8/8/8 kits, USB and power supply
Hi,
Two questions from a phidgets newbie:
1) I want to hookup three 8/8/8 kits to my PC (I need to process some 16+ analog inputs from my simulator). Can I use the USB HUB to connect the 3 boards to eachother, having only one USB cable to my PC, or do I need a PC with 3 USB ports?
2) I've read somewhere that I need a power supply when using more than one 8/8/8 kit. Is the power distributed from one "powered" 8/8/8 kit to the others via USB, or do I have to power them all separately?
Thanks in advance,
Target.
Re: 8/8/8 kits, USB and power supply
Target,
I am pretty sure you will need 2X 6V power supplies. Basically, any of the Phidgets interfaces do not need a power supply unless they also feed another card.
So, in your case:
1st card: Power supply + 2 USB cables- One cable going to 2nd card and one going to PC
2nd card: Power supply + 2 USB cables - One cable going to 3rd card and one coming from 1st card
3rd card: No Power supply needed - One USB cable coming from the second card
You don't have to worry about overloading the USB output on the PC. If it is asked to supply more current that it can, it simply shuts off and you need to reset by cycling the power on & off. As far as the PC is concerned, it is only supplying one output and this should not overload the USB port.
An alternative is that you can use a powered USB Hub, connect all your cards to it and one connection to the PC. Would also work but more expensive & not really needed.
Maurice