Instrument with analog output, cheap and on RS232/USB

[Klaus Kragelund]

Hi

For a test setup I often need an analog signal to feed into the device under test.

So I need a instrument with an anlog output. It needs to run on RS232 or USB

I could roll my own, with a eval board, but have no time to spend on that

Anyone know of a cheap model (no the National Instruments, NIDaqs, they are prohibitive expensive)

Thanks

Klaus

 

[Rich Webb]

Hi

For a test setup I often need an analog signal to feed into the device under test.

So I need a instrument with an anlog output. It needs to run on RS232 or USB

I could roll my own, with a eval board, but have no time to spend on that

Anyone know of a cheap model (no the National Instruments, NIDaqs, they are prohibitive expensive)

Bandwidth? Memory depth? Resolution? Sync trigger?

This http://www.circuitspecialists.com/dds-3005usb.html might do the job
and it's fairly inexpensive.

 

[Martin Riddle]

Hi

For a test setup I often need an analog signal to feed into the device
under test.

So I need a instrument with an anlog output. It needs to run on RS232
or USB

I could roll my own, with a eval board, but have no time to spend on
that

Anyone know of a cheap model (no the National Instruments, NIDaqs,
they are prohibitive expensive)

Thanks

Klaus

Have you looked at Measurement Computing? They are inexpensive, less
than NI.
<http://www.mccdaq.com/solutions/USB-Data-Acquisition.aspx>

Cheers

 

[rickman]

Hi

For a test setup I often need an analog signal to feed into the device under test.

So I need a instrument with an anlog output. It needs to run on RS232 or USB

I could roll my own, with a eval board, but have no time to spend on that

Anyone know of a cheap model (no the National Instruments, NIDaqs, they are prohibitive expensive)

Thanks

Klaus

I assume a standard USB stereo audio adapter for the PC won't work?

Rick

 

[Nico Coesel]

Hi

For a test setup I often need an analog signal to feed into the device under test.

So I need a instrument with an anlog output. It needs to run on RS232 or USB

I could roll my own, with a eval board, but have no time to spend on that

Anyone know of a cheap model (no the National Instruments, NIDaqs, they are prohibitive expensive)

You can use a cheap PLC like this:
http://www.xlogic-plc.com/

or a programmable power supply like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261050328132

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

Anything here: http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=0

Yes, just what I needed. Thanks

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

You can use a cheap PLC like this:

http://www.xlogic-plc.com/



or a programmable power supply like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261050328132

The supply is really nice, and I need one of those anyway. Wonder how the reliability is (MTBF), chinese build you know

Regards

Klaus

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Be careful about the power supply - I did some hunting and found the
user manual - useless - not a word about programming.
I've had reasonable results from GW Instek PSP603, 60V 3.5A, documented
control via Rs232 (although it needs a 12V supply poked in on one of the
9 pin d connections for this to work).
Currently £159 from CPC in UK - cheapest programmable supply I could
find - build quality not bad at all but it's obviously not in Agilent
league (and nowhere near tradiitonal HP) for this money.

MK

I bought this 30V/5A one for USD $99 (£61) including shipping with
(isolated) USB and RS-232 interfaces. Seems to be unavailable from
that source atm. I think it's okay Chinese quality, but probably rated
a bit "optimistically" according to DJ's vblog. No NA safety
approvals. It's a kind of spare for when the 3-output Rigol is being
used or maybe for risky types of loads.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085QLNFM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

Speaking of Rigol, if you want more like a signal, these units are a
bargain, in a different class quality and design-wise. They have an
Ethernet interface (inherently isolated), and two signal generators,
so you can generate a 50MHz sine wave frequency modulated with a 1MHz
triangle wave if that's what you want.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/waveform-generators/dg4062/

They have higher frequency units, but the price goes up quickly for
the additional capability.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[George Herold]

I bought this 30V/5A one for USD $99 (£61) including shipping with
(isolated) USB and RS-232 interfaces. Seems to be unavailable from
that source atm. I think it's okay Chinese quality, but probably rated
a bit "optimistically" according to DJ's vblog. No NA safety
approvals. It's a kind of spare for when the 3-output Rigol is being
used or maybe for risky types of loads.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085QLNFM/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

Speaking of Rigol, if you want more like a signal, these units are a
bargain, in a different class quality and design-wise. They have an
Ethernet interface (inherently isolated), and two signal generators,
so you can generate a 50MHz sine wave frequency modulated with a 1MHz
triangle wave if that's what you want.

http://www.rigolna.com/products/waveform-generators/dg4062/

They have higher frequency units, but the price goes up quickly for
the additional capability.

That's not bad. I was talking to a physics prof. (UC Davis?) who
had an experiment where he put together different lengths of 50 and 75
ohm
cable, making variable wavelength 'sturctures'.
And drove it with a ~50MHz. generator.

George H.

 

[Joerg]

Hi

For a test setup I often need an analog signal to feed into the
device under test.

So I need a instrument with an anlog output. It needs to run on RS232
or USB

I could roll my own, with a eval board, but have no time to spend on
that

Anyone know of a cheap model (no the National Instruments, NIDaqs,
they are prohibitive expensive)

This is the one I use for that purpose:

http://labjack.com/u3

That way you have it in a sturdy plastic housing. Comes with the lite
version of DAQFActory which is quite useful. I really like it. Well,
except for that blood-red color.

This device is also handy for niftier test setups. For example "I want
this line to switch to 3V tomorrow at 10:16am but only if there is
enough daylight, and then gradually ramp down to 0V until evening".

 

[Klaus Kragelund]

This is the one I use for that purpose:



http://labjack.com/u3



That way you have it in a sturdy plastic housing. Comes with the lite

version of DAQFActory which is quite useful. I really like it. Well,

except for that blood-red color.



This device is also handy for niftier test setups. For example "I want

this line to switch to 3V tomorrow at 10:16am but only if there is

enough daylight, and then gradually ramp down to 0V until evening".

Thats a nice device and in the right pricerange, thanks

Regards

Klaus