First plug-and-play sensor-to-system solution for data acquisition

Citation

(1998), "First plug-and-play sensor-to-system solution for data acquisition", Sensor Review, Vol. 18 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1998.08718caf.009

First plug-and-play sensor-to-system solution for data acquisition

First plug-and-play sensor-to-system solution for data acquisition

Keywords Analog Devices, Data collection, Sensors

Analog Devices has announced a new mixed-signal IC architecture that promises to significantly increase the performance and cut the development time of data acquisition designs. Featuring high-performance, dual 12bit DACs and a 12bit ADC ­ coupled with Flash memory and industry standard 8052 microcontroller cores, as well as support circuitry and several standard serial port configurations ­ the new "MicroConverter" is a unique integration of technologies, creating the industry's first truly complete data acquisition system on a single chip.

In addition, the MicroConverter architecture is designed to support the new IEEE1451.2 standard for a common interface for transducers. This means that smart transducers, when used with the MicroConverter, become network independent, interchangeable devices. Applications that require precision, data retention without power (nonvolatile memory), remote management or the comounting of the standard transducer interface module (STIM) and the sensor are now possible.

"The MicroConverter is a significant technological advancement for manufacturers of data acquisition and process control systems", says Tremont Miao, strategy manager for the Standard Linear Products Division at Analog Devices.

"By combining industry leading data conversion, low-voltage Flash memory technology with an industry standard microcontroller on a single chip, engineers will be able to design features into systems that were previously unavailable or uneconomical", adds Miao.

"The MicroConverter from Analog Devices will simplify the design of IEEE1451.2 smart transducer interface modules", said Stan Woods, project manager at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, Hewlett-Packard, and Chairperson of the IEEE1451.2 Working Group. "Here is a single chip that provides the functional blocks to implement the IEEE1451.2 interface logic, memory to store the transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) and circuitry to convert sensor signals or drive actuators".

The MicroConverter offers better performance than current data acquisition solutions because it increases the speed and accuracy of the entire sensor system. Because the MicroConverter contains Flash memory, data and signal processing, the device can be programmed to translate any transducer signal into the engineering units a sensor system needs, freeing processing capacity at the system level. The MicroConverter can also be programmed to account for sensor errors, ensuring that the system receives the maximum resolution of analogue-to-digital signal data.

Having Flash memory, ADC and dual DAC cores on the same chip enables the device to create a closed loop around itself and the sensor, allowing the data acquisition system to perform self-calibration, thus freeing additional system processing resources.

The MicroConverter's logic and Flash memory technology will save code development and debugging time all through the development process because the device can be reprogrammed on site. Its integration will provide a 5:1 ratio in reduced footprint size over current data acquisition systems. And its on-chip power saving features and I/O drivers will reduce system power by at least 50 per cent over current multichip solutions.

Also available, the MicroConverter development kit includes documentation, an application board, power supply, a user's development Web site, a serial port cable and software. A Windows-compatible software package contains third party assembler, debugger, serial downloader and simulator applications. The applications board has serial port communications, 32Kbyte of SPAM and a buffered analogue I/O.

For further information contact: Jeff Channell, Analog Devices, Station Avenue, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1PF, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1932 266000.