USB-1208FS-Plus/LS/1408FS-Plus Series

When used as an output, the SYNC terminal outputs the clock rate as generated by the analog input scan function. Since that clock rate is fixed during the analog input scan, it is a fixed rate on the SYNC terminal. If you used a function generator to generate the frequency ramp, then you could use the USB-1208FS-Plus’ SYNC terminal as an externally clocked input that would track the frequency ramp. You accomplish this by setting the AInScan() options parameter to include EXTCLOCK. For more information, please contact Application Engineering directly.

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Hello - Hardware paced means that an array of pre-known data values is clocked out at a fixed (usually rapid) rate. The timing is quite consistent between each update, since the DAQ’s on-board clock is used. Hardware pacing is the fastest, and is good for waveform generation. But since the data must be known in advance, it does not lend itself well to applications where the output is to be changed on the fly or is to be a function of an input. A good example is installed with ULx, named: ULx Cont Gen Voltage Wfm–Int Clk, though on its front panel be sure to limit the voltage values to be within the 0 to 5V range of the USB-1208FS-PLUS hardware. Software paced means that a single value is sent out occasionally. An example of this type is located on our knowledgebase at the link below. It is slower, with timing/jitter between writes, but since data is not buffered in advanced, it can be changed in a timely fashion. http://kb.mccdaq.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50395.aspx

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Multiple USB-1208FS-PLUS A/D devices can be synchronized, using the internal clock from one unit to drive the others. Below are the steps to follow for a programmer (using either UL or ULx for LabVIEW). Other software packages generally do not support the SYNC mode.

• A) Connect a physical wire between the SYNC pins of both units. This pin is bi-directional and it carries the clock signal. Keep this wire as short as possible to minimize noise (false clocking).
• B) In your software program, configure both A/D scans to be for the same number of channels (a requirement).
• C) First start a BACKGROUND A/D scan on one unit, and specify that it use EXTCLOCK (external clock). Note that since no clock pulses have arrived from the other unit yet, no A/D conversions have occurred yet.
• D) Then start an A/D scan on the other unit, to use internal clock. The result will be that clock pulses from this unit not only clock its own A/D, but will travel down the wire and clock the other unit's A/D.
• E) Proceed to manage the data flow for both scans. This is done in the same manner as you would for one scan, except you do it "independently" for each scan. Note that from the software driver's standpoint, the data is coming from two devices, into two different memory buffers.
59 months ago
Measurement Computing

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The USB-1208FS-Plus supports an external TTL compatible trigger via the dedicated TRIG_IN pin accessible through the screw terminals. The trigger can be configured for rising or falling edge, high or low level TTL signals. The trigger has a latency of 10 uSec with a minimum pulse width of 1 uS. Detailed specifications can be found in our User’s manual here: https://www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/manuals/USB-1208FS-Plus.pdf

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Hello Ellen - No, there are no firmware updates to the USB-1208FS-Plus.

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The USB-1208FS-PLUS’ hardware architecture does not allow per-channel setting of differential vs. single-ended. This setting must be done on a global basis. If using DAQFlex, the global command is: "AI:CHMODE=SE"

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Hello Shane, Thank you for your inquiry. Yes, you can extend your digital I/O count. By simply adding additional USB supported products you can extend your analog and digital capacity. Currently the highest count for a MCC USB digital I/O product is 96 bits (the USB-DIO96H).

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This is a device which reads voltage, but don't worry, you might be $0.20 away from a solution. Since V=IR and you have an I, all you need to do is add a known R and you'll measure a proportional V. You've got a few things to watch out for, but nothing too big, assuming you're trying to measure low current. Assuming you are trying to measure a 4-20ma signal (very common for process current and you wanted to convert that to a voltage that was compatible with the input of up to 10V, you would simply put a 500 ohm resistor in series with your signal and attach the leads to the device parallel to the resistor. 500ohm is chosen because 20ma*500ohm is 10V, which is the maximum input for the device. Your minimum would be 2V, since 4ma * 500 ohm = 2V, but you can scale the value to the desired units with no problem. Having said that, if you are trying to measure higher currents #call it 0.5 amps or more) then you have to size both the resistance and the power dissipation of the resistor carefully. P=I^2*R, so if you wanted to measure 2 amps for example scaled to the10V maximum input, you'd need a 5 ohm resistor. Now, calculate the power as 2^2 *5 and you get 20W of dissipation. . . not a small number for typical resistors. Less than 0.5 amps is 5W or less and those resistors are relatively easy to obtain through various local sources. If you start getting to big numbers, though, consider a different method for converting current to voltage. Good Luck!

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To read current you need to pass "Current" through something, like a resistor. Then all you do is read the voltage drop across the resistor and done.

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An analog output is a voltage. To measure the current that this voltage is sourcing, you would need to add a current to voltage transducer (perhaps as simple as a resistor inline with the load, though I prefer an IC like the Touchstone Semiconductor TS1100 sensor) then connect this transducer output to one of the analog inputs. You will have to scale the measured voltage to provide the correct current reading. You have to realize that the analog output from the USB-1208 has a limited current range. To drive large loads, you will need additional external circuitry.

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The USB-1208FS-PLUS can read and control only voltages directly. To read current with an analog input, the user must provide their own external shunt resistor.

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I've tested it extensively and it matches my Fluke and other meters to within x.xx value or one hundredths of a volt. I have not tested it for a higher accuracy so I don't know from there.

