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USB-CTR Series

REVIEWS (5)
 

High-Speed Counter / Timer USB Devices

USB-CTR Series
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The USB-CTR Series of USB counter devices provide high-speed counter/timer operations synchronized with digital I/O functions. Each device features high frequency and scan rates, debounce filtering, and support for multiple counting modes. OEM versions are available for embedded applications.

Digital I/O
Channels Counter/Timers Encoder Inputs
8 Up to 8/4 —
Software Power
OS Support Drivers Power
Windows® and Linux® Universal Library™ SW Suite Bus powered

Part Number Description Price
USB-CTR04
SKU: 6069-410-057 		Counter/timer device with 4 high-speed channels and 8 digital I/O
 Buy at Digilent.com $419.00
USB-CTR08
SKU: 6069-410-028 		Counter/timer device with 8 high-speed channels and 8 digital I/O
 Buy at Digilent.com $489.00
USB-CTR04-OEM
SKU: 6069-410-194 		Counter/timer device with 4 high-speed channels and 8 digital I/O. OEM version removes enclosure and screw terminals and adds headers.
Qty:
 $419.00
Software
DASYLab® LITE
SKU: 6069-810-002 		Icon-Based Data Acquisition, Graphics, and Control Software
More Options...
Qty:
 $499.00
DASYLab® BASIC
SKU: 6069-810-000 		Icon-Based Data Acquisition, Graphics, Control, and Analysis Software. Includes standard analysis modules and unlimited module count. - Most Popular
Qty:
 $1,299.00
DASYLab® FULL
SKU: 6069-810-001 		Icon-Based Data Acquisition, Graphics, Control, and Analysis Software. Includes all DASYLab Basic features plus standard modules, 200 layout windows, unlimited module count, and control sequencer.
Qty:
 $1,799.00
DASYLab® PRO
SKU: 6069-810-003 		Icon-Based Data Acquisition, Graphics, Control, and Analysis Software. Includes all DASYLab Full features plus advanced signal analysis and control modules.
Qty:
 $2,499.00
DASYLab® RUNTIME
SKU: 6069-810-004 		DASYLab Runtime allows you to run an existing worksheet application on an additional computer (with compatible hardware configurations)
Qty:
 $449.00
TracerDAQ® Pro
SKU: 6069-231-000 		Out-of-the-box virtual instrument suite with strip chart, oscilloscope, function generator, and rate generator – professional version
**Not recommended for new applications. Please consider DAQami instead.**
Qty:
 $199.00

Product Reviews


4.8 / 5
Ease of Use
4.6 / 5
Value
4.4 / 5
Technical Support
4.8 / 5

100% of new reviewers recommend this product

USB-CTR04
November 24, 2021
Ease of order, ease of use

......

  • Job Title: Component Engineer
  • Industry: Electronics
  • Application: Test
  • From: New York
  • Company Size: 1-100
  • Software Used: C++/C#/VB
  • Ease of use
  • Value
  • Technical Support
Yes, I recommend this product!

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USB-CTR04
January 11, 2021
Great product with great support

We were looking for a device to read our encoder values and we came across MCC device. It was easy to install and configure the device. The device by itself looks pretty solid and industrial. Programming side also was pretty straightforward and if you face any questions technical support is always there. Overall highly recommended.

  • Job Title: Software Engineer
  • Industry: Robotic
  • Application: Pick and place
  • From: San Jose, CA
  • Company Size: 1-100
  • Software Used: C++/C#/VB
  • Ease of use
  • Value
  • Technical Support
Yes, I recommend this product!

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USB-CTR04
September 24, 2019
Lowest cost high accuracy frequency measurement

I needed a quick, low cost method of recording frequency measurements from two flow meters. It seems like a simple task but many of the available products require advanced programming or cost thousands of dollars. The USB-CTR08 fit the bill perfectly, allowing me to quickly record using the DAQami software with only a basic configuration and no programming. I called tech support to ask a few questions which they answered quickly and accurately. I will continue to use MCC products for their value and quality.

  • Job Title: Systems Engineer
  • Industry: OEM
  • Application: Liquid Flow Stand
  • From: Torrance, CA
  • Company Size: 1-100
  • Software Used: DAQami
  • Ease of use
  • Value
  • Technical Support
Yes, I recommend this product!

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USB-CTR08
February 06, 2019
Great Product, Documentation, Support

The product very much suited our needs for a combined pulse counting / and a timing application. The sample programs work great, and have good comments in them, making them very understandable. However, where I think MCC really shines is with their technical support staff. I had a specific problem that was addressed by their friendly and knowledgeable support staff within two days. They provided me with additional sample code and some wiring notes that were specifically applicable to the particular problem that I was trying to solve.

  • Job Title: Sr. Software Engineer
  • Industry: Manufacturing
  • Application: Robot Control
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • Company Size: 501-1000
  • Software Used: C++/C#/VB
  • Ease of use
  • Value
  • Technical Support
Yes, I recommend this product!

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USB-CTR08
June 24, 2014
This module has excellent performance and value.

