IP Video Colour Camera - Very Cost Effective !!
The AVI-201Z provides full resolution, full frame rate colour video with a choice of MPEG4 or MJPEG at an incredible price. Video motion detection, e-mail and FTP as well as snap-shot facilities and IP surveillance software are all included.
The unit is ideal for IP CCTV applications where budgets are particularly tight => Details .... !
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TW-AE511 - 3G Router - UMTS & HSDPA
TW-AE511 - ADSL modem, switch, firewall, wireless access point 54 Mb, 3G backup with external HSDPA cards (PCMCIA or EC). The 3G Router can be used for instant creation of home/office network with 3G connectivity - More Details ... !
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Picotest G5100A - Waveform Generator - 14-bit - 50MHz - 256kPoints
 The new Picotest G5100A Waveform Generator uses direct digital synthesis (DDS) techniques to create a stable, accurate output signal for clean, low distortion sine waves. The G5100A offers 10 standard waveforms and user defined arbitrary waveforms with 14 bits resolution. It also provides you 16 bits pattern out and a synchronized clock. Moreover, the external frequency references lets you synchronize to an external 10 MHz clock - More Details ... !
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Acute TL2036 - 4GHz - 36 Channel - Travel Logic Analyzer Series
 The Travel Logic Series of Logic Analyzers are small enough to fit into your shirt pocket, yet are truly sophisticated logic analyzers, capable of 4 GHz timing analysis, or 200 MHz state analysis, with up to 72 Mb total stackable memory for the 36 channels. They plug into a PC or Laptop USB port making them ideal for the field service technician or engineer, hopping from PC to PC, or taking with them for diagnosis on the road. Also remember that with USB, no additional power supply is needed.
Now, a high-performance, easy to use, logic analyzer is within reach of every electronics professional and enthusiast => Details ... !
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Merlin X950D 3.5G HSUPA 2.1Mbps + HSDPA 7.2 Mbps ExpressCard
The Merlin X950D ExpressCard is a next-generation global, tri-band HSUPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS wireless modem. The card can be used in both ExpressCard/34 and 54 slots as well as with Novatel Wireless adapters in PCMCIA and USB slots. Unique to the Merlin X950D, full 2.1 Mbps HSUPA and HSDPA 7.2 Mbps is now a reality. A firmware upgrade will be available to deliver the full 2.1 Mbps HSUPA performance. Mobile users, worldwide, can now enjoy full 3.5G capability in their wireless computing devices as well as utilize the GPS capability offered in the ExpressCard => Details .... !
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ECA16 - High-Speed PCMCIa Adapter for ExpressCards
Do you need to use a new ExpressCard in an older laptop with only PCMCIA available ? Now you can, using the ECA16. Plug in your ExpressCard, insert into your PCMCIA slot and away you go => Details .... !
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USB2.0 Extender - Wireless up to 30m
 The WiRanger package comprises of 2 x USB extender units (LEX - Local Extender, REX - Remote Extender) that provide seamless wireless USB extension up to 30m. The units are pre-paired providing a working solution out of the box. This allows you to quickly and easily reap the benefits of wireless technology - no more messy cables and no costly cable installation. The WiRanger also allows connectivity in or across areas where cables cannot be laid or can be used to exceed the 5m distance limit of wired USB => Details .... !
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Logic Analyzer - 500MHz - up to 288 Channels - USB
 The AT-LA500 USB PC Based Logic Analyzer provides an easy to use solution for real-time digital systems analysis, combining the advantages of a compact size instrument with the flexibility of your PC for data management and visualization, all at affordable price.
Up to 288 channels @ 500 MS/s without loss of perfomance => Details.... !
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Arbitrary Waveform Generator - 500MHz - 16-Bit - up to 8 Channels
 The AT-AWG500 is a high performance 500MHz 16Bit Fully Arbitrary Waveform Generator. It provides high performances of a Professional "Stand Alone" product in a compact size instrument at a competitive price.
AT-AWG500 is the ideal choice to generate high quality waveforms from the simplest to the most complex in the easiest way ever. Up to 8 channels @ 500 MS/s without loss of perfomance => Details.... !
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External PCI Express for Laptops
 Magma ExpressBox1 is an easy-to-use device for attaching a "desktop-only" PCI Express (PCI-E) card to a laptop. This capability allows a user to combine the power of a desktop and the mobility of a laptop into a powerful, flexible, mobile workstation. For example, a user can turn a typical, middle-of-the-road laptop into a powerful gaming, scientific computer or audio and video editing workstation by simply adding the right PCI Express card to ExpressBox1 then connecting to a laptop => Details .... !
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Bridging ExpressCard/34 to PCMCIA
 The XCA-3 ExpressCard/34 adapter from Novatel Wireless gives users the ability to use the new smaller, more compact wireless ExpressCards in notebooks equipped only with the larger 54 mm PC Card slots. With the XCA-3 users can use new ExpressCard/34 cards in all Laptops or Notebooks regardless of the type of slot it has => Details .... !
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BandLuxe C100 - WCDMA + HSDPA + UMTS + GPRS + EDGE Modem
The first world´s dual interface HSDPA Data card: Express Card and USB, PCMCIA adapter available as well. Download speeds up to 7.2 Mbps => Details .... !
USB Adapter and Monitor clips included in the standard delivery package !
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USB-DAQ-BOX - Extended Operating Temperatur Range !!
 Hacker-Datentechnik announces the release of the MF16080-T series, a family of small portable USB data acquisition boxes with an extended operating temperature range of
-40°C to +120°C usable for a wide range of applications. The new MF16080-T series combines 16 analog inputs with 100 kS/s, 8 analog outputs and 10 digital ports in a very small aluminum enclosure - Details .... !
 For OEM applications the inside PCB is also available separately with an extended temperature range of -40°C to +120°C !!
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The DuelAdapter - Bridging PCMCIA and Cardbus to ExpressCard
The perfect solution for Panasonic P2 Memory Cards !!
