Multifunction PCI and CompactPCI® I/O boards can replace four separate A/D, D/A, DIO, counter/timer cards

The APC730 and AcPC730 for desktop PCI or CompactPCI computers save card cage slots by performing analog input, analog output, digital I/O and counter/timer functions on a single card.

Acromag's multifunction I/O boards, the APC730 for desktop PCI and AcPC730 for CompactPCI, combine the capabilities of four separate I/O boards on a single card. Since the APC730 and AcPC730 perform analog input, analog output, digital I/O and counter/timer functions from a single slot, embedded computer designers can use fewer boards to handle more I/O functions which greatly reduces the cost of their systems. Typical uses include data acquisition, monitoring & control, and test & measurement.

Analog input functions are handled by 16 differential or 32 single-ended input channels with four selectable unipolar and bipolar input ranges up to 10V DC. A 16-bit A/D converter with 512 sample RAM scans inputs in just 10µS per channel for 100KHz throughput.
For analog output functions, eight channels are provided with a ±10V signal range. Each channel has a 16-bit D/A converter to deliver 80.8KHz processing speed with a 12.375µS settling time. A 1024 sample FIFO buffer enables waveform generation functions.
Digital I/O tasks are accommodated with 16 TTL transceivers. The input/output direction is selectable on an 8-channel basis. Interrupt support and programmable debounce are included.

And, a 32-bit counter/timer is provided for a broad range of functions. Common applications include watchdog timer, event counting, pulse measurement, period measurement, and output waveform generation (pulse width modulation, continuous/single pulse, continuous waveform).

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.

Berner & Mattner Systemtechnik Gmbh Munich, Germany (BMS) is a well-known and highly respected system design and integration firm. Their strengths are in the Component Test and Integration Test Systems area as well as in the HiL Test System business. They have a sterling reputation in vehicular test stands.

Acromag was chosen recently by BMS to be the primary I/O supplier for a contract they won for the Mercedes truck test stands. Working with our German Distributor, VSystems Electronic GmbH, BMS chose an I/O configuration that included Acromag’s Industry Pack (IP) PCI carrier, IP modules, and the model AcPC730 Multifunction Module. This is a very complicated and dynamic test stand, requiring high level of stability and accuracy.

Several other I/O board vendors were reviewed and evaluated. However, Acromag was selected for its overall technical capability, documentation, I/O functionality, and cost performance. All these factors played a part in Acromag’s selection, however, Acromag’s technical response to issues and questions ultimately weighed in their favor.

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Acromag, Inc.
30765 S. Wixom Rd.
P.O. Box 437
Wixom, Michigan 48393-7037
Phone: 248-295-0310
Fax: 248-624-9234
e-mail: solutions@acromag.com
www.acromag.com

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