Measurement Computing's PCI-DAS6402/16 analog and digital I/O board sets a new standard for high channel count, high resolution data acquisition on the PCI-bus. Offering 64 single-ended or 32 differential 16-bit analog inputs with sample rates up to 200 kS/s (single-channel or multi-channel sampling), two 16-bit analog outputs, 32 bits of digital I/O and one 16-bit down counter. The board offers a variety of analog and digital trigger modes with trigger levels and direction selectable by software.
At the heart of the board is Measurement Comouting's powerful System Timing Controller (STC) chip. The STC chip controls all A/D sampling and D/A update rates as well as controlling the 8K A/D FIFO, the 8K gain/channel queue and the 16K D/A FIFO. This functionality is based on the STC chip's use of an on-board 32K x 16 SRAM. The STC chip assigns functions to various parts of the SRAM (e.g. A/D FIFO) and then provides full speed control and arbitration among the various functions using the various sections of the SRAM buffer.
The STC allows simultaneous full speed A/D sampling, D/A updating and gain/channel queue sequencing (with variable intersample timing if desired). The STC chip performs these functions up to 5 MS/s, and is available as an OEM component for use in your own designs. The board provides bus-mastering and scatter-gather functionality to assure the desired system timing is maintained.
The PCI-DAS6402/16 is completely plug-and-play. There are no switches, jumpers or potentiometers on the board. All board addresses, interrupt channels etc. are set by your computers plug-and-play software. Even calibration is performed via software by using on-board trim D/A converters.
"When we started designing these systems, we needed to locate a robust data acquisition unit that we could trust, have multiple inputs and a simple but effective software interface and a reasonable price." Michael Gray, Precia Molen
"We have used MCC devices for many years on any number of different projects, from pile testing to seismic tests, and we've always been more than satisified with their performance. This was the natural choice for us." Stephen Kemp, Manager, GBG Structural Services
