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isoLynx Data Acquisition System Utilizes Best of Dataforth 5B Analog I/O for Rugged High Performance Applications

Dataforth Corporation, Tucson, Arizona announces the introduction of its new isoLynxä SLX100 data acquisition system. The system is designed for applications in laboratory, R&D test and measurement, data acquisition & control on factory floor and industrial process, or machine monitoring. The isoLynxä SLX100 is an intelligent, high speed, modular, fully isolated distributed system offering maximum flexibility of analog and digital I/O selection at competitive prices.

The system is comprised of a 12-channel base system including an I/O Controller module and optional 8 or 16-channel expansion backplanes all of which can be panel or DIN rail mounted. The system accepts single-channel digital or analog I/O modules, and all I/O is channel-to-channel isolated. The companys highly successful SCM5B signal conditioning module family is used for analog I/O, and its SCMD miniature digital modules provide digital I/O. One I/O Controller module can operate up to 60 channels of differential analog I/O and 128 channels of digital I/O. The I/O Controller module contains a powerful high-speed microcontroller, A/D and D/A subsystem, communication interface, system memory and status LEDs. The highly modular design and ability of all wiring to remain connected to the system when accessing I/O modules, provides for excellent field serviceability and upgrades.

By selecting from over 650 single-channel SCM5B analog I/O modules, virtually any industrial signal can be interfaced to the isoLynxä SLX100. These modules offer superior specifications such as ±0.03% accuracy, ±0.005% linearity, six poles of filtering, 1500Vrms continuous input-to-output isolation, low output noise, and much more. Additional custom I/O ranges can be ordered. The isoLynxä SLX100 can interface to a broad spectrum of analog signals, including millivolt, volt, milliamp, amp, thermocouple (linearized and non-linearized), RTD, potentiometer, slidewire, strain gage, AC to true RMS output, frequency, two-wire transmitter, and transducers requiring DC excitation. Analog output modules are available that provide a wide selection of current or voltage output ranges. Industry standard miniature digital I/O modules are used for digital AC/DC input and output requirements.

The user can mix and match any I/O module type on a per-channel basis thus reducing wasted I/O channels and saving costs. The A/D system is built around a 16-bit, 100ksps successive approximation converter which provides a system throughput rate of 2000 channels-per-second. The D/A converter is also a 16-bit device operating at 100ksps rate and it provides a system throughput rate of 1000 channels-per-second. The above throughput rates are based upon serial communication at 115.2 kbps.

Key specifications of the isoLynxä SLX100:
· ±0.03% typical accuracy
· ±0.005% typical linearity
· 16-bit resolution, 100ksps analog input and output
· 2000 ch-per-sec throughput rate at 115.2K baud serial communication
· Hardware temperature linearization for thermocouples and RTDs that doesnt burden processor time, using up to nine breakpoints (or 10 segments) providing conformity to ±0.015% span
· 6 poles of filtering result in 95dB attenuation at 60Hz for low bandwidth channels
· High common mode rejection, 160dB, eliminates common mode voltage noise
· Analog I/O provides 1500Vrms continuous channel-to-channel and channel-to-bus isolation
· Digital I/O provides 4000VDC channel-to-channel and channel-to-bus isolation
· Fully protected analog inputs; continuous protection against overvoltage up to 240VAC sustained, and transient protection up to 5KV peaks per ANSI/IEEE C37.90-1989 specification
· Watchdog timer resets system to customer specified configuration upon fault

The isoLynxä SLX100 communicates on RS-232/485 serial links up to 115.2 kbps or 10Base-T Ethernet with TCP/IP protocol, and in the near future, fieldbus protocols such as Profibus, DeviceNet, Modbus, and others. Up to 16 systems can be multi-dropped on the RS-485 serial link. Optional fieldbus protocol communication boards are factory installed, but are field replaceable or upgradeable without processor re-configuration.

The Application Programming Interface (API) defines a platform-independent, run-time function library used to program Dataforth's isoLynxä SLX100 hardware system under Windows XP/2000/NT/9x. High-level functions are included to encapsulate the transmission and reception of isoLynxä commands and responses over the installed communications interface (e.g. RS-232/485). The isoLynxä API simplifies the creation of data acquisition and control applications by providing intuitive function calls that hide the complexity of formatting and parsing isoLynxä command and response packets. A platform-independent, common API eases application migration from one operating system and/or programming language to another. In addition, the API is based on an open architecture, utilizing "plug-in" communications and I/O processor libraries (i.e. DLLs), allowing for simple API extension and application program deployment.

The isoLynxä API includes a suite of sample programs which can be customized to build powerful data acquisition and control applications in Visual C++ and Visual Basic. In addition, sample OLE for Process Control (OPC) server applications will be offered so isoLynxä may communicate with a wide range of HMI/SCADA software packages residing on a host. Finally, Instrument Driver samples will be included to demonstrate how the isoLynxä API can be used as a foundation for creating sophisticated Virtual Instruments with National Instruments' LabVIEWä; application development environment.

Operation and storage temperature for the isoLynxä SLX100 is -40°C to +85°C, and relative humidity range is zero to 95% noncondensing. Power requirement is +5VDC, 2.5W base system with no modules installed. The system meets the requirements of EN50081-2 (radiated/conducted emissions) and EN61000-6-2 (ESD/RF/EFT immunity). All modules are certified to CSA/FM and CE requirements.

Prices for the isoLynx system start at $329 for the 12 channel analog base system. Analog and digital I/O modules are priced separately, and start at $85 and $11.50 respectively. For additional information, call 800-444-7644 toll-free or visit our web center at www.dataforth.com. Dataforth Corporation, 3331 E. Hemisphere Loop, Tucson, AZ 85706 USA. Telephone 520-741-1404, Fax 520-741-0762, E-mail sales@dataforth.com

Automation.com Real-time Information for the Automation Professional May. 24, 2012

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