Built into the USB DrDAQ are a microphone, light sensor, RGB LED, oscilloscope and resistance inputs, 4 digital I/O ports, 3 sensor ports, a pH/redox sensor input and a signal generator output. The unit is powered from the USB port so there is no need for an external power supply. USB DrDAQ samples at 1MSa/s and can be used as a single-channel 8-bit 100kHz oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer with the ability to measure voltages up to ±10 volts.
USB DrDAQ’s 10-bit D/A output features a 10-bit signal generator – a standard function generator, but also an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG), so customized waveforms can be created. An RGB LED can be used to display any color for a variety of indicator purposes. Two of the I/O ports can be used as pulse counting inputs, or PWM (pulse-width modulation) outputs. The sensor ports can be used with a range of temperature, humidity and oxygen sensors, or with custom sensors built by the user.
USB DrDAQ will find its way into a wide variety of applications from education to research for signals at audio frequencies and beyond. It is supplied with a free Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) with fully documented function calls to control all aspects of the device, so it can even be integrated into other programs in C, C++, Microsoft Excel and National Instruments LabVIEW.