Article: Plug in sensors ...and keep the change

A few years ago, who’d have thought it would soon be possible to plug in and unplug multiple sensors on a standard PC, using only a £120 device? Thanks to the development of the USB port, and some ingenious design by Measurement Computing, that’s now just what’s on offer. NIGEL TREVARTHEN explains.

The USB ports provided as standard on all new PCs have made connecting external devices a simple task, and now connecting external signals has been made easy too. Thanks to an innovative device from Measurement Computing, external analogue and digital signals can be connected at low cost.

The £120 (ex VAT) miniLAB 1008 is a compact interface for data acquisition which accepts eight single-ended or four differential 12-bit analogue inputs and sends the signals to a PC via the USB port.

In addition, the unit crams in a pair of 10-bit analogue outputs, a 32-bit external event counter, four digital I/O lines amongst the front-panel screw terminals, and a further 24 digital I/O lines through an industry-standard connector. The miniLAB 1008 is ideal for an enormous range of data acquisition tasks, and despite the tiny unit’s appearance, it can handle rugged industrial use. Add to this the advantages of USB connection, such as not having to make lots of set-up adjustments and not requiring a separate power supply, and the potential of the miniLAB 1008 is clear.

Support is provided for Visual Basic, C, and Measurement Computing’s acclaimed SoftWIRE data acquisition and control software.

miniLAB 1008 features:

• Eight single-ended or four differential 12-bit analogue inputs
• Two 10-bit analogue outputs
• One 32-bit external event counter
• Built-in screw terminals
• 28 bi-directional digital I/O lines
• Industry standard 82C55 providing 24 digital I/O lines that terminate at a 37-pin connector
• Four additional digital I/O lines available at the screw terminals
• User configurable watchdog timer
• USB 1.1 compatibility supported under Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP