USB-1208FS
12-Bit, 50 kS/s, Multifunction USB Data Acquisition DeviceFeatures• Low-cost USB DAQ devices
with 4 differential or 8 singleended analog inputs• Maximum sample rate of50 kS/s
• 2 analog outputs• 16 digital I/O• One 32-bit counter input
channel• No external power required• Available with enclosure andscrew terminals

Supported Operating Systems •Windows® 11/10/8/7/Vista®/XPThe USB-1208FS offers eight singled-ended or four differential analog inputs, two analog
outputs, 16 digital I/O, and one counter input.

Overview
The USB-1208FS is a low-cost analog and digital I/O device that offers four differential (DIFF) or eight single-ended (SE) analog inputs, two analog outputs, 16
digital I/O and one event counter.
The device supports sample rates up to 50 kS/s and multiple software-selectable voltage input ranges, making it ideally suited for a wide assortment of measurements.

Analog Input
The USB-1208FS provides eight, 11-bit SE
analog inputs or four, 12-bit DIFF analoginputs.
The device supports software‑selectableranges that provide inputs from ±1 V to±20 V in a DIFF configuration, and ±10 V
in a SE configuration.

Analog Output
The maximum analog output update ratedepends on several factors, including USB
port speed.
The USB-1208FS offers two 12-bit analog
outputs with a range of 0 V to 4.096 V.

Sample Rate
When scanning in hardware-paced mode,
the USB-1208FS can sample at a maximumof 50 kS/s.

Channel-Gain Queue
The channel-gain queue feature lets you
configure a list of channels and gains foreach scan. Each channel can have a different gain setting. The gain settings arestored in a channel-gain queue list thatis written to local memory on the device.

Measurement Computing

The USB-1208FS channel-gain queue
can contain up to 16 channels listed inany order.

When updating continuously from computer memory (hardware-paced mode),
one analog output updates at a maximum
rate of 10 kS/s; two analog outputs update
simultaneously at a maximum rate of
5 kS/s each.

Digital I/O

32/64-bit

Event Counter Input
Each device supports one 32-bit TTL-levelcounter that accepts inputs up to 1 MHz.

External Clock I/OEach USB-1208FS device has a bidirectional external clock terminal. Whenconfigured for input, A/D conversions canbe paced by an external source.
The USB-1208FS supports TTL-level input
signals up to 50 kHz.
When configured for output, the device
can pace A/D conversions on a seconddevice.

Trigger Input
The USB-1208FS provides an external digital trigger input that is software-selectable
for rising or falling edge.

Calibration
All USB-1208FS devices are factorycalibrated. Specifications are guaranteedfor one year. For calibration beyond oneyear, return the device to the factory forrecalibration.

The USB-1208FS provides 16 TTL-level
digital I/O lines. Digital I/O can be programmed on each 8-bit port (Port A andPort B) for either input (default) or output.

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USB-1208FS
Software
Software Support
USB-1208FS is supported by the software in the table below.
Ready-to-Run Applications

DAQami™

Data acquisition companion software with drag-and-drop interface that is used to acquire,view, and log data, and generate signals. DAQami can be configured to log analog, digital, andcounter channels, and to view that data in real-time or post-acquisition on user-configurable
displays. Logged data can be exported for use in Excel® or MATLAB®. Windows OS
DAQami is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle.

InstaCal™

TracerDAQ™ andTracerDAQ Pro

An interactive installation, configuration, and test utility for MCC hardware. Windows OS
InstaCal is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).
Virtual strip chart, oscilloscope, function generator, and rate generator applications used togenerate, acquire, analyze, display, and export data. Supported features may vary by hardware.
The Pro version provides enhanced features. Windows OS
TracerDAQ is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).
TracerDAQ Pro is available as a purchased software download.

General-Purpose Programming Support
Universal Library™
(UL)

Linux® driver

Library for developing applications in C, C++, VB, C# .Net, VB .Net, and Python.
Windows OS
The UL is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).

Open-source Linux drivers are available for most MCC devices. Example programs are alsoprovided.

Application-Specific Programming SupportULx for
NI LabVIEW™

DASYLab®

MATLAB driver®

A comprehensive library of VIs and example programs for NI LabVIEW that is used to develop
custom applications that interact with most MCC devices. Windows OS
ULx for NI LabVIEW is included with the free MCC DAQ Software bundle (CD/download).
Icon-based data acquisition, graphics, control, and analysis software that allows users to create
complex applications in minimal time without text-based programming. Windows OS
DASYLab is available as a purchased software download. An evaluation version is available for28 days.
High-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation,visualization, and programming. The Mathworks Data Acquisition Toolbox™ allows users toacquire data from most MCC PCI and USB devices.
Visit www.MathWorks.com for more information about the Data Acquisition Toolbox.

