The M8KADDA is a multichannel analog interface module for Excalibur's EXC-8000 family of multiprotocol carrier boards. It provides up to 10 digital-to-analog (DAC) output channels and 5 analog-to-digital (ADC) input channels in a compact piggyback form factor, making it well suited for avionics data acquisition, sensor simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test applications.
Each 16-bit DAC channel delivers monotonic output across a wide range of bipolar and unipolar voltage ranges, with a drive capability of up to ±25 mA per channel. A built-in Signal Generator feature allows each DAC channel to output formula-defined waveforms - including sine, ramp, and square wave - or replay a custom sequence of values, enabling accurate sensor and stimulus simulation without external signal generation equipment.
The 5 ADC input channels support automatic scanning with built-in noise filtering, covering bipolar ranges down to ±0.625 V and unipolar ranges up to 0–10 V. Both DAC and ADC channels support IRIG B120 serial time synchronisation (64-bit time tag), enabling precise time correlation across channels and with other instruments in the test system — a common requirement in flight test and distributed data acquisition programmes.
The M8KADDA mounts on any EXC-8000 carrier board - PCI Express, CompactPCI, PC/104-Express, USB/Ethernet (Unet2), and ccVPX - and is fully supported by the ADDA Software Tools API. When used alongside MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, or other protocol modules on the same carrier, it provides a consolidated, single-board avionics interface solution with one consistent software framework.
KEY FEATURES
• Up to 10 single-ended (or 5 differential) DAC output channels - 16-bit, monotonic
• 5 single-ended (or 5 differential) ADC input channels
• Bipolar and unipolar voltage ranges, user-selectable per channel
DAC: ±2.5 V, ±5 V, ±10 V, ±20 V (optional) | 0–5 V, 0–10 V, 0–20 V (optional)
ADC: ±0.625 V, ±1.25 V, ±2.5 V, ±5 V | 0–1.25 V, 0–2.5 V, 0–5 V, 0–10 V
• Built-in Signal Generator: sine, ramp, square wave, and custom value sequences
• IRIG B120 serial time code input; selectable 64-bit IRIG B or 48-bit 1 µsec time tag
• Automatic ADC input scanning with noise filtering
• 64K dual-port RAM; DMA support on PCI Express carrier boards
• High DAC drive capability: ±25 mA per channel
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
The M8KADDA is fully supported by Excalibur's ADDA Software Tools - a C-language API supplied with full source code. Compatible with 32/64-bit Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, and Linux kernel 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x. The API covers channel initialisation, IRIG B time management, DAC waveform generation (including signal generator and timed data replay), ADC scanning and monitoring, and DMA-based data transfer on PCIe platforms. Source code is provided for full customisation.
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