Comprehensive Product Summary – ADLINK ACL‑7120/6 32/32 TTL DIO & Counter Card

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: ACL‑7120/6
Model: ACL‑7120/6 (part of the ACL‑7120 series)
Series: NuDAQ Digital I/O & Counter Card Series
Article Number: 91‑11003‑201
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Manufacturer Address: 9F, No.166 Jian Yi Road, Chungho City, Taipei 235, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Telephone: +886‑2‑8226‑5877
Fax: +886‑2‑8226‑5717 / +886‑2‑8226‑5729 (Sales)
Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)

Product Type: 32‑channel digital input and 32‑channel digital output TTL/DTL compatible AT‑bus card with six 16‑bit programmable counters/timers.
Product Status: End‑of‑Life (EOL) – EOL No. 20030128‑009, published January 28, 2003.
Suggested Replacement Models: ADLINK ACL‑8454 or PCI‑8554.

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### 2. Key Features

- Digital I/O Capability:
- 32 TTL digital input channels.
- 32 TTL digital output channels.
- TTL/DTL compatible logic levels.
- High output drive and low input loading.

- Counter/Timer System:
- Six independent 16‑bit programmable counters (Intel/NEC 8254 architecture).
- Three independent programmable 16‑bit down counters.
- One 32‑bit timer (two 16‑bit counters cascaded).
- One 16‑bit counter with 4 MHz time base.
- On‑board crystal‑based frequency sources (10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz).
- Frequency scaling via jumpers (×2, ×½, ×¼).
- Supports timer pacer and event counting interrupts.

- Bus Interface:
- PC‑AT (ISA) bus compatible.
- Fully hardware and software compatible with Advantech PCL‑720.

- Interrupt Support:
- Selectable IRQ levels (IRQ3–IRQ15).
- Configurable interrupt trigger sources: timer pacer, event, or external.

- Connectivity:
- Four 20‑pin IDC connectors for digital I/O (CN1–CN4).
- One 20‑pin connector (CN5) for counter/timer signals.
- Breadboard area for custom circuitry.

- Software Support:
- DOS library and utilities included.
- Optional Windows support via ACLS‑DLL1 (for VB, VC++, Delphi).
- Optional LabVIEW integration via ACLS‑LVIEW.

- Environmental & Reliability:
- Operating temperature: 0 °C – 60 °C.
- Humidity: 0 – 90 % non‑condensing.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

General:
- Dimensions: 19.3 cm × 10.3 cm (approximately 194 mm × 114 mm).
- Bus Type: PC‑AT (ISA).
- Slot Requirements: One 36‑pin and one 62‑pin slot.
- I/O Port Address Range: 0x200 – 0x3F8 (8 bytes used).
- Default Base Address: 0x2A0 (configurable via DIP switch SW1).
- Interrupt Levels: IRQ3 – IRQ15 (default IRQ15).

Digital Input:
- Logic low voltage: −0.5 V (min) to 0.8 V (max).
- Logic high voltage: 2.0 V (min) to 5.0 V (max).
- Input loading current: ≤ 0.2 mA @ 0.4 V.
- Input hysteresis: 0.2 V (min), 0.4 V (typical).

Digital Output:
- Logic low (sink): ≤ 0.5 V @ 24 mA.
- Logic high (source): ≤ 0.4 V @ 12 mA.
- Drive capacity: 1 standard TTL load (74 series) or 4 LSTTL loads (74LS series).

Programmable Counter/Timer:
- Counter ICs: Intel/NEC 8254 or 8253.
- Frequency base: 4 MHz.
- Counters: Six 16‑bit counters (Counter 0 – Counter 5).
- Modes: Six programmable modes (Mode 0–5).
- Usable pins: CLK and GATE for Counters 0–3.
- Counter usage:
- Counters 0–2: user‑programmable.
- Counter 3: event counting interrupt source.
- Counters 4–5: cascaded for timer pacer generation.

Environmental:
- Operating temperature: 0 °C – 60 °C.
- Storage temperature: −20 °C – 80 °C (typical for ADLINK ISA cards).
- Humidity: 0 – 90 % RH, non‑condensing.

Physical Construction:
- PCB with plated‑through holes and solder pads.
- Breadboard area with 0.036 in holes on 0.10 in centers.
- Four 20‑pin IDC connectors for I/O, one 20‑pin for counter/timer.

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### 4. Functionality

Operating Principle:
The ACL‑7120/6 provides direct TTL‑level digital I/O interfacing and programmable timing/counter functions for PC‑based control and measurement systems. It communicates through the ISA bus, occupying 16 consecutive I/O addresses. The card’s digital I/O ports can be accessed via simple 8‑bit read/write operations, while the counters are programmed through control registers compatible with the Intel 8254 standard.

Use Cases & Applications:
- Industrial and laboratory ON/OFF control.
- Energy management and automation.
- Security and annunciation systems.
- Product testing and quality control.
- Period and pulse‑width measurement.
- Event and frequency counting.
- Waveform and pulse generation.
- BCD interface driving.

Compatibility:
- Hardware/software compatible with Advantech PCL‑720.
- Supports external daughterboards:
- ACLD‑9182: 16‑channel opto‑isolated digital input board.
- ACLD‑9185: 16‑channel relay output board.

Software Integration:
- DOS library with C‑language functions and utilities.
- Windows DLL (ACLS‑DLL1) for VB, VC++, Delphi.
- LabVIEW VI library (ACLS‑LVIEW) for graphical programming.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ACL‑7120/6 Digital I/O & Counter Card.
- ADLINK CD containing DOS library, utilities, and documentation.
- Printed User’s Manual (Rev. 3.13, April 17 2000).

