Maxim's Alameda Subsystem Enables Addition of Analog Output to Industrial Automation Designs

Designers may now add a high-accuracy, 4-channel analog output to their industrial automation designs with 33% fewer components than competitive designs. Simply use the Alameda subsystem reference design, now available for sale, from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs) need multiple, flexible, high accuracy analog outputs. The Alameda subsystem combines four high-accuracy (< ±0.1%) outputs with a high-efficiency, low-noise power supply controller on a single board. Alameda offers extreme flexibility—its outputs are configurable to ±10V, ±20mA, 0 to 10V, or 4–20mA for current and voltage applications. Automatic error reporting for detecting open and short circuits, brown-outs, and overtemperature conditions make this subsystem ideal for demanding, precision industrial control and automation applications.

Key Advantages

• Fully tested: schematics, layout files, and firmware are available for immediate use and customization.
• Uses fewer components: unique, integrated parts reduce number of components by 33% compared to competitive designs.
• Speeds designs: integrates an efficient power supply with a 4-channel analog output in a single compact system to solve noise issues and save engineers development time.
• Improves PLC system reliability: automatically detects short-circuit, open-circuit, brown-out, and overtemperature conditions.