I/O Boards provide 10 counter/timers.
Press Release Summary:
Counter/timer I/O boards, Model APC48x for desktop PCI and Model AcPC48x for CompactPCI, offer several models with up to 10 quadrature/counter/timer channels. Configurations are available with 16 or 32-bit counters and TTL or RS422 interfaces. Quadrature measurement supports X1, X2, X4, and index pulse decoding. Units are suited for counting events, generating waveform control signals, measuring pulse-widths or periodic rates, and other process monitoring operations.
Original Press Release:
New PCI and CompactPCI® I/O boards provide ten counter/timers for quadrature and other I/O functions
New APC48x and AcPC48x counter/timer modules for desktop PCI or CompactPCI feature high channel density to conserve precious card slots by processing more I/O from a single card.
Wixom, MI: Acromag's new counter/timer I/O boards, the APC48x for desktop PCI and AcPC48x for CompactPCI, offer several models with up to ten quadrature/counter/timer channels. Various configurations are available with 16 or 32-bit counters and TTL or RS422 interfaces. The counter/timers can be used for counting events, generating waveform control signals, measuring pulse-widths or periodic rates, and other process monitoring operations. Quadrature measurement supports X1, X2, X4 and index pulse decoding. With more channels on a single card, computer developers can use fewer boards to perform many I/O functions which greatly reduces the cost of their systems. The standard models are priced at $800 with extended temperature models ($950) also available for operation from -40 to 85°C.
Three models on each platform, PCI or CompactPCI, provide a variety of channel configurations. The 482 models feature ten 16-bit counters with a TTL interface. The 483s combine four 16-bit TTL counters and four 32-bit RS422 counters. And the 484 modules provide six 32-bit RS422 counters. For more flexibility, two 16-bit counters can be combined to form one 32-bit counter. Most of the configuration settings are handled by a single register which minimizes programming.
A broad selection of functions gives programmers plenty of freedom for system design. Available counter timer modes include event counting, quadrature position measurement, frequency measurement, period/pulse-width measurement, square wave/pulse train generation, time/period interrupter, 32-bit counter/timer, and pulse-width generation. Support for internal and external triggering simplifies synchronization to external events. Counters can use internal or external clocks.
These boards are ideal for manufacturing, defense (COTS), aerospace, and scientific applications. The CompactPCI version of this board offers a more rugged Eurocard format in a 3U size for use in a card cage enclosure with easy board insertion and removal. High channel density helps preserve the limited backplane slots. The PCI version is well suited to desktop computers in laboratories, industrial computers common in manufacturing plants, or embedded systems in machinery or other devices.
For easy integration of the boards with Windows® 95/98/ME and NT/2000 applications, Acromag developed an ActiveX® (OLE) controls software package. ActiveX controls are object-based software components that function as drivers to interface the I/O boards with compatible software development programs such as Microsoft® Visual C++(TM), and Visual Basic. ActiveX controls can also link I/O data to Human Machine Interface (HMI) process control applications, Microsoft Office® products such as Excel® and Access®, as well as many other desktop applications used to display and record data.
For connectivity with real time software application programs, Acromag offers C libraries for VxWorks®, QNX®, and other operating systems. Free example programs for use with Linux systems are available for download on the website. The libraries provide generic routines (source code included) to handle reads, writes, interrupts, and other functions. Demonstration programs enable the developer to quickly exercise the I/O modules before attaching the routines to the application program. This diagnostic tool can save hours of troubleshooting and debugging.
Acromag, a multimillion dollar international corporation, has been manufacturing and developing measurement and control products for more than 45 years. They offer a complete line of embedded I/O products including bus boards, mezzanine modules, wiring accessories, and software.
For more information about Acromag products, call Inside Sales or Marketing Communications at (248) 624-1541, (800) 881-0268, FAX (248) 624-9234, or write Acromag, Inc. at P.O. Box 437, Wixom, MI 48393-7037 USA. Information is also available on the Internet at www.acromag.com.
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