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USB-1208FS
Specifications
Specifications

Noise Performance

All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Typical for 25°C unless otherwise specified.

Range

Analog Input

6.1±5 V8.1±4 V

9.1

±2.5 V

12.1±2 V

14.1±1.25 V

20.1

±1 V24.1

Measurement Computing

20.30±5 V

30.45±4 V

30.45±2.5 V

40.61±2 V

50.76±1.25 V

71.06±1 V

81.2120.30

Analog Output

Resolution: 12 bits, 1 in 4096
Output range: 0 V to 4.096 V, 1 mV per LSB.
Number of channels: 2Throughput
Maximum throughput scanning to computer memory depends on thecomputer being used.
Software paced: 250 S/s single channel typ, system‑dependent
Hardware paced		Single channel: 10 kS/s		Dual channel: 5 kS/s
Power on and reset voltage: Initializes to 000h codeOutput drive (each D/A out): 15 mA
Slew Rate: 0.8 V/µs typ
Accuracy (all values are ±)0 V to 4.096 V: 4.0 LSB typ, 45.0 LSB max
Analog output accuracy components (all values are ±)Range: 0 V to 4.096 V% of FSR: 0.1 typ, 0.9 max
Gain error at full scale: 4.0 mV typ, 36.0 mV max
Offset: 1.0 mV typ, 9.0 mV max
Negative offsets result in a fixed zero-scale error or dead band. At the maximum
offset of –9 mV, any input code of less than 0x009 does not produce a responsein the output.
Accuracy at FS: 4.0 mV typ, 45.0 mV max

Digital I/O

Digital type: CMOS
Number of I/O: 16 (Port A0 through A7, Port B0 through B7)
Configuration: 2 banks of 8
Pull-up/down configuration: All pins pulled up to 5 V through 47 kΩ resistors(default). Change to pull-down using internal user-configurable jumpers.
Hardware revisions D and later can be changed to pull-down using an internal
jumper. Other revisions can be configured at the factory for pull-down.
Input high voltage: 2.0 V min, 5.5 V absolute max
Input low voltage: 0.8 V max, –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min
Output high voltage (IOH = –6.0 mA): 3.84 V min
Output low voltage (IOL = 6.0 mA): 0.33 V max
Power on and reset state: Input

External Trigger

Single-Ended Mode
±10 V

±10 V

±10 V

Accuracy (LSB)

±10 V

0.30

Single-Ended Mode

Differential Mode5.12±20 V

Analog Input Accuracy±20 V

Least Significant BitRoot Mean Square (LSBRMS)

Differential ModeA/D converter type: Successive approximationChannels: 8 SE or 4 DIFF, programmable as SE or DIFF
Input common-mode voltage range for linear operation
SE Mode: CHx to GND, ±10 V max
DIFF Mode: CHx to GND, –10 V min, 20 V max
Absolute maximum input voltage: CHx to GND, ±28 V max
Input impedance: 122 kΩ
Input current
Vin = 10 V, 70 µA typ
Vin = 0 V, –12 µA typ
Vin = –10 V, –94 µA typ
Input current is a function of applied voltage on the analog input channels.
For a given input voltage, Vin, the input leakage is approximately equal to(8.181 * Vin–12) µA
Ranges: Software or selectable on a per-channel basis
SE mode: ±10 V
DIFF mode: ±20 V, ±10 V, ±5 V, ±4 V, ±2.5 V, ±2.0 V, ±1.25 V, ±1.0 V
Throughput
Maximum throughput scanning to computer memory depends on thecomputer being used.		Software paced: 250 S/s typ, system‑dependent		Hardware paced: 50 kS/s
Channel gain queue: Up to 16 elements, software-selectable channel and range
Resolution
DIFF: 12 bits, no missing codes
SE: 11 bits (the AD7870 converter only returns 11-bits (0–2047 codes) in SEmode)
CAL accuracy: CAL = 2.5 V, ±36.25 mV max
Integral linearity errors: ±1 least significant bit (LSB) typ
Differential linearity error: ±0.5 LSB typ
Repeatability: ±1 LSB typ
CAL current
Source: 5 mA max
Sink: 20 µA min, 100 µA typ
Trigger source (software-selectable)
External digital: TRIG_IN
Clock source (software-selectable)
Internal
External (SYNC), Rising Edge TriggeredRange

Typical Counts

Trigger source: External digital, TRIG_IN
Trigger Mode: Edge sensitive; software-selectable for CMOS compatible risingor falling edgeTrigger latency: 10 µs max
Trigger pulse width: 1 µs min

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USB-1208FSSpecifications
USB-1208FS Block Diagram
8Event Counter
1 Channel (32-bit)

Digital I/O
Port B

SYNC
TRIG_IN

168

Digital I/O
Port A

1USB
Microcontroller

Analog Output
2 Channels (12-bit)
Analog Input
8 Single-Ended Channels (11-bit)or
4 Differential Channels (12-bit)32816
Full-speed
USB 2.0
CompliantInterface

