USB modules offer industrial-strength acquisition

High-speed USB 2.0 16bit multifunction analogue input board is ideal for precision measurement, analysis, monitoring and control in countless embedded applications

The USB-AI Series is a new range of low-cost USB analogue input modules available now from Acces I/O Products. The 12 and 16bit modules will be showcased at the upcoming Embedded Systems Conference in San Jose. The flagship model is the USB-AI16-16A, a high-speed USB 2.0 16bit multifunction analogue input board that is ideal for precision measurement, analysis, monitoring and control in countless embedded applications.
The USB-AI16-16A can sample inputs at speeds up to 500kHz for the board's 16 single-ended or eight differential analogue input channels.

Standard features in the USB-AI Series include 16 digital I/O lines and a 16bit counter/timer - all packaged in a small, rugged, industrial enclosure.

With an excellent price/performance value, this family of boards also includes models with slower A/D speeds and a group of 12bit modules for less demanding applications.

The OEM USB/104 version provides just the board without the enclosure and is ideal for a variety of embedded OEM applications - simply connect to any available USB port.

The USB-AI Series includes five models (USB-AI16-16A, USB-AI16-16E, USB-AI12-16A, USB-AI12-16, and USB-AI12-16E) with list prices ranging from only US $339 to $639.
The boards feature eight standard analogue voltage input ranges, two factory current input ranges (4-20 or 10-50mA) and includes a data sample buffer and hardware real-time calibration capability.

A novel 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 board's data buffer and ability to trigger the A/D in real time assures synchronised sampling that is unaffected by other computer operations - an essential requirement for signal, vibration and transient analysis where high datarates must be sustained for short periods of time.

For embedded OEM type applications, an additional miniature USB input header is provided in parallel with the type B connector.

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

The USB-AI Series was designed to be used in rugged industrial environments but is small enough to fit nicely onto any desk or testing station.

The board measures just 90 x 96mm and ships inside a steel powder-coated enclosure with an antiskid bottom.

A DIN rail mounting provision is available for installation in industrial environments.

What makes the OEM option unique is that its PCB size and predrilled 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 USB-AI Series can be integrated into any PCI-104 or PC/104 stack by connecting it to a USB 2.0 port usually included onboard with embedded CPU form factors such as EBX, EPIC, and PC/104 especially important since many newer CPU chipsets do not support ISA and have plenty of USB ports.

The USB-AI16-16A is supported for use in most operating systems and includes a free Linux (including Mac OS X) and Windows 95/98/Me/NT/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 most popular application programs, and includes example LabView VIs.

Embedded OS support includes Windows XPe.