PCI-A12-16A

Model PCI-A12-16A is a multifunction, analog-to-digital, digital-to-analog, and digital I/O card. It accepts up to 16 single-ended inputs or eight differential inputs. Inputs are protected against over-voltage conditions up to ±35 volts and typically survive static discharges beyond 4000 volts. Conversions can be initiated in any one of three ways: (a) software command, (b) external start commands, or (c) on a timed basis using on-board programmable counters. Converted data may be transferred to the computer by one of two software selected methods: (a) polling for the end-of-conversion signal, or (b) by generating an Interrupt when the end-of-conversion signal occurs.

The card includes a 4K Samples FIFO data buffer and a 4K words Point List FIFO buffer. These FIFOs permit background-task-based data acquisition, essential for moderate throughput in Windows. The Point List FIFO contains channel, sub-MUX channel for use with external signal conditioner model AIM-16, and voltage range for each analog-input channel (point). The data buffer contains A/D conversion results. When the data buffer becomes half full, an interrupt can be generated to cause the data to be read into the computer.

INPUT VOLTAGE RANGES

Input analog voltages are amplified by a programmable-gain amplifier. Eight voltage ranges are available: 0-10V, 0-5V, offset voltage ranges of +1.25V to +3.75V and 1.25V to 6.25V, and ±10V, ±5V, ±2.5V, and ±1.25V bipolar. Further, by placing jumpers on the card you can manually select a 4-20 mA current range. In that latter case, the current input is converted to a special analog voltage range that will yield full 12-bit resolution and there can be up to eight inputs. In applications that require mixed voltage and current inputs, jumpers are placed only on the channels that are to have current inputs.

INPUT SYSTEM EXPANSION

Up to 256 differential or single-ended analog inputs can be handled through use of external signal conditioner/sub-multiplexers (model AIM-16). The output of each 16-input sub-multiplexer will connect to one of the A/D single-ended inputs.

ANALOG OUTPUTS

Output ranges of 0-2.5V, 0-5V, 0-10V, ±2.5V, ±5V and ±10V, are field selectable with jumpers. Note that two conversions may take place at once and that, since the D/As are double buffered, data for the next conversion may be loaded simultaneously.

DISCRETE DIGITAL INPUT/OUTPUT

The circuit uses an 82C55A PPI with mode 0 supported. All bits are buffered and pulled up to 5V. These lines are connected via an optional external 50 pin ribbon cable through an adjacent mounting bracket.

COUNTER/TIMERS

The card contains a 1 MHz crystal-controlled oscillator and a type 82C54 counter/timer chip that has three 16-bit programmable down counters. Counters 1 and 2 are concatenated to provide 32 bits count capability and the "zero-crossing" output of Counter 2 can be used as a pacer clock for timed start commands to the A/D converter. Frequency generation is easy because Counters 1 and 2 form a 32-bit counter and there is a 1 MHz input. Pulse width measurement of slowly changing signals is easy because the slow-changing signal can be applied to Counter 1's gate input and the 1 MHz oscillator provides a known input frequency. Frequency measurement is simplified because Counter 0 can be used to generate a variable gating signal. Finally, transition counting can be performed by Counter 0 if events to be counted are applied to the clock input. Basically, Counter 0 input is used for frequency measurement and event counting. The Counter 1 gate input is used for pulse measurement and the Counter 2 output is used for freq uency generation. In each case, you need to apply or read a signal at only one connector pin.

INTERRUPTS

When software enabled, the PCI-A12-16A card has Interrupt capability. An IntA can be initiated by completion of A/D conversions. Interrupt can be initiated when the FIFO data buffer is half full. The FIFO’s permits data acquisition without timing concerns.

PRECISION EXCITATION VOLTAGE

A +10VDC (±0.2V) reference voltage is developed from the A/D converter reference source. That reference voltage is available at the I/O connector for external use and can source up to 200 mA.

SOFTWARE

The PCI-A12-16A is supported for use in most operating systems and includes a DOS, Linux, and Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/2003/XP compatible software package. This contains sample programs and source code in "C" and Pascal for DOS, and Visual Basic, Delphi, and Visual C++ for Windows. Also incorporated is a graphical setup program in Windows. Third party support includes a Windows standard dll interface usable from the most popular application programs, along with LabView .VI samples. Linux support consists of installation files and basic samples for programming from user level via an open source kernel driver.

Drivers and Downloads

Full list of available Downloads: Software Packages, Drivers, Manuals, and other documents

Information about our Free Software packages:

ACCES is proud to provide a full suite of software support with every Data Acquisition product. We are committed to supporting the most popular operating systems and platforms for our customers. Currently we are actively supporting Windows XP through Windows 10, including "Server 2008," "Embedded," and "Compact" flavors in both 32-bit and 64-bit for all plug-and-play products including PCI, PCI Express, USB, and more. Many products continue to ship with support for additional operating systems such as DOS, Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, and 2000.

Samples

Among the software we deliver with our products are sample programs in a wide variety of programming languages. These samples are used to demonstrate the software interfaces to our products — and many can be used as-is in your production environments, or to test functionality of the devices out-of-the-box. We're currently actively supporting sample programs in Visual C# and Delphi with many devices including samples in Visual Basic and Visual C/C++, as well as Borland C/C++ 3.1 for DOS. Additionally we provide National Instruments LabVIEW compatible DLLs and demonstration VIs for many of our devices.

Drivers

Drivers for various operating systems are also provided, including active support for Windows XP -> 10 — all in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors, and including consumer, server, and embedded varieties — as well as the Linux kernels 2.6 and newer and recent macOS versions. Many products continue to ship with driver support for Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, and Windows 2000, but support for these operating systems is considered deprecated.

Setup Programs and Utilites

Our Data Acquisition devices also include a graphical setup utility that walks you through the process of configuring any option jumpers or switches on the device, as well as explaining a little about the various connectors present.

Many devices also include utility programs - little tools to make your use of the device easier, such as WinRISC, a "Really Incredibly Simple Communications" terminal program that lets you get started instantly with serial devices.

"Register Level" Documentation

Besides all this software in all these languages and operating systems ACCES has a policy of open and transparent development: none of our lowest-level "register" interfaces are hidden from you — we document every register in every bus card, every command in every serial board, and every usb control transfer in every USB Data Acquisition board. These lowest-level interfaces allow you to develop for our products in ANY operating system or language, regardless of our actively supporting it or having a driver for it. We have customers actively developing in ADA, Android, Python, Java, MATLAB, Solaris, and more, just by referring to our complete low-level interface documentation! And we provide the full source code to all of our drivers, regardless of operating system, to give you an even bigger head start in your own development tasks.

No Fees or Royalties

All of this software is provided at no additional charge, and is licensed under any of a variety of flexible — and royalty free — options. Check out our software license explanation if you'd like more information.

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Custom Software

ACCES also offers Custom Software Services for our products. Our prices are unbelievably low, often as inexpensive as free! If you need something tweaked to support your needs, or an entire enterprise application developed from scratch, it is definitely worth your time to inquire with us, first.

Further information about available ACCES Software:

Redistributing Windows Drivers

A list of ACCES drivers and the files that compose them under different versions of Windows, so you can easily redistribute ACCES cards and drivers.

Regulatory Compliance

• This product is in full compliance with CE requirements.