Comprehensive Product Summary – ADLINK ACL‑7120A/6 Digital I/O & Counter Card

---

### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: ACL‑7120A/6
Model: ACL‑7120A/6 (also referred to as ACL‑7120/6)
Series: NuDAQ ISA Digital I/O & Counter Card Series
Article Number: 91‑11003‑201
Manufacturer: ADLINK Technology Inc.
Manufacturer Address: 9F, No.166 Jian Yi Road, Chungho City, Taipei 235, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Website: [www.adlinktech.com](http://www.adlinktech.com)
Telephone: +886‑2‑8226‑5877
Fax: +886‑2‑8226‑5717 / +886‑2‑8226‑5729 (Sales)

Product Status: End‑of‑Life (EOL)
EOL Notification No.: 20030128‑009
EOL Publication Date: January 28, 2003
Reason for EOL: Material phase‑out, replacement by newer products, and market transition.
Suggested Replacement Models: ACL‑8454, PCI‑8554

Product Type: 32/32‑channel TTL Digital Input/Output (DIO) and Counter/Timer AT‑bus card.
Compatibility: Fully hardware and software compatible with Advantech PCL‑720.

---

### 2. Key Features

- Digital I/O Channels:
- 32 TTL digital input channels
- 32 TTL digital output channels
- TTL/DTL compatible logic levels
- High output drive capability and low input loading

- Counter/Timer Capabilities:
- Six independent 16‑bit programmable counters (Intel/NEC 8254 architecture)
- One 32‑bit timer (two cascaded 16‑bit counters) with a 4 MHz time base
- One additional 16‑bit counter with a 4 MHz time base
- On‑board crystal‑based frequency sources: 10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz
- Frequency scaling via jumpers: ×2, ÷2, ÷4
- Supports six programmable counter modes (Mode 0–5)

- Interrupt and Event Handling:
- Supports IRQ3–IRQ15 (AT bus interrupt levels)
- Selectable interrupt trigger sources: Timer Pacer, Event Counter, or External Source
- Event counting and periodic interrupt generation supported

- Hardware Compatibility:
- Register‑level compatibility with Advantech PCL‑720
- Breadboard area for user‑defined circuitry and prototyping
- Five 20‑pin IDC connectors for I/O and counter interfacing

- Software Support:
- DOS library and utilities included
- Optional Windows libraries: ACLS‑DLL1 (for VB, VC/C++, Delphi) and ACLS‑LVIEW (for LabVIEW integration)
- Supports programming in BASIC, C, Pascal, and Assembly

- Environmental and Mechanical:
- Operating temperature: 0 °C – 60 °C
- Humidity: 0 – 90 % non‑condensing
- Compact AT‑bus form factor

---

### 3. Technical Specifications

General Specifications:
- Bus Interface: PC‑AT (ISA) bus
- I/O Port Address Range: 0x200 – 0x3F8 (8 bytes used)
- Default Base Address: 0x2A0
- Interrupt Levels: IRQ3 – IRQ15 selectable via jumper JP2
- Dimensions: 194 mm × 114 mm (approx. 19.3 cm × 10.3 cm)
- Connectors: Five 20‑pin IDC headers (CN1–CN5)
- Mounting: Standard ISA slot

Digital Input:
- Logic Low Voltage: –0.5 V (min) to 0.8 V (max)
- Logic High Voltage: 2.0 V (min) to 5.0 V (max)
- Input Loading Current: ≤ 0.2 mA @ 0.4 V
- Input Hysteresis: Typical 0.4 V (min 0.2 V)

Digital Output:
- Logic Low (Sink): ≤ 0.5 V @ 24 mA
- Logic High (Source): ≤ 0.4 V @ 12 mA
- Drive Capability: 1 standard TTL load (74 series) or 4 LSTTL loads (74LS series)

Programmable Counter:
- Counter Chips: Intel/NEC 8254 or 8253
- Frequency Base: 4 MHz
- Counters: 6 × 16‑bit (Counter 0–5)
- Modes: 6 programmable modes (0–5)
- Usable Pins: CLK and GATE for Counter 0–3
- Counter Usage:
- Counter 0–2: User‑programmable
- Counter 3: Event counting and interrupt source
- Counter 4–5: Cascaded for timer pacer generation

Environmental:
- Operating Temperature: 0 °C – 60 °C
- Relative Humidity: 0 – 90 % (non‑condensing)

Physical Construction:
- PCB with plated‑through holes for breadboard area (0.036 in holes on 0.1 in centers)
- SMD components for reliability

---

### 4. Functionality

Operational Overview:
The ACL‑7120A/6 provides 32 digital input and 32 digital output channels for TTL/DTL logic interfacing. It integrates six 16‑bit programmable counters and one 32‑bit timer for timing, counting, and waveform generation tasks. The card communicates through the ISA bus and occupies 16 consecutive I/O addresses.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial and laboratory ON/OFF control
- Energy management and automation systems
- Security and annunciation controllers
- Product testing and quality assurance systems
- Period and pulse‑width measurement
- Event and frequency counting
- Waveform and pulse generation
- BCD interface driving

Compatibility:
- Hardware and register‑level compatible with Advantech PCL‑720
- Supports external daughterboards:
- ACLD‑9182: 16‑channel opto‑isolated digital input board
- ACLD‑9185: 16‑channel relay output board

Software Integration:
- DOS‑based library and utilities for direct I/O programming
- Windows support via ACLS‑DLL1 (DLL library) and ACLS‑LVIEW (LabVIEW VIs)
- Compatible with high‑level languages (C, BASIC, Pascal) and assembly

