Description

The AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC is a high-performance PCIe data acquisition (DAQ) digitizer module engineered for demanding real-time signal capture and processing applications. Developed by Acqiris (later integrated into Keysight Technologies’ portfolio), the AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC combines high-speed analog-to-digital conversion with onboard FPGA-based preprocessing to enable low-latency, high-bandwidth data streaming directly to host memory. Positioned within Acqiris’ AL-series of modular instruments, this card is widely used in advanced test systems requiring precise timing, multi-channel synchronization, and sustained data throughput—such as radar prototyping, medical ultrasound imaging, non-destructive testing, and communications research.

As a native PCIe x4 Gen2 device, the AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC leverages direct memory access (DMA) to achieve sustained transfer rates exceeding 1.2 GB/s, eliminating bottlenecks common in USB or Ethernet-based DAQ systems. The AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC supports up to 8 fully independent input channels (configurable via daughterboards), each capable of sampling at 125 MS/s with 14-bit resolution, enabling accurate reconstruction of signals up to 500 MHz in bandwidth. Its tight channel-to-channel skew (<10>

AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

Ultra-low latency with FPGA-accelerated data path: The AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC features a Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGA that handles real-time data packing, triggering logic, and optional preprocessing (e.g., filtering, decimation) before streaming to host RAM. This reduces CPU overhead and enables deterministic response times critical for closed-loop control or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation.

Multi-channel phase coherence for advanced sensing: With sub-10-picosecond channel-to-channel skew and support for shared external clocks across multiple AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC cards, the system can scale to 32+ synchronized channels—ideal for MIMO radar, antenna calibration, or acoustic beamforming arrays. All channels maintain matched gain and offset within tight tolerances, ensuring measurement integrity.

Sustained high-throughput streaming without gaps: Unlike many DAQ cards that rely on small internal buffers, the AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC uses scatter-gather DMA to stream continuous data directly into PC memory at >1 GB/s. This enables hour-long captures of high-bandwidth signals—essential for fault detection in rotating machinery or long-duration RF monitoring.

Flexible software ecosystem accelerates deployment: The AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC ships with comprehensive drivers and APIs for major scientific computing environments. Users can prototype in MATLAB or Python and later deploy optimized C code—all while leveraging the same hardware. Optional FPGA firmware customization allows embedding proprietary algorithms directly on the card, reducing post-processing load.

Application Field

The AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC excels in R&D and production test environments where signal fidelity, timing precision, and data throughput are paramount. In defense electronics, it is used to capture and analyze wideband radar pulses, electronic warfare (EW) signals, and satellite communications, often integrated into PXIe or custom rackmount systems for field-deployable test sets. Its ability to timestamp events with nanosecond accuracy supports forensic signal analysis and threat identification.

In medical imaging research, the AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC digitizes raw RF echoes from ultrasound transducer arrays, enabling real-time beamforming and tissue characterization. Similarly, in non-destructive evaluation (NDE), it captures ultrasonic waveforms reflected from composite materials or weld seams, with onboard processing used to detect micro-cracks or delamination.

Academic and industrial labs leverage the AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC for quantum computing readout, particle physics experiments, and power electronics validation—anywhere high dynamic range and precise time alignment matter. Even in industrial automation, it serves as a high-end diagnostic tool for motor drive harmonics, bearing resonance, or EMI compliance testing. The AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC bridges the gap between oscilloscope convenience and embedded system scalability.

AL81G ACQUISITIONLOGIC

Related Products

AL111G ACQUISITIONLOGIC: Single-channel 5 GS/s, 10-bit ultra-high-speed variant for transient capture
AP240 ACQUISITIONLOGIC: Older PCI-based digitizer, predecessor to AL-series (lower bandwidth)
U1084A Keysight: Successor platform with higher integration and PCIe Gen3 support
M9703B Keysight AXIe: Modular digitizer for large-scale synchronized systems (AXIe form factor)
NI PXIe-5171R: National Instruments FPGA digitizer with similar capabilities (LabVIEW-centric)
Spectrum M4i.4450-x8: Competitive PCIe digitizer with 500 MS/s, 14-bit performance
AL82G ACQUISITIONLOGIC: Dual-slot version with enhanced memory and dual-FPGA architecture
Acqiris DP111: Companion digital pattern generator for stimulus-response testing