The DuelAdapter is designed to connect the latest generation of ExpressCard notebook computers with existing PCMCIA and CardBus cards.
The DuelAdapter uses special electronics to seamlessly convert input from PCMCIA cards designed for cellular broadband, wireless networking, video, audio and memory expansion to an ExpressCard compatible format.
Data can be transferred at rates up to the full speed supported by the ExpressCard interface — five times faster than USB 2.0!
The DuelAdapter is easy to set up — just install the driver, insert the adapter into your laptop’s ExpressCard slot and put your PCMCIA card into the adapter. And you can insert and remove the adapter or your PCMCIA card without rebooting - More Details .... !
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UEIPAC - Programmable Automation Controllers
 The UEIPAC offers a unique combination of compact size, industrial ruggedness and flexibility. The new family is an ideal solution is applications as varied as unmanned vehicle controllers (UAV and ULV), environmental controllers, test stand controllers as well as hardware-in-the-loop simulators. The UEIPAC Cube is a complete, self contained controller and includes; An embedded computer running standard Linux operating system, two Ethernet ports, a serial port, an SD Card interface, an inter-PAC sync interface and either three or six slots for I/O boards. The Cubes are very rugged, having been tested from -40 °C to +85 °C, at 5g vibration, 50g shock and up to 70,000 feet. Using the UEIPAC, applications written on your PC are deployed on the cube and run fully standalone. This allows smaller, faster, more reliable and higher performance systems than possible using an external host computer. It also eliminates the cost of the dedicated host PC and guarantees long term availability of the identical hardware. This is critical when certifying products for military use, through the FDA etc. - Details .... !
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DRAGON - GSM-Mini Alam
 DRAGON is a compact small alarm for end users. Thanks to its easy management through a single control button the user doesn´t need help of a professional installation company from security sector. Dragon is a perfect solution to control flats, offices, mobile homes, boots and weekend houses. DRAGON informs you about the unauthorized entry of intruder into the monitored room by text message and voice call directly on your mobile phone. It allows you to listen to what is going on in the room after the alarm has been activated or when disarmed. You can use it also in case of danger or health problems (so called PANIC function) - DRAGON informs your family or friends about your emergency situation by text message and voice call - More Details ..... !
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USB-to-ExpressCard Adapter supports XU870
 With the new XUA-1 adapter box the XU870 HSDPA - UMTS card can be connected at every USB port and offers absolute flexibility including MAC support !
Details ......
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Novatel Merlin XU870 - ExpressCard supports HSDPA + UMTS + GPRS
The Merlin XU870 HSDPA ExpressCard is one of the latest additions to the Merlin product line. Continuing its innovation and leadership position, Novatel Wireless has incorporated its wireless technology into a much anticipated new form factor – the ExpressCard/34. And as added value, the product offers form factor flexibility by fitting both ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 slots. Windows + Linux + Apple MAC support !
Please click HERE for more details !
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 The new Impact-E range has a small, compact and fanless rugged design, ideally suited to a variety of space-critical embedded applications. Powered by Intel processors, these computers can provide the performance necessary for high speed and intensive tasks. Manufactured from selected high quality industrial components, the Impact-E series is an ideal cost-effective solution for use in harsh environments and critical 24/7 operations. Please click HERE for more details !
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 Ventrix-W - The Ventrix range of rackmount industrial computers are the flagships of their range and are based on PICMG compliant "single board computers (SBCs)" and "backplanes". This architecture provides excellent expansion capabilities with a product life of at least five years. Amplicon has now expanded the Ventrix range with the introduction of the new Ventrix Workstation range. Please click HERE for more details !
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UEILogger™ - High-End Data Logger
 The UEILogger™
is a powerful, flexible and easy-to-use data logger/recorder suitable for use in a wide variety of industrial, aerospace and laboratory applications. The Logger contains the controller, network and SD card interface, power supply and either 3 or 6 I/O slots (UEILogger 300 or 600 respectively). Configure your logger by selecting the I/O boards required to match your application. With over 20 different I/O boards available, there's sure to be a configuration to meet your needs. Please click HERE for more details !
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USB Adapter Box supports the new HSDPA Option Cards
The new U142 USB adapter allows the use of the new "HSDPA" high speed data cards from "OPTION" via a USB port enabling these PC cards to be used with a desktop or laptop without a CardBus slot.
Please click HERE for more details !
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Video over IP
 ACTi's video servers are high quality, professional products, designed to compete at the higher end of the market but are very cost-effective. They ship with exellent development, configuration and monitoring software and are available exclusively through Amplicon in the UK.
Please click HERE for more details !
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FreeVIEW-FFT-BOX - 2 channel FFT Analyzer + Function Generator
The new FreeVIEW-FFT-BOX is a compact 2 channel in/out data acquisition device for recording and signal analysis including waveform generation. Usuable as FFT Analyzer, Chart Recorder, Data Logger and Function Generator. The included FreeVIEW-Sound-PRO software offers more than 500 mathematic functions for online signal analysis. Please click HERE for more details !
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UDS-2000 - PC-Sampling Oscilloscopes with up to 30 GHz Bandwidth !
 The UDS-2000 from ELTESTA is the world Faster Series PC-Sampling Oscilloscopes with up to 30 GHz, which offers the widest range of measurements and waveform processing capabilities of any multi-Gigahertz PC-scope.
Please click HERE for more details !
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DS-1000-USB - 200 MHz PC-Based Digital Storage Oscilloscope
 The new DS-1000 series from Acute is a pocket-sized, 200MHZ PC-based digital storage oscilloscope (Pocket-DSO). It has as many functions as its stand-alone peers.
Please click here for more details !
 Available with LabVIEW and Agilent VEE support !
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Elan's Miniature USB Test Equipment Family Grows
 Following the successful launch of the tiny pen-style USBscope50 with 75 MHz bandwidth for high performance analysis in situations where portability is key, Elan Digital Systems is adding three more members to the growing family of USB based test equipment. Please click here for more details !
