Diamond Systems RUBY-MM-1616AP : RMM-816AP-XT 8-Channel 16-bit Analog Output PC/104+ Module with Digital I/O

Not every PC/104-Plus system needs a full bank of analogue outputs: a few drive references, valve positions or 4-20 mA loops next to a lot of digital switching is a common mix. The RMM-816AP-XT is the eight-channel analogue output board in the Diamond Systems RUBY-MM-1616AP series, keeping the series’ full digital I/O and PC/104-Plus PCI connector with eight 16-bit outputs fitted.

Each output takes its own range: 0-5 V, 0-10 V, ±5 V or ±10 V, or 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA and 0-24 mA current. Any combination of channels updates simultaneously from a software command or an external trigger, and a waveform generator runs across the fitted channels at update rates up to 100 kHz. Output current is limited to ±5 mA per channel in voltage mode, and each channel is calibrated at the factory through its own offset and gain registers.

Digital I/O runs through an FPGA with level-shifting transceivers: 48 lines with programmable direction, two 32-bit counter/timers and four 24-bit pulse width modulators. One 50-pin header carries the analogue outputs and external trigger, a second the digital lines. The RMM-1616AP-XT doubles the output count, and the RMM-416AP-XT drops to four channels for volume designs.

The RMM-816AP-XT operates from -40 to +85 °C. The PCI connector is not 5 V tolerant, so the host must use 3.3 V signalling on PC/104-Plus; the ISA connector is 5 V tolerant, and the board takes only +5 V from the bus. Diamond’s manual warns against hosts with 5 V PCI signalling, so we confirm the host before the board is specified. The Universal Driver handles D/A output, waveform generation, calibration, digital I/O and PWM.