DT300 SeriesMultifunction PCI Data
Acquisition Boards
By sharing a common a­ rchitecture and making use ofstandard accessories and software, the DT300 Series
provides a full range of cost-effective options to meetyour data acquisition needs both now and in the future.

Key Features• Six different board configurations provide a range ofDT300 Series is a family of low-cost, multifunction PCI busmastering boards.

flexible, ­cost-effective options• High-speed bus-master transfers data withoutCPU ­intervention freeing up system resources forprocessing• ENOB specification guarantees outstanding total
system accuracy• High-speed dynamic digital inputs can time stamp
your digital input in relation to A/D• Generous 1024-location channel gain list allows
flexible channel selection in any sequence desired• Flexible triggering and clocking capabilities• No interrupts required, freeing up system resources• Included software and drivers

Analog Inputs
All DT300 Series boards feature 16 SE or 8 DIFF inputs.
In addition, an Amp Low connection allows SE inputs tobe referenced to a c­ ommon point other than groundto ­provide 16 pseudo-DIFF inputs. Software-selectableunipolar or bipolar operation and gain settings of 1,2, 4 or 8 provide input ranges of 0-10 V, 0-5 V, 0-2.5 V,0-1.25 V, ±10 V, ±5 V, ±2.5 V, and ±1.25 V. For added
flexibility, a 1024-location channel-gain list allows you
to sample non-sequential channels and channels withdifferent gains. The A/D resolution and maximum sample
rate vary depending on the board type, as l­isted below:

Supported Operating Systems• Windows® 10/8/7/Vista®/XP 32/64-bit

Board

Multifunction Data Acquisition Boards
Each DT300 Series board contains 16 ­single-ended (SE)or 8 differential (DIFF) analog inputs, 23 digital I/O
lines, and four counter/timer channels. The resolution
and throughput of the analog input channels differ
depending on the model. The DT302, DT304, and DT322
boards also provide 2 analog output channels. With
the plug-and-play feature of the PCI bus, no jumpers
or switches to set, and the common architecture,accessories, and software of the DT300 Series, installingand upgrading DT300 Series boards is easy.

ResolutionSample Rate

DT301/302

12-bit225 kS/s

DT303/30412-bit

400 kS/s

By offering board types with different ­features, theDT300 Series provides the right cost-effective solution foryour data acquisition needs. The analog input subsystem
can be completely software c­ alibrated for hands-off
operation.

Features Summary
Analog Inputs

Analog Outputs

Digital I/O

Sample Rate

Channels

Resolution

Output Ranges

I/O Lines

Counter/Timer±1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V,
0-1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V

225 kS/s———

23412-bit±1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V,
0-1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V

225 kS/s

212-bit±5 V, ±10 V
0-5 V, 0-10 V

23416 SE/8 DIFF

12-bit±1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V,
0-1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V

400 kS/s

—

——

23

4DT30416 SE/8 DIFF

12-bit±1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V,
0-1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V

400 kS/s

212-bit±5 V, ±10 V
0-5 V, 0-10 V

234DT321

16 SE/8 DIFF

16-bit±1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V,

250 kS/s———

234DT322

16 SE/8 DIFF

16-bit±1.25 V, 2.5 V, 5 V, 10 V,

250 kS/s

216-bit±10 V

234BoardChannels

Resolution

DT301

16 SE/8 DIFF

12-bitDT302

16 SE/8 DIFF

DT303

Input Ranges(508) 946-5100

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Analog Input Acquisition Modes

The external A/D sample clock and the digital trigger
input signals are accessible through the user connector.

DT300 Series boards can acquire a single value from any
channel or a number of samples from multiple channels.
To acquire data from multiple channels, DT300 Seriesboards provide two scan modes: continuously paced andtriggered scan mode. Using continuously paced mode,the board scans the channel-gain list continuously andacquires data until you stop the operation or until aspecific number of samples is acquired.

Analog Outputs
The DT302, DT304, and DT322 boards feature two serial,
multiplying, analog ­output channels. The output rate foreach channel is 10 kS/s (typical), based on a single-value,polled operation. The resolution and s­ oftware selectable
output range options for each board are listed below:

Using ­triggered scan mode, the board scans the channelgain list at high speeds with a programmed interval
between scans, ­emulating a simultaneous sample-andhold operation. Using an external or ­internal trigger
source, you can retrigger a triggered scan operation tocycle through the channel-gain list up to 256 times pertrigger; this allows you to acquire a waveform of data
per channel for each trigger, up to 256 kilosamples pertrigger. You can pace either scan mode using an internalor external clock.