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GigaLog - Data Logger - 2 GByte - 16 Channels - 16 bit
 GigaLog is a data logger for up to 2 Gbytes of data using CompactFlash memory cards. With GigaLog any embedded system can log its data easily, for a very long period, and readable by a PC.
For more technical details
please click here !
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USB based 3G+ Modems - HSDPA - UMTS - GPRS - EDGE
 The new USB based 3G+ Modem provides global wireless access to the Internet and e-mail and on HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) capable UMTS networks. With speeds up to 3.6 Mbps (7.2 Mbps ready) down, users will have access to wireless connectivity similar to DSL or cable modems. Please click HERE for more details !
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Picotest M3500A - The new 6.5 digit Digital Multimeter
The new 6 ½ digit M3500A DMM is designed with 7 ½ digit techniques to provide user a stable, faster and accurate measurement.
Please click HERE for the details !
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PCI Express® to PCI Expansion System
 MAGMA-PE6R4
The link from PCI Express architecture to PCI hardware. Add 6 PCI Slots through PCI Express.
Common Applications:
• Storage (SAN, NAS)
• Medical Imaging
• Video Processing
• Military Industrial
• Automation/Control
• Test & Measurement
• Audio Editing
For more details please click here !
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Take your 3G wireless internet access anywhere using the U132 !
The U132 USB-CardBus adapter allows the use of a wide number of high speed datacards via a USB port enabling these PC cards to be used with a desktop or laptop without a CardBus slot.
Now with MAC OSX support !!
The U132 is ideal for customers who live in an area without high speed wired internet access, or whose laptop does not offer a PCMCIA/CardBus slot, such as the new Dell latitude X1 models. The adapter is compatible with desktops, notebooks or specialist systems (such as Point of Sale machines). Most CardBus wireless modem cards are compatible with the U132; Please click here to check the list.
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Real-Time Ethernet based Test & Measurement
 PowerDNA - UEI’s latest cubes have been upgraded to include a 400-MHz PowerPC processor. This processor is based on the 603e core and can perform 760 million floating-point instructions per second. The floating-point-execution unit performs most commands in one or two clock cycles. The PowerDNA cube doubles to 128 Mbytes the amount of 266-MHz double-data-rate random-access memory the cube accommodates. The cube also accepts a secure-digital (SD) card for storing up to 4 Gbytes of data. A spring-loaded connector securely locks the card to the cube. Please click here for more details !
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USBwave12 - 12.5MHz USB pen-style Function Generator
 USBwave12 is a new concept in USB function generator products. PC based function generators offer many user benefits including flexibility, ease of use and economy. USBwave12 combines very small form factor with high performance normally associated with much larger bench type products. Power for the function generator is provided via the USB interface connector, further simplifying the user experience. Please click here for more details !
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Rover-200 Isolator solves USB connectivity problems
The new Rover-200 series of USB isolator & extenders pairs provides USB isolation and extends USB connections up to 40m in length. Emplying patented "ExtremeUSB" technology it offers unrivalled reliability and compatibility with other USB extenders.
Please click here for more details !
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USBScope50 - 1Gsps/75MHz USB Modular Scope Pen
 The USBScope50 marks a new era in ultra portable modular instrumentation for the PC or notebook. Using a USB1.1 or USB2.0 port on the host computer, USBscope50 offers the best of all worlds for converting your PC into a powerful diagnostic tool: tiny size, low power, low cost, modularity and high performance.
Please click here for more details !
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U111 - PCMCIA Card Reader for USB
Supports UMTS cards like the Novatel Merlin 530 & 630
 The U111 is designed to support PCMCIA cards such as networking cards, including GSM wireless modems, through a USB connection. It is not restricted to memory cards.
Please click here for more details !
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PowerDNA - Release 2 - The Liberty for Users and Developers !
UEI has released PowerDNA Software Suite Release 2, a major upgrade of the operating firmware that brings a number of key advantages. Chief among them are new operating modes and high-level commands that make programming the system easier than ever. For the technical details please click here !
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Pocket VibrA - PDA based Vibration Analyser
• Turns your PDA into a handheld vibration analyser
• 2 Hz to 10 kHz bandwidth
• ICP accelerometer support
• Digital displays, time domain and industry standard FFT graphs
For more details please click here !
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Use your 3G Datacard on a Desktop PC with an Elan Adapter
Wireless internet access using GSM type networks is becoming increasingly popular for notebook computers, and is now in demand as a solution for desktop PCs. Elan's PSeries support all PCMCIA compliant cards, including GPRS, UMTS, CDMA and EDGE cards so are ideal to allow you to use your 3G card in your desktop PC.
Any PSeries model works with 3G cards, although some of these models are CardBus (32-Bit) so work only in rear slot models (such as P111, P222, P311 or P416). For full model list, please click here !
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VENTRIX "embedded multimedia" PC
 Ventrix 25F
The Ventrix 25F is a Compact powerful embedded multimedia PC equipped with a conventional 2.5" HDD. The 'Solid state' version is fitted with CompactFlash storage and as a result has no moving parts for absolute silent operation. Other features include an IEEE1394 port for fast data transfer, serial ports, audio, USB ports, PS/2 keyboard + mouse, VGA, TV-out and Video-in. Please click here for more details !
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USB-Extenders
Extend the range of USB connections up to 500m !
 The Rover series of USB extenders use patented "ExtremeUSB" technology to 100% transparently extend the range of USB connections up to 50m. No external power is required.
The Ranger series comprises 1 and 4 port USB extenders that use patented "ExtremeUSB" technology to transparently extend USB links up to 100m on Cat 5 cable or up to 500m on multimode fibre.
ExtremeUSB is the only USB extension system approved by the USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) & offers a level of reliability not available in any other products. They use standard CAT 5 cable, so an off the shelf Ethernet patch lead or a pre-installed office network can be used to extend USB connections.
