USB DAP for High-Speed Simultaneous Sampling

16-Bit Resolution – 8 Channels – 8 Msamples/sec – 1 GB Memory

Bellevue, WA, August 17, 2009 -- High-performance, PC-based data acquisition applications have a new option: xDAP 7400 from Microstar Laboratories, a leader in data acquisition products with distributed intelligence for PC systems. xDAP 7400 features an embedded 1.8GHz Intel processor and runs DAPL 3000, a major new release of DAPL, the real-time operating system that runs on every Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) system. Distributed intelligence like this lets you run timing-critical processes in real time, even with PC-based data acquisition under Windows. The local PC that controls xDAP 7400 connects to it through the front-panel USB 2.0 connector. That PC also can provide xDAP 7400 data acquisition services to other PCs over network connections.

A Semi-Autonomous Data Acquisition System

xDAP 7400 is a semi-autonomous data acquisition system: it can – after programming – run independently from its host PC. PC software communicates with, configures, and controls the system, but xDAP 7400 can be set up to run for long periods – or even indefinitely – without any connection to a PC. With an application using a software trigger, described below, data can be selected for processing automatically, and the host PC can be disconnected. While operating independently, xDAP 7400 can extract and process only what you care about from a sampled data stream. It lets you improve your signal quality by running the data stream through digital filters before storing it in local memory for transfer to the PC when the PC is connected and ready to accept the transfer. The distributed intelligence of multiple xDAP 7400s allows capture, buffering, and reduction of data, for faster transfer of information through limited PC host capacity.

Software Triggering and High-Speed Simultaneous Sampling

Each xDAP 7400 includes a 16-bit analog-to-digital converter running at 1 million samples per second on each of 8 channels simultaneously, for a throughput of 8 million samples per second. One gigabyte of local memory provides space for data buffers that let xDAP 7400 sustain this throughput indefinitely, transferring samples to the PC as required, with no loss of data. Recent tests have confirmed not only continuous transfer to a PC at the full 8 million samples per second but also continuous disk-logging of the data. So much raw data may be more than a given PC can – or maybe should – handle from a single xDAP 7400. When more than one xDAP 7400 is connected to a single PC, pre-processing becomes mandatory. However many channels your application has, distributed intelligence in xDAP 7400 systems lets you implement data reduction in real time, extracting only the data you care about. One useful way to do this is with software triggers. A software routine running under DAPL scans and discards sampled data until a predefined trigger event in the data – a level, a slope, a peak – sets a trigger. You specify how much data you then want sent to the PC, or you predefine another trigger event that stops the transfer. For more on this, you can read an article on software triggers.

Other Data Reduction and DAPstudio

Built into DAPL 3000, the real-time operating system that runs on xDAP 7400, are more than 100 commands optimized for data acquisition and reduction. In the event that you want to write your own software for DAPL, you can do so using the latest C++ development tools from Microsoft. These are supported by DAPtools Professional, a software product included at no charge with orders for xDAP 7400 placed before October 31, 2009. A typical application uses no more than a handful of selected processing commands. You can use DAPstudio – data acquisition development software from Microstar Laboratories – to send configuration scripts specifying the commands for the xDAP 7400 to run. Or you can send the scripts from software applications you write, or from third-party applications like LabVIEW. Each copy of DAPtools Professional includes DAPstudio. You can download a full copy of DAPstudio to evaluate it at no charge and see for yourself what the DAPL commands do, how you select them, and how you provide any parameters. To run the commands you would need demo hardware, of course. That is available for a period at no charge as well if you commit to evaluating it.

Performance Specifications

Dynamic Response Characteristics: Device Specifications (based on -10V to +10V unity gain range)

This table offers just a sample of the dynamic characteristics of xDAP 7400. xDAP 7400 provides differential inputs at seven different voltage input ranges: -10V to +10V, -5V to +5V, -2V to +2V, -1V to +1V, -0.5V to +0.5V, -0.2V to +0.2V, and -0.1V to +0.1V. View all of the specifications, for each range, on the company Web site.

Conclusion and Next Step

Using any PC laptop with a USB 2.0 port, you can sample 8 channels simultaneously with 16-bit resolution at 1 million samples per second on each channel. The DAPL operating system running on xDAP 7400 lets you perform data reduction and other processing in real time. You can download at no charge a full copy of the software you can use to develop and run your application from a PC. Technical specifications for xDAP 7400 are listed on the Web. The new hardware is available now. You can order it today. Or talk to Microstar Laboratories about evaluating it before you buy it.

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Editorial Overview:

High-performance, PC-based data acquisition applications have a new option: xDAP 7400 from Microstar Laboratories, a leader in data acquisition products with distributed intelligence for PC systems. This new top-of-the-line Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) product lets you use any PC laptop with a USB 2.0 port to develop and control a data acquisition system that samples 8 channels simultaneously with 16-bit resolution at 1 million samples per second on each channel. DAPL 3000, a major new release of the DAPL operating system, runs on xDAP 7400 to provide you with a real-time data acquisition system that you control from a PC. You can develop and control systems built around DAP hardware with DAPstudio software or with third-party software like LabVIEW. You can download full-featured DAPstudio software and try it out at no charge for as long as you like. To test all its features, you will need DAP hardware – evaluation systems available. The new xDAP 7400 is available now.

Note to the Editor:

Microstar Laboratories suggests this text as a caption for the available image:

Use any PC laptop with a USB 2.0 port to develop and control a data acquisition system (xDAP 7400) that samples 8 channels simultaneously with 16-bit resolution at 1 million samples per second on each channel.

Microstar Laboratories, Inc. claims Microstar Laboratories, Data Acquisition Processor, DAP, xDAP, DAPL, DAPserver, and DAPstudio as trademarks. Microsoft Corporation has registered Microsoft and Windows as trademarks. National Instruments Corporation has registered LabVIEW as a trademark. Intel Corporation has registered Intel 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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