Board

Resolution

Output Ranges

DT302

12-bit±5 V, ±10 V, 0-5 V, 0-10 V

DT304

12-bit±5 V, ±10 V, 0-5 V, 0-10 VDT322

16-bit±10 V

Digital I/O
All DT300 Series boards feature 23 digital I/O lines. Theselines are divided into the following ports:• Ports A, lines 0 to 7
• Port B, lines 0 to 7

Flexible Triggering and Clocking Capabilities• Port C, lines 0 to 6

Clocking and triggering of the A/D system in DT300
Series boards is provided by two 24-bit counter/timers
with a 20 MHz oscillator. Four additional 16-bit counter/timers are available to the user.

Using software, Ports A and B can be ­combined to createa virtual port ­consisting of 16 digital I/O lines. You canprogram each port for input or output and read or write
to the port.

The DT300 Series provides flexibility in triggering, bothin the trigger modes available and the events that cancause the trigger. Trigger modes include post-trigger, pretrigger and about-trigger acquisitions.

High-Speed Dynamic Digital Inputs
You can also read the status of the Ports A and B at rates
as high as 3 MS/s by including the digital input lines ofPorts A and B as a channel in the analog channel-gain
list. This dynamic digital input feature allows you to timestamp the digital inputs in relation to the analog inputs.
In this mode, all 16 digital input lines of Ports A and B
are read as one word. The digital outputs have sufficientcurrent capability to drive external solid-state relay
modules (sink 12 mA and source 15 mA).

In post-trigger mode, the board acquires data after adigital (TTL) trigger or ­software trigger. In pre-trigger
mode, acquisition proceeds until a digital trigger occurs.
In about-trigger mode, the board acquires data both
before and after a digital trigger occurs.

ENOB Specification Measures Total Accuracy

User/Counter Timers

Total system performance of the DT300 Series is specified
with the most accurate measurement available: ENOB
(Effective Number of Bits). Derived from a board’s
signal-to-noise ratio, ENOB specifies the overall accuracyof the A/D transfer function. This single comprehensive­figure of merit enables you to easily e­ valuate a board’s
AC accuracy and ­performance. ENOB is 11.5 bits for theDT301, DT302, DT303, and DT304, and 14 bits for theDT321 and DT322.

Four 16-bit user counter/timers are ­available for countingevents, creating a one-shot or frequency output, or­measuring a frequency input. You can cascade twocounters internally through software or cascade morethan two ­counters externally on the screw terminal
accessory. You can also set the duty cycle, frequency,
and output polarity of the ­output pulse from the user
counter/timers.

You can pace the analog inputs using an internal or anexternal clock. You can set the internal clock to acquire
data from one or more channels from 1.2 S/s up to themaximum ­sample rate of the board. If slower rates aredesired you can use an external source, or cascade two or
more of the user counter/timers and connect the output
to the external clock input.

(508) 946-5100

These four user counter/timers are in addition to the two
24-bit counter timers dedicated to clocking and triggeringin the A/D system.

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QuickDAQ
QuickDAQ allows you to acquire and display from all
Data Translation data acquisition devices that support
analog input streaming. Combine QuickDAQ with Data
Translation hardware to acquire data, record data to disk,
display the results in both a plot and digital display, andread a recorded data file. Be productive right out of thebox with this powerful data logging software. Data canbe exported to other applications like Microsoft Excel®
and The Mathworks MATLAB® for more advanced
analysis. Two additional options can be purchased to add
FFT analysis capabilities to the base package.

QuickDAQ ships free-of-charge and allows you to get up andrunning quickly.

Key Features• QuickDAQ Base Package (Free)

