Digital Event Recorder - Date and Time stamp 4 digital inputs

The S7841 is a 4-channel digital event recorder which can record the date and time when any of it's 4 inputs changes state. The inputs can be volt-free contacts, such as door contacts, machine switches, or it can be a voltage signal. Data can then be downloaded to a PC for storage and analysis. A LCD display shows the current sate of the logger.


The S7841 is a stand-alone device, and the replaceble internal battery typically lasts 4 years. Up to 16254 events can be recordered per input, and spikes of less than 1/2 second are ignored to prevent false results.

Data download is via a Rs232, USB or Ethernet connection.

More Information from http://www.audon.co.uk/s7841.html

USB DAQ Unit has Flexible I/O

Available from Audon Electronics is the LabJack U3 low-cost USB multifunction data acquisition and control device. The U3 has 16 "flexible" inputs which can be configured for any mix and analogue, digital input or digital output making for a very versatile general purpose DAQ unit. The U3 is supplied with a wide range of FREE Data logging software and examples for use with most programming and DAQ packages.

The LabJack U3 can have up to 16 analogue inputs available on the flexible I/O lines. Single-ended measurements can be taken of any line compared to ground, or differential measurements can be taken of any line to any other line. Analogue input resolution is 12-bits with an input range of 0-2.4 volts. Optional signal conditioning adaptors are available that can condition the inputs to 0-5V, 0-10V or 4-20mA.

The LabJack U3 can have up to 20 digital I/O channels. 16 are available from the flexible I/O lines, and 4 are dedicated digital I/O. Each digital line can be individually configured as input, output-high, or output-low. The digital I/O use 3.3 volt logic and are 5 volt tolerant. Up to 2 flexible I/O lines can be configured as timers. The timers are very flexible, providing options such as Pulse Width Modulated output, pulse timing, pulse counting, and quadrature input from encoders. Up to 2 flexible I/O lines can be configured as 32-bit counters.

The LabJack U3 also has 1 or 2 dedicated analogue outputs which can be set to provide an output voltage between 0 and 5 volts with 8-bits of resolution.

The LabJack U3 is supplied with a range of free software. The LabJack Control Panel application handles configuration and testing of the U3. When first opened it searches for connected LabJacks and displays a panel whereby all the I/O types can be configured. The application also displays analogue/digital inputs and has boxes to set analogue/digital outputs. The U3 has field upgradeable flash memory. The self-upgrade application programs the latest firmware into the processor. FREE firmware upgrade will be available from time to time bringing improved performance and new features.

The U3 is also supplied with a copy of DAQFactory Express data acquisition and control, software. DAQFactory Express offers data logging, user designable screens with trending, automation capabilities and more. The U3 is also supported by the RealView Chart recorder software and the ProfiLab-Express programming package.

For programmers, the U3 is supplied with Visual C and Visual Basic modules for the LabJackUD driver, and simple example projects. A LabVIEW VI is also supplied.

The U3 is rugged and is designed for industrial use: the operating temperature range is -40°C to + 85°C and all I/O are overload and short-circuit protected. The ABS enclosure has screw mounting attachments and optional DIN rail mounting clips.

Available ex-stock from Audon Electronics for £69

LabJack U12 USB DAQ Unit

Now available in the UK from Audon Electronics is the LabJack U12 USB data acquisition and control unit.

The Labjack features 8 single ended or 4 differential analogue inputs,
2 analogue outputs, 20 digital I/O including a 32 bit counter and
watchdog timer. This is all crammed into a sturdy unit measuring only
150mm x 110mm x 35mm. 

The LabJack has a ±10V input range at 12-bit resolution. Differential
channels can make use of the low noise precision amplifier with gains
of 1,2,4,8,16,20, giving an effective resolution of greater than 16-bits.
Data can be streamed to disk at 1kHz and a bursts mode allows over
4000 samples to de taken at a 8kHz rate. The two 0-10V analogue
output channels can be updated at a 50Hz rate with 10-bit resolution.
All analogue I/O are accessed via screw terminals.

The LabJack has 20 digital I/O channels which can be individually
configured as input or output. Four digital I/O's are accessed via
screw terminals whilst the remaining 16 are accessed through a
25-way D connector; an optional relay/opto-isolator expansion
board is available.There is also one 32-bit counter available on
the LabJack U12, capable of counting frequencies up to 1 MHz. 
The LabJack U12 also has a watchdog timer function available
which can change the states of digital I/O if the LabJack does not
successfully communicate with the PC within a specified time-out
period. This function could be used to reboot the PC allowing for
reliable unattended operation.

The use of the PC's USB port allows for a simple plug-and-play
installation process and by using USB hubs, up to 80 LabJacks
may be connected to a single USB port.

Included with the LabJack are the free example applications
LJlogger and LJscope. LJlogger provides datalogger type
functionality. It reads all inputs, controls all outputs, writes real
time data to the Internet or hard disk, and sends email when
events are triggered. LJscope is a virtual oscilloscope program
with FFT display.

Drivers are provided as a DLL which can be called from most
programming languages. Also included are an ActiveX wrapper
and LabVIEW VIs which call all the functions in the DLL.