EDN — 07.04.96 Test & Measurement

Test & Measurement: July 4, 1996

Data-acquisition cards fit PCMCIA-based notebooks.

Three PCMCIA cards provide data-acquisition capabilities for notebook computers running under Windows 3.1 or 95. The DAQCard-AI-16E-4 and DAQCard-AI-16XE-50 are instrumentation-class analog input cards that offer 12- and 16-bit resolution, respectively. The 16E-4 provides analog triggering and a sampling rate of 250k samples/sec. The DAQCard-516, a 16-bit multifunction I/O card, offers eight single-ended or four differential analog inputs and a sampling rate of 50k samples/sec. All of the cards come with NI-DAQ drivers for use with systems based on PC/XT, AT, EISA, PCI, and PCMCIA standards. The 16E-4, 16XE-50, and 516 cost $995, $895, and $495, respectively. National Instruments, Austin, TX. (512) 794-0100.

Windows utility avoids out-of-memory crashes.

A memory-management utility and task switcher for Windows 3.x and 95 enables more applications to load simultaneously using existing PC RAM. By partitioning conventional memory, MoreMem V4.0b forces Windows to load a greater portion of application code into extended memory, leaving free more of the 640-kbyte area. Version 4.0b adds a setup dialog box and quick-exit Windows button, plus allows for the displaying of user-specified icons and the termination of unresponsive applications. MoreMem V4.0b costs $40. It is also available as shareware on the World Wide Web at http:www.traveller.com/~gamma. Gamma Re-search Inc, Huntsville, AL.

MatLab option solves partial differential equations.

The MatLab technical-computing environment now includes the Partial Differential Equation (PDE) Toolbox, which lets you model and solve problems involving partial-differential equations over two space dimensions and time. The program's graphical user interface steps you through defining the 2-D geometry, setting boundary conditions, selecting the type of PDE, solving the PDE, and displaying the results. The software solves elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic, and eigenvalue PDEs. Prices for the PDE Toolbox, which runs on Windows-based PCs, Macintosh systems, and Unix workstations, start at $595. The Math Works Inc, Natick, MA. (508) 653-1415.

RS-485 modules provide sensor-to-computer interface.

The Remote Acces line of intelligent I/O pods ties analog and digital signal devices to any RS-485-equipped host computer as far as 4000 ft away. In a stackable NEMA 4 enclosure, the pods function as a single unit, or you can link them via a two-wire multidrop RS-485 network using half-duplex serial communications. The series comprises five models. The two-channel, 24-bit RAD242 analog-input module costs $450. Other models include an A/D converter/controller ($385) and a 24-bit parallel digital I/O-to-computer in-terface ($345). Acces I/O Products, San Diego, CA. (619) 693-9005.

Benchtop switching supplies deliver 100W.

Offering power-factor correction and a universal input of 85 to 265V ac, the ABC family of 100-kHz switch-mode power supplies gives you a choice of models in five ranges, from 0 to 10V at 10A to 0 to 125V at 1A, for a total output power of 100W. Ripple and noise are <2 mV p-p, and slew time is <10 msec from minimum to maximum. The benchtop supplies recover cleanly from a 50% load step in <250 msec. Each unit comes with a two-line×16-character backlit LCD and a 12-bit IEEE 488.2 interface. ABC models cost $995. Kepco Inc, Flushing, NY. (718) 461-7000.

VMEbus board packs eight 12-bit ADCs.

The Model 6109 delivers eight channels of 12-bit A/D conversion and sampling rates as high as 20 MHz for VMEbus-based data-acquisition and -control applications. The board stores digitized data in eight independent FIFO buffers, each of which is 16k samples deep. The data then goes through either the VMEbus or front-panel communication ports, which provide a direct connection to any of the vendor's C40-based DSP board. Software-development tools for the Model 6109 are available on a variety of platforms, including Sun SPARCstation, PC/AT, and HP 700 workstations. The Model 6109 costs $9995. Pentek Inc, Norwood, NJ. (201) 767-7100.

Synthesized function generator operates as fast as 12 MHz.

The Model 1010 function generator has two direct digital-synthesized sources and lets you specify any frequency, rate, or time interval to resolutions >nine decimal digits. The instrument generates sine, square, pulse, sawtooth, and triangle waves, all synthesized using an internal quartz reference, accurate to within ±2 ppm with option 1. The standard frequency range is dc to 8 MHz, and the extended range is dc to 12 MHz (option 5). You can vary the output level from 20 mV p-p to >20V p-p. The Model 1010 costs $395. Option 1 costs $80, and option 5 costs $65. PWI/MobileFax, Carson City, NV. (702) 887-0485.