For our application the USB-CTR08 can replace a VME module that costs over $3,000. We use it in 2 modes: 1) A single-shot preset scaler. For this application Counter 0 is the preset channel, and Counter 0 Output is connected to Counters 1-7 Gate Inputs. Thus when Counter 0 stops all of the other counters stop as well. 2) As a traditional multi-channel scaler (MCS). The data from each counter are collected into time bins. The channel advance to the next time bin can be done either with an internal clock or with an external channel advance connected to the CLKI input. One slight drawback of the module, and a suggestion for a future firmware upgrade is that the CLKI input does not have a "prescale" feature. We often want to divide our external channel advance input by N. For example that input might be stepper motor pulse signals, and we only want to advance the scaler on every 20'th pulse. This can be done with the existing USB-CTR08 by using one of the counter channels as the prescaler, with its Input connected to the external pulse source and it Output connected to CLKI. But this inconvenient because it costs a counter channel, and it is also not possible to use a prescale factor of 1 #i.e. no prescaling# in this configuration.

  • Job Title: Senior Scientist
  • Industry: Academic
  • Application: Synchrotron beamline control
  • From: University of Chicago
  • Company Size: 1001-5001
  • Software Used: C/C++
  • Ease of use
  • Value
  • Technical Support
Yes, I recommend this product!

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Does it work on the latest linux kernels?

  • Job Title: Software Engineer
  • Industry:
  • Application:
50 months ago
amahoney


Answers

Yes. Our UL for Linux supports the latest kernel release.

50 months ago
Measurement Computing

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The datasheet states that counter inputs can concurrently monitor time periods, frequencies and pulses. Does this mean that you can concurrently perform multiple measurements on the same channel? For example, can you concurrently accumulate pulses and measure period between pulses on the same channel at the same time?

  • Job Title: Applications development
  • Industry: Oil and Gas exploration
  • Application: Real-time data acquisition
65 months ago
Dennis222 Lafayette, LA


Answers

The USB-CTR04 does support concurrent channel reads but does not support multiple modes of operation on a single channel.

65 months ago
Measurement Computing

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Most modern PCs and laptops support a high power mode (1.5 amp) on one or more of their USB ports. Can the CTR04's firmware be modified to recognize that it is connected to a high power charging port so that more current is available for the VO pin? I wan

  • Job Title: Automation Engineer
  • Industry: Automobile
  • Application: Quality control measurement
102 months ago
OldSparky South Carolina, USA


Answers

Hello - Additional circuitry changes would be required, beyond a firmware change. MCC does not have any current plans to make such changes.

102 months ago
MeasurementComputing

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I am interested in counting voltage pulses of 2-2.2V (20 nS) from a optical photon counting device. Can I count the pulse rate (pulses/Sec) and export the data to excel or suitable software?

  • Job Title:
  • Industry:
  • Application:
105 months ago
Sudhee


Answers

Hello Sudhee, thank you for your inquiry. Full support for the USB-CTR04/08 can be obtained through our Universal Library for Windows. However, there are some limitations when using TracerDAQ, DASYLab, or LabVIEW. However, it does appear that all but TracerDAQ will support “Pulse Counting” at this time. Please refer to our knowledge base article for the USB-CTR Series for detailed information on supported features of the USB-CTR04/08. http://kb.mccdaq.com/Search.aspx?Keywords=USB-CTR Full support is planned for the near future.

105 months ago
MeasurementComputing

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Is USB-CTR04 a replacement of your old USB-4301? Does it provide the same functionality? Is a detail mechanical drawing available to provide detail dimension information? Thanks.

  • Job Title: President
  • Industry: Machine Vision
  • Application: Factory Automation
106 months ago
DJLee Utah


Answers

Hello DJLee - Thank you for your inquiry. The new USB-CTR04 and USB-CTR08 are not drop-in replacements for our USB-4300 Series. You can review the Data sheet and User’s manual for the new counter devices at: http://www.mccdaq.com/usb-data-acquisition/USB-CTR04.aspx . There is also a mechanical drawing posted at: http://www.mccdaq.com/pdfs/drawings/USB-CTR-Series.pdf Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.

106 months ago
MeasurementComputing

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Included Software

  • DAQamiTM - data acquisition companion software for acquiring data and generating signals
  • TracerDAQ® for acquiring and displaying data and generating signals
  • InstaCalTM software utility for installing, configuration, and testing
  • Universal Library includes support for Visual Studio® and Visual Studio®.NET, including examples for Visual C++®, Visual C#®, and Visual Basic®.NET
  • ULx for NI LabVIEWTM Library of VIs and example programs to speed your NI LabVIEW development
  • Linux® Support for MCC DAQ products
  • Python™ Support for MCC DAQ Products

Optional Software

  • DASYLab® Software lets you interactively develop PC-based data acquisition applications by simply attaching functional icons
  • TracerDAQ®Pro - Out-of-the-box virtual instrument suite with strip chart, oscilloscope, function generator, and rate generator – professional version

Product Manuals

USB-CTR04
document
 
USB-CTR04-OEM
document
 
USB-CTR08
document
 

 

Quick Start Guide

DAQami™ v4.2.1
QS-MCCDAQ.pdf
 
DASYLab® LITE
QS-DASYLab-MCCDRV.pdf
 
ULx for NI LabVIEW™
QS ULx for NI LabVIEW.pdf
 

 

 

 

Programming Example Downloads      download

Product Videos

MCC Video Library
video
 
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