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USB

Support for USB PowerLabs

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an interface that allows you to connect external devices such as disk drives, scanners, printers, and PowerLabs to your computer. The advantage of USB over other connections such as serial or SCSI is that USB lets you plug and unplug your devices without having to reboot your machine (they are 'hot pluggable'). The connectors are simple to use and hubs allow you to connect and disconnect multiple devices easily. IDs for USB devices are dynamically allocated, so there is no need to manually configure them.

High Speed USB (USB 2.0)
The /25 and /30 series PowerLab are supplied with only High Speed USB (USB 2.0) connections. High Speed USB have a higher data transfer rate (480 Mbps) than standard USB (12Mbps) and FireWire (400Mbps). High Speed USB also supports earlier standard USB connectors at a reduced transfer rate. A USB 2.0 cable is required.

USB-Compatible Hardware & Software
ADInstruments produces PowerLabs that are SCSI/ USB or High Speed USB (USB 2.0) compatible connectors. When used with the appropriate versions of software (see below) and a USB-compatible computer, these PowerLabs can be used like any other USB device. The following table shows the PowerLab version and their interface/s.

Serial only

SCSI only

SCSI & USB

USB

High Speed USB

/4, / 8

/4S, /8S, /16S

/2e, /4e, /8e

/200, /400, /800

/410, /415

/4SP, /8SP, /16SP

/4ST

2/20, 4/20

4/20T

2/25, 4/25

4/25T

8/30, 16/30

The /e and /s PowerLabs do not have USB connectors and cannot be used with USB-only computers. ADInstruments does not recommend using a USB to SCSI adapter with PowerLabs. For more information on USB to SCSI adapters, see the USB to SCSI adapters support page.

Windows USB compatibility
Not all Windows operating systems provide USB and/or high speed USB support (see below). If you are unsure whether your computer has built-in USB or can support a USB card, consult your local computer dealer.

Windows Operating systems that support USB:

PowerLab software for Windows that supports USB1:

PowerLab software for Windows that supports USB 2.0:

Windows 98 (with OEM Drivers*)
Windows Me (with OEM Drivers*)
Windows 2000 (SP4 or later*)
Windows XP (SP1 or later*)

Chart v3.4.3 or later
Scope v3.6.2 or later

Chart v5.0.2 or later
Scope v3.7 or later

Note: The versions of PowerLab software listed above are the minimum that support USB.
Where possible we recommend that you use the latest version of our software.

*Support High Speed USB

PC users can determine whether their computers support high-speed USB by selecting Start > Run and typing devmgmt.msc to load the Device Manager. Select the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" folder. If a file containing "Enhanced host controller" in the title is present then the PC supports High Speed USB. If not, then the driver must be installed.

Macintosh USB compatibility
With the introduction of the iMac and Blue & White G3 machines, USB is now standard in Apple computers. Note: not all versions of the MacOS provide USB support. If you want to use USB devices, you will need to use MacOS 8.6 or later. PowerPC computers that have a PCI or PCMCIA slot also support USB cards. Mac OS 10.28 or later support High Speed USB, while earlier versions require OEM drivers.

Apple computers with built-in USB:	PowerLab software for Mac that supports USB:
Blue & White G3 computers G3 Powerbooks (2nd gen.) G4 computers iMacs iBook	Chart v3.6.1 or later Scope v3.6.1 or later

Note: The versions of PowerLab software listed above are the minimum that support USB.
Where possible we recommend that you use the latest version of our software.

Tips on using your USB PowerLab

Install ADInstruments software before you connect the PowerLab to the computer. ADInstruments installers and updaters automatically install the USB drivers required by the computer to recognize the PowerLab.

PowerLabs are shipped with a suitable USB cable. USB cables should be no longer than 5 m, if you need a longer cable then invest in a proper hub or repeater cable. If you are using a repeater cable, make sure that it is an active device (not passive), and that it buffers downstream and upstream data traffic (acts as a transparent hub). ADInstruments recommend that you use only top quality USB devices (hubs and cables) as the quality of your devices affects the reliability of your recording. USB 2.0 cables are labelled as such or have the USB 2 symbol.

You can connect your USB PowerLab before or after you have started your computer, but do not connect or disconnect the PowerLab while ADInstruments software (LabChart, Scope) is running.

Make sure that you have an appropriate version of ADInstruments software on your machine (see above for software versions that support USB on your platform).

SCSI Versus USB PowerLabs
Some S series PowerLabs (/4ST, /4SP, /8SP, and /16SP) have both SCSI and USB interfaces. You can use either one or the other, but not both at the same time.

Except for sampling rate, there is no recording difference between these interfaces. When using PowerLab with USB (except PowerLab /25 and /30 series) you can sample at up to 100 000 samples per second. When using SCSI, you can sample at up to 200 000 samples per second. When using high speed USB (PowerLab /25 and /30 series), you can sample up to 400 000 samples per second.

For more information on your USB PowerLab, refer to your PowerLab Owner's Guide. It contains a comprehensive section on USB and your PowerLab.

SCSI requires the PowerLab to have a unique SCSI ID number. This can be set on the back of the PowerLab. Remember that your computer may reserve some ID numbers itself, so you may have to try different IDs to find a free one. SCSI also requires that the device on the end of the SCSI chain is terminated. For more information on SCSI, refer to your PowerLab Owner's Guide or the SCSI support page.

Problems Using USB?

If you are having problems with your USB PowerLab:

1. Make sure that your PowerLab is connected properly to your computer and turned on. Check that you have the correct cable and that it is not faulty. You can try using this cable with another USB device or try another cable with the PowerLab to check this.

2. Check that you are using an appropriate version of ADInstruments software. See above for a list of compatible software. Also, make sure that you are using the latest version of the software — it may contain improved support. You can check which are the latest versions on the Software Updates pages.

3. Make sure that you have installed your ADInstruments software before connecting your USB PowerLab. USB drivers are installed by the software and are required for your computer to recognise that your PowerLab is connected.

4. Make sure that you have an appropriate version of the Mac or Windows operating system. As with ADInstruments software, new versions generally provide improved support.

5. For USB 2.0 use a compatible cable, connector and computer and PowerLab.

6. Try turning your PowerLab off and then on to reset it, then running your LabChart or Scope software again.

6. Refer to your PowerLab Owner's Guide for more information. It contains a comprehensive section on USB and your PowerLab.

If you are still having problems, send us a technical assistance request detailing your query.

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