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TRAKA
Key Management and Control Systems
 TRAKAs range of electronic key management cabinets control who may take a key, which keys they may take and then automatically record by date and time when the key was taken so that an infinite log of key usage is produced.
If your business needs key control, talk to us the experts.
Please click here for the details !
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LTT-Recorders
They close the gap between slow PC-internal
measurement boards and very fast expensive instruments
 The LTT-Recorders are portable data acquisition systems optimized for fast long and short duration measurements using up to 16 differential signals each individually configurable. Clock input enables the measurement of an external RPM or frequency of a pulse signal. LTT-Recorders have an internal RAM up to 512 MB and a total sampling rate of up to 100MS/s. All LTT-Recorders are available 8 or 16 input channels. It is possible to cascade the units up to 4096 channels or to integrate them into a 19” Rack with up to 32 channels per rack. Please click her to see the whole Recorder Family !
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Cube-Scope
PC based Oscilloscope + ARB + Logic Analyzer
 Cube-Scope 20
• 40/20 MS/s, 1/2-Ch, 12-bit,
Oscilloscope
• 40/20 MS/s, 1/2-Ch, 12-bit,
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
• 25 MHz, 16-bit, max. 16MB,
Logic Analyzer
A customer who needs a 12 bit, 40 MS/s Oscilloscope and a 40 MS/s, 12 bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator gets with CubeScope-20 a free PC and a complete solution for up than half the price of a general purpose instruments combination.
• Oscilloscope
70 MHz Bandwidth
2 Channels, 12-bit, 20MS/s each, 4M samples each
Or 1 Channel up to 40MS/s, 8M samples
Two probes X1/X10 with HF adjustment
• Logical Analyzer
Sample rate up to 25MHz
16 Channels
Up to 16MBytes total embedded memory
• Open PC Platform
PC base with Windows XP, 512M RAM
40 Gbytes Hard drive
CD-R drive
Small Footprint/Lightweight
For more information please click here !
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VMB 5000
Multi-Function Bridge Chip
20MBps host interface for 3G/WLAN cards
 Elan has just launched the VMB5000, the world's first multi-function bridge chip designed to exceed the data transfer speed requirements of current 3G wireless datacards and beyond with 20MB/S host interface capability.
A single chip solution, it is a true multi-function device aimed at 3G/WLAN Combi cards, and is designed to greatly simplify the card design process. In addition to its high speed performance, the chip offers 16 bit PCMCIA stability and very low power consumption.
Great flexibility for card designers is provided with a choice of client interface including USB or UART. The 2 x 16K bytes FIFOs deliver sustained throughput of up to 10MB/S with UART or 12 MB/S with USB. Additionally, there is a SMART card interface mode and support for popular synchronous local bus protocols.
Packaged in a 9mm x 9mm x 1.1mm 64 pin x 1.0mm VQFN, this device offers a uniquely simple and particularly cost effective solution for wireless data card designers. A full reference kit is available to facilitate the test and design process.
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The Graphic-DMM
Dual Channel 5.5 digit Digital-Multimeter
supports all CompactFlash and PC-Card slots
 The unique Graphic-DMM is a new concept in test equipment that allows PDAs, Notebooks, Tablet-PCs and all Systems equiped with a CF or PCMCIA slot to be turned into a dual channel Graphic Digital Multimeter with sophisticated analysis capabilities.
Smart Analysis software facilitates step-by-step fault investigation with instant display of results and an interactive diagnostic guide. With the Graphic-DMM it is possible to integrate multiple measurement functions into a single hardware and software platform, providing high-level analysis features and a small, lightweight and portable unit.
The Graphic-DMM contains 2 independent Digital Multi Meters connected to a Compact Flash type I interface. The DMMs are Galvanically isolated from the CF interface for safety and the two channels also isolated from each other. Each channel has its own ADC and front-end circuitry.
This means that each channel is floating relative to the other, and to the host, allowing simultaneous measurement of signals with widely different ground potentials
The Graphic-DMM adds to the functionallity normally found on classic DMMs, in particular it allows sample rates from <1S/s up to 40kS/s on each channel and has a 1Mbit internal buffer (16kSamples pairs) allowing long data record depths and oscilloscope-like capabilities. Using host software it is possible to create a versatile instrument that can perform accurate DC measurements, display signal waveforms and allow triggering and data logging.
Lots of Applications - Laboratory: Portable (in your PDA), multichannel data capture systems with high resolution and precision, with high data logging capacity. Applications include education, automobile industry, petroleum and natural gas industry, manufacturing industry. Production: Networkable mobile or fixed measuring systems for Quality Control (QC) and general plant supervision and production. Service: Portable (in your laptop), universal and special measuring equipment (multimeter, scope) for radio, TV, HVAC, automobile servicing and repair.
In combination with a CF-PCCARD adapter the Graphic-DMM can be used in every PC-Card slot equiped computer like Notebooks, Tablet-PCs or PC104 based embedded systems and with an Elan PCI-PCCard adapter it can also be used in every standard Desktop, Compact PCI and PXI systems.
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"3 for 1"
UEI upgrades
1 MHz multifunction DAQ boards to 3 MHz at no additional cost !
 Taking advantage of improvements in the price/performance of analog ICs, United Electronic Industries is announcing the PowerDAQ PD2-MF-3M/12 families of multifunction cards. Offering aggregate throughput rates of 3 MHz on either 16 or 64 analog input channels with 12-bit resolution, they replace UEI's 1-MHz families of 12-bit multifunction cards-at the same price. Users indeed get 3-MHz performance for the price of 1 MHz.
These 3-MHz cards are available for the PCI bus (PD2 family) . The analog front end provides either 16 or 64 multiplexed inputs that feed a 3-MHz, 12-bit A/D converter. They come with instrumentation amplifiers for either high-level signals (G = 1, 2, 4 or 8) or low-level signals (G = 1, 10, 100 or 1000). The standard onboard FIFO is 16k samples (compared to 1k samples on the previous 1-MHz boards) with options for FIFO buffers of 32k or 64k samples.
