Windmill 750 Unit - USB Data Acquisition and ControlOur entry-level DAQ unit is supplied with the easy-to-use and fully featured Windmill 6 Software.
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Features
- Measure voltage through 16 analogue input channels
- Switch up to 16 digital outputs (relays etc)
- Monitor up to 16 digital inputs
- Count events with up to 8 counters
- Includes the powerful yet easy-to-use Windmill 6 Software for Windows: no programming required
- Portable, laptop, desktop and networked data acquisition
- Powered from the PC
- Low power consumption
- Connect up to 8 Windmill 750s to one PC, giving 128 analogue inputs and 128 digital inputs and outputs
- Comprehensive User Manual in pdf format, complete with hyperlinks for easy navigation
- Free technical support for life
What is the USB?
USB, or universal serial bus, ports are found on most new computers. They are gradually replacing the familiar serial and parallel interfaces. As well as using the USB port for the Windmill 750, you can connect peripherals like printers, scanners, digital cameras and telephones. You can unplug the Windmill 750 then plug it back as you wish, with no need to restart Windows inbetween.
Digital Inputs and Outputs
The 750 provides 16 digital I/O lines, arranged in two groups of 8. Use Windmill to choose whether each group is an input or an output. You can read or set the state of each line individually. Alternatively, you can switch several channels at the same time.
Counters
The Windmill 750 has eight 16-bit totalling counters. Each counter starts at zero and counts pulses to a maximum of 65535. You can reset a counter at any time from Windmill software. You can use the counters in one of two modes: accumulating count or resetting count. In accumulating count the counter keeps counting until you reset it. In resetting count the counter shows the number of pulses since the last reading.
You can set a scale and offset factor to the count from software. For example if the pulses came from a flow meter which produced one pulse for every 50 millilitres, a scale factor of 0.05 would give a reading in litres.
The counters are found on 8 of the digital input and output lines. You can use any of these you don't need for counting as normal digital inputs: the counts are always maintained even if you don't plan to use them.
Software
Windmill 6 is supplied free with the 750! This modular suite offers data logging, charting, alarm indication, output control and DDE links to other applications like Excel. You can also add process mimic generators, sequence control and many other modules. Should you wish to program the 750 yourself, you can use the IML Tools to do so.
Differences between the Windmill 750 and the Microlink 751 Units
The Windmill 750 and Microlink 751 are both multi-function USB units. The main differences between the two are:
- Price: The 750 is cheaper than the 751.
- Number of Channels: The 750 offers 16 digital inputs and outputs whereas the 751 offers 32.
- Analogue Input Ranges: The 751 offers a choice of analogue input ranges, giving the possibility of more precise measurements.
- Analogue Signals: The 750 only monitors voltages; the 751 can also monitor strain, thermocouples, pressure and current.
- Manuals: The 750 comes with pdf manuals; the 751 with paper manuals.
Hardware Specifications
Maximum length of cable 5 m
Maximum distance from PC can be increased by
use of USB hubs
Maximum speed 10 samples per second per channel
ANALOGUE INPUTS
Maximum # inputs 16
Resolution 12 bits
Maximum safe input voltage:
Power supply on ±48 V
Power supply off ±33 V
Transient ±300 V
Amplifier:
Range ±10 V
DIGITAL INPUTS/OUTPUTS
Maximum # inputs 16
Maximum # outputs 16
(selected through Windmill in ports of 8 lines)
Power-up state all inputs
Compatibility TTL and 5 V CMOS, can be made
contact closure compatible
Range 0 to 5 V
Output capability 15 LSTLL loads
Maximum I/O speed 160 channels per second
COUNTERS
Maximum # counters 8
Resolution 16 bits
Compatibility TTL, 5 V CMOS, can be made
contact closure compatible
Input voltage range 0 to 5 V
Maximum count speed 160 counts per second
Ordering
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