process control electronics, typical specifications


Process control systems are centered on a Raspberry Pi 4,5 single board computer.  Smaller systems  attach directly to the Pi's 40 pin IDC header, in the style of a "hat".   

These controller boards work at voltage levels of a few volts.  However we go to higher current or voltage with external add-on electronic boards, to match a variety of standard industrial interfaces (e.g. Opto22).   Typical data acquisition IC's include:  AD5592, LTC2418.

Smaller system, configured as a "hat" for a Raspberry Pi: 

o analog digital converters  

    10K sample/sec AD5592, 12 bit, up to five differential ADC inputs, buffered by an instrumentation amplifier INA821

        1 sample/sec  LTC2418, 24 bit, up to ten single ended or 5 differential ADC inputs, software configurable

o digital to analog converters

1 KHz AD5592, 12 bit, one operational amplifier buffered digital-to-analog converter output

multiple ways to configure six low current dac outputs

o general purpose digital input and output

Six digital inputs, 2 digital outputs, each buffered for higher current and isolation (74HCT645).


Larger system:  (RAS_1021_Controller_sensor_tests)

o analog to digital converters

10K samples/sec AD5592, 12 bit, qty 8 ADC inputs, typical few volts unipolar input, op amp buffered

1 sample/sec LTC2418 24 bit, 24 channels of ADC input, software configurable for few volts single ended or differential input, input over voltage, electrostatic  protected for use in harsh signal conditions.

o digital to analog converters 

1Hz AD5592, 12 bit, qty 5 high current buffered, analog outputs

general purpose digital inputs and outputs, all buffered or over voltage protected

Qty 24 digital inputs, qty 15 digital outputs. 


A very basic design example: LTC2418, 24 bit ADC: 

typical python code

raspberry pi hat, circuit board mounted on top of single board computer