Diamond Systems HELIX : HLX1000-1GD

Overview

The HELIX family of PC/104 SBCs combines mid-range CPU performance, standard PC I/O, and on-board data acquisition circuitry in a compact size and at a competitive price. Available PC I/O includes 3 or 6 USB 2.0 (model dependent), 4 serial ports (2 RS-232/422/485 and 2 RS-232), 1 10/100Mbps Ethernet, 1 Gigabit Ethernet, and a SATA port. The optional data acquisition circuit includes 16 16-bit analog inputs, 4 16-bit analog outputs and 27 digital I/O lines configurable as counter/timers and pulse width modulators.

Helix HLX1000-1GD from Diamond Systems supports stackable I/O expansion with PC/104 I/O modules, and it also has a combination mSATA/PCIe MiniCard socket for additional I/O expansion and mass storage. I/O modules featuring WiFi, Ethernet, analog I/O, digital I/O, and CAN are available in the PCIe MiniCard form factor, providing compact expandability without increasing the total height of the system.

Diamond Systems’ Helix HLX1000-1GD runs Linux and Windows Embedded Standard 7. Both Linux and Windows Embedded 7 Software Development Kits are available with bootable images and drivers to get you started on your design project right out of the box. Note: Board does not support booting from mSATA port.

The Helix HLX1000-1GD SBC was designed with rugged applications in mind. With an operating temperature of -40°C to +85°C, soldered on-board memory, and thicker PCB, Helix is an excellent choice for vehicle and other harsh environment applications. A 9-36VDC power supply option is also available for easier integration into industrial or military systems.

Development Kits

Complete Development Kits with a bootable operating system are available with all the components you need to get started on your embedded design project. The kit contains a Helix SBC, 32GB MLC SATA-DOM flashdisk with your choice of Windows Embedded 7 or Linux pre-loaded, cable kit, and software CD.

Cable Kit

The Helix cable kit includes cables for Helix input and output. Many cables are also available individually.

Helix Data Acquisition Circuit

Helix HLX1000-1GD from Diamond Systems is available with two different data acquisition circuits, denoted by either A or D in the model number.

All digital and analog I/O features are supported by Diamond’s industry-leading Universal Driver software, which provides a C language programming library that supports all features in an easy-to-use, high-level fashion. Demo programs with source code and executables are included to demonstrate the use of each library function. A graphical monitor and control program provides easy access to all the I/O features and lets you prototype your application quickly as well as debug problems. Universal Driver is available as a free download from our website upon acceptance of our software license agreement.

“A” Model Full Data Acquisition

Helix HLX1000-1GD “A” models include a complete data acquisition circuit with a combination of analog and digital I/O features.The circuit controller is an FPGA that interfaces to the DX3 processor via the SPI bus for data I/O and via the ISA bus for interrupt operation.

A/D Features

• 16 analog voltage inputs
• 16-bit resolution (1 part in 65536)
• Programmable input ranges: 0-5V, 0-10V, +/-5v, +/-10V
• Single-ended and differential input configuration options
• Precision, low-drift 2.5V reference voltage
• 100KHz maximum total A/D sample rate (all active channels combined)
• Integrated 2048-sample FIFO and interrupt service for efficient high-speed sampling

D/A Features

• 4 analog voltage outputs
• 16-bit resolution (1 part in 65536)
• Single-channel and multi-channel simultaneous update modes
• Programmable output range: 0-5V, 0-2.5V
• 330KHz update rate capability
• Waveform generator on 1 to 4 outputs with user-defined waveforms and 2048-sample waveform buffer

Digital I/O features

• 27 digital I/O lines
• User-selectable 3.3V / 5V logic levels
• User-selectable 10K pull-up / pull-down resistors
• Programmable direction in 8-bit and 1-bit groups
• 8-bit programmable edge detection circuit
• Buffers for protection and higher current drive
• 8 32-bit counter/timers with up counting, down counting, pulse output, and interrupt features
• 4 24-bit pulse-width modulators with programmable duty cycle and output polarity
• Interrupt support on ISA bus for A/D, digital I/O, and counter/timer circuits

“D” Model Digital I/O

Helix “D” models include a digital I/O (GPIO) circuit coming from the DX3 processor with the following features:

• 16 digital I/O lines
• User-selectable 3.3V / 5V logic levels
• User-selectable 10K pull-up / pull-down resistors
• Programmable direction in 8-bit groups
• Buffers for protection and higher current drive