LXI/Ethernet-digitizers now have a mixed-mode testing option featuring eight analog input channels that synchronously sample signals at rates up to 5 MS/sec, 20 MS/sec, 40 MS/sec or 125 MS/sec with 16-bit resolution. The new option adds eight digital lines to the three multipurpose I/O lines that come as standard with each unit, increasing the number of digital input channels to 11 in total. The enhanced digitizers simultaneously acquire both eight analog and 11 digital signals in a fully synchronous fashion, with easy access to all 19 channels via front panel BNC connectors. The units come complete with software and all the tools necessary to integrate them into virtually any test system, including mechatronics, robotics, vibrational studies, control systems, data bus analysis, automation, motion control and more.

Controlling and accessing the data collected by the digitizerNETBOX is done by simply connecting it with GBit Ethernet to a host computer (e.g. laptop or workstation) or anywhere on the corporate network. This allows easy remote control and, as the units are fully programmable, makes them perfect for most automated testing applications. The digitizerNETBOX is fully LXI compliant (following Core 2011 Specifications) and offers an IVI compatible interface for the IVI Scope and IVI Digitizer classes.

Spectrum’s own SBench 6 Professional software comes as standard with the products. This program lets users control all the modes and settings of the hardware via a simple, easy-to-use interface. The software also has a host of built-in features for data analysis and documentation. These include FFT analysis, analog and digital waveform display modes, XY display, a function interpreter, parameter measurements, export into ASCII, Wave, MATLAB, comment functions (for annotating signals or displays) and even a report and printout function.

The analog input channels of the digitizerNETBOX products provide software selectable, single-ended and differential input modes. Each channel has its own ADC and an independent amplifier. The amplifiers have selectable input impedance (50 Ω and 1 MΩ) with calibrated gain ranges from ±200 mV to ±10 V full scale. Variable gain allows input signals to be scaled, so that they cover the full dynamic range of the ADC and therefore maintain the best possible measurement accuracy. All the channels are synchronously clocked so that phase error is minimized and inter-channel measurements can be made with absolute precision. Large on-board memories also make it possible to acquire and store the longest and most complex of waveforms.

The units include an array of smart triggering capabilities and acquisition modes. Triggering on problem signals (like glitches, spikes, bursts or even when specific logic patterns occur) allows storing the recorded waveforms in the most memory efficient way possible. Transient capture, Multiple (burst) Recording, Gated Sampling, ABA sampling and data streaming (FIFO) modes are all supported.

When using the DN2.59x-08-Dig option, the digital data is stored inside the 16-bit analog samples by reducing a channel’s resolution. This allows phase synchronization of both the analog and digital signals, as the one-bit digital signals are placed in the high order bits of the analog waveforms. As an example, if eight digital channels are in use then the resolution of the analog channels would be reduced from 16 to 14 bits and two of the digital signals would be appended to each analog channel of the digitizer.

The new option DN2.59x-08-Dig could be ordered with these 8-channel digitizerNETBOX products: DN2.591-08 (5 MS/sec), DN2.592-08 (20 MS/sec), DN2.593-08 (40 MS/sec) and DN2.596-08 (80/125 MS/sec). These digitizers start from $10,625 and are available with immediate delivery and come with a full 5-year product warranty as standard.

Spectrum Instrumentation Corp., (201) 562-1999, Sales@spectrum-instrumentation.com, www.spectrum-instrumentation.com