Frequency Counter works with analog/digital signals.
Press Release Summary:
Delivering plug-and-play functionality, 1054 - PhidgetFrequencyCounter can be used to measure frequency of analog or digital signal. It counts events from analog signal over time and calculate frequency from it. Able to count logic level or signal centered around 0 V, product can also count signals with different ground as long as they are within common mode range (±10 V). Dual channels enable sensing of 2 different inputs, and measurable frequency is accurate to 0.25% up to 1 MHz.
Original Press Release:
You Can Now Use a Phidget to Measure the Frequency of an Analog or Digital Signal
The FrequencyCounter plugs right into your PC.
CALGARY, Alberta - Phidgets Inc. released today the 1054 - PhidgetFrequencyCounter that can be used to measure the frequency of an analog or digital signal.
"This is another product that have been requested by customers who want to take advantage of our great API and were frustrated by us not offering this capability. " says Chester Fitchett, CEO of Phidgets.
The 1054 - PhidgetFrequencyCounter is designed to count events from an analog signal over time and calculate a frequency from it. The product can count a logic level or signal centered around zero volts. Signals with a different ground can be counted, provided they are within the common mode range (+-10V).
The Frequency Counter can also power small devices, such as Hall Effect, flow rate sensors, tachometers, and other sensors.
The PhidgetFrequencyCounter contains two channels to sense two different inputs. Each channel has two different circuits to sense for logic level-frequencies or zero-centered frequencies. The measurable frequency is accurate to 0.25% up to 1MHz. The Frequency Counter may measure frequencies past 1 Mhz, but the input voltage specifications will not hold.
The PhidgetFrequencyCounter can measure frequencies down to ~ 0.01Hz. However the response time of these measurements is directly related to the frequency, thus it could take 1 or 2 periods(100-200s) to detect the input frequency
Product Specifications
Number of Channels: 2
Operating Temperature: 0 - 70°C
USB Voltage Range: 4.75 - 5.25VDC
USB Current: 42mA
Max Output Current (using +5V from terminal block): 450mA
Input Impedance: 332 KOhm / 30pF
Frequency Error: 0.25%
Maximum input frequency: 1MHz
Common Mode Input Range vs GND: -6.25 - 10.25VDC
Maximum Input Voltage (measured to ground): ±20V
Zero Centered Input Hysteresis Band: ±30mV
Minimum Input Voltage @ 1mHz, Zero-Centered Input: 400mVpp
Logic Input, Logic Level 0 Voltage: 0.8V
Logic Input, Logic Level 1 Voltage: 3V
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), 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 1054 - PhidgetFrequencyCounter is available now. The suggested resale price is $72.80 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.
Sales Inquiries: sales@phidgets.com
