower, our CloudDot system is a great way to do everything online.  Get started for free at cloud.labjack.com.

All of these are free, at least to start.  There are paid options available for DAQFactory and CloudDot.

Getting The Latest Driver/Software/Firmware:

If you are having problems or doing something cutting edge, you should make sure you have the very latest of everything:

  • Note your current version numbers.  The main splash screen of LJControlPanel tells you your UD driver version number, and if you find and click on a particular device you can see its firmware version number.  LJControlPanel and LJSelfUpgrade version numbers are in the title bar at the top of each program.
  • First check for a newer UD driver DLL.
  • Then check for a newer LJControlPanel and LJSelfUpgrade.
  • Then run LJSelfUpgrade and check for newer firmware (check the "beta" sub-folder).

Getting Support:

  • If you have a question that you think should be covered in the documentation, try going to where you think it should be and post a comment.  Go to the U3 User's Guide, and at the top or bottom of any page click "Add new comment".
  • Other great options are our forum or email.

 

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