Using Signal-Conditioning Boards
In an industrial environment there are many signals which it is
unsafe to let into your PC. Examples are signals at high voltage such
as mains, or signals with a lot of superimposed noise. This latter
category includes most signals that exist in a factory. Another
potential problem is that the PC may not be able to supply enough
power to drive some equipment directly. Also the signals may be on
cables which cannot be physically connected to the PC because
they are just too big and cumbersome.
The Arcom signal-conditioning system was designed to solve these
problems. In essence the idea is extremely simple. All Arcom digital
I/O boards have a standardised connection to a 50-way ribbon
cable. TTL-level signals (together with +5V, +12V and -12V) are
used on this cable. The cable connects one digital I/O board to one
or more signal-conditioning boards. These have a 50-way ribbon-
cable connector at one end and a heavy-duty connector at the other.
The heavy-duty connector can plug into a terminator mounted in a
rack; the terminator can have screw terminals.
A wide range of signal-conditioning boards is manufactured by
Arcom (and other manufacturers). Many functions are available -
optoisolation, relay outputs, Darlington and FET drivers, switch and
keyboard inputs are just a few of them.
What to do Next
If you want to see something happening as soon as possible, turn to
Section 3 for information on how to install the PCSYSCON in your
PC. When you have installed it, run the driver software as described
in Section 4.
If you want to know more about how the PCSYSCON works, Section
5 contains details of the circuitry.
If you are going to be programming the PCSYSCON, Section 2 has
information on the I/O map.
In all cases, Section 3 contains much useful information.
2192-09065-000-000
Section 1. Introduction
Page 7
J278 PCSYSCON
Note: All addresses and data values in hexadecimal in this
manual are followed by the letter H.