Real-Time Modular Data Acquisition and Control Systems

CAS DataLoggers has partnered with sophisticated manufacturer ADwin to announce the new ADwin-Pro-AIn-F card for ADwin-Pro-II real-time data acquisition and control systems. 4 versions of the card are available, offering users 4 analog differential inputs, 4 analog isolated inputs, 8 analog differential inputs, or 8 analog isolated inputs, as desired. These inputs are galvanically isolated from each other as well as from other modules. ADwin systems support parallel, individually-controlled, real-time processes, while running independently of the PC's operating system to provide deterministic operation with response times of 1 usec. or less. These advanced systems are commonly used for testing automotive components, sensors and ECU's, electrical component testing, control of servohydraulic systems, motion control, laser and ebeam control, and synchronized data acquisition.

These analog input modules use parallel acquisition without a multiplexer and are available in each of the above 4 configurations with a choice of the following connectors: a 2pin LEMO socket, a BNC socket, or a D-SUB socket. The new card has an input voltage range of ±10V, and the adjustment of gain and offset is made by software. Conversion time is maximized at 2μs per ADC, with a maximum sampling rate of 500ksps per ADC. Accuracy INL maximum is ±4 LSB, and DNL maximum is ±3 LSB. Input over-voltage is ±35V, and the card is offset error adjustable, offset drift ±30ppm/ºC of full scale range.

Key features of ADwin systems are their tightly-coupled analog and digital inputs along with counters that provide extremely low latency operation. The ADwin-Pro II Series utilizes a modular form factor with plug-in modules to allow up to 480 analog or digital inputs in a single chassis, along with a high-performance 300 MHz DSP processor and Ethernet communications interface. There are also a variety of other I/O options including CANbus, SSI, Profibus/Fieldbus, RS-232/485, and signal conditioner modules. This flexible system is available in full, half and quarter rack mainframes and either AC or DC powered versions.

The extraordinary speed of the Pro II system provides complex applications with a high data rate. In addition, the fast processor allows an intelligent pre-selection of relevant data, mathematical functions or digital channel filtering T11. All new Pro-II modules run on the Pro II bus automatically sync, allowing fully-synchronized time measurements with multiple modules without any special software effort.

The module is easily programmed with ADbasic instructions. The programming in ADbasic instructions are described in ADbasic online help and in the Pro II Software manual, while the included file ADwinPro_All.inc contains instructions for several common functions.

The ADwin Pro II is available in a broad variety of robust housing for various applications, including as a desk system for the lab, a portable system for travel, or as a system for panel mounting. The 5-16 slots and the number of different modules are the ideal, flexible foundation for rapid real-time applications.