ME-4600 - PC Multi-I/O PC Plug-in Board

Event-driven and Space-saving

ME-4000 Series PC Multifunctional DAQ Boards

Why PC plug-in boards for measurement and test? After all, there are so many solutions available today. From measuring instruments with PC connectivity to modular solutions for USB, Ethernet, fieldbus or WLAN.

The initial situation: If you want to measure, control, regulate or test with a PC, you need the appropriate I/O channels.
Whether you use a PC plug-in board, a USB module, a networked module, a complete system (based on PXI, for example) or a classic measuring instrument for this purpose depends largely on the application. None of the technologies is basically the better one, but (only depending on different requirements) the most suitable.

The PC plug-in card is preferred if...

  • ...you want to work directly with a PC and avoid the "bottleneck" of an interface like USB for event-driven real-time applications.
  • ...you are a system integrator and want to build an individual, cost-optimized measurement/test system or control system with your own software - eg. embedded. With several PC plug-in cards you combine exactly the I/O channels you need and create your individual software for the system using the included driver system and SDK (software development kit).
  • ...you need multiple channels in a small space - depending on the number of slots of the PC and depending on the PC plug-in cards used. The configuration, programming and connection technology remains clear and consistent. Expansion is possible depending on the number of free PC bus slots.

Versatile ME-4600 PC DAQ Board- PCI Express, PCI, CompactPCI

The ME-4600 is a proven DAQ and control board used in many areas of industry and in the test field. The board family consists of four sub-series which are upward compatible: Same pinout, software and functions - for upgrades without ifs and buts!

Analog Inputs of the ME-4600 Series

The ME-4600 series offers precise A/D conversion in 16-bit resolution. The analog input channels have common input ranges. Individual versions of the PC boards offer some special features:

  • Configuration of the channels by software for single-ended or differential operation.
  • Models "s": 8 of the single-ended inputs have a sample&hold circuit and can thus also be used for pseudo-simultaneous sampling.
  • In addition to an external digital trigger, some models offer an external analog trigger (rising, falling, both edges).
  • Models "i": Isolation of the A/D section (opto-isolation after A/D conversion).

Overview

Model Channels Range Isolation A/D conversion Trigger Model
ME-4610 16 single-ended ±10 V - 16 bit; rate depending on PC up to max. 300 kHz External digital trigger ME-4610
ME-4660 16 single-ended ±10 V, ±2.5 V, 0...+10 V, 0...+2.5 V - 16 bit; rate depending on PC up to max. 250 kHz (PCIe)/300 kHz ME-4660
ME-4660s 16 single-ended
8 of the channels pseudo-simultaneous with sample&hold
- ME-4660s
ME-4660i 16 single-ended ME-4660i
ME-4660is 16 single-ended
8 of the channels pseudo-simultaneous with sample&hold
ME-4660is
ME-4670 32 single-ended - External digital and analog trigger ME-4670
ME-4670s 32 single-ended or 16 differential
8 of the single-ended channels pseudo-simultaneous with sample&hold
- ME-4670s
ME-4670i 32 single-ended or 16 differential ME-4670i
ME-4670is 32 single-ended or 16 differential
8 of the single-ended channels pseudo-simultaneous with sample&hold
ME-4670is
ME-4670f 32 single-ended or 16 differential - ME-4670f
ME-4680 32 single-ended or 16 differential - ME-4680
ME-4680s 32 single-ended or 16 differential
8 of the single-ended channels pseudo-simultaneous with sample&hold
- ME-4680s
ME-4680i 32 single-ended or 16 differential ME-4680i
ME-4680is 32 single-ended or 16 differential
8 of the single-ended channels pseudo-simultaneous with sample&hold
ME-4680is

Analog Outputs of the ME-4600 Series

The analog outputs of the ME-4600 series also use precise 16-bit conversion, and an external digital trigger is also provided for D/A conversion. Special feature:

  • Models "i": Isolation of the D/A section (opto-isolation before D/A conversion).
  • The model ME-4680 has FIFOs on 4 of the analog outputs. This allows a timer controlled output.

Overview

Model Channels Range Isolation D/A conversion FIFO Model
ME-4610 - - - - - ME-4610
ME-4660 2 ±10 V - 16 bit, rate depending on PC - ME-4660
ME-4660s 2 - ME-4660s
ME-4660i 2 ME-4660i
ME-4660is 2 ME-4660is
ME-4670 4 - ME-4670
ME-4670s 4 - ME-4670s
ME-4670i 4 ME-4670i
ME-4670is 4 ME-4670is
ME-4670f 4 - ME-4670f
ME-4680 4 - 16 bit, rate depending on PC/with FIFO max. 500 kHz ME-4680
ME-4680s 4 - ME-4680s
ME-4680i 4 ME-4680i
ME-4680is 4 ME-4680is

Digital I/O and Counters of the ME-4600 Series

In addition, the ME-4600 series offers 16-bit counters and digital I/O lines for control tasks, event counting, etc. Special features:

  • Two of the ports are accessible via a pin field/pin connector on the board. An included adapter converts these to 25-pin D-sub. This occupies one mounting slot, but does not use the bus connector.
  • These two ports can be extended externally with relays or opto-couplers (ME-63x EXT series).
  • Models "i": Opto-isolation of two ports (16 lines on 78-pin D-sub): Port A then is an opto digital output port and port B an opto digital input port.
  • Models "i": Opto-isolation of all counter channels.
  • Models "f": Frequency input/output. In this version, two of the four 8-bit TTL ports (ports on pin connectors) are replaced by...
    ...frequency counter: 4 independent TTL inputs for measuring frequency and duty cycle for periodic square wave signals (max. 8.25 MHz).
    ...pulse generator: 4 independent TTL outputs for output of a periodic square wave signal up to 8.25 MHz with variable duty cycle.
  • ME-4680: Timer controlled bit pattern output with FIFO.

Overview

Model Digital Channels Isolation Counter Isolation Expandable Model
ME-4610 32 (4x 8-bit ports)
16 of them on D-sub,
other 16 on pin field with adaptor to 25-pin D-sub (occupies one mounting slot, but does not use the bus connector)
- 3, 16 bit, external clock up to 10 MHz -   ME-4610
ME-4660 - -   ME-4660
ME-4660s - -   ME-4660s
ME-4660i 16 of the digital channels (channels on 78-pin D-sub)   ME-4660i
ME-4660is 16 of the digital channels (channels on 78-pin D-sub)   ME-4660is
ME-4670 - -   ME-4670
ME-4670s - -   ME-4670s
ME-4670i 16 of the digital channels (channels on 78-pin D-sub)   ME-4670i
ME-4670is 16 of the digital channels (channels on 78-pin D-sub)   ME-4670is
ME-4670f - -   ME-4670f
ME-4680 - -   ME-4680
ME-4680s - -   ME-4680s
ME-4680i 16 of the digital channels (channels on 78-pin D-sub)   ME-4680i
ME-4680is 16 of the digital channels (channels on 78-pin D-sub)   ME-4680is

General Data of the ME-4600 Series

  • Bus platforms: Available for PCI-Express, Standard-PCI, 3 U CompactPCI/PXI.
  • Isolation: Models "i" with opto-isolation of A/D section, D/A section, trigger lines, counter lines and 16 of the digital lines.
  • Interrupt control, external interrupt input.
  • D-sub mating connector included for soldering own connections.
  • Matching cable and terminal blocks with spring terminals and/or BNC available.
  • English and German user manuals (PDF-Download).
  • ▸Driver system, SDK, and software ▸ME-PowerLab3 for Windows incl. (download).

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