2.5 Clock Selection
The DAQ-16 is equipped with a programmabl e clock circuit to produce data sampling rates
independent from the clock rate of the host computer. An onboard 8254 programmable
interval timer, with a 10 MHz clock i nput and either two or three cascaded 16-bit timers,
provides the sampling rate. This enables the sampling rate to be adjusted from 10 us b e tw ee n
samples to almost a year between samples, in as small as 100ns increments.
The DAQ-16's sampling rate can also be generated f r om an ex ter na l cl ock i nput. This external
clock can be connected directly to the A/D converter or through a 16-bit pre-d ivider, the
multi-function timer. Samples are taken on the low to high transition of the clock.
WARNING: For the DAQ-16, the maximum data sampling rate is 10 us. This restricts
clock frequency to a maximum of 100 KHz. Sampling rates in excess of 100 KHz may
result in erratic operation and unpredictable results.
The clock source, internal or external clock, is software selectable through the DAQ-16's
control word register. The configuration of the clock source itself is controlled by jumper
block J2 as shown in Figure 2-6, (* indicates factory default).
5 6 7 8
1 2 3 4
J2 Internal Timer: 2 timers cascaded
connect 1-2, 6-7*
3 timers cascaded
connect 2-6, 7-8
External Timer: w/o pre-divider
connect 1-2, 3-4
with pre-divider
connect 2-3, 4-8
Figure 2-6. Jumper J2 Configuration
DAQ-16 Users Manual 17