Network-Ready Data Acquisition, Channel-to-Channel Isolation
Scalable Modular Systems Perform Simultaneous Sampling and Updates
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Bellevue, WA, April 15, 2009 -- You now can buy a complete, network-ready data acquisition package that lets you sample up to 64 differential inputs simultaneously with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation – and at the same time update up to 16 analog outputs also with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation. New scalable modular system (SMS) products from Microstar Laboratories, maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready DAPservers, consist of a DAPserver with up to two DAP boards connected to eight input signal interface (SI) modules and two output SI modules in a 3U card-cage – all in the same enclosure.
Eliminate Ground Currents
The input SI modules, part number MSXB 080, provide isolated analog inputs for DAP systems. All inputs are differential, and each analog channel is isolated from all others and from any other system component.
The output SI modules, part number MSXB 076, provide isolated analog outputs for DAP systems. Each analog channel is isolated from all others and from any other system component.
Channel-to-channel isolation eliminates ground currents, a potential source of noise in your measurements and in your output signals.
Avoid Timing Skew
Each of the MSXB 080 SI modules has eight onboard analog-to-digital converters synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other to eliminate timing skew. Eight analog signals become eight 16-bit data streams running at up to 250K samples/second for a total throughput of two million samples per second.
Eight of the MSXB 080 SI modules connected to a single DAP board give you a total of 64 simultaneously sampled analog inputs. SI modules connected to multiple DAP boards can be synchronized for more inputs or higher throughput.
Each of the MSXB 076 SI modules has eight onboard digital-to-analog converters synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other to eliminate timing skew. Two of the MSXB 076 SI modules connected to a single DAP board give you a total of 16 simultaneously updated analog outputs.
Increase Throughput
In the packages on offer, a single DAP board has a throughput of two million samples per second. So, with two DAP boards included in one DAPserver package, you can sample all 64 channels simultaneously at an aggregate rate of up to four million samples per second.
Start Development Right Away
DAPservers let you control your data acquisition application from any PC on your network. A DAPserver combines a 5-slot PCI backplane and a 10-slot Eurocard cage in an industrial-grade chassis. A Pentium M processor runs server software on a board that occupies one of the PCI slots, leaving space for up to four DAP boards. Microstar Laboratories preloads the SATA hard drive in every DAPserver with all the software you need to start development right away.
Choose the Right Software for You
You can develop and run your application on a PC using DAPstudio – data acquisition development software from Microstar Laboratories – or a third-party product, like LabVIEW. Or you can write your own. Software running on the DAPserver and the software running on DAP boards themselves protect your application from local or network-related delays.
Networking or Not
Use an Ethernet cable to connect a laptop to the DAPserver, or connect the DAPserver to an existing network and use any PC on the network. You also can work directly on the DAPserver simply by adding a screen – and connecting a keyboard and mouse to the front-panel USB ports.
Conclusion and Next Step
If you want to eliminate ground currents, avoid timing skew, and you need a network-ready data acquisition package with signal interface modules preinstalled and software preloaded so you can start on your application right away, then take a look at what Microstar Laboratories has to offer. You can download a full version of DAPstudio software for a free trial. To test all its features you would need a DAP board. The company provides evaluation hardware at no charge. SMS I64, a scalable modular system product with 64 isolated inputs, costs less than US$310 per input channel with all hardware and software included – and an incremental US$90 per output channel.
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Editorial Overview:
If you are looking for an off-the-shelf data acquisition system that solves the problems of ground loops and timing skew that plague so many applications, check out the new scalable modular system (SMS) products from Microstar Laboratories, maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready DAPservers. These new SMS products consist of software preloaded on a DAPserver with up to two DAP boards connected to eight input signal interface (SI) modules and two output SI modules in a 3U card-cage – all in the same enclosure. This single-box system lets you sample up to 64 differential inputs simultaneously with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation. You can develop and run your application on any PC on your network as a client of one or more DAPservers. Use DAPstudio – data acquisition development software from Microstar Laboratories – or a third-party product, like LabVIEW. Or write your own. You can download DAPstudio to try it out. A complete SMS I64 (with 64 isolated inputs) costs less than US$310 per input channel and an additional US$90 per output channel.
Note to the Editor:
Microstar Laboratories suggests this text as a caption for the available image:
Data acquisition, simultaneous sampling & updating, channel-to-channel isolation – all in a single box : Scalable Modular System SMS I64
Microstar Laboratories, Inc. claims Microstar Laboratories, Data Acquisition Processor, DAP, DAPL, DAPserver, and DAPstudio as trademarks. Microsoft Corporation has registered Microsoft and Windows as trademarks. National Instruments Corporation has registered LabVIEW as a trademark. Other organizations may claim – or may have registered – as trademarks any trade names, logos, and service marks that appear in this document but not in the list above.
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