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I am using the differtential input with 4096 bits. As I am using only 0 to 5 volts input that reduces it to 2048 bits. So I guess the resolution is 1/2048.

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The USB-1208FS-Plus supports 8 different software selectable analog input ranges. Accuracy is calculated based on the range so each range has a different accuracy specification based on this criteria. Below is a link to a datasheet that lists the “Absolute Accuracy” for each range (the information you're looking for is on page 5). http://www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/specs/USB-1208FS-LS-1408FS-Series-data.pdf

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Windows 8.1 support was added in version 6.32 in April 2014. You can download the latest version of InstaCal (the driver set) or MCCDAQ CD (the full software suite), from the software downloads page on our website: http://www.mccdaq.com/software.aspx

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Perhaps the cause is a loose wire. Try calibrating only 1 channel at a time, rather than all channels. This reduces the chance for a loose connection since there are far fewer wires. If it still fails to pass, then the unit may require factory calibration, or possibly even repair (although I would try without the earth ground wire before concluding that).

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Hello Larry - MCC does not have MTBF data, nor do we calculate that in-house. We could quote you a fee for outside calculation if you're interested (please contact our Sales department).

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Hello Mande - For customers wishing to do concurrent operations, we are recommending the USB-1208FS-PLUS or the USB-200 series. Here is a comparison table of the features supported in each family: http://www.mccdaq.com/products/1208FS-1408FS-1608FS-Comparison.aspx Here is a knowledge base article that provides further details on the USB-1208LS and concurrent operations: http://kb.mccdaq.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50335.aspx Please feel free to contact us if you need any further information.

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Multiplexing

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Before 1st use but doesn't hurt to run a calibration to ensure proper operation.

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The accuracy specs are warranted at 25 deg C for 1 year from original ship date. The self-calibration in the field does not need to be run to meet the 1 year accuracy specs, unless field conditions are fairly different than 25 deg C.

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The pinout diagrams are located in our User’s manuals. All of our manuals can be viewed and downloaded from our web site here: https://www.mccdaq.com/Manuals For your convenience I have also included the link to the USB-1408FS-Plus manual. Please refer to page 11 for the pinout diagrams. https://www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/manuals/USB-1408FS-Plus.pdf

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The digital I/O and the counters are both single ended inputs. Both the digital and counter specifications can be located in our User’s Manual. You can download the manual from our web site here: https://www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/manuals/USB-1408FS-Plus.pdf Please refer to page 23 for the digital I/O specifications and page 25 for the counters specifications.

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I would be sure to check that InstaCal is installed, with a version of 6.33 or newer. Check the USB port type, if USB 3.0 or USB Super Speed, reconfigure through the PC’s BIOS and set for USB 2.0 Long shot, but I would try a different USB cable, no more than 2 meters in length, no external hubs nor extenders.

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Hello CTR123 - We can absolutely get you up and running with this project. I asked one of our Sales Engineers to send you an email with some information. You should be hearing from him very shortly.

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The counter channel is a digital input, so the TTL input should work better than a sine input. You don’t mention what your sample rate is, but if it is > 1 Hz, try performing the frequency calculation by subtracting two values in the data file that are 1 second (or 10 seconds) apart. If you perform the calculation on two readings that are taken say 100 mS or 10 mS apart, there can occasionally be an error due to the software polled nature of reading the counter, especially on a slower PC.

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Hello surphoton, We do not offer CAD drawings for this device; however, dimensional specifications for both the PCB board and the ABS enclosure are included in the User’s Manual (page 19). You can view the Manual at the following link: http://www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/manuals/USB-1408FS-Plus.pdf

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Hello zsun - Thank You for your inquiry. Basically the –Plus is an updated model with some enhancements. 1) The analog outputs now output a 0-5 volt signal versus the older 0-4096 (4.096 volts) and have an update rate of 50K versus 10K. 2) The digital I/O bits can now source or sink ±24 mA per pin Port B, ±6.0 mA per pin Port A versus +- 6.0 mA for all ports. 3) Added additional software support for the –Plus model. We have a comparison table at the below link: http://www.mccdaq.com/products/1208FS-1408FS-1608FS-Comparison.aspx

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The USB-1408FS-Plus supports 8 different software selectable analog input ranges. Accuracy is calculated based on the range so each range has a different accuracy specification based on this criteria. Below is a link to a table that lists the “Absolute Accuracy” for each range (the information you're looking for is on page 5). http://www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/specs/USB-1208FS-LS-1408FS-Series-data.pdf

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Hello - The USB-1208FS-Plus-OEM’s User’s Guide includes a detailed mechanical drawing on page 18 which can be found at the following link: http://www.mccdaq.com/PDFs/manuals/USB-1208FS-Plus-OEM.pdf The USB-1208FS-Plus-OEM utilizes two 20 pin headers, part number TSW-120-07-G-S manufactured by SAMTEC. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

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There is no 3D model available for the USB-1208FS-Plus-OEM. However, on page 18 of the User’s Guide we include a complete set of mechanical drawings for this purpose.

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The digital I/O on the USB-1408FS-Plus is software polled therefore the update rate/latency relies heavily on the system you are using. We did some benchmarking for the USB-1408FS-Plus and for a digital write you can expect around a 3 mSec (333 write/sec) latency and for a read around 400 uSec (2500 reads/sec) latency. Keep in mind that these benchmarks are can change based on your software code and the system you are using to run the DAQ device.

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