These multifunction boards do far more than just collect analog inputs. Other features include dual 12-bit analog outputs each running at 200k samples/sec, 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs and three user counter/timers. Because the cards all come with their own DSP that runs a dedicated kernel, all of these subsystems-analog input, analog output, digital inputs, digital outputs and counter/timers-can run simultaneously without any concern for what load is on the host PC's CPU.
UEI is particularly proud of the breadth and depth of the support software it supplies with each card at no charge. The PowerDAQ Software Suite includes drivers for all popular operating systems including Windows NT/2000/XP, Linux, realtime Linux patches including those from RTAI and FSM Labs, and QNX; PharLap ETS drivers will be shipping shortly. To aid in application development, the PowerDAQ API supports programs written in C, C++, Visual Basic, Delphi and Kylix. Those users who wish to create their applications in test-development environments will find extensive support for LabVIEW (under both Windows and Linux), LabVIEW Real-Time, Agilent VEE, DASYLab and TestPoint. In addition, the drivers support The MathWorks' MATLAB Data-Acquisition Toolbox as well as the xPC realtime platform. Finally, the free ProfessorDAQ utility is an Excel plug-in that allows full control of all I/O subsystems from within that popular spreadsheet.
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PD2-DIO-128i - Optoisolation,
industrial voltage levels hallmark high-density digital I/O card
 UEI: Combining high density, high-voltage capability and optoisolation, the PD2-DIO-128i is a PCI-bus card that supplies 64 digital inputs and 64 digital outputs, each line with its own optoisolator. The I/Os are configured in fixed banks of 16 lines. All input ports are isolated from each other and the rest of the board, and the same holds true for the output ports. Each input line is protected with a reverse diode and a series resistor, while each output line is protected with a reverse diode.
The input lines on the card run at 10 kHz max and work from an external supply voltage of 12-32V, where each port has its own isolated ground reference and power-supply pins. Thus, input logic High range is from 11V to the level of that supply voltage. The outputs generate 500 mA/channel peak and 200 mA/channel continuous with a max of 1A/port. The outputs likewise work with an external supply voltage from 12-32V, so the output High range is 12V to the level of the supply voltage. Outputs run at a maximum rate of 3 kHz/port.
"Standard logic levels are unsuitable for many industrial and process applications," notes Shaun Miller, president of UEI. "With the PD2-DIO-128i, users can work with industrial voltage levels without the need to purchase separate signal-conditioning modules. Those extra modules, which the user must purchase along with a rack as well as the digital I/O board, typically cost in the range of $25 per channel. In contrast, the PD2-DIO-128i card by itself sells for just $695."
Besides the ability of I/O lines to work with levels as high as 32V, other key features include user-configurable glitch-free startup state for all output ports, 1k 16-bit word FIFOs on both the input and output subsystems, and ability to generate an interrupt on any input line. The board works on either 3.3V or 5V PCI-bus backplanes and sports a 33-MHz DSP that offloads the host processor of supervisory duties, meaning the digital I/O card can maintain maximum performance independent of what the host CPU and OS are doing.
The card comes with the PowerDAQ Software Suite, a collection of drivers and example programs for Windows, Linux and Realtime Linux. The driver set supports all major programming languages as well as all popular test-development environments. In fact, UEI provides unusually broad support for LabVIEW including drivers for the Windows version, professionally written and fully supported LabVIEW driver for Linux, and even drivers for LabVIEW Real-Time. The driver set extends to include QNX and MATLAB and xPC from The MathWorks.
Optoisolation and the ability to handle process voltages set UEI’s 128-channel PD2-DIO-128i digital I/O card apart from the crowd.
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Linux based Data Acquisition
Linux Kernel 2.6 boosts Real Time Data Acquisition
 People in the embedded community are getting very excited about the significant improvements in the latest version of Linux, kernel 2.6, which gives that OS response times bordering on hard real time.
United Electronic Industries-The High-Performance Alternative™ - is the first supplier of data-acq cards to offer drivers that work with this increasingly popular OS. Thanks to these drivers, which are included in the free PowerDAQ for Linux Ver 3.5 support package, test engineers can take full advantage of these benefits. A dramatic example is the time it takes the kernel to alert a user program to an interrupt: In a series of real-world benchmark tests conducted at the UEI laboratories on PowerDAQ PCI-bus hardware, the Linux 2.6/PowerDAQ driver combination can pass notification of an interrupt to an application program in an average of roughly 11 µsec, which represents more than a 90% reduction in response time from Linux 2.4.
Until now, the only way to get reasonable Linux responsiveness to interrupts or other critical events as required in data-acquisition, test and automation tasks has been to add a realtime patch available from third-party suppliers. In Linux 2.6, though, several improvements give it inherent performance that approaches that of a realtime system; among these are preemption points in the kernel, an improved scheduler and better synchronization. Now, unless a user's requirements are absolutely hard real time, it might not be necessary to go with a special configuration or patch.
Best of all, UEI's drivers work flawlessly with Linux 2.6-and they ship free with all of the firm's PCI and PXI products including multifunction, simultaneous-sampling, analog-output and digital I/O cards. Further, these are professionally developed, fully supported drivers. Users need not worry about the quality or completeness of a public-domain driver, or whether it really works with their hardware, or with this latest version of Linux. UEI has verified and tested its Linux drivers to make certain that PowerDAQ hardware runs exactly as predicted under this environment.
What's special about Linux 2.6?
In previous versions of Linux, system calls could take a long time to run, and during that time the OS was blocked from servicing any interrupts. However, in Linux 2.6 the kernel code adds a number of preemption points that allow the scheduler to see if a high-priority task is waiting, whereupon it blocks the current process so it can then schedule that higher priority process.