USB
Input type: Schmitt trigger, 47 kΩ pull-down to ground
Schmitt trigger hysteresis: 1.01 V typ, 0.6 V min, 1.5 V max
Input high voltage threshold: 2.43 V typ, 1.9 V min, 3.1 V max
Input high voltage limit: 5.5 V absolute max
Input low voltage threshold: 1.42 V typ, 1.0 V min, 2.0 V max
Input low voltage limit: –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min

Input Low voltage threshold: 1.42 V typ, 1.0 V min, 2.0 V max
Input low voltage limit: –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min

Non-Volatile Memory

EEPROM: 1,024 bytes
EEPROM configuration
Address 0x000 to 0x07F: Reserved access, 128 bytes system data
Address 0x080 to 0x1FF: Read/write access, 384 bytes calibration data
Address 0x200 to 0x3FF: Read/write access, 512 bytes user area

External Clock Input/Output

Pin name: SYNC
Pin type: Bidirectional
Direction (software-selectable)
Input (default): Receives A/D clock from external source. Active on rising edge.
Output: Outputs internal A/D clock. Active on rising edge.
Input clock rate: 50 kHz, max
Clock pulse width
Input mode: 1 µs min
Output mode: 5 µs min
Input type: Schmitt trigger, 47 kΩ pull-down to ground
Schmitt trigger hysteresis: 1.01 V typ, 0.6 V min, 1.5 V max
Input high voltage threshold: 2.43 V typ, 1.9 V min, 3.1 V max
Input high voltage limit: 5.5 V absolute max
Input low voltage threshold: 1.42 V typ, 1.0 V min, 2.0 V max
Input low voltage limit: –0.5 V absolute min, 0 V recommended min
Output high voltage: 4.4 V min (IOH = –50 µA), 3.80 V min (IOH = –8 mA)
Output low voltage: 0.1 V max (IOL = 50 µA), 0.44 V max (IOL = 8 mA)

Power

Supply current: 80 mA (total current requirement; includes up to 10 mA for thestatus LED)
5 V USB power available
Connected to self-powered hub: 4.5 V min, 5.25 V max
Connected to bus-powered hub: 4.1 V min, 5.25 V max
Output Current (total amount of current that can be sourced from the USB 5 V,
analog outputs and digital outputs)
Connected to self-powered hub or externally powered
Root port hub: 420 mA max
Connected to bus-powered hub: 20 mA max
Self-powered USB hubs and hosts have their own power supply. The USB
port(s) on your computer are root port hubs. All externally powered rootport hubs (desktop computers) provide up to 500 mA of current for aUSB device. Battery-powered root port hubs provide 100 mA or 500 mA,depending upon the manufacturer. A laptop PC that is not connected to an
external power adapter is an example of a battery-powered root port hub.

Counter

Pin name: CTR
Counter type: Event counter
Number of channels: 1
Input type: Schmitt trigger, 47 kΩ pull-down to ground
Input Source: CTR screw terminal
Resolution: 32 bits
Maximum input frequency: 1 MHzHigh pulse width: 500 ns min
Low pulse width: 500 ns min
Schmidt trigger hysteresis: 1.01 V typ, 0.6 V min, 1.5 V max
Input high voltage threshold: 2.43 V typ, 1.9 V min, 3.1 V max
Input high voltage limit: 5.5 V absolute max

Measurement Computing(508) 946-5100

Bus-powered USB hubs and hosts do not have their own power supply.

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USB-1208FSOrdering
GeneralMechanicalDevice type: USB 2.0 full-speed
Device compatibility: USB 1.1, 2.0

Dimensions (L × W × H): 79 × 82 × 27 mm (3.20 × 3.10 × 1.05 in.)USB cable length: 3 m (9.84 ft) max
User connection length: 3 m (9.84 ft) max

Environmental

Operating temperature: 0 ˚C to 70 ˚C
Storage temperature: –40 ˚C to 70 °C
Relative humidity: 0% to 90% non-condensing

Screw Terminal Connector

Order Information

Software also Available from MCC

Connector type: Screw terminal
Wire gauge range: 16 AWG to 30 AWG

HardwarePart No.

Description

USB-1208FS

USB-based data acquisition device with 8 analog
inputs, up to 12-bit resolution, 50 kS/s, twoanalog outputs, and 16 digital I/O. Includes USB
cable and MCC DAQ software CD.

Measurement Computing
DS-USB-1208FS(508) 946-5100

5Part No.

Description

TracerDAQ Pro

Out-of-the-box virtual instrument suite withstrip chart, oscilloscope, function generator,
and rate generator – professional version

DASYLabIcon-based data acquisition, graphics, control,
and analysis software

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May 2017. Rev 2© Measurement Computing Corporation