Lab Brick^® Frequently Asked Questions

What is included with a Lab Brick purchase?

Each unit is shipped with a 6-ft. USB cable and a thumb drive containing the graphical user interface (GUI) software and a soft copy of the user manual.

Do I need to purchase an AC/DC adaptor or some other power supply to run a Lab Brick?

No. Lab Brick products get their power through the USB port of a PC, laptop or powered hub.

Can I use a Lab Brick with LabVIEW?

Yes. LabVIEW drivers are available for Lab Brick customers from our secure FTP server.

Can I write my own code to control Lab Brick products?

Yes. We can supply a file containing the Windows programming API DLL for the Lab Brick products, along with a sample program which demonstrates how to use the functions in the DLL. The full source code and a Visual C++ 6 project are included for the sample program.

Can I program a digital attenuator using VB6?

Yes. VB6 can only call out to external DLLs that use the old Win32 API calling conventions (what is normally declared as __stdcall in C). Newer DLLs, like the Lab Brick DLL use a newer calling convention that is easier to work with in the more recent programming tools. To solve this issue we built a special version of the attenuator DLL, that uses the older calling convention so you can call it from VB6.

What is autonomous operation?

Autonomous operation allows Lab Brick signal generators to operate from a stand-alone power supply or battery pack with or without USB supervision. Lab Brick signal generators will operate normally in the presence of a USB host, however, if DC power is applied and no host is detected, the signal generators will commence operation per user-defined settings. This feature is especially useful in embedded or remote applications where the user does not want to commit a PC or laptop. Battery packs can be purchased from the Lab Brick website.

How much power does a Lab Brick signal generator use?

Lab Brick products are USB functions, and as such are required to use less than 2.5 watts of power. Lab Brick signal generators typically use 2 watts of power, which is a fraction of what a conventional signal generator requires. Lab Brick digital attenuators use less that 0.25 watts.

Are custom Lab Brick designs available?

Yes. Please see our Custom Designs Web page or send your specific requirements to the email address shown below.

How many Lab Bricks can be operated from a single computer?

Lab Brick products are USB functions. The number of available USB ports determines the practical limit to the number of USB functions that can be operated from a single PC or laptop. Adding USB hubs can expand the number of USB ports. USB hubs can be purchased from the Lab Brick website.

What is the Lab Brick's housing material?

All Lab Brick products use a rugged aluminum enclosure.

If I specify the external reference input option will the unit still include an internal reference?

Yes. The user has the option of using either an external 10 MHz reference or the internal reference. This selection in made through the GUI under the settings menu.

How can I update my GUI to insure that I have the latest release?

It is the policy of Vaunix Technology Corporation to provide qualified Lab Brick users with the latest software and equipment manuals free of charge. Qualified users should send their requests to the email address shown below. Please include the model and serial numbers of your Lab Brick equipment, as well as the revision level of the GUI, driver or manual that you are currently using so that our technical team can insure that you receive the appropriate information.