Other Software Options

oo Ready-to-measure application software
oo Configure, acquire, log, display, and analyze yourThe following software is available for free and provided
on the Data Acquisition Omni CD:data
oo Customize many aspects of the acquisition,
display, and recording functions to suit yourneeds• FFT Analysis Option (License Required)oo Includes all the features of the QuickDAQ Base
Packageoo Perform single-channel FFT operations including:◊ Auto Spectrum◊ Spectrum◊ Power Spectral Density
oo Configure and view dynamic performancestatistics• Supports Hanning, Hamming, Bartlett, Blackman,Blackman Harris, and Flat Top response windows• Advanced FFT Analysis Option (License Required)oo Includes all the features of the QuickDAQ BasePackage and FFT Analysis Package
oo Perform 2-channel FFT operations including:◊ FRF◊ Cross-Spectrum◊ Cross Power Spectral Density◊ Coherence◊ Coherent Output Poweroo Supports real, imaginary, and Nyquist display
functionsoo Additional FFT analysis functions supported:
Exponential, Force, Cosiner Taperoo Save data to .uff file format(508) 946-5100• Device Driver –The device driver allows you touse the PCI DAQ board with any of the supportedsoftware packages or utilities.
• DT-Open Layers® for .NET Class Library – Use thisclass library if you want to use Visual C#® or Visual
Basic® for .NET to develop application software
using Visual Studio® 2003-2012; the class librarycomplies with the DT-Open Layers standard.
• DataAcq SDK – Use the DataAcq SDK to use Visual
Studio 6.0 and Microsoft® C or C++ to develop
application software using Windows 10/8/7/Vista/
XP 32/64-bit; the DataAcq SDK complies with theDT-Open Layers standard.
• DAQ Adaptor for MATLAB – Data Translation’s
DAQ Adaptor provides an interface between theMATLAB® Data Acquisition (DAQ) toolbox fromThe MathWorks™ and Data Translation’s DT-Open
Layers architecture.
• LV-Link – Data Translation’s LV-Link is a library ofVIs that enable LabVIEW™ programmers to accessthe data acquisition features of DT-Open Layers
compliant USB and PCI devices.

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User Connections

Ordering Summary

All signals are brought out to a dedicated 68-pin connector on the backplateof each DT300 Series board. The STP300 screw terminal panel is available tosimplify connections. The EP305 cable connects the DT300 Series board tothe STP300 screw terminal panel.

High-Speed Burst Data Transfer
A custom-designed PCI bus interface chip allows for high-speed, busmastering data transfers to the host computer. By setting aside a block ofmemory in the host computer, a DT300 Series board performs bus-masterdata transfers without CPU intervention, allowing the CPU to perform othertasks such as data analysis and graphics. This implementation does not carry
the additional overhead of scatter-gather or other DMA transfer methods
which necessitate reprogramming thecontroller for new addresses.

No Interrupts RequiredMany data acquisition boards require­interrupts. This uses up valuablesystem capability. DT300 Seriesboards require no interrupts, soinstallation is simple and valuablesystem resources are free for otheruses.

HARDWARE• DT301 — PCI data acquisition board with
12-bit, 225 kS/s analog inputs and no analog
outputs.
• DT302 — PCI data acquisition board with
12-bit, 225 kS/s analog inputs and 2, 12-bit
analog outputs.
• DT303 — PCI data acquisition board with
12-bit, 400 kS/s analog inputs and no analog
outputs.
• DT304 — PCI data acquisition board with
12‑bit, 400 kS/s analog inputs 2, 12-bit
analog outputs.
• DT321 — PCI data acquisition board with
16-bit, 250 kS/s analog inputs and no analog
outputs.
• DT322 — PCI data acquisition board with 16bit, 250 kS/s analog inputs 2, 16-bit analog
outputs.
ACCESSORIES• EP305 — 68-pin, 2 meter, shielded cable forconnecting STP300• STP68 — Low-cost screw terminal panel• STP300 — Shielded screw terminal panel.

STP300 Screw Terminal Panel and the EP305 Cable
The STP300 screw terminal panel ­together with the EP305 cable simplifies
the connection of input and output devices to any DT300 Series board.
Accommodating all user connections on convenient screw clamp
connectors, the STP300 mounts on a panel and includes nylon standoffs fortable-top applications. The panel measures 4.9 in. wide by 6.9 in. long. TheEP305 is a 68-pin, 2 meter, ­shielded cable that connects the DT300 Seriesboard to the STP300 screw terminal panel.

FREE SOFTWARE• QuickDAQ• DAQ Adaptor for MATLAB — Access theanalysis and visualization tools of MATLAB®.
• LV-Link — Access the power of DataTranslation boards through LabVIEW™.
OPTIONAL SOFTWARE• QuickDAQ FFT Analysis Option (LicenseRequired)• QuickDAQ Advanced FFT Analysis Option(License Required)

Cross-Series Compatibility
Virtually all Data Translation data acquisition modules are compatible
with the DT-Open Layers for .NET Class Library. This means that if yourapplication was developed with one of Data Translation’s software
products, you can easily upgrade to a new Data Translation board. Little or
no reprogramming is needed.

(508) 946-5100		
DT300-Series-Datasheet		

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June 2017. Rev 3© Measurement Computing Corporation