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Product of the Month

New Pair of PMC Modules Satisfy User Demands for Higher Density Serial Communication Boards to Consume Fewer Card Slots and Reduce Overall Costs.

Acromag introduces  PMC520 and  PMC521 serial communication modules with eight EIA/TIA-232 or EIA/TIA-422/485 ports to minimize usage of available card slots.

Acromag's new serial communication modules provide eight asynchronous serial communication ports from a single PMC carrier slot.  The PMC520 (octal 232) and PMC521 (octal 422/485) modules reduce the cost per serial port and keep card slot usage to a minimum. Both models are available with front or rear I/O connections for more convenient cable access. Prices start at just $475 each for standard models. Optional versions carry extended temperature ratings.

A variety of features improve system performance and simplify implementation. Each serial port is equipped with large 64-byte transmit and receive FIFO buffers that minimize CPU interactions for more efficient data processing. User-friendly software-configuration helps users quickly set baud rates, character-sizes, stop bits, and parity. The baud rate is programmable with data rates of up to 250Kbps. Also, each serial channel provides RTS and CTS handshake support for an easier interface with modems. Other functions include line-break and false start-bit detection.

Information is also available on our website at www.acromag.com. To request product literature or our latest catalog, use our on-line form.

Application Spotlight
Acromag customer Hydro-Quebec TransEnergie is a world leader in the design, operation, and maintenance of power transmission systems. They are a division of Hydro-Quebec and not only transmit electricity in North America, but provide and distribute commercial simulation products for the power industry. TransEnergie operates the most extensive transmission system in North America and provides high-quality power to customers in Quebec and other parts of Canada and the United States.

TransEnergie's simulation products offer a powerful solution for modeling the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power. Several of their real-time power system simulators feature hybrid and fully digital models that provide all the flexibility needed to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the most complex power transmission interactions. These support tools provide for a wide range of modeling capabilities for electromagnetic and electromechanical oscillations ranging in duration from microsecond to seconds.

As part of their system, TransEnergie uses a processor-based carrier board populated with an Acromag IP340 Analog Industry Pack Module, an IP220-16 Analog Output Module, and an IP470 Digital I/O Module. This configuration runs under a proprietary control system in real-time. TransEnergie Technologies is supported by the Acromag home office.

New Representative
Acromag is pleased to announce Arcobel Embedded Solutions as our newest distributor.  With offices in
's-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) and Lier (Belgium), Arcobel is a leading distributor and integrator of industrial computers and embedded systems. They have the capabilities and experience to supply, support and service fully integrated and tested systems. Servicing a variety of industries, Arcobel Embedded Solutions focuses on medical, telecommunication, military, security and industrial markets.

Real-Time Show
See Acromag at the Real-Time & Embedded Computing Conference which is designed for those developing computer systems and time-critical applications serving multiple industries; data communication and telephony, military and aerospace, industrial control, instrumentation, consumer electronics, image processing, process control, medical instrumentation, vehicular control and maintenance, embedded appliances and more.

Next Show: October 7, 2004 - Patuxent River, MD

Ask the I/O Experts
Question: Acromag's IP220 analog output module plays a vital role in many of my designs, but I understand you were forced to retire the IP220 because of parts shortages. Do you have a replacement that offers form, fit and functional compatibility?

Answer: As part of our Product Life Cycle Program, Acromag developed the new IP220A to service our long-time customers with a substitute for the popular IP220. We have done everything possible to ensure that the IP220A is a drop in replacement for the IP220. The IP220A has exactly the same footprint, software interface, and field I/O connections as the original IP220. With any new design, it is almost impossible to produce a 100% identical reproduction, but we feel that we have come as close as possible.

What is the difference?

The following are the only know differences between the IP220 and IP220A. Based on our testing, we do not believe that any of these differences should effect how the IP220A works within a system design with the IP220.

Power
An external ± 15 volt supply is no longer required. Pins that were previously assigned for the ±15 volts lines are left unused on the IP220A. This allows the IP220 and IP220A to be interchangeable.
There will be a build option that can be ordered allowing the use of the ± 15 volts external supply. This will prove useful for those customers who have a larger number of IP220As in a single rack and are unable to provide sufficient power through their existing ± 12 volt supply.

DAC
Output impedance of the DAC has been improved for the IP220A. IP220A output impedance is 0.5 ohms maximum versus 1 ohm maximum for the IP220.

Settling time is slightly slower for the IP220A than for the IP220. IP220A settling time is 11 µS;. the IP220 was 8 µS.
Output current has been reduced 5 mA on the IP220 to 2 mA on the IP220A

Access Times (8MHz clock): IP220A vs IP220
ID EEPROM read: 0 wait states (250nS cycle) [no change].
DAC channel data write: 1 wait state (375nS cycle) [IP220 was 0 wait states (250nS cycle)].
DAC offset/gain coeff. read: 1 wait state (375nS cycle) [IP220 was 0 wait states (250nS cycle)].
Control register access: 1 wait state (375nS cycle) [IP220 was 0 wait states (250nS cycle)].

See our full list of technical support solutions on our Website.

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Acromag, Inc.
30765 S. Wixom Rd.
P.O. Box 437
Wixom, Michigan 48393-7037
Phone: 248-624-1541
Fax: 248-624-9234
e-mail: solutions@acromag.com
www.acromag.com