Article: The price is right

The biggest headlines in data acquisition last year were made by a new series of boards which match the top-end boards on the market in terms of resolution, sample rate and I/O count …but as they say, “the only difference is the price”. MARTIN KREBS introduces a new guide and a new model.

Since its launch earlier in 2002, Measurement Computing’s PCI-DAS6000 range of data acquisition boards has made all the news, by combining class-leading design and build quality with some very affordable prices.

Now UK supplier Adept Scientific has brought details of the initial eight models in the range together in a free guide. The boards provide analogue input measurement up to 16 channels at 12 or 16 bit resolution, across a broad input range featuring sensitivity as acute as +/-50mV. They’re supplied with a full User’s Manual, individual calibration certificates, a lifetime warranty against defects in material or workmanship, and a lifetime “Harsh Environment Warranty” against accidental damage.

The range moves on, however, almost as fast as the technical team here (and the marketing folks) can produce these guides. The latest design from Measurement Computing has also arrived, and it’s a very impressive 64-channel model.

The PCI-DAS6031 handles these 64 channels at a resolution of 16 bits, (one part in 65,536) on any of 14 input ranges may be taken at rates up to 100k samples per second. Eight discrete digital bi-directional I/O lines can control relays and solenoids, and monitor switch and contact closures.

InstaCal software is included, providing installation, calibration and testing in one package. There’s also Universal Library, a complete function library to simplify the configuration and operation of each measurement board. A single, universal set of functions operates all Measurement Computing’s products.

Software support is available for LabVIEW, Agilent VEE and SoftWIRE, a state-of-the-art graphical programming system for Windows Visual Studio .NET and Visual Basic 6.

DAS-Wizard offers data acquisition direct to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets: watch your spreadsheet update with real measurements, make calculations, chart results, and all with no programming required. Simply use menus to select the measurements and methods, then watch it go.

More information about this product...