Data Acquisition & Learning Tools

Data Acquisition & Learning Tools

This section highlights FT232BM and FT245BM based evaluation kits available from FTDI and it's distribution channels. Kits included in this section include USB to serial adaptors, temperature and humidity sensors, data acquisition boards, PIC development platforms, prototyping kits and learning kits.

DLP-IOR4 DLP-IO8-G DLP-2232DAQ DLP-TH1 DLP-TEMP-G DLP-245PL-G DLP-PROTO DLP-EVALP DLP-EVALS

DLP Design - DLP-IOR4

The DLP-IOR4 is a low-cost, easy-to-use relay module utilized for computer control of electrical or electronic equipment. The relays used on the DLP-IOR4 are latching type relays. As such, the state of the relay will not change when power is removed from the module. All operational power is taken from the host PC via the USB port.

To download the DLP-IOR4 data sheet, click here.

The DLP-IOR4 is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-IO8-G

The DLP-IO8-G is a low-cost, USB-powered module for measuring voltages, controlling and monitoring processes, and acquiring temperature data. Each of the 8 available channels can be configured for any of the digital, analogue or temperature modes via single-byte commands.

To download the DLP-IO8-G data sheet, click here.

The DLP-IO8-G is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-2232DAQ All Serial Data Acquisition Board

The DLP-2232DAQ all serial data acquisition board can be used in conjunction with the DLP-2232M (sold separately) to provide a data acquisition system without the need for a microcontroller.

No microcontroller required
12-bit A/D converter
12-bit D/A converter
4 relays
Microphone with pre-amp
12 digital I/O lines

To download the an article about the DLP-2232DAQ, click here.

The DLP-2232DAQ is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-TH1b USB Temperature and Humidity Sensor

The DLP-TH1b is a USB-based digital temperature and humidity sensor. Software provided with the DLP-TH1b sensor displays temperature, humidity, and dew-point data in both Fahrenheit and Celsius, plots graphically to the screen and logs to a data file on the hard drive. The software will also send an e-mail to user-specified recipients if the temperature or humidity exceeds specified set-points.

The DLP-TH1b sensor uses a fully calibrated capacitive polymer-sensing element for relative humidity and a band-gap temperature sensor providing excellent long-term stability. Calibration coefficients for the sensors are permanently stored in digital memory within the DLP-TH1b module so that the module is fully interchangeable with any other DLP-TH1b module.

To download the DLP-TH1b data sheet, click here.

The DLP-TH1b is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-TEMP-G Data Acquisition Board

The DLP-TEMP-G is a USB/microcontroller based 2-channel data-acquisition system pre-programmed with firmware for reading digital temperature-sensing devices. The DLP-TEMP-G board is equipped with a type A male USB connector for direct connection to a USB port. No cable is required unless the board is to be located away from the PC, in which case a user supplied USB A-A (male-female) extension cable can be used.

The digital temperature-sensing device supported by the pre-programmed firmware is the Dallas Semiconductor DS18B20. Two of these sensors can be monitored simultaneously while connected to the DLP-TEMP-G via Category 5 cable at distances up to 200 feet. The microcontroller used is the PIC12F629 Flash-based microcontroller from Microchip with a FT232RL providing the USB interface.

The PIC12F629 is pre-programmed for reading the digital temperature sensors, but it can also be erased and reprogrammed with user code if desired.

To download the DLP-TEMP-G data sheet, click here.

The DLP-TEMP-G is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-245PL-G PIC Development Platform

The DLP-245PL-G USB/microcontroller module combines the same USB interface used in the DLP-USB245M-G module with a Microchip PIC microcontroller to form a rapid development tool. The 18LF8722 microcontroller is pre-programmed with basic functionality for accessing the port pins and can be reprogrammed with user hex code via a 5-pin header that is compatible with Microchip's MPLAB ICD2 device programmer/debugger (sold separately).

