Spectrum M4i.44xx series PCIe digitisers

Spectrum Instrumentation’s M4i.44xx series of PCIe digitiser cards consists of eight different models. Users can select from versions that have either two or four analog channels and sampling rates of 180 or 250 MS/s, with 16-bit resolution, or higher speeds of 400 or 500 MS/s, with 14-bit resolution.

The digitiser cards are fully equipped with extensive analog signal conditioning and advanced triggering capabilities. The acquired data can be stored in 2 gigasamples of onboard memory or transferred to a PC in a variety of memory efficient read-out modes, including FIFO streaming, at rates up to 3.4 GBps.

Additional features make it easy to integrate the cards into any test set-up. For example, they have additional front panel connections that include two external trigger inputs, an external clock reference input, clock output and three general-purpose I/O lines that are available for asynchronous I/O operations. They come complete with software as well as all the tools necessary to work in virtually any system, whether embedded in an automated testing rig for electronic components or utilised as the key data acquisition device in science, communications, power, aerospace or medical applications.

The M4i.44xx-DigSMA digital input option has a separate PCIe faceplate, occupying an additional PCIe slot, with 8x SMA type connector. Designed for versatility, each input has an impedance of 10 kΩ (to 3.3 V). This allows the inputs to handle 3.3 V LVTTL signals with input voltage levels between -0.5 and +4 V. The digital input bandwidth is 125 MHz and software selection enables both synchronous and asynchronous acquisition modes.

For applications that require more channels, Spectrum enables multiple cards to be connected together with its Star-Hub system. Star-Hub permits a maximum of eight cards to all share a common clock and trigger. In this way, larger systems can easily be created by just adding more cards.