QMC350: 20-Channel 16-bit 1 MSPS Analog Input QMC Module

The QMC350 expands the Acromag embedded I/O portfolio with a high-resolution multichannel analog acquisition function in the compact VITA 93 QMC form factor.

The module provides 20 analog inputs supporting single-ended and differential signal configurations.

Every input has its own dedicated 16-bit analog-to-digital converter, allowing all twenty channels to be sampled simultaneously at up to 1 MSPS per channel.

This parallel acquisition scheme is particularly valuable when timing relationships between multiple analog signals need to be preserved.

Dedicated 16-bit ADC on every channel

The QMC350 uses a parallel conversion architecture with one 16-bit ADC per input channel.

All twenty channels support 1 MHz / 1 MSPS simultaneous sampling, with:

• 550 ns conversion time;
• 450 ns acquisition time.

This allows multiple signals to be digitized at the same instant instead of sequentially through a shared multiplexed converter.

Typical applications include multichannel sensor acquisition, embedded instrumentation, test systems and analog signal processing.

12 software-selectable voltage ranges per channel

Each analog input can be configured individually through software.

Bipolar single-ended ranges

• ±2.5 V
• ±5 V
• ±6.25 V
• ±10 V
• ±12.5 V

Unipolar single-ended ranges

• 0 to 5 V
• 0 to 10 V
• 0 to 12.5 V

Bipolar differential ranges

• ±5 V
• ±10 V
• ±12.5 V
• ±20 V

Different channels can therefore be matched to different signal amplitudes without forcing one common input range across the entire module.

Differential or single-ended acquisition

The QMC350 supports 20 differential or single-ended analog inputs.

Differential configurations extend up to ±20 V.

All channels provide 1 MΩ input impedance and a ±21 V input clamp.

This flexibility supports a wide variety of sensor and analog-signal acquisition requirements within industrial systems and embedded computing platforms.

25 kHz or 220 kHz bandwidth options

Two bandwidth options are available: 25 kHz and 220 kHz.

This allows the analog front end to be selected according to the frequency content of the signals being acquired.

The appropriate option therefore depends on the required signal bandwidth, noise environment and measurement dynamics.

Simultaneous sampling with software calibration

The QMC350 supports software calibration of system gain, offset and phase.

Calibration coefficients are stored locally on the module.

Typical full-scale system accuracy is:

• ±5 LSB for bipolar ranges;
• ±15 LSB for unipolar ranges.

This calibration capability helps control channel-to-channel measurement differences in multichannel acquisition systems.

Digital filtering and oversampling

Flexible digital filtering supports different acquisition requirements.

Published dynamic-performance figures include:

• 92 dB typical SNR for the ±20 V bipolar differential range;
• 95 dB SNR with ×32 oversampling;
• -100 dB typical THD for the other ranges.

These resources allow acquisition performance to be balanced against noise and effective signal bandwidth.

16K-sample FIFO buffer

The QMC350 integrates a 16K-sample FIFO buffer.

This local memory helps manage data flow between the simultaneous ADC channels and the host system, particularly when multiple channels are operating at high sample rates.

PCI Express Gen2 x4 host interface

Communication with the carrier uses PCI Express Base Specification Revision 2.1.

The interface provides:

• 4 PCIe lanes in each direction;
• Generation 2 operation;
• 5 Gbps per lane physical bus speed.

This x4 interface provides the bandwidth required to transfer multichannel acquisition data to the host platform.

AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA

The QMC350 integrates an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA between the analog converters and PCIe host interface.

The FPGA is combined with QSPI Flash and module EEPROM resources.

It handles digital module functions and the movement of acquired data within the compact QMC platform.

VITA 93 for SWaP-C constrained systems

The QMC350 uses the VITA 93 QMC standard.

A single-width module measures only: 78.25 × 26 × 11 mm and weighs 13.26 g.

Separate 80-pin connectors provide:

• host PCIe connectivity;
• field I/O connectivity.

The compact footprint enables multiple QMC functions to be installed on a single carrier, making the format particularly relevant to systems with strict Size, Weight, Power and Cost – SWaP-C constraints.

QMC carrier platforms can include PCIe, VPX, CompactPCI and VNX+, depending on the selected carrier.

IPMI-ready module management

The module EEPROM stores hardware information and sensor data.

A smart carrier equipped with an IPMC controller can access this information through I²C, enabling integration into systems with IPMI-based management capabilities.

Air- and conduction-cooled versions

The QMC350 Series is available as two primary ordering variants:

• The QMC351 air-cooled version operates from 0 to +70°C with 200 LFM airflow.
• The QMC352 conduction-cooled version operates from -40 to +85°C.
• Storage temperature is -55 to +125°C, with 5–95% non-condensing relative humidity.

Windows, Linux and VxWorks software support

The QMC350 is supported by the USW-API Universal Embedded Design Suite.

Supported operating systems include:

• Windows;
• Linux;
• VxWorks.

Building a complete QMC acquisition platform

The QMC350 provides the analog acquisition function, while a compatible QMC carrier connects it to the final host system.

Depending on the platform, carriers can bring QMC functionality into PCIe, VPX, CompactPCI, VNX+ or other VITA 93-compatible systems.

ECRIN Systems can combine the QMC350 with the appropriate carrier and host platform as part of a COTS or Modified COTS solution.

For systems combining analog acquisition, digital I/O and serial communications, production and system integration can address the complete QMC configuration and host platform.