USB Board offers interface for 4 load cells or sensors.
May 23, 2011 -
With PhidgetBridge 1046, users can connect up to 4 un-amplified Wheatstone Bridge based sensors, such as strain gauges, compression load cells, and pressure sensors. Unit supports specific data rates from 1-125 samples/sec and lets users adjust gain from 1-128. Providing up to 465 mA to Bridge outputs, PhidgetBridge 1046 features USB voltage range of 4.5-5.25 Vdc, USB current of 500 mA, and 35 mA USB quiescent current.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Phidgets, Inc.
2715 A 16A Street NW
Calgary, AB, T2M3R7
Canada
The New 1046 - PhidgetBridge Interfaces to up to Four Wheatstone Bridge Based Sensors
Great Interface for Load Cells and Strain Gauges
CALGARY, Alberta, - Phidgets Inc. released today the 1046 - PhidgetBridge 4-Input which interfaces to up to 4 Wheatstone Bridge based Sensors.
"With the introduction of the 1046, we now provide our customers with a simple way to use Wheatstone based Compression Load Cells and Strain Gauges. " says Chester Fitchett, CEO of Phidgets.
"We are also introducng a good selection of Load Cells to give our customers the one-stop shopping experience that they expect from Phidgets. " added Bernard Rousseau, Director of Marketing.
The PhidgetBridge lets you connect up to 4 un-amplified Wheatstone bridges, such as
:
o strain gauges
o compression load cells
o pressure sensors/Barometers
o piezoresistive accelerometers
o Magnetoresistive sensors (Compasses)
The 1046 supports specific data rates from 1 to 125 samples per seconds; users can adjust gains from 1 to 128, and if offers software configurable amplification.
Product Specifications
USB Voltage: 4.5 - 5.25VDC
USB Current: 500mA
USB Quiescent Current: 35mA
Total Current available to Bridge Outputs: 465mA
Recommended wire size: 16 - 26AWG
Differential Voltage resolution per channel: 24 bits
Data Rates (affects all channels): 8ms to 1000ms in 8ms increments
Gain Settings (affects all channels): 1, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128
Input Current (Max): ±3nA
Operational Input Voltage Range GND + 0.25V to 5V Supply - 0.25V
Operating Temperature: 0 - 70°C
Software Environment
"Unlike a lot of our competitor's products that require their users to write some firmware code in order to use their sensor, we are completely "Plug and Play" says Bernard Rousseau, Director of Marketing. "With Phidgets, you plug it in and start using it and when it comes to programming, the user, not us, decides which operating system and which computer language he wants to use", added Rousseau.
Users can program Phidgets using a simple yet powerful and well documented Application Programming Interfade (API) that is supported under Windows (2000, XP, Vista, 7), Windows CE, Mac OS X, and Linux. Users can write programs in Visual Basic, VB.NET, C#, C/C++, Flash/Flex, Java, Labview, Matlab, ActionScript 3.0, and Cocoa.
Phidgets also provides programming examples for all its products to help programmers write their own programs. The API Libraries as well as the examples and the documentation are available at no charge on Phidgets.com.
Pricing and Availability
The 1046- PhidgetBridge 4-Input is available now. The suggested resale price is $87.35 Canadian.
About Phidgets
Phidgets, Inc. is a technology leader in the design and manufacture of low-cost control and sensing modules connected to personal computers through the USB port. Phidgets products are ideally suited for fast prototyping. The privately held company is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Contact Information
Bernard Rousseau
Director of Marketing
Phidgets Inc.
Address: Unit 1, 6115 - 4th Street S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2H 2H9
Web Site: Phidgets.com
Phone: 1-403-282-7335
Fax: 1-403-282-7332
E-mail: bernard@phidgets.com
Sales Inquiries: sales@phidgets.com
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