16-bit digitiser instruments updated, modular concept expanded
The company has designed a compeltely new implementation of the carrier card, and along with it the first in new series of function modules. It retains the modular concept, with backward compatibility to the existing module range, while reducing footprint and uprating performance.
The M2p platform-board will be Specturm’s PCI Express (PCIe) base for all upcoming products. The other element is the 59xx module, which will be available in multiple variations. The M2p platform and 59xx module together form 13 different new digitizer cards with many of options of speed and channels. This mid-range digitizer series is designed to cover signal frequencies from 1 MHz to 40 MHz. Within that range, the units will replace all current 12, 14 and 16-bit models giving existing users an easy upgrade path with technical advantages. Applications for these new products are expected in the areas of ultrasound, laser, lidar, radar, automotive and ‘big physics’ experiments.
The M2p.59xx series is initially available with three different speed grades of 20, 40 and 80 Msmple/sec and from one to eight channels per card. Based on Spectrum’s modular design philosophy, 13 different (factory-configured) models can be ordered. More models will be released in 2018.
Although the size of the product has been reduced (compared to the prior generation) to a half-length PCIe card, it offers more features than its predecessor. Each channel has a separate ADC and a fully individual programmable input amplifier with ranges between ±200 mV and ±10V, programmable input offset for unipolar measurements, programmable input termination of 50 Ohms and 1 MegaOhms and an integrated calibration circuit. Models are available with up to eight single-ended and up to four differential channels.
The reduced card length of 167 mm allows the powerful 16-bit digitizers to fit into much smaller PC systems, and compact card frames, than before – suited for compact OEM solutions. A PCIe x4 lane interface increases the available streaming speed to more than 600 MByte/sec – or more than 75 Mample/sec continuous streaming for four channels. That complements the on-board memory of 1 GByte and enables applications that need continuous data storage or fast online calculations. Intelligent acquisition modes include multiple recording, gated sampling or ABA – the combination of fast and slow continuous acquisition.
Up to 16 cards in one system can be synchronized using Spectrum’s star-hub technology. That allows systems to be created with up to 128 channels, all sharing a common clock and trigger, in one single chassis. For synchronization with external equipment, clock and trigger inputs and outputs are standard. For greater flexibility, four individually programmable connectors are available directly on the front-panel that offer additional trigger inputs, status outputs, synchronous digital input lines, asynchronous I/O or a reference clock input for an integrated time stamping unit.
The new card is based on Spectrum’s own general driver API that was introduced in 2006, since when, over 400 different products share this common driver library allowing easy switching from slow to fast products and combining PCIe, PXIe or Ethernet/LXI products with one common software interface. A complete SDK based on Windows and Linux is included in the delivery. Drivers and examples for nearly every programming language on the market are included leaving the decision of the preferred programming interface to the customer. The current SDK includes C, C++, C#, Delphi, VB.NET, J#, Python, Java, LabVIEW, MATLAB and LabWindows/CVI.
All units are shipped factory tested and include a base version of Spectrum’s SBench 6 software for first tests and simple measurement tasks. The Professional license of the software adds full support of all acquisition modes, a large number of calculations and new displays, project control and reporting.
Spectrum; www.spectrum-instrumentation.com/en
A video clip is at; www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkDh6k4MMow&feature=youtu.be
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