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EX1200-1538: Introduction
9
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NTRODUCTION
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VERVIEW
The EX1200-1538 is a high-performance multifunction card designed to provide frequency
measurement, digital I/O (DIO), and digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) output capability on a
single card. This allows users the ability to accommodate a wide range of mixed signals into a
standard EX1200 series mainframe. Combining the EX1200-1538 with other cards/instruments in
the EX1200 series allows for the creation of a complete measurement system in as small as a
1U rack space.
The EX1200-1538 provides eight channels of independent 32-bit counters, sixteen channels of
isolated DIO, and two DAC channels with isolated analog output. While the refined electronic
counter functions enhance the accuracy of time and frequency domain measurements, configurable
DIO and analog output channels offer flexibility to measure and control various industrial
systems. A wide range of measurement functions make this card suitable for both electronic
functional test using ATE, as well as precision data acquisition applications. The electronic
counter utilizes a high-stability (1 ppm) 50 MHz, TCXO base clock oscillator, along with a
reciprocal counting method, to achieve a wide frequency measurement ranges spanning from
0.05 Hz to 1 MHz.
The following functionality is provided by the EX1200-1538:
Frequency/Counter
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Frequency measurements
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RPM measurements
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Pulse width measurements
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Edge count/totalize functions
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Duty cycle measurement
Frequency/Counter (2-channel measurement)
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Time interval measurement
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Phase difference measurement
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Quadrature measurements
Digital I/O
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Configurable direction per channel
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Read and write discrete channels directly
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Isolated inputs/outputs
Analog Outputs (DAC)
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Programmable, 16-bit DAC
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Isolated outputs
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Frequency to voltage/current mode
The electronic 32-bit counter measures the time and frequency domain parameters of repetitive
and non-repetitive waveforms. The reciprocal counting technique used ensures high resolution and
accuracy even when the input signals are low frequency and not synchronized with the aperture
window. Counter channels accept both analog and digital inputs. The analog counter channels
accept inputs up to ±48 V true differential voltages making it suitable to use with almost any real-