Scheduling and task switching is also improved. Previously, Linux would select the next task to run by examining all of them in the queue and positioning them in importance. This action ate up time. Now, as soon as a task is ready, Linux automatically sorts it into position on the current queue. Then the scheduler need only choose the task on top of the queue, thereby eliminating any extra waiting.
A related improvement is support for fast user-space mutexes. A mutex is a program object that allows multiple threads to share a resource, such as file access, but not simultaneously. Any thread that needs a given resource must lock the mutex from other threads while using that resource. In Linux 2.6, mutex functions can check from the user space whether blocking is necessary - if it isn't necessary, a thread need not perform a system call to block another thread, again saving time and making thread execution and task switching faster.
Another major addition to the kernel is that its internal threading infrastructure can now run the Native POSIX Thread Library. Test and automation systems often must poll hardware on a regular schedule, and POSIX timers ease the task of scheduling them.
Benchmark procedure
To investigate the improvement that the Linux 2.6 kernel brings to data-acquisition and automation tasks, UEI's software engineers took a PowerDAQ MF multifunction card and ran a simple benchmark program. The test platform has a 1-GHz Pentium III and 256M bytes of RAM. The benchmark program ran under the Mandrake 9.1 distribution with recompiled kernels for Linux 2.4.20 and 2.6.
The benchmark program uses the capability of an MF board to assert an interrupt when the state of a digital input changes. When the interrupt is received in the low-level driver, the test reads the processor time-stamp counter (TSC), which runs at the same speed as the processor for the most precise timebase possible. When the user program receives the event corresponding to the interrupt, the test program again reads the TSC and subtracts the two values to find the time it took the kernel to get the event from the driver's interrupt service routine to the user's program. The benchmark program ran the test algorithm 1000 times in roughly 30 sec.
The engineers ran two test scenarios:
No load-in this synchronous test, the benchmark program was the only user application running on the system, and there was nothing else keeping the system busy such as display refreshes, mouse movements or hard-disk activity. The PowerDAQ combination running under Linux 2.6 has an average response time of 10.9 µsec, a reduction of 91.8% compared to Linux 2.4; the worst-case response time drops by 99.2% to 15.8 µsec
Heavy load-in this synchronous test, the engineers made life as difficult as possible for the benchmark program by opening/closing other applications such as OpenOffice, and by moving various windows on the screen with the mouse. Once again, the PowerDAQ card cut its average response time by 92.4%, this time to 11.3 µsec; the worst-case time (63.5 µsec) dropped by 99.0% of its previous value
From these benchmark numbers, it should be clear that a PowerDAQ card running under Linux 2.6 offers response times that rival those of a hard realtime OS, and in many applications this level of performance should be quite sufficient. For those users who do need hard realtime performance, though, the PowerDAQ Linux Ver 3.5 driver is completely compatible with the realtime patches from organizations such as FSMLabs and RTAI.
Further, because of UEI's LabVIEW for Linux drivers, test engineers who wish to program under LabVIEW and gain the benefits of this new Linux kernel can do so without delay.
Availability
These benefits are available immediately for all of UEI's PCI and PXI cards; the PowerDAQ for Linux Ver 3.5 driver set ships for free as part of the PowerDAQ Software Suite that accompanies every board the firm sells. The LabVIEW for Linux driver likewise comes at no charge. These drivers are also available for free downloading from www.ueidaq.com
For the moment, the only way to use Linux kernel 2.6 on a desktop distribution is to manually compile and install it; UEI guarantees support for any build. When any of the major Linux vendors release desktop distributions based on kernel 2.6, which should happen in the next months, UEI will immediately test them to ensure that the PowerDAQ Linux Ver 3.5 driver is completely compatible.
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Custom Design Service -> Hardware & Software
Do you need a PCMCIA, PCI or Compact Flash product, a Test & Measurement Application or a special Device Driver but can't
find an off the shelf solution?
A custom design from Elan and HACKER-Datentechnik could be the answer!
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Elan Camera Card Adapter downloads and sends
 Elan’s latest P423 Camera Card Adapter has two slots so that you can download your pictures from your card in the top slot and then send them out using a WLAN or Bluetooth card in the lower slot. The download time can be faster than some USB ports, and offers a truly cable-free and neat unit, to suit not only photo imaging professionals but also the home user.
The P423 is a front loading PCMCIA to PCI adapter which fits neatly into a single 3.5" bay. It suitable for use with Windows95, 98, 98SE, Millennium Edition, NT4, 2000 and XP with support also for Linux as standard. The unit takes all the current camera cards such as Memory Sticks, Secure Digital, MMS, Smart Media, Flash Memory, and Compact Flash. It is designed handle both 3.3 volt and 5 volt cards.
The P423 is one of Elan’s wide range of adapters to fit desktops and also low profile PCs. This latest adapter design concentrates on optimised performance, easy 'plug-n-play' installation, made simple with the supplied auto-installation disk. Elan’s policy means that pricing over the whole range is deliberately kept at a highly competitive level. The full range comprises adapters with a choice of either single or dual slots, and front or rear fitting, and offers probably the widest selection of PCMCIA adapters in the world.
Elan adapters have been selected as the adapter of choice by many OEMs because of their proven reliability record by a number of large US computer companies and OEMs. All of the adapters support a wide range of cards, although the smaller cards will need their own special converters.
For full details on the P423 and the whole range of Elan PC-Card adapters please click here !
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Real-Time Ethernet based Data Acquisition
 The picture shows a
Real-Time Ethernet based
PowerDNA CM5 Cube integrated into one of Bedo’s SAE-16288 signal-conditioning systems.
The unit, called the SAE-16288-CM5, is equipped with 12 signal amplifiers and 24 analog-input channels with 16-bit resolution and a galvanic isolation of 1500V.
