USB-AI16-16A and USB-AI16-16E

The USB-AI16-16A and USB-AI16-16E offer an ideal solution for adding portable, easy-to-install high-speed analog and digital I/O capabilities to any computer with a USB port. These units are USB 2.0 high-speed devices, offering the highest speed available with the USB bus. The USB-AI16-16A is a 16-bit resolution A/D board capable of speeds up to 500kHz for its 16 single-ended or 8 differential analog input channels. USB-AI16-16E reaches speeds of 250kHz. Standard features also include 16 digital I/O lines and a 16-bit counter/timer—all packaged in a small, rugged, industrial enclosure.

These small, compact, multifunction I/O boards provide the user with everything needed to start acquiring, measuring, analyzing, and monitoring a variety of applications. These data acquisition boards can be used in many current real-world applications such as precision measurement, analysis, monitoring, and control in countless embedded applications.

These units are designed to be used in rugged industrial environments but are small enough to fit nicely onto any desk or testing station. The board itself is PC/104 sized (3.550 by 3.775 inches) and ships inside a steel powder-coated enclosure with an anti-skid bottom and a DIN-rail mounting capability.

The units feature eight standard analog voltage input ranges (independently configured), two factory current input ranges (4-20mA or 10-50mA) and include a data sample buffer. Model USB-AI16-16A features hardware real-time calibration capability which allows the card to continually compensate for offset/gain errors, giving a more accurate reading. To minimize noise, the board implements a technique called oversampling. Additionally, each channel contains its own analog ground pin which is helpful in reducing noise from external signal sources. A unique channel-by-channel programmable gain feature enables measurement of an assortment of large and small signals in one scan—all under software control at up to 500kHz. The boards data buffer and ability to trigger the A/D in real time assures synchronized sampling that is unaffected by other computer operations—an essential requirement for signal, vibration and transient analysis where high data rates must be sustained for short periods of time.

Analog to digital conversion starts or “A/D starts” are issued one of three ways: Software Start, Timer Start, or External Trigger Start. A/D starts are software configured to be either rising or falling edge. Additionally, A/D starts are software configured to be Single Channel or Scan. Single Channel samples data once from the next consecutive channel within the enabled set. A Scan samples data from all channels within the set at the fastest possible rate.

A fully programmable 8254 16-bit counter is provided with a maximum input frequency of 10MHz. The clock, gate (inputs) and output can be accessed externally for extended functionality. The counter can be configured in a variety of modes and has the ability to use external signals for its inputs.

OEM USB/104 FORM FACTOR

The OEM (board only) version is perfect for a variety of embedded applications. What makes the OEM option unique is that its PCB size and pre-drilled mounting holes match the PC/104 form factor (without the bus connections). This ensures easy installation using standard standoffs inside most enclosures or systems. The board can be added to any PCI-104 or PC/104 stack by connecting it to a USB 2.0 port usually included on-board with embedded CPU form factors such as EBX, EPIC, and PC/104. This is especially important since many newer CPU chipsets do not support ISA and have plenty of USB ports. The USB-AI16-16 OEM board can also be installed using standoffs inside other enclosures or systems. For embedded OEM type applications, an additional miniature USB input header is provided in parallel with the type B connector.

High Retention USB Connector

The ever-growing presence of USB in the industrial/military marketplace has driven the need for USB connections to be reliable, dependable, and unfailing. Gone are the days of loose USB connections. A type B USB connector is used on all ACCES USB/104 products which features a high retention design that complies with the class 1, Div II minimum withdrawal requirement of over 3 pounds of force (15 Newtons). This connector has an orange color-coded insulator to quickly differentiate it from standard USB connectors. Using these USB connectors increases reliability in your system and ensures a tight connection. For embedded OEM type applications, an additional miniature USB input header is provided in parallel with the type B connector.

Applications

• Equipment monitoring
• Environmental measurements
• Embedded OEM
• Education/Laboratory
• Portable
• Industrial Automation
• Precision Measurement
• Analysis, Monitoring, and Control

ACCESSORIES

Available accessories include a wide variety of cables and screw terminal boards for quick and easy connectivity.

SOFTWARE

The USB-AI16-16A and USB-AI16-16E feature hotplug functionality allowing for quick connect/disconnect whenever you need additional I/O on your USB port. The module utilizes a high-speed custom function driver optimized for a maximum data throughput of 1MBps that is 50-100 times faster than the USB human interface device (HID) driver used by many competing products. This approach maximizes the full functionality of the hardware along with capitalizing the advantage of high-speed USB 2.0. These boards are supported for use in most operating systems and include a free Windows 98se/Me/2000/XP/2003 compatible software package. This package contains sample programs and source code in Visual Basic, Delphi, C++ Builder, and Visual C++ for Windows. Also incorporated is a graphical setup program in Windows. Third party support includes a Windows standard DLL interface usable from the most popular application programs. Embedded OS support include Windows XPe.

