Diamond Systems HELIX : HLX1000-2GA

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 HLX1000-2GA 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 HLX1000-2GA 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 HLX1000-2GA 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

Diamond Systems’ Helix HLX1000-2GA 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 “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