More technical details about the "Real-Time Ethernet" based PowerDNA Cubes are available online at www.powerdna.com and about the
Bedo SAE System including the complete range of Bedo's signal
conditioning boards at www.bedogmbh.de
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Cost of High Speed DAQ-PCMCIA cut down by new Elan & Hacker Product Alliance
 Elan Digital Systems of Fareham, UK and
Hacker-Datentechnik of Bad Breisig, Germany have combined Elan’s DAQ PC Cards with the new high level driver PCDAQ and the ready-to-work application PCDAQ-Scope to provide high speed Data Acquisition at a much better price than competitive products.
Elan’s AD136 DAQ PC card is one of the fastest available, with programmable sampling rates up to 625Ksps at 12-bit resolution. To cope with such high sample rates the cards use a 32KByte on-board sample buffer, that can be operated either in single-shot burst fill mode or as a continuous data streaming FIFO. Ideal for capturing fast transient events, the AD136 has 8 digital I/O lines and is one of the range of DAQ PC and CF cards offered by Elan.
The new PCDAQ & PCDAQ-Scope software works with all of Elan’s DAQ Cards including the AD136, providing direct driver adaptation with ready to run applications and on-line help for LabVIEW, HP/Agilent VEE, HT-Basic, Visual Basic and Visual C/C++. The software API consists of only one function that provides access to settings and captured data. The card can be fully controlled with an easy-to-use API. The settings of Card Setup and the captured data can be verified using the Data Logger that is also part of the software. The data logger uses these settings and writes formatted ASCII numbers (directly as voltages), separated by CRLF, to disk. This format can be imported by almost any application. "This combination of PCDAQ software with Elan’s range of DAQ PC cards now makes DAQ solutions more affordable than ever" says Julian Barnard, Managing Director of Elan Digital Systems "and rivals the features of other expensive brands."Friedel Hacker of Hacker-Datentechnik commented "We have always been aware of the speed capability of Elan DAQ PC cards, but now in combination with our PCDAQ and PCDAQ-Scope software which includes more than 500 mathematic and signal analysis functions we feel we have an unbeatable solution. The beauty of our software is that the engineer can use the 500 mathematic and signal analysis routines without any restrictions in every combination."
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Change your DAQ PCMCIA Card into an Instrument
 PCDAQ-Celsius is an application that is included as source code in PCDAQ driver software. It works with any supported DAQ PCMCIA card and uses a PT1000 sensor for temperature measurements with a resolution of better than 0.05K in the range of -40 to +200 °C. The resolution is increased dynamically by signal processing. Then sensor linearization is performed so that readings are directly in degrees Celsius. If used as starting point for own applications or for comparison with other applications, PCDAQ Celsius shows all relevant voltages and the PT1000 resistance as well. The sensor is powered by the card, only 2 external precision resistors and a capacitor are required. The required Agilent VEE runtime or the Agilent VEE evaluation version are available for free web download as well.
 PCDAQ-Scope is a full-featured DSO / data logger / analyzer application. It requires a pre-installed PCDAQ driver and the free Agilent VEE runtime. The signal source is either direct analog input from the card or from a captured data file. Up to 8 signals can be captured simultaneously at high speed - either to disk, to display or both. After capturing to file the data can be examined in the data analyzer. Overviews of the complete data set can be performed with aid of data smoothing methods. They include averaging, peak detection and data reduction. Data post-processing is performed using the huge set of math operators included in Agilent VEE - more than 500 functions - including signal processing. In addition the signals can be analyzed online (in real-time) inside the DSO. Up to 4 analyzer displays can be created with aid of formulas, plus the main window that shows the real data.
For example:
• Create an FFT of input A4 by entering this formula: mag(fft(hanning(A4)))
The formula calculates the fourier transform of input A5 using a hanning
window. From the complex result only the magnitude (in contrast to phase)
is used and shown in a seperate display.
• Create an FFT of input A5 by entering this formula: mag(fft(hanning(A5)))
• Create a moving average by entering this formula: movingAvg(A4, 20)
The function calculates the mean value of +/-10 points around the current
data point.
• Zoom an existing channel in a seperate display: A5
This function copies all data points 1:1 into the seperate display.
See below for the result!
 PCDAQ-Scope works with all PCMCIA cards supported by the PCDAQ driver.
Available
for free download now!
DAQ-PCMCIA Cards
Mobile data acquisition systems are space- and power-saving units that - thanks to todays computer power - easily replace desktop computers.
An excellent choice if:
• No power exists at the location.
• The physical value to measure is part of a whole system that can't be
transported into a lab.
• Service requires measurements at the customers site.
• The amount of data requires recording to hard disc.
• Post-processing requirements rule out traditional stand-alone data loggers.
One can build a system using a special measurement notebook (so called "portable") that has one or two PCI slots for standard data acquisition cards.
Or - using a standard notebook - with PCMCIA, USB or FireWire devices for data capture a small, lightweight and powerful system can be built.
The cards may be more expensive that PCI cards, but in exchange a lot of money will be saved using an off-the-shelf notebook.
PCMCIA cards are the smallest - they fit into a notebook.
USB / FireWire boxes need additional cables, space and - sometimes - power supply.
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PCI becomes a cost-effective alternative to PXI for LabVIEW Real-Time target systems
 UEI: When they think about a target system for LabVIEW Real-Time (LVRT), many engineers think of PXI. Meanwhile, PCI systems continue to offer exceptional performance at ever lower prices, and they are well suited to serve as LVRT target systems. Indeed, UEI has created the hardware and software that makes it possible to implement a LVRT target on a standard PCI-bus system using the firm's line of high-performance I/O cards. This announcement brings two major benefits: First, with a PCI target, users can save 45% or more compared to a PXI variant. Second, for their PCI-bus implementation users have a wide choice of I/O among the 50 models of multifunction, simultaneous-sampling, analog-output and digital I/O cards in the PowerDAQ family.
