News and New Products

Low-cost USB data-acquisition modules include instrument-panel software

By Dan Strassberg -- EDN, 3/31/2005

The Econseries family of mini instruments, the latest additions to Data Translation’s range of high-accuracy, low-cost data-acquisition modules, plug into any PC’s USB port without requiring an external power supply. Signals connect directly to the modules’ built-in screw terminals. To support the boards, the company ships with them the new ready-to-measure Go! application-software package (Picture). The software provides an instrument-panel interface that requires no programming. “These compact, low-cost modules allow accurate measurements anywhere at any time.” says Fred Molinari, the company’s president and chief executive officer. “The instrumentlike software and PC connectivity via USB make good on the promise of serious portable measurements on the go.”

Go! turns the Econseries into eight mini instruments in one intuitive, easy-to-navigate application. The package includes oscilloscope, chart-recorder, voltmeter, waveform-generator, file-viewer, digital-I/O, counter/timer, and rate-generator functions. For more advanced requirements, the modules come with an extensive range of software tools as well as an evaluation copy of the manufacturer’s Measure Foundry software.

The Econseries includes a 28-channel, $149 digital-I/O unit and three units that each provide eight single-ended analog inputs. A $149, 10-bit, 25k-sample/sec unit has a 0 to 2.44V analog-input range and 20 digital I/O points. Two 12-bit, 40k-sample/sec units each have eight digital inputs, eight digital outputs, and two analog outputs. Of these two modules, a $229 unit provides a 0 to 2.5V analog-input range, and a $299 unit offers a ±10V analog-input range.

Data Translation Inc, 1-508-481-3700, www.datatranslation.com.