Mezzanine Modules help conserve board slots.
Press Release Summary:
Series IP48x Industry Pack Modules offer several models with up to 10 quadrature/counter/timer channels. Configurations are available with 16-bit counters and TTL or RS422 interfaces. High channel density conserves slots on VMEbus, PCI, and CompactPCI(TM) boards by processing more I/O functions from single card. Counter/timers are suited for counting events, generating waveform control signals, and measuring pulse-widths.
Original Press Release:
Industry Pack Module Provides Ten Counter/Timers for Quadrature and Many other I/O Functions to Save Card Slots.
Acromag's IP48x counter/timer modules feature high channel density to conserve limited Industry Pack slots on VMEbus, PCI and CompactPCI(TM) boards by processing more I/O functions from a single card.
Wixom, MI: Acromag's new IP48x series of Industry Pack (IP) mezzanine modules offers several models with up to ten quadrature/counter/timer channels. Configurations are available with 16-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 that plugs into Industry Pack slots on VMEbus, PCI, or CompactPCI(TM) carrier cards, computer developers can use fewer boards to perform many I/O functions which greatly reduces the cost of their systems. The standard models start at $550 with extended temperature models ($650) also available for operation from -40 to 85°C.
Three models provide a variety of channel configurations. The IP482 model features ten 16-bit counters with a TTL interface. The IP483 has a combination of five 16-bit TTL counters and two 16-bit RS422 counters. And the IP484 module provides five 16-bit RS422 counters. 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.
For connectivity with real time software application programs, Acromag offers C libraries for VxWorks®, QNX®, and other operating systems. 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.
For easy integration of the IP modules with Windows® 95/98/ME and NT/XP/2000 applications, Acromag developed an ActiveX® (OLE) controls software package. ActiveX controls are object-based software components that function as drivers to interface the IP modules 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. A Linux software support package is also available.
The IP mezzanine's modular format enables multiple functions and high-density I/O on a single board to lower costs and save card slots. With its rugged design, open architecture, and high performance, the IP concept is ideal for a wide variety of I/O applications. Typical uses include data acquisition, process control, test & measurement, motion control, and network data communications.
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.
