High-speed data acquisition made simple with new USB digitiser series

Teledyne SP Devices has extended its 12-bit ADQ3-series digitiser lineup with a powerful new addition: the ADQ3-USB. Designed for high-performance data acquisition in compact, space-constrained environments, the series brings the full capabilities of the ADQ3 platform into a stand-alone USB 3.2 form factor offering up to 10GSPS sampling rate and 2GB/s sustained data transfer to a host PC.

High-speed digitisers are a vital component in analytical and sensing systems such as mass spectrometers, swept-source optical coherence tomography, LiDAR, automated test equipment, and distributed fibre optic sensing platforms. The demand for faster data acquisition in these fields is driven by a wider trend towards higher resolution, faster imaging speeds, and more granular real-time analysis. These use cases generate gigabytes of data per second, demanding efficient real-time processing and high-speed data transfer. To maintain signal integrity, particularly in compact and noise-sensitive environments, it is often vital to place the digitiser close to the detector within the system enclosure.

The series is housed in a robust, fanless enclosure that supports side-by-side mounting of two units in a standard 1U 19" rack. This compact design enables users to place the digitiser close to the detector, minimising cable length and lowering signal reflections, an essential factor for optimising analogue performance in high-speed applications.

It supports continuous data streaming at up to 2GB/s via USB 3.2, with onboard FPGA capabilities for real-time signal processing. Even large volumes of raw data up to 20GB/s can be efficiently decreased and transferred without bottlenecks. By eliminating the need for PCIe slots, the series facilitates rapid and straightforward integration with mini-PCs and laptops, making it well-suited for mobile setups, embedded systems, and OEM applications.

One of the standout features of the series is its support for multiple firmware packages tailored to specific application needs, including:

• FWDAQ for standard data acquisition
• FWATD for waveform averaging
• FWPD for pulse detection
• DEVDAQ for custom FPGA development

The open FPGA architecture enables users to implement application-specific algorithms directly on the digitiser, decreasing the need for post-processing and enabling real-time decision-making.

The company positions the series for OEM integration, with ISO-certified production, global support, and tailored engineering services for hardware and firmware modifications.

The device is compatible with a wide range of digitiser models within the ADQ3 series, including ADQ30, ADQ32, ADQ33, and ADQ35. Each model offers different sampling rates, bandwidths, and channel configurations. For example, the ADQ32-USB offers 2.5GSPS sampling and 2.5GHz bandwidth, while the ADQ35-USB supports up to 10GSPS for ultra-fast applications.

The ADQ3-USB digitiser series represents a notable step in high-speed data acquisition technology. With its compact design, FPGA capabilities, and flexible integration options, it supports the development of faster and more efficient systems across laboratory, field, and production environments.