USB-230 Series
16-Bit Multifunction DAQ DevicesFeatures• Low cost 16-bit USB DAQ
devices with four differential/
eight single-ended analoginputs• Sample rates up to 100 kS/s
• Two 16-bit analog outputs• Eight bit-configurable digital
I/O lines• One 32-bit counter input• Micro-USB Type B connector(no external power required)

SoftwareSupported Operating Systems• Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/
XP 32/64-bit
USB-230 Series devices provide eight SE/four DIFF analog inputs, two simultaneously-updating
analog outputs, 8 digital I/O, and one counter input.

Digital Trigger Input

Overview
USB-230 Series devices provide improved cost/performance compared to oursimilarly priced 16-bit DAQ devices. Each device offers eight analog inputs, twoanalog outputs, eight DIO channels, and one counter input.

Counter Input

Analog Input

Analog Output

All USB-230 Series devices provide four
differential (DIFF)/eight 16-bit singleended (SE) analog inputs with a fixedanalog input range of ±10 V.

USB-230 Series devices provide two 16-bit
analog outputs. One or both outputs canbe updated at a rate up to 5 kS/s per channel. The output range is fixed at ±10 V.

Sample Rate

Digital I/O

The maximum continuous sample rate
is an aggregate rate. The following tablelists the maximum rate per channel when
scanning from one to eight channels.
Maximum Sample Rate Per Channel(kS/s)*
No. ofUSB-231
USB-234
Channels
150
100
22550

3

16.67

33.33
25

4

12.5

5

1020

6

8.33

16.67

77.14

14.29

86.25

12.50

* Sample rates also apply to OEM versions

Measurement Computing

USB-230 Series devices include an external digital trigger input that is softwareselectable for rising edge or falling edge
detection.

Eight TTL-level digital I/O lines are included
with USB-230 Series devices. Each channel
is software-selectable for input or output.

USB-230 Series devices support one 32-bitedge counter (rising) that accepts inputs
up to 5 MHz.

OEM Versions
USB-230 Series OEM versions have boardonly form factors with a header connector
for OEM and embedded applications. All
devices can be further customized to meetcustomer needs.

Digital input voltage ranges from 0 V
to 5 V are supported, with thresholds of0.8 V (low) and 2.3 V (high).
When used in output mode, each digitalchannel allows for 3.3 V operation with asource/sink current limit of ±4 mA.
All DIO lines are set to high-impedance
inputs at system startup and reset. The
device does not drive the signal highor low. Each line has a weak pull-downresistor connected to it.
All digital I/O updates and samples aresoftware-paced.

(508) 946-5100

1The OEM versions have the same specifications as the standard devices, but come in aboard-only form factor with a header connector instead of screw terminals.

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USB-230 Series
Software
Software Support
USB-230 Series devices are 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)

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).

Application-Specific Programming Support
ULx forNI 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.

Measurement Computing(508) 946-5100

2

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USB-230 SeriesSpecifications
USB-230 Series Block Diagram
USBConnector(Micro-B)

Full-Speed
USB 2.0
CompliantInterface
80 MHz Clock
8Analog Inputs

2Analog Outputs

Analog Grounds (6)I/O Connectors

8

Digital I/O

Control Logic

Trigger Input
Counter Input
Digital Grounds (2)+VO

Specifications

Analog Output

Resolution: 16 bits, 1 in 65,536
Output range: ±10 V
Number of channels: 2Update rate: 5 kS/s simultaneous per channel max, hardware-paced
Trigger sources: Software, TRIG
Output current drive: ±5 mA
Short circuit current: ±11 mA
Slew rate: 3 V/µs
Output impedance: 0.2 ΩAbsolute accuracy (No Load)
Typical at full scale: 8.6 mVMaximum over temperature, full scale: 32 mV
INL: ±4 LSB
DNL: 16 bits No Missing Codes
Power-on state: 0 V
Startup glitch: –7 V for 10 µs

These specifications apply to both USB-230 Series standard and OEM versions
unless noted otherwise.

Analog Input

A/D converter type: Successive approximation
ADC resolution: 16 bits
Sample rate (maximum aggregate)USB-231: 50 kS/s
USB-234: 100 kS/s
Number of channels: 8 single-ended or 4 differential; software-selectable
Input voltage range: ±10 V
Working voltage: ±10 V
Overvoltage protection
Power on: ±30 V max
Power off: ±20 V max
Input impedance: >1 GΩInput bias current: ±200 pA, typ
INL: ±1.8 LSB
DNL: 16 bits no missing codes
CMRR: 56 dB (DC to 5 kHz)
Input bandwidth: 300 kHz
Trigger sources: Software, TRIG

Timebase

The following specifications apply to hardware-paced analog input and analog
output sampling accuracy.
Timebase frequency: 80 MHz
Timebase accuracy: ±100 ppm
Timing resolution: 12.5 ns

Absolute Accuracy (Analog Input DC Voltage Measurement Accuracy)

Digital Input/Output

Range: ±10 V
At full scale (typical at 25 °C): 6 mV
At full scale (maximum over temperature): 26 mV
System noise: 0.4 mVrms

Measurement Computing(508) 946-5100

Compatibility: LVTTL, 3.3 V LVCMOS
Number of channels: 8 (DIO0 through DIO7)
Configuration: Each bit can be configured as input (power on default) or output
Pull-down resistor: 47.5 kΩ to digital ground (GND).
Absolute maximum voltage range: –0.3 V to 5 V with respect to digital ground(GND)

