A USB-connected and -powered data acquisition box with GPL-licensed Linux drivers and firmware, developed at the University of Stirling, UK, is being marketed through the Institute for Neuronal Computational Intelligence and Technology (INCITE), a club that helps university researchers commercialize their… inventions.

(Click for larger view of USB-DUX with D-Type connector)

The USB-DUX is claimed to be the first USB (universal serial bus) based DAQ (data acquisition and control box) for Linux. It targets real-time monitoring and control systems, and comes with a standard D connector. It is optionally available with 14 additional BNC connectors and two K-type thermocouples.

USB-DUX is available with 14 BNC-connectors and two thermocouples

Board dimensions are 5.4 x 3.2 x 0.6 inches (136 x 80 x 15mm), while the boxed unit measures 5.6 x 3.5 x 1.1 inches (144 x 90 x 30mm).

USB-DUX is intended to work under Linux, and its Linux drivers are part of the COMEDI framework, a project to develop open-source drivers, tools, and libraries for data acquisition. The device works well with Labview, according to the project Website.

USB 1.1 is well supported under both 2.4- and 2.6-series kernels. High-speed USB 2.0 is supported well with kernel versions 2.6.4 or greater, and likely under 2.4.26 soon, as well.

USB-DUX is priced at £270 British Pounds, or £490 British Pounds with BNCs and thermocouples, and is available direct from the Linux USB DAQ Website. Resellers and Linux consultants are encouraged to contact the project.

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.