Universal DAQ System Has Eight Individual Analog Voltage Outputs

Many test and measurement tasks require measured physical parameters to be output as a standardized voltage. For these applications, HBM released the MX878 output module – a new module of the flexible and powerful QuantumX data acquisition system.

The output module has eight analog voltage outputs that can be individually configured. The module enables system signals to be output as scaled and filtered values in the range of ±10 V. All signals supplied by the amplifiers can be used as signal sources. This makes individual monitoring or forwarding of system signals such as measured values very easy.

In addition, the module offers integrated local intelligence that enables measured values to be analyzed or set off against each other in real time using algebraic operations. The module also features functions for the computation of peak value or root mean square value. Computed signals can be made available in the system in real time or the can be output directly.

The functions or outputs can be configured directly using QuantumX Assistant software, LabView® VIs or the user’s individual programs via the integrated QuantumX programming interface (API) for .NET or COM. catmanAP software provides comprehensive options for configuration, data acquisition, visualization and analysis.

Typical fields of application of the new MX878 QuantumX module include for example test bench applications involving conversion of various transducer signals.
Further information at

www.hbm.com

High Resolution Digitizer for Defense Markets

Agilent Technologies introduces its Acqiris product line’s highest-resolution VME/VXS digitizer. The SVM4800 is an eight-channel 14-bit digitizer with more than 300 MHz input signal bandwidth, achieving sampling of up to 125 MS/s. This new digitizer is ideal for applications in radar, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Synthetic Instrumentation (SI).

The Agilent SVM4800 builds on the modular U1083A VME/VXS base card with an analog digitizer mezzanine that includes two DC-coupled 14-bit, 125 MS/s quad-ADCs. Agilent know-how in digitizer development combined with extensive use of state-of-the-art technology allow reaching outstanding analog performance, including spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of up to 82 dBc, total harmonic distortion (THD) of 82 dBc, and signal to noise ratio (SNR) over 70 dBc, leading to an effective resolution of more than 11.2 bits (ENOB) at 125 MS/s. The mezzanine also includes a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA that provides data MUX function and static data gain and offset correction.

The base card provides high-performance, real-time data processing by means of two very large Xilinx Virtex- 4 FPGAs, one SX55 and one FX100. The board supports eight 3.125 Gbps serial links on the VXS backplane and two optical links on the front panel supporting up to 3.125 Gbps, providing a substantial aggregate data bandwidth of more than 3.5 GB/s. Its fully compliant VME64x interface supports the 2eSST protocol.

An optional firmware development kit (FDK) is available to help application firmware implementation on the SX55 and FX100 FPGAs. The FDK includes a set of cores to easily interface to the underlying hardware, a base design for each family member to provide very simple, ready-to-use designs, and a test-bench environment for design and simulation.

This product is intended benefit those charged with closing the gaps in emerging threats through new technology or by refreshment of fielded Electronic Support (ES), Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems, the majority of which are based on the ubiquitous VME architecture. Longer emitter identification standoff ranges, more precise direction finding in dense emitter environments, and shorter defensive engagement cycles are possible with relatively low incremental development cost. Wideband radar and intelligence-gathering systems are also expected to benefit, with better clutter rejection, range and target differentiation now attainable without massive reinvestment.