Out in Front

Signal-conditioning assemblies match notebook size, weight

Two eight-channel signal-conditioning products from IOtech address the problem of signal-conditioner portability in data-acquisition systems. Previously, few convenient ways existed to carry the signal conditioners that data-acquisition systems need to supply transducer excitation, to linearize transducer outputs, and to compensate transducer outputs for environmental effects. The WBK14 and WBK15 come in 3.3-lb assemblies that match the size and weight of a notebook PC and of the company's DaqBook and WaveBook external data-acquisition units. DaqBook and WaveBook interface with a notebook PC via the PC's or a PCMCIA adapter's parallel port. You stack the PC atop the data-acquisition unit and stack that unit atop one to eight stacked WBK-series assemblies. Aluminum rails bolted to the sides of the WBK and data-acquisition assemblies keep those units together. You fasten the PC to the data-acquisition unit with Velcro, which works well in this application.

The $3495 WBK14 accepts outputs from IC-Piezoelectric (ICP) accelerometers and microphones. The $1195 WBK15 accommodates as many as eight industry-standard, 5B-type, isolated, single-channel signal-conditioning modules, which are now available from several sources. These modules work with thermocouples; strain gauges; resistance-temperature detectors; pressure, flow, and displacement transducers; and other sensors. Signals connect to the WBK14 via BNC connectors. Transducers connect to the WBK15 through miniature plug-in screw-terminal blocks. You attach these blocks to the transducers using only a wire stripper and a screwdriver and then plug the blocks into the WBK15. The WBK14 and WBK15 operate from ac line power or a dc source.

IOtech also announced a pair of cards that plugs into the 1M-sample/sec, 12-bit-resolution WaveBook/512. The $2495, eight-channel WBK12, a programmable antialias-filter card, uses switched-capacitor lowpass filters. The $2995 WBK13 performs the same filtering function and also acts as an eight-channel simultaneous sample/ hold amplifier. Another new product, Release 3.0 of the WaveView software, comes with the WaveBook/512. WaveView began life as a way for IOtech customers to check out new WaveBook units but has evolved into an application that many users find suitable for controlling the WaveBook in the field.—by Dan Strassberg

IOtech Inc, Cleveland, OH. (216) 439-4091, fax (216) 439-4093, sales@iotech.com, http://www.iotech.com.