National Instruments PCI-1200 Multifunction DAQ

The National Instruments PCI-1200 (Part Number: 777386-01, 777097-01) is a multipurpose, digital, analog, and timing device intended for PCI bus computers. It provides an affordable option for various industrial automation and data collection uses.

Eight analog input channels—eight single-ended, eight pseudodifferential, and four differential—can be set up on the PCI-1200. It makes use of a 12-bit successive-approximation ADC, which provides a maximum sampling rate of 100 kS/s and a resolution of 1 in 4,096. With two 12-bit DACs featuring voltage outputs for analog output, the device can be configured independently for either unipolar (0-10 V) or bipolar (±5 V) operation. These DACs typically have an update rate between 20 S/s and 1 kS/s, with a resolution of 2.44 mV.

The PCI-1200 also offers 24 lines of digital I/O that are compatible with TTL, which may be set up as three 8-bit ports for input, output, bidirectional, or handshaking, among other modes. A maximum of 2.5 mA per line can be sunk through the digital output ports.

Moreover, three 16-bit counter/timers are integrated into the device to facilitate timing input/output. With a maximum source frequency of 8 MHz, a base clock frequency of 2 MHz, and a resolution of 16 bits, these counters make use of two 82C53 integrated circuits.

The PCI-1200 has overvoltage protection of ±35 V when it is powered on, ±25 V when it is powered off for analog inputs, and ±0.5 V when it is powered off for digital I/O. When the amplifier is powered on, its input impedance is 100 GΩ in parallel with 50 pF; when it is powered off or under overload conditions, its minimum input impedance is 4.7 kΩ. From DC to 60 Hz, it has a CMRR of 70 dB.

In order to compensate for offset and gain issues, the device has self-calibrating circuitry for analog inputs and outputs. It is stored in an EEPROM on the device, along with user-modifiable settings and factory calibration constants. For power requirements, the PCI-1200 consumes 425 mA at +5 VDC and provides power at the I/O connector in the range of +4.65 to +5.25 V, fused at 1 A.