32-channel, industrial digital output boards now available for UEI's PowerDNA Cube Family and RACKtangle I/O chassis

The DNA models are designed for use with UEI's popular Ethernet Cube family — PowerDNA, UEIPAC, UEILogger, and Modbus ‘Cubes’. The DNR models are designed for UEI's new 12-slot rack-mounted RACKtangle I/O chassis.

Each board provides 32 channels of digital output — up to 600 mA per-channel continuous current with an output voltage drop of less than 550 mV. The -432 version outputs are configured as current sources; the -433 as current sinks. The output ports are configured as single 32-bit words, the maximum output throughput rate is 1 kS/s and the boards have an operating range of 3.3 to 36 VDC.

As part of the Guardian design the boards offer an input mode that monitors the output voltage and current of each channel and easily detects opens, shorts and off-normal operation. A powerful and convenient diagnostic tool, this function enables a technician to localise and correct faults quickly and accurately. In addition channels not used as digital outputs may be used to measure 0-36 VDC analogue voltage inputs with ±10mV accuracy.

Each channel also offers a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) ‘soft-start/stop’ feature that applies and removes power gradually, greatly increasing the life and reliability of devices and components affected by thermal shock. A PWM output may also be used to drive a low speed, high current device or as a ‘dimmer’ for indicating lights and similar devices.

Software for the boards is provided in the UEIDAQ Framework API. Framework provides a simple and complete software interface to all popular programming languages, operating systems and data acquisition/control application packages such as LabVIEW, MATLAB/Simulink and DASYLab.

About the Cube

UEI's powerful ‘Cube’ architecture is a compact (4 x 4 x 4 or 4 x 4 x 5.8) Ethernet based I/O platform. It may be deployed in four different configurations:

1. Ethernet I/O systems slaved to a host PC
2. Standalone Data Logger/Recorder
3. Linux-based Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) or
4. Modbus TCP-based I/O slave.
Each Cube consists of a core module (for the processor and network interface) and three or six open I/O slots. Users select the option that meets their needs and then match the I/O configuration of the ‘Cube’ to their application by selecting appropriate I/O boards. With over 30 I/O board types available, there's sure to be a configuration to meet almost any application requirement. The six slot ‘Cube’ provides up to 150 analogue inputs, 192 analogue outputs, 288 digital I/O, 48 counter or quadrature channels, 72 ARINC-429 channels and/or 24 Serial or CAN-bus ports.