A signal interface (SI) module that lets the user monitor signals simultaneously from up to eight 4-20mA current loops, with channel-to-channel isolation, is available from Microstar Laboratories.
SI module MSXB 081 has one 16-bit A/D converter per channel to acquire signals simultaneously.
It provides both 300V (peak) of isolation from channel to channel and 700V (peak) from channel to PC.
Each DAPserver contains up to four DAPs, and each DAP communicates with, configures and controls each of up to eight SI modules connected to it.
A system consists of any number of networked DAPservers, and includes as many SI modules as an application requires.
Signal interfacing modules such as the MSXB 081 fit into a backplane in a standard industrial enclosure.
Signals connect to a DB37 male connector or to Wago connectors.
A backplane connector on each board connects it to a digital backplane factory fitted into the industrial enclosure.
An interface board that also plugs into the backplane sends digitised waveforms to a DAP board controlled from a PC or DAPserver.
Each DAPserver includes a 10-slot Eurocard cage with a pre-installed digital backplane for SI modules.
Separate industrial enclosures are required only when this 10-slot limit is exceeded.
If an application requires voltage inputs and outputs as well as 4-20mA current inputs, Microstar offers SI modules for analogue input, analogue output, analogue input and output, and digital input and output.
The SI designation is reserved for MSXB products that are intelligent: those that a DAP can communicate with and configure.
All MSXB products are SI modules.
The full range of SI modules and earlier MSXB products are arranged in eight function groups: simple termination; simple multiplexing; anti-alias filtering; simultaneous sampling; isolation; counter/timer; quadrature-decoder; and signal conditioning.
All SI modules include the level of isolation required to prevent ground loops.
