MAX6pci
MAX6pci |
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Carrier card for MAX modules
The MAX6pci is a carrier card for
MAX modules. It can be operated
in any PC with PCI slots, either as
a passive card or, when fitted
with MAX modules with CPU, as
an intelligent card. MAX modules
are simply plugged in according to
the particular need for inputs and
outputs or for computing power.
The MAX6pci carrier card connects
the PCI bus of the host PC
to the onboard X-Bus. The X-bus,
which is the local bus on the
carrier card, connects the modules
together. It is extremely fast,
and offers a range of special
facilities making it particularly
suitable for measurement and control
tasks.
The MAX6pci as a passive card
By inserting up to six process I/O modules
it is possible to implement highly economical
solutions for simple applications where
intelligent cards are not required. Since it is
also possible for some of the modules to
be stacked one on top of another, an even
higher number of modules is in fact possible.
In contrast to an intelligent solution,
the processing speed and the real-time
capabilities are dependent on the PC and
its operating system. However the software
that can be run hardly differs from an
intelligent card. The included libraries and
module device drivers for the carrier card
and all the modules (see below) allow them
to be linked to the user's application
program very easily. The PC may be fitted
with any number of MAX6pci carrier cards.
The MAX6pci as an intelligent card
Plugging a MAX module with a
CPU, such as an X-MAX-1 onto the passive
card is all that is needed to turn it into an
intelligent PCI card. The X-MAX-1 contains
a complete PC-compatible computer on a
MAX module. This allows the card to
operate independently of the PC, so that
true parallel processing is achieved. It is
also possible to insert a number of such
CPU modules onto one carrier board,
which will operate in parallel. The local
X-bus can support multi-processor operations.
It is also possible to have a number
of carrier cards in one PC.
The process I/O modules
The carrier cards can be adapted to any
measurement or control task through the
plug-in modules. About 80 different types
are currently available: analog and digital
inputs and outputs (with up to 24 bits
resolution, including electrically isolated
versions), sample-and-hold and filter
modules, counters, time measurement,
incremental encoders and SSI interfaces
etc. For example, up to 120 analog inputs
or up to 228 digital inputs/outputs can be
implemented on a single PCI card.
The modules can easily be accessed,
either by the PC or by a MAX module with
CPU on the card. All CPUs use identical
calls for this: a channel is first opened with
the desired properties, such as an analog
input with an input type and range. It is
then possible to access it at any time. It is
also possible for several CPUs and the PC
to do this simultaneously.
Communication modules
Just like process I/O modules, interfaces
for communication can also be plugged
into the carrier card. These can be simple
serial interfaces with FIFO, e.g. 2, 4 or
8 x RS-232 per module, RS-422, RS-485
or 20 mA, Ethernet 10/100 and fieldbus
modules operating the CAN or PROFIBUS
protocol, for example. So, for instance, 48
serial RS-232 interfaces can be realized on
a single PCI card, which can all be
addressed as COM interfaces by the PC.
Software
A range of standard programs is available
for data acquisition, control of test equipment
and quality control, such as LabVIEW.
Drivers for all of these are available free of
charge from SORCUS. No programming is
necessary, and only the measuring task
needs to be configured.
It is also of course possible for the card
and all its interface modules to be linked to
your own software. This is easily managed
with the aid of the drivers and program
libraries supplied. It can be linked to PC
programs, or the card may be used as an
intelligent sub-system in programs running
on a MAX module with CPU. Libraries,
drivers and a complete development
environment, including remote debugging
are all included.
© SORCUS Computer GmbH ·
Im Breitspiel 5 ·
D-69126 Heidelberg ·
Tel.: +49(0)6221/3206-0 ·
www.sorcus.com
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