Send/receive data over USB to a host computer at up to 2M bits per second
50 digital I/O lines (16 can be configured as A/D inputs) plus the 8-bit data bus available for interfacing to user electronics
Microchip 18LF8720 processor with 128K FLASH program ROM, 3840 bytes RAM, 1024 bytes of data EEPROM and a multi-channel 10-bit A/D converter
"Token I/O" code pre-programmed into the 18LF8722's ROM for basic port pin input/output capability including access to the A/D, EEPROM and external digital temperature sensors
The 18LF8722's ROM can be erased and reprogrammed with a device programmer (sold separately)
No in-depth knowledge of USB is required as all USB protocol is handled automatically by the on-board FT245RL and its support circuitry
Required 5V supply can be taken directly from the USB port or supplied by user electronics

To download the DLP-245PL-G data sheet, click here.

The DLP-245PL-G is now available in a specially priced bundle with a CCS C compiler. The compiler allows the user to modify the DLP-245PL-G firmware with a limited version of the same compiler used to develop the original code. The only limitations of this compiler version are the microcontrollers supported (18LF8722 PIC microcontrollers) and 30-days of download rights after registration. This bundle represents a rare opportunity for both seasoned and aspiring microcontroller developers to hit the ground running with all the tools they’ll need to edit and compile custom firmware for the PIC 18LF8722 microcontroller.

The DLP-245PL-G is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-PROTO Prototyping Board

The DLP-PROTO makes easy work of experimenting with the DLP-USB245M-G and DLP-USB232M-G USB adapter modules. It is perfectly suited for prototyping a USB to RS232 converter design or becoming familiar with the FT2xxBM's newest feature known as the Bit-Bang Mode. Or, you can add your own microcontroller to the prototyping area to get a jumpstart on developing your new product.

The DLP-PROTO directly accepts either the DLP-USB245M-G or DLP-USB232M-G USB adapter modules. Eight LEDs and eight switches are provided for use with the Bit-Bang Mode and can be disabled in designs that require the use of all available power from the host PC. Three additional LEDs are provided for monitoring the status of the RXLED#, TXLED#, RXF#, and TXE# signals. External power jacks and selection jumpers are provided to allow power source selection. Power for the DLP-USB2xxM module and DLP-PROTO board can be taken from either the host computer (PC or Mac) or from an external 5V power source.

To download the DLP-PROTO data sheet, click here.

The DLP-PROTO is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-EVALP Evaluation Board

The DLP-EVALP board is a companion learning tool for use with the DLP-USB245M-G. It consists of a 24-pin socket for the module, a PIC 16F870 MPU, a DS18S20 temperature sensor IC, 4 LEDs and a push-button switch. Schematics and source code for both the PIC firmware and the test application are provided. The 16F870 can be re-programmed if desired.

Learn the DLP-USB245M-G by studying this example design
Source code provided for Windows software and 16F870 microcontroller firmware
DS18S20 temperature sensor demonstrated
4 LEDs and one push-button switch demonstrated
USB communications with host PC demonstrated
Power control during USB suspend demonstrated
PIC 16F870 Flash ROM can be easily erased and reprogrammed if required using the optional DLP-FLASH Programmer.

To download the DLP-EVALP data sheet, click here.

The DLP-EVALP is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.

DLP Design - DLP-EVALS Evaluation Board

The DLP-EVALS board is a companion learning tool for use with the DLP-USB245M-G. It consists of a 24-pin socket for the module, a Scenix (Ubicom) SX28 MPU, a DS18S20 temperature sensor IC, 4 LEDs and a push-button switch. Schematics and source code for both the PIC firmware and the test application are provided. The SX28 can be re-programmed if desired.

Learn the DLP-USB245M-G by studying this example design
Source code provided for Windows software and SX28 microcontroller firmware
DS18S20 temperature sensor demonstrated
4 LEDs and one push-button switch demonstrated
USB communications with host PC demonstrated
Power control during USB suspend demonstrated
SX28 Flash ROM can be easily erased and reprogrammed if required using the optional DLP-FLASH Programmer.

To download the DLP-EVALS data sheet, click here.

The DLP-EVALS is available on-line from the FTDI Chip Shop, in the USA from DLP Design directly or worldwide through the FTDI Sales Network.