Specifications

Analog Inputs

ADC Type		Successive approximation
Sampling rate
USB-AI16-16A		500Ksamples/sec (maximum aggregate)
USB-AI16-16E		250Ksamples/sec (maximum aggregate)
Resolution		16-bit
Number of channels	16 single-ended or 8 differential (software selectable)
Bipolar ranges		±1V, ±2V, ±5V, ±10V (software selectable)
Unipolar ranges		0-1V, 0-2V, 0-5V, 0-10V (software selectable)
4-20mA			Factory installed (optional)
10-50mA			Factory installed (optional)
System Calibration	Program provided to calibrate entire system
Calibration Hardware
USB-AI16-16A		Calibrated real-time output for offset/gain errors
USB-AI16-16E		NONE
Input impedance		1M
A/D Start Sources  	Software Start, Timer Start, and External Start Trigger
			(rising or falling edge; software selectable)
A/D Start Enable	Externally supplied (pulled-up; active-high)
A/D Start Types		Single Channel or Scan (software selectable)
Channel Oversampling	0-255 consecutive samples/channel (software selectable)
Overvoltage protection	-40 to +55V
Crosstalk		-60dB @ 500KHz

Digital I/O

Lines			16, programmable as inputs or outputs in groups of 8 (pulled-up)
Input voltage		Logic low:	0V(min) to 0.8V(max)
			Logic high:	2V(min) to 5V(max)
Input current		±20µA (max)
Output voltage		Logic low:	0V(min) to 0.55V(max)
			Logic high:	2V(min) to 5V(max)
Output current		Logic low:	64mA(max) sink
			Logic high:	32mA(max) source

Counter/Timer

Type			82C54 programmable interval counter
Available Counters	Counter 0
Input Frequency 	10MHz (max)
Counter size		16-bit
Clock 			Internal 10MHz or Externally supplied
			(software selectable; pulled-up)
Clock Period		100ns (min)
Clock Pulse Width High	30ns (min)
Clock Pulse Width Low	40ns (min)
Gate			Externally supplied (pulled-up; active-high)
Output			External (pulled-up)

Input/Output
Voltage/Current		Same as Digital I/O

Environmental

Operating Temperature	0° to +70°C, optional -40° to +85°C
Storage Temperature	-40° to +105°C
Humidity		5% to 90% RH, without condensation
Board Dimensions	PC/104 format, 3.550” by 3.775” and mounting holes

Power required		+5V at 330mA typ*

*USB 2.0 spec defines a device in terms of a unit load. A unit load is defined to be 100mA. Devices drawing an absolute maximum of one unit load is considered to be low-powered and devices drawing an absolute maximum of five unit loads is considered to be high-powered. Because this spec is not strictly adhered to, it is best to verify the USB port's power capabilities before operation. This card, according to the USB 2.0 spec, is a high powered device. An optional external power supply can be ordered if the USB port cannot support high powered devices.

If using more than a total of 500mA, use optional 9 VDC (on board voltage regulator outputs +5 VDC to card) external power supply and remove VUSB jumper and place jumper on VEXT. Then plug in external power before plugging into USB port . This option will give you a total of 1000mA available.

Included with your board

The following components are included with your shipment:

• Board installed in labeled enclosure
• 6’ USB cable
• Software Master CD (PDF user manual installed with product package)
• Printed USB I/O Quick-Start Guide

 

ORDERING GUIDE
USB-AI16-16A	Advanced version, 16-Bit, 500kHz, with autocalibration
USB-AI16-16E	Economy version. 16-Bit, 250kHz, with software calibration
Accessories
STB-68	68-pin screw terminal board $69
STB-68 Kit	Used for mounting the STB-68 to the enclosure of both the USB-AI and Fast USB-DIO Series of USB products. Includes STB-68, cable and specialized mounting hardware. $89.00
C68MM-1.75	68-pin male to male SCSI ribbon cable, 1.75 inches long. $19
MP104-DIN	DIN rail mounting provision $19
C68PS18L	68-pin SCSI 18" shielded cable $29.00
Model Options: (call for pricing)
-OEM	Board only version (no enclosure)
-P	External power components and AC/DC adapter
-T	Extended Operating Temperature (-40°C to +85°C)
Call	4-20mA or 10-50mA inputs
Call	16 current inputs when factory configured as single-ended
Call	8 current inputs when factory configured as differential
Call	DIO lines can be configured with pull down resistors

Available Reference Manuals

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Available Software Downloads

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Available Datasheets

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Further information about available ACCES Software:

Drivers And Operating Systems

What drivers and other support we provide for various operating systems.

Setup Programs, Samples, And Utility Software

A description of the software package that comes with each ACCES card.

Redistributing Windows Drivers

A list of ACCES drivers and the files that compose them under different versions of Windows, so you can easily redistribute ACCES cards and drivers.

Custom Software Services

A description of some of our custom software offerings. Did you know we offer free programming services to qualifying customers?