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USB-230 Series
Ordering
Digital Input

USB cable type: A-micro-B cable, UL type AWM 2725 or equivalent(28 AWG × 2C + 28 AWG × 2C + AB)
USB cable length: 3 m (9.84 ft) max

Input voltage range
Power on: 0 V to 5 VPower off: 0 V to 3.3 V
Do not leave a voltage above 3.3 V connected on the DIO line when the device
is not powered. This can cause long-term reliability issues.
Input voltage protection: ±20 V on two lines per port (maximum of five lines
for all ports) for up to 24 hours
Input high voltage: 2.3 V min
Input low voltage: 0.8 V max
Input leakage current
At 3.3 V: 0.8 mA max
At 5 V: 4.5 mA max

Environmental

Operating temperature range: 0 °C to 45 °C
Storage temperature range: –40 °C to 85 °C
Operating humidity range: 5% to 95% RH, non-condensing
Storage humidity range: 5% to 90% RH, non-condensing
Pollution degree (IEC 60664): 2
Maximum altitude: 2,000 m (6561.68 ft.)Calibration

USB-230 Series devices are factory-calibrated. Specifications are guaranteed for
one year. For calibration beyond one year, return the device to the factory forrecalibration.

Digital Output

Output low voltage
4 mA: 0.7 V max
1 mA: 0.2 V max
Output high voltage: 3.6 V max
4 mA: 2.1 V min
1 mA: 2.8 V min
Maximum output current per line: ±4 mA

MechanicalSignal I/O connector
Standard versions: Two 16-position screw terminal
plugs		Wire gauge range: 16 AWG to 28 AWG (1.31 to 0.08 mm2)
Torque for screw terminals: 0.22 to 0.25 N · m(2.0 to 2.2 lb. · in.)OEM versions: One 2 × 17 0.1 in. pitch header labeled J2Dimensions (L × W × H)
Standard versions
With screw terminal connector plugs:		93.2 × 86.2 × 23.6 mm (3.67 ×3.40 × 0.93 in.)Without screw terminals: 75.4 × 86.2 × 23.6 mm (2.97 ×3.40 × 0.93 in.)OEM versions: 98 mm × 64 mm × 12 mm (3.90 in. × 2.50 in. × 0.50 in.) max
WeightStandard versions
With screw terminal connector plugs: 105 g (3.70 oz)		 Without screw terminals: 83 g (2.93 oz)
OEM versions: 31 g (1.10 oz)

External Digital Trigger

Trigger source: TRIG input
Trigger mode: Software-selectable for rising or falling edge. Power on default isrising edge.
Input high voltage: 2.3 V min
Input low voltage: 0.8 V max

CounterPin name: CTR
Number of counters: 1Resolution: 32 bits
Counter type: Edge counter (rising)Counter direction: Count up
Counter source: CTR
Input frequency: 5 MHz max
High pulse width: 100 ns min
Low pulse width: 100 ns min

Order Information

LED Electrical Characteristics

HardwareOutput low voltage
IOL = 8 mA: 0.4 V max
IOL = 18 mA: 1.2 V typ
External pull-up voltage: 5.25 V max
Maximum sinking current: 18 mA max

Part No.

Description

USB-231USB-based DAQ device with eight SE/4 DIFF 16-bit analog
inputs, 50 kS/s sampling, two 16-bit analog outputs, and8 digital I/O lines. Includes USB cable and MCC DAQ
software CD.

USB-234

USB-based DAQ device with eight SE/4 DIFF 16-bit analog
inputs, 100 kS/s sampling, two 16-bit analog outputs,
and 8 digital I/O lines. Includes USB cable and MCC DAQ
software CD. Rev 4

USB-231-OEM

Board-only USB-based DAQ device with eight SE/4 DIFF
16-bit analog inputs, 50 kS/s sampling, two 16-bit analog
outputs, and 8 digital I/O lines

USB-234-OEM

Board-only USB-based DAQ device with eight SE/4 DIFF
16-bit analog inputs, 100 kS/s sampling, two 16-bit analog
outputs, and 8 digital I/O lines

MemoryData FIFO: 2,047 samples (4096 bytes)
Non-volatile memory
Up to 256 kB microcontroller integrated Flash
2 kB microcontroller integrated EEPROM

Power Requirements

From USB: 4.50 to 5.25 VDC
A typical bus-powered hub provides 100 mA on its USB lines. The USB-230 Series
devices do not work on bus-powered hubs.
Idle USB current: 165 mA
Maximum load USB current: <500 mA
The maximum power draw from all output terminals should be kept under0.9 W to avoid overloading the USB port

Software also Available from MCC

Power Output

Output voltage: 5 V, ±3%
Maximum current: 150 mA
Overcurrent protection: 200 mA
Short circuit current: 50 mA
Overvoltage protection: ±20 V

USB Specifications

Device type: USB 2.0 full speed (12 Mb/s)
Device compatibility: USB 1.1, USB 2.0
Connector type: USB micro-B receptacle

Measurement ComputingDS USB-230-Series-data(508) 946-5100

4Part No.

Description

TracerDAQ Pro

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

DASYLabIcon-based data acquisition, graphics, control, and analysis
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June 2017. Rev 4© Measurement Computing Corporation