Measurement Computing PCI-DAS6402 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Measurement Computing PCI-DAS6402 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Measurement Computing PCI-DAS6402 series represents a family of high-resolution analog and digital data acquisition boards designed for deployment in demanding industrial environments. These boards have been installed across chemical processing plants, power generation facilities, petroleum refineries, and continuous manufacturing operations where precise signal acquisition and deterministic I/O performance are non-negotiable requirements. The PCI-DAS6402 platform occupies a well-established position in the legacy PC-based DAQ segment, offering 16-bit analog input resolution at sampling rates suitable for process monitoring, vibration analysis, and multi-channel data logging. Its PCI bus interface made it a standard integration choice for industrial PCs running Windows-based SCADA and HMI platforms throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. The series remains in active use across installed base systems where hardware replacement rather than full system migration is the preferred maintenance strategy.

The Evolution of PCI-DAS6402 Architecture

The PCI-DAS6402 series was developed during the transition from ISA-bus to PCI-bus data acquisition hardware in the mid-to-late 1990s. Early Measurement Computing DAQ products relied on ISA slots (e.g., the CIO-DAS series), which imposed bandwidth limitations and required manual IRQ/DMA configuration. The move to PCI eliminated these constraints, enabling plug-and-play enumeration, higher sustained throughput, and compatibility with the emerging Windows NT/2000 industrial computing standard.

The PCI-DAS6402/16 variant introduced 16-bit ADC resolution, distinguishing it from the 12-bit PCI-DAS6402/12 and positioning it for applications requiring finer measurement granularity — temperature profiling, pressure transducer logging, and low-amplitude signal conditioning. The board's architecture integrates a 64-sample FIFO buffer, programmable gain amplifier (PGA) supporting gains of 1, 2, 4, and 8, and a hardware-paced scan clock derived from an onboard 10 MHz timebase.

As PCIe became the dominant bus standard post-2010, the PCI-DAS6402 series entered its maintenance phase. Measurement Computing's successor platforms — including the USB-1608G series and PCIe-DAS1602/16 — provide functional equivalents with modern bus interfaces. However, the PCI-DAS6402 remains irreplaceable in legacy rack-mount systems where PCIe slots are unavailable and system-level requalification costs are prohibitive. The series is now classified as a mature/end-of-life product line, making long-term spare parts availability a primary operational concern for maintenance engineers.

PCI-DAS6402 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Analog Input Boards

• PCI DAS6402/16: 16-bit, 16 SE/8 DIFF AI channels, 250 kS/s aggregate throughput, PCI bus DAQ board
• PCI DAS6402/12: 12-bit resolution variant, 16 SE/8 DIFF AI channels, 1 MS/s aggregate, lower-cost analog input board
• PCI DAS6402/16/JR: Reduced-feature 16-bit variant, no AO channels, optimized for input-only applications
• PCI DAS6402/16-OEM: OEM board version without mounting bracket, for embedded chassis integration

Analog Output Channels (onboard, PCI-DAS6402/16)

• AO Channel 0 (DAC0): 12-bit DAC, ±10 V or 0–10 V output range, 100 kS/s update rate
• AO Channel 1 (DAC1): 12-bit DAC, identical spec to DAC0, independent output range configuration

Digital I/O

• PCI DAS6402/16 DIO Port A: 8-bit TTL-compatible digital I/O port, configurable as input or output
• PCI DAS6402/16 DIO Port B: 8-bit TTL-compatible digital I/O port, configurable as input or output
• PCI DAS6402/16 DIO Port C: 8-bit TTL-compatible digital I/O port, configurable as input or output

Counter/Timer Resources

• PCI DAS6402/16 CTR0: 16-bit 8254-compatible counter/timer, event counting and frequency measurement
• PCI DAS6402/16 CTR1: 16-bit 8254-compatible counter/timer, pulse generation and period measurement
• PCI DAS6402/16 CTR2: 16-bit 8254-compatible counter/timer, cascadable with CTR0/CTR1 for 32-bit range

Accessory and Expansion Modules

• STA-16: Screw terminal accessory board for PCI-DAS6402, 37-pin D-sub to barrier strip breakout
• STA-16-OEM: OEM screw terminal board, no enclosure, direct PCB mount for panel integration
• CAB-37-x: 37-conductor shielded cable, various lengths (1 m, 2 m, 3 m), connects DAQ board to STA-16
• EXP-16: 16-channel analog multiplexer expansion board, extends AI channel count to 256 SE channels
• CIO-EXP32: 32-channel multiplexer expansion, compatible with PCI-DAS6402 AI input connector

Software and Driver Components

• Universal Library (UL) for Windows: Primary API for PCI-DAS6402 programming, supports C/C++, VB, LabVIEW, MATLAB
• InstaCal: Board configuration and calibration utility, required for initial PCI-DAS6402 setup and periodic recalibration

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete PCI-DAS6402 Parts

The PCI-DAS6402 series has been discontinued by Measurement Computing (now part of Digilent/National Instruments ecosystem). New production units are no longer available through authorized distribution channels. For facilities operating legacy systems built around this platform, DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension support through three primary sourcing channels: verified surplus inventory from decommissioned industrial systems, tested pull units recovered from controlled equipment retirement programs, and cross-referenced functional equivalents where direct substitution is technically validated.

DriveKNMS maintains stock records for the PCI DAS6402/16, PCI DAS6402/12, and associated accessory items including STA-16 terminal boards and CAB-37 cable assemblies. All sourced units are logged with provenance documentation and subjected to functional verification prior to dispatch. For facilities requiring multiple units for critical redundancy or scheduled preventive replacement, volume inquiries are handled with lead time commitments and condition grading (Grade A refurbished, Grade B tested-functional, or new-old-stock where available).

Quality Control for the PCI-DAS6402 Range

PCI-DAS6402 boards present specific test challenges due to their mixed-signal architecture: the analog front end (PGA, ADC, reference voltage circuit) must be evaluated independently from the digital subsystem (PCI bus interface, FIFO, counter/timers) and the DAC output stage. DriveKNMS applies a structured test protocol to each unit processed through its facility.

Analog input verification uses a calibrated signal source to inject known DC and AC reference voltages across all 16 single-ended channels. ADC linearity, offset error, and gain error are measured against the manufacturer's published specifications for the 16-bit variant (±3 LSB typical INL, ±1 LSB typical DNL). Programmable gain settings (×1, ×2, ×4, ×8) are individually validated. Analog output channels are verified for output accuracy and settling time using a precision voltmeter. Digital I/O ports are exercised through full 8-bit write/read cycles on all three ports. Counter/timer channels are tested for accurate frequency output and event counting using a frequency reference. PCI bus enumeration and driver recognition are confirmed under Windows 10 (32-bit compatibility mode) using Measurement Computing's InstaCal utility, which also performs and logs the ADC calibration cycle. Each board is assigned a test record with pass/fail status per parameter before release.