What makes this possible are the PowerDAQ for LabVIEW Real-Time drivers, which ship free of charge with each I/O board from UEI. The only hardware a user must purchase beyond their PCI target system and PowerDAQ I/O cards is a realtime interface card (Model PD2-LVRT-PCI), which sells for 70 EUR. (Consult the software license agreement for any applicable runtime requirements.)
With LabVIEW Real-Time, an engineer develops an application under Windows and then downloads it to a target execution vehicle that runs a special realtime kernel. The target performs local processing such as closed-loop control, while an Ethernet link maintains communications between the target and the host development system, which also handles tasks such as running a user interface, sophisticated data processing and storage.
In the UEI implementation, users develop an application on a Windows host development system using their LabVIEW Real-Time software. For a target system, users can select virtually any commercially available PCI system as long as it has sufficient free slots: one holds the PD2-LVRT-PCI realtime interface card, which establishes communications between the development and target systems; additional slots hold the user's choice of PowerDAQ I/O cards.
The next step is to boot the target system into the special realtime kernel, which then employs the PD2-LVRT-PCI card to communicate with the development host to download the application and to upload data for display on the host-based user interface as well as for additional processing and storage.
Other software innovations from UEI
Besides offering a cost-effective alternative for PXI targets for LabVIEW Real-Time, UEI also offers engineers other LabVIEW innovations. For example, the PowerDAQ Software Suite ships with free drivers for LabVIEW for Linux. Unlike National Instruments, which suggests that users go to community-written/supported Linux drivers from groups such as Comedi, UEI offers professionally developed and fully supported drivers so that it's easy and reliable to perform industrial I/O under LabVIEW for Linux.
Giving users yet another alternative, UEI supports another scheme that allows realtime system development under Windows but that uses virtually any desktop PC for its target vehicles: xPC for MATLAB. The necessary PowerDAQ drivers ship along with the xPC package users purchase from The MathWorks.
UEI's realtime support extends even further to include drivers for Realtime Linux (either the RTAI or FSMLabs kernels) as well as QNX. Hard realtime performance is also possible in a distributed environment thanks to the PowerDNA Cubes, which pack 100 to 200 I/O points in a package measuring 4 x 4 x 4", including a dedicated CPU and Ethernet interface. Clearly, when it comes to hard realtime systems, UEI is indeed "The Real-Time Alternative."
Price and Availability
The PowerDAQ LabVIEW Real-Time drivers are available at no charge on the PowerDAQ Software Suite CD that ships with each I/O card. The PD2-LVRT-PCI realtime interface card sells for 70 EUR. Shipment is from stock. For more information about these or any other UEI hardware and software products, users can go to www.ueidaq.com
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UEI drivers unchain LabVIEW Real-Time from proprietary hardware
 UEI: Giving OEMs and end users alike new freedom and flexibility in configuring their realtime systems, United Electronic Industries is shipping a set of drivers that allow its family of PXI analog and digital I/O cards to run as part of a LabVIEW Real-Time system. Further, engineers can also use a PXI chassis and controller card from UEI as the basis of a LabVIEW Real-Time runtime system. Users are freed from the shackles of proprietary hardware when setting up a system under that operating environment. These PowerDAQ for LabVIEW Real-Time (PD-LVRT) drivers ship at no charge on the PowerDAQ Software Suite CD that accompanies every hardware purchase. The drivers are also available as a free download from www.ueidaq.com/download/.
To understand the significance of this driver release, consider some background. Recognizing the importance of realtime performance in today's R&D and factory-floor environments, National Instruments created a version of LabVIEW that compiles a special VI (a computer program in LabVIEW parlance) that users download to a separate runtime vehicle that has its own CPU. The controller on that vehicle is then configured to execute the special VI under the LabVIEW Real-Time runtime environment. Using a special floppy disk prepared with the help of the LabVIEW Real-Time development tools, the user boots the execution vehicle into this kernel, and thus Windows or any other operating system is no longer available. There are only a few restrictions on which PXI controllers can run the kernel and thus also the special VI with the user application. However, a prospective user must purchase NI’s PXI-based I/O cards because those are the only ones for which NI supplies drivers that allow I/O cards to work with LabVIEW Real-Time.
The Real-Time Alternative
If prospective users find that they're not satisfied with the limitations, performance or pricing structure of LabVIEW Real-Time or the hardware required for such a configuration, they have an option. Specifically, the PowerDAQ LabVIEW Real-Time drivers allow them to populate a LabVIEW Real-Time based test system by choosing among the variety of PXI I/O cards that UEI offers – today some 50 models that meet virtually any application requirement. Like all PowerDAQ cards, each comes with an onboard DSP. Highlights include sampling to 2.2 MHz, cards with eight simultaneous analog inputs, cards with 32 independent analog outputs, and cards with 64 digital I/O lines and high-speed streaming to disk, all at very attractive prices. In addition, users can purchase a complete PXI setup – chassis, controller card and I/O cards – from UEI. LabVIEW Real-Time has never before had such flexibility!
One outstanding feature of UEI's approach to LabVIEW Real-Time is that we don't force you to change the user-application VI based on the target execution environment. The identical VI works under Windows, Linux or LabVIEW Real-Time. Our low-level VIs instead make a call to a DLL that provides the interface to the ETS kernel when running under that environment. Moving the user-application VI to a different operating environment means only supplying the corresponding DLL.
Thanks to UEI, when it comes to LabVIEW, users get ultimate freedom of choice in both hardware and software.
About United Electronic Industries, Inc
Known as "The High-Performance Alternative," UEI is a supplier of leading-edge PCI- and PXI-based data acquisition cards, distributed I/O systems, signal-conditioning accessories and software. In particular, it has emerged as a market leader in the field of hard realtime data acquisition on PCs through its support of realtime Linux implementations and commercial RTOSs. A proprietary protocol on the PowerDNA Cube gives Ethernet-based I/O systems true realtime performance, but the system also runs with conventional Ethernet protocols, as well. Among the firm's major markets are sophisticated production test systems, process monitoring and control as well as research/development.
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