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Legacy A/D Product Selector

This page lists legacy or discontinued data acquisition systems only. For a list of the current SR realtime continuous data acquisition systems, please see the Data Acquisition Product Selector.

The SR PAR24B and DSPA64/HLF data acquisition systems are now legacy products. This designation usually occurs because one or more of the components used on the board has been discontinued by its manufacturer and is no longer available. The PAR24B has been replaced by the PAR8CH data acquisition system. Regrettably, we do not have any replacements available for the DSPA64/HLF at this time. However, we are considering designing one in the future, so we would be interested in hearing what features in the DSPA64/HLF you find important. You can reach us at: info@symres.com

PAR24B Spec Sheet

PAR24B -- click for tour

Not recommended for new designs.
Please use the PAR8CH instead.

PAR24B A/D Features

   • Replaced by the PAR8CH
   • Eight 24 bit analog channels
   • Sampling rates from DC to 1 kHz
   • Individual A/D converter per channel
   • 32K FIFO data buffer
   • 8 digital outputs
   • Low 120 milliamp current draw
   • Connects to PC parallel port
   • Application software with source
   • Spec Table
   • Options

Product Description

The PAR24B is an 8 channel, 24 bit realtime continuous data acquisition system with an individual A/D per channel architecture. With an individual A/D per channel you get high resolution on each channel with no channel to channel timing skew or crosstalk.

For the PAR24B 24 bit A/D, highest resolution is in the 10-100 Hz range, with maximum sampling rates of 1 kHz. All PAR24B inputs are differential with amplitude ranges jumper selectable for +/-2.5 or +/- 10 volts. The on board SRAM FIFO allows heavily interrupted and multitasking PCs to finish any current processing before retrieving acquired data, resulting in continuous acquisition with no data loss. Sitting outside the PC for improved noise performance, the PAR24B communicates all of its acquired data to the PC using the standard EPP/BPP parallel port.

A full-featured acquisition kernel and display program is included with this system so you can be up and running immediately. This program allows users to control acquisition rates and continuously save acquired data to disk. In addition, for those wishing to develop their own custom code and applications, low level functions for controlling the PAR24B are supplied as 16 and 32 bit DLLs and as National Instruments LabVIEW drivers. Full source code is included. Also, the PDF user manual contains circuit diagrams for hardware specifics.

The PAR24B comes with all the accessories you need to start acquiring data. These include software, manual (PDF), a 4K FIFO, 9VAC power supply, 6' parallel port cable, an 8 channel terminal board, and a desktop enclosure. Separately priced upgrades to a 32K FIFO or a full size rack mount enclosure are also available.

For additional information see:  Manual & Software Summary,  PAR8CH

Specifications Table

For more detailed specifications, please see the User Manual.

Options Table

Some users may want to consider these options, although none are necessary as the PAR24B will work fine in its standard configuration.

DSPA64/HLF Spec Sheet

DSPA64/HLF 64 Ch 16 Bit A/D with DSP -- click for tour

Not recommended for new designs.

DSPA64/HLF Features

   • A/D with DSP
   • Sixty-four 16 bit ch
   • 138 kHz max agg rate
   • Multiplexer array
   • Requires ISA slot
   • 50 MHz Agere DSP32C
   • Application software
   • With source
   • Spec Table
   • Options

Product Description

The DSPA64/HLF combines an A/D converter board and a DSP coprocessor board to make a complete system for realtime continuous A/D acquisition and processing. The DSPA64 features a high resolution 16 bit A/D converter and a 64 channel programmable multiplexer array.

Sampling at aggregate rates up to 138 kHz, all DSPA64 inputs are differential and buffered through a low noise precision instrumentation amplifier. In addition, overall gain and amplitude limits can be user set by resistors, with nominal values of +/-2.75 or +/-10.00 volts. The DSPA64 sits outside the PC and uses a 16 conductor ribbon cable to communicate all of its acquired data in serial digital format to the DSPHLF card installed in an ISA slot inside the PC.

Featuring a powerful 50 MHz Agere DSP32C floating point DSP processor, the DSPHLF card processes and buffers up to 1Mb of incoming DSPA64 data without any required PC time. Furthermore, double buffering provided by the DSP32C enables large blocks of data to continuously be saved to the hard disk. Data acquisition continues uninterrupted with no data loss while saving to disk. Because the PC is completing only disk saves, PC time is available for displaying graphics or running a windowed environment.

Incoming data is processed up front by the DSP32C, enabling the user to apply digital filters to the incoming data in real time. For example, data can be over sampled and then smoothed to increase the effective resolution of the overall system. This powerful feature is further enhanced because DSPHLF programs are saved in the on board SRAM memory, and can be changed at any time by the user. This allows for modifying filtering coefficients and other parameters as necessary in real time.

A full-featured acquisition kernel and display program is included with this system so you can be up and running immediately. This program allows users to specify selected channels, control acquisition rates and continuously save acquired data to disk. In addition, for those wishing to develop their own custom code and applications many tools are provided. These include an assembler and monitor debugger for the DSPHLF and low level functions for controlling the DSPA64 supplied as 16 and 32 bit DLLs and as National Instruments LabVIEW drivers. Many example programs, both Windows executables like Scope and LabVIEW VIs, are provided. Full source code is included. Also, the PDF user manual contains circuit diagrams for hardware specifics.

The DSPA64/HLF comes with all the accessories you need to start acquiring data. These include software, manual (PDF), triple output power supply, 7' ribbon cable, test leads, one 8 channel terminal board. A separately priced rack mount enclosure is also available.

For additional information see:  Manual & Software Summary

Specifications Table

For more detailed specifications, please see the User Manual.

Options Table

Some users may want to consider these options, although none are necessary as the DSPA64/HLF will work fine in its standard configuration.

TRM8X2 Spec Sheet

TRM8X2

TRM8X2 Terminal Board Features

   • Connects discrete wires to 16 pin ribbon cable header
   • 18 Euro style screw blocks, 2 for ground
   • Use with PAR24B or DSPA64/HLF analog input
   • Price $35

Product Description

The TRM8X2 terminal board connects inputs from discrete wires to a 16 pin ribbon cable header using Euro style screw blocks. Each terminal board comes with standoffs and a 6" connecting cable.

Typically the TRM8X2 is used with the analog input headers on the PAR24B and DSPA64 A/Ds.

One TRM8X2 is included with every PAR24B and DSPA64 order. Additional terminal boards for up to seven more DSPA64 analog input headers must be ordered separately. Longer cable lengths are available upon request.

Specifications Table

Rack Box Spec Sheet

Rack Mount DSPA64 Enclosure Rack Enclosure Features    • Standard 19" wide, 2U high    • Anodized aluminum    • Vinyl coated steel top    • Use for DSPA64/HLF    • Use for PAR24B Product Description The 2U high, full width rack units have slide-in vinyl coated steel tops and bottoms and come with handles and power cord. They can be used with any of our A/D boards. Both A/D and power supply are mounted inside. For additional information see:  DSPA64/HLF Options,  PAR24B Options

Specifications Table