---

### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ACL‑7120A/6 Digital I/O & Counter Card
- ADLINK CD containing DOS library, utilities, and documentation
- Printed User’s Manual

Optional Accessories:
- ACLD‑9182: Opto‑isolated input daughterboard (16 channels)
- ACLD‑9185: Relay output daughterboard (16 channels)
- Flat‑ribbon cables for CN1–CN5 connectors

Connectors:
- CN1: Digital Outputs 0–15
- CN2: Digital Inputs 0–15 (+ STROBE 0)
- CN3: Digital Outputs 16–31
- CN4: Digital Inputs 16–31 (+ STROBE 1)
- CN5: Counter/Timer signals (CLK, GATE, OUT, EVENT, EXT IRQ)

---

### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM‑PC/AT or compatible system with available ISA slot
- DOS or Windows 95/98/NT operating environment

Installation Steps:
1. Power off the PC and discharge static electricity.
2. Insert the ACL‑7120A/6 into an available ISA slot.
3. Secure the card and connect required flat cables to CN1–CN5.
4. Configure base address and interrupt settings via DIP switch SW1 and jumpers JP2/JP3.
5. Install software libraries from the ADLINK CD.

Base Address Configuration:
- DIP switch SW1 (6 positions) defines base address (0x200–0x3FE).
- Default base address: 0x2A0.

Interrupt Configuration:
- JP2 selects IRQ level (IRQ3–IRQ15). Default: IRQ15.
- JP3 selects interrupt trigger source:
- EXT IRQ: External source
- EVT IRQ: Event counter
- TME IRQ: Timer pacer (default)

Clock Frequency Selection (JP1):
- On‑board frequency sources: 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz
- Frequency scaling options: ×2, ×½, ×¼

Software Installation:
- DOS Library: Install via `SETUP` from CD path `\NuDAQISA\7120`.
- Windows Library: Install ACLS‑DLL1 or ACLS‑LVIEW (licensed).

---

### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Digital I/O Performance:
- Fast TTL‑level switching suitable for real‑time control.
- Low input current ensures minimal loading on external circuits.
- Output drive supports multiple TTL loads.

Counter/Timer Performance:
- 4 MHz base clock for high‑speed counting and timing.
- Programmable modes (0–5) for flexible operation:
- Mode 0: Interrupt on terminal count
- Mode 1: Programmable one‑shot
- Mode 2: Rate generator
- Mode 3: Square‑wave generator
- Mode 4: Software‑triggered strobe
- Mode 5: Hardware‑triggered strobe
- Cascaded counters (Counter 4 + 5) provide extended 32‑bit timing range.
- Pacer rate formula: 4 MHz / (C4 × C5)
- Max rate: 4 MHz
- Min rate: ≈ 4 MHz / (65,535²)

Input Latching:
- STROBE signal (CN2 pin 20, CN4 pin 20) allows input data latching.
- High = transparent (real‑time input)
- High→Low = latched (data held until STROBE returns high)

Limitations:
- ISA bus bandwidth limits data throughput compared to PCI‑based successors.
- EOL status—no longer in production; limited availability.

---

### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standard: ISA (PC‑AT)
- Logic Standard: TTL/DTL compatible
- Electrical Safety: Designed for low‑voltage digital interfacing
- Environmental Compliance: Operating 0–60 °C, 0–90 % RH
- Software Interface Standards: Compatible with Windows 95/98/NT and DOS environments
- Regulatory Compliance: Manufactured under ADLINK quality system (RSM‑012‑01, Rev 1.1)

---

### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Standard limited warranty: 1 year from confirmed purchase date.
- Coverage: Defects in materials and workmanship.
- Exclusions: Damage from misuse, modification, or operation beyond specifications.
- Remedy: Repair or replacement at ADLINK’s discretion.
- Return Policy: Products must be securely packaged and shipped prepaid.

Support & Service Contacts:
- Sales & Service: service@adlink.com.tw
- Technical Support (NuDAQ): nudaq@adlink.com.tw
- Software Support: sw@adlink.com.tw
- Telephone: +886‑2‑8226‑5877
- Fax: +886‑2‑8226‑5717

Maintenance:
- Periodic inspection for connector integrity and dust removal recommended.
- Avoid electrostatic discharge during handling.
- Store in anti‑static packaging when not in use.

Product Lifecycle:
- EOL announced January 28, 2003.
- No remaining stock; new orders non‑cancelable.
- Replacement models: ACL‑8454 (ISA successor) and PCI‑8554 (PCI version).

Documentation:
- User’s Guide Rev 3.13 (April 17, 2000)
- Includes installation, signal connection, and programming details.

---

### Summary

The ADLINK ACL‑7120A/6 is a robust, high‑performance 32‑input/32‑output TTL digital I/O and counter/timer card designed for PC‑AT (ISA) systems. It integrates six 16‑bit programmable counters and one 32‑bit timer, offering flexible timing, counting, and waveform generation capabilities. With full compatibility to Advantech’s PCL‑720, it serves as a versatile solution for industrial automation, laboratory control, and data acquisition applications.

The card’s design emphasizes flexibility—featuring configurable base addresses, selectable interrupt sources, and multiple on‑board frequency options. Its software ecosystem supports both DOS and Windows environments, enabling integration with high‑level programming languages and LabVIEW.

Although now discontinued, the ACL‑7120A/6 remains a technically significant product in ADLINK’s NuDAQ series, exemplifying reliable TTL‑level digital interfacing and precise counter/timer control for legacy ISA‑based systems.