Can Anyone Recommend an ADC?

You can try NI USB-6008, but it need LabView software, if you have this software means its very cheap and best fit for you.

You can directly search this card through the following link.

http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/14604

thank you.

There are too much fitable a/d converter card for your selection.

if you hope a cheaper one, I can suggest you one chinese product card with usb interface.

what will you use it for?

Try Pico Electronics, they make a variety of PC plug in modules for use as an oscilloscope or data logging etc...

Some are high speed 8 bit other varients are mid speed 12 and above bits multi-channels etc...

They are very easy to use and all the software is included...

Some of their modules sell on ebay for less than £50.

John.

Sir,

Try this link: www.drdaq.com/ . I have purchased one. It is very simple and very low cost compared to NI products.

Speaking from experience with all 4:

NI's hardware & software are among the best (of course). Especially for multi-channel high data rates, but, they are pricy. You can do wonders with their software - but it is different and there is a learning delay.

PICO are fine, used to be very cost effective but prices rose gradually. Software is practical and free but no too elegant

It could be worthwhile to check whatever is offered by HOBO who sell some interesting stuff such as 4-channel A/D with included memory, battery, timer and a possibility of a preset timed start/stop. All this in a matchbox sized enclosure.

And, I'd look at stuff on BASIC STAMP's catalogues where you can measure, preprocess and practically do anything with data before easily moving them to a computer. Their software is, in fact, a highly developed and versatile variety of BASIC and is free.

Choice obviously depends on what you want to measure and the sensors involved.

I like LabJack products for the price/performance (which I have used).

LMH6552: 1.5 GHz Fully Differential Amplifier from the PowerWise® Family...
LMH6555: Low Distortion 1.2 GHz Differential Driver from the PowerWise® Family
LTC6401-20: 1.3GHz Low Noise, Low Distortion Differential ADC Driver
ISL28478: Quad Micropower Single Supply Rail-to-Rail Input and Output (RRIO)
LMP7731: 2.9 nV/sqrt(Hz) Low Noise, Precision , RRIO, Operational Amplifier
LMP7732: 2.9 nV/sqrt(Hz) Low Noise, Precision , RRIO, Operational Amplifier
AD8253: 10 MHz, 20 V/μs, G = 1, 10, 100, 1000 iCMOS Programmable Gain
LMH6515: 600 MHz, Digital Controlled, Variable Gain Amplifier
LMP8100: Programmable Gain Amplifier...
LT6703-2: Micropower, Low Voltage Comparator with 400mV Reference...
LMH7324: Quad 700 PS High Speed Comparator with RSPECL Outputs...
LMP7300: Micropower Precision Comparator and Precision Reference
ADG772: CMOS Low Power Dual 2:1 Mux/Demux USB 2.0 (480 Mbps)/USB 1.1...

The above are Analog /mixed signal Processing Chips

Data Conversion
AD7658-1: 1 CONVST pins allow independent, simultaneous sampling ...
AD7352: The AD7352 is a dual, 12-bit and 14-bit, high speed, low power, ...
AD9780: Dual 12-/14-/16-Bit, LVDS Interface 600 MSPS DACs ...
TSC2004: Nano-Power Touch Screen Controller with I2C Serial Interface...
AD97801: Dual 12-/14-/16-Bit, LVDS Interface 600 MSPS DACs ...
DS4412: Dual-Channel, I2C Adjustable Sink/Source Current DAC...

Click to links –you will get all application data/circuit/price/availability.

MM

In regard to the software part of your question, go to www.tier-2-innovation.com and look at the powerful, free circuit simulation program. The circuit kit examples makes the learning curve easier.

I am for NI USB-6008 (around $140, I think) that mahalingam has suggested. Other colleagues have indicated LabView as the best, and I agree. With NI you have a month trial of the full version, and LabView 8.5 full development is what you need. It costs $2000. If all you need is a good computer software with a GUI that fits your taste (because you create it), than you can create and test the program in LabView 8.5 and, when satisfied with how it works with your USB data acquisition , you create an stand-alone application (an executable). If you did that within one month, and return the LabView 8.5, they will reimburse your money. I don't think that is dishonest, you just take advantage of an opportunity offered by NI. In fact, I am sure that you will be hooked to the software and even you might decide to keep it.

I am not Guest, I am a respectable associate with 35 comments and a valid passport. I assume the responsibility of the answer #9

Dear Colleagues,

Thankyou for your contributions with regard to your recommending A to D converters for my hobby interest in retirement.

After following up all of your good suggestions, I eventually settled on a Measurement Computing USB-1408FS USB based Analogue and Digiital I/O module because it appears to do more than I currently foresee that I need, and I found a chap at work who has one and I can get help from him. It seems to have versatility, has all the control signals, digital I/Os, comes with "CRO" and "Strip Chart" software, the Australian agent is local and it fitted my daughter's budget for my Christmas present.

I notice that in another thread Measurement Computing products were recommended for temperature control

So I am going to connect it up in the near future and start playing

Best wishes for the New Year

Lleros Maharg