Low-Cost 16-Channel DAQ Module Displays Flexibility

May 24, 2004

The DI-710 Data-Acquisition (DAQ) Module can be used as a standalone or a wire-connected product, bringing high performance at low cost. Crafted by Dataq Instruments, this 16-channel, 14-bit unit sports 512 Mbytes of memory on a removable module. It...

Roger Allan

The standalone versions, which contain a removable multimedia card memory module, can be used with or without a PC connection. The tethered versions connect directly to the PC via USB or Ethernet ports.

The module boasts gain factors of 1, 2, 4, and 8 (H version) and 1, 10, 100, and 1000 (L version), along with eight digital I/O lines. Each of the 16 analog input channels is configurable for gain as well as for single-sided (16 channels) or differential (eight channels) operation. It sports a real-time clock and an 8-bit bidirectional I/O port as well. PC-tethered versions can stream data at 4800 samples/s, while standalone units store data at 7200 samples/s.

The DI-710 modules have removable 16-position screw-terminal access connectors. They come in a small enclosure comprising an aluminum base and end plates and an all-steel wraparound. The package measures 5.438 in. deep by 4.125 in. wide by 1.5 in. high. Input power ranges from 9 to 36 V dc, allowing for battery operation in remote or portable applications. An ac adapter is included as well.

Dataq Instrumentswww.dataq.com
(330) 668-1444

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.