Acromag announced an addition to their PCIe-based AcroPack Series. The AP225 offers a 12-bit D/A converter and the AP235 features a 16-bit D/A converter voltage waveform output model. These mPCIe (Mini PCI Express) based boards provide output signals to drive up to 16 devices. Each output channel has its own 12 or 16-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The benefit of individual DACs is they are faster, and they eliminate glitches typically caused by the re-acquisition process of sample and holds found on multiplexed output boards. A 64K sample memory is shared between the sixteen channels for waveform storage on board. A down-facing plug-in 100 pin connector ensures a secure connection for the I/O without any cabling. These modules plug into AcroPack® PCIe, VPX, and XMC carriers in any combination for embedded applications running on Linux®, Windows®, or VxWorks® operating systems. AcroPack AP225 and AP235 modules start at less than $1,100 and carriers at $750.
For easy integration of the AcroPack modules with real-time software application programs, Acromag offers C libraries for Windows®, Linux® and VxWorks® systems. The libraries provide generic routines (source code included) to handle reads, writes, interrupts, and other functions. Demonstration programs enable the developer to quickly exercise the I/O modules before attaching the routines to the application program. This diagnostic tool can save hours of troubleshooting and debugging.
This COTS line of AcroPacks are SWaP-C optimized, RoHS compliant and ideal for scientific development labs, military and aerospace applications, the defense industry and automation applications.
Key Features & Benefits
■ PCI Express Generation 1 interface
■ Independent 12-bit D/A converters per channel
■ Waveforms can be continuously output from onboard memory without host intervention
■ DMA controller provides for streaming waveform data from host memory
■ Mix countless I/O combinations in a single slot
■ Per channel configurability of bipolar and unipolar output ranges
■ Sample software and diagnostics
■ Configurable FIFO sizes up to 64K samples offer flexible waveform lengths
■ Built-in calibration coefficients
■ Flexible trigger, operating modes, and memory allocation
■ Independent selectable output ranges
■ Outputs reset to 0 volts
■ Internally stored calibration coefficients ensure accuracy
■ Synchronization of multiple modules using an external trigger
■ Solid-down connector I/O interface