Optional Accessories:
- ACLD‑9182: Opto‑isolated input daughterboard.
- ACLD‑9185: Relay output daughterboard.
- Flat ribbon cables for 20‑pin IDC connectors.
- External terminal boards for signal breakout.

Connectors:
- CN1: Digital Output 0–15.
- CN2: Digital Input 0–15 (with STROBE 0).
- CN3: Digital Output 16–31.
- CN4: Digital Input 16–31 (with STROBE 1).
- CN5: Counter/Timer signals (CLK, GATE, OUT, EVENT, EXT IRQ).

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Pre‑Installation Handling:
- Handle only on grounded anti‑static mat.
- Use anti‑static wrist strap connected to the same ground.
- Inspect for shipping damage before installation.

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the PC and remove the cover.
2. Insert the ACL‑7120/6 into an available ISA slot.
3. Secure the card with a screw to the chassis.
4. Connect external cables to CN1–CN5 as required.
5. Configure base address and IRQ via DIP switches and jumpers.

Configuration Options:
- Base Address (SW1):
- 6‑position DIP switch defines address lines A8–A4.
- Default: 0x2A0.
- Range: 0x200 – 0x3FE.

- Interrupt Level (JP2):
- Selectable IRQ3–IRQ15.
- Default: IRQ15.

- Interrupt Source (JP3):
- EXT IRQ – External trigger.
- EVT IRQ – Event counter trigger.
- TME IRQ – Timer pacer trigger (default).

- Clock Frequency (JP1):
- Selectable frequency scaling: ×2, ×1, ×½, ×¼.
- Default: ×1.

Software Installation (DOS):
1. Insert ADLINK CD.
2. Navigate to `\NuDAQISA\7120`.
3. Run `SETUP` to install library and utilities to `C:\ADLINK\7120\DOS`.

Windows Setup:
- Install ACLS‑DLL1 for Windows 95/98/NT.
- For LabVIEW, install ACLS‑LVIEW package.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Digital I/O Performance:
- 32 inputs and 32 outputs can be accessed in 8‑bit groups.
- Read/write operations via I/O ports BASE+0 – BASE+3.
- Input and output registers mapped to consecutive addresses.
- Supports latched input mode using STROBE signals (CN2 pin 20, CN4 pin 20).

Counter/Timer Performance:
- Six 16‑bit counters (two 8254 chips).
- Counter 0–2: general‑purpose timing and counting.
- Counter 3: event counting with interrupt generation.
- Counters 4–5: cascaded for timer pacer interrupt.
- Clock sources: 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz, or 4 MHz oscillator.
- Adjustable pacer rate:
- Formula: Rate = 4 MHz / (C4 × C5).
- Range: 4 MHz (max) to ~0.0009 Hz (min).

Efficiency & Limitations:
- TTL‑level I/O suitable for low‑power digital control.
- No onboard isolation (requires external ACLD‑9182 for isolation).
- Limited to ISA bus bandwidth and interrupt sharing constraints.
- EOL product – replacement recommended for new designs.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standard: PC‑AT (ISA) electrical and mechanical compliance.
- Logic Standard: TTL/DTL compatible I/O levels.
- Counter Standard: Intel/NEC 8254 programmable interval timer.
- Environmental: Operates within 0–60 °C, 0–90 % RH non‑condensing.
- Regulatory: Manufactured under ADLINK quality system (RSM‑012‑01, Rev 1.1).
- Trademark Notice: NuDAQ and ACL‑7120 are registered trademarks of ADLINK Technology Inc.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard limited warranty: one year from date of purchase.
- Covers defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes damage from misuse, modification, or operation beyond specifications.
- Warranty service requires proof of purchase; return shipping prepaid.

Support & Service:
- Sales & Service: service@adlink.com.tw
- Technical Support (NuDAQ): nudaq@adlink.com.tw
- Software Support: sw@adlink.com.tw
- Telephone: +886‑2‑8226‑5877
- Fax: +886‑2‑8226‑5717

Maintenance:
- Keep card free from dust and moisture.
- Avoid electrostatic discharge during handling.
- Verify jumper and DIP switch settings before power‑up.

Product Lifecycle:
- EOL Publication Date: January 28 2003.
- EOL Number: 20030128‑009.
- Reason for EOL: Material obsolescence and market phase‑out.
- Replacement Models: ACL‑8454 (ISA) or PCI‑8554 (PCI bus).
- Last‑time Buy: No stock remaining; new orders non‑cancelable.

Documentation:
- User’s Guide Rev. 3.13 (April 17 2000).
- Includes installation, signal connection, programming, and specifications.

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### Summary

The ADLINK ACL‑7120/6 is a robust, ISA‑bus digital I/O and counter/timer card designed for industrial control, automation, and measurement applications. It provides 32 TTL digital inputs, 32 TTL digital outputs, and six 16‑bit programmable counters based on the Intel 8254 architecture. The card supports flexible interrupt configurations, multiple clock sources, and a wide range of programmable modes for timing and counting operations.

Its compatibility with Advantech’s PCL‑720 and support for ADLINK’s NuDAQ software ecosystem make it a versatile solution for legacy PC‑based control systems. Although now discontinued, the ACL‑7120/6 remains a reference design for reliable TTL‑level digital interfacing and precise timing control in ISA‑based environments.

Recommended replacements—the ACL‑8454 or PCI‑8554—offer similar functionality on modern bus architectures, ensuring continuity for existing applications transitioning from the ACL‑7120/6 platform.

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End of Product Summary – ADLINK ACL‑7120/6