How to transition to the new DAQ970A

The next generation DAQ970A is here! You will want to transition to this new DAQ – here’s what you need to know!

You can sample more signals, faster, with the new DAQ970A:

• Up to 2X improvement in scan rate speed (up to 450 channels/sec)
• Up to 10X improvement in reading rates to I/O interface & memory (up to 5000 readings/sec)
• Up to 55% improvement in resistance measurement accuracy
• Up to 75% improvement in AC voltage measurement accuracy
• Up to 90% improvement for AC current measurement accuracy

Besides measurement speed and accuracy improvements, you get to:

• Measure lower current ranges (1µA DC and 100 µA AC) and higher resistance range (1000 MΩ)
• Measure diode and capacitance (1 nF – 100 µF ranges) on top of all the signal types you can measure similarly with the 34970A and 34972A
• Configure your setups with intuitive LCD screen display and soft keys
• Monitor your measurements with displays in multiple formats (number, bar meter, trend chart, histogram)
• Benefit from reliable and limitless solid-state switching interface multiplexer module, without the mechanical wear and tear
• Have measurement stability and accuracy from built-in auto-calibration that compensates for drifts in the instrument caused by time and temperature change.

The 34970A and 34972A data acquisition systems are very well-established data acquisition / switching systems. The next generation DAQ970A builds on the proven design of the 34970A and 34972A. This blog gives you a high-level overview of the differences between the new DAQ970A and the 34970A/34972A. See Table 1.

Table 1. Key product comparisons between DAQ970A and 34970A/72A.

The DAQ970A is designed to be compatible with the 34970A and 34972A but with a few exceptions. If you are using 34970A and 34972A, your transition to the DAQ970A will be very straightforward. However, here are some key differences between the DAQ970A and 34970A/34972A you need to be aware of:

1. Functions
   1. DAQ970A has a new auto-calibration feature that compensates for drifts in the DMM or on the DAQM907A multifunction module caused by time and temperature change. It’s an improvement over the 34970A and 34972A.
   2. DAQ970A has an intuitive LCD screen and soft keys for easy configuration and measurement display in multiple formats (number, bar meter, trend chart, histogram). Again, it’s an improvement.
   3. DAQ970A has USB data logging and data mirroring capability using the front panel USB host port. Again, it’s an improvement.
2. Measurement Types
   1. On top of all the 11 different input signals like 34970A/34972A, the DAQ970A can measure capacitance and diode turn-on voltage.
   2. The DAQ970A has new measurement types and it translates to new SCPI commands. However, it is still backward compatible with 34970A/34972A existing measurement types.
3. Measurement Ranges
   1. DAQ970A has wider current ranges than 34970A/34972A particularly on
      1. 1 µA range for DC Current
      2. 100 µA, 1 mA ranges for AC Current
   2. DAQ970A has added higher resistance range than 34970A/34972A particularly on 1000 MΩ range for Resistance. Wider ranges but still backward compatible with 34970A and 34972A measurement ranges.
4. Module Interfaces
   1. DAQ970A offers all the modules 34970A/34972A has except for the dual 4 channel RF Mux 75 Ω module
   2. All the modules DAQ970A offers cannot be used on 34970A/34972A mainframe
   3. Vice-versa, all the 34970A/34972A modules cannot be used on DAQ970A mainframe
   4. DAQ970A has a new DAQM900A, 20-channel solid-state switch multiplexer module
   5. DAQ970A also has a newly improved DAQM907A, multifunction module. This module has about ten times accuracy and resolution improvement over its predecessor 34907A. On top of that, it has two additional channels that provide the ability to sense output current when sourcing voltage, or sense output voltage when sourcing current.
5. External Interfaces
   1. DAQ970A does not have a GPIB interface at the initial introduction phase. If for some reason, you cannot use the faster USB or LAN interface that comes with SCPI compatible command interface, you can continue to purchase the 34970A until the DAQ970A with GPIB becomes available.
6. SCPI Programming
   1. DAQ970A’s SCPI command set is designed to be backward compatible with the 34970A and 34972A.
   2. DAQ970A’s SCPI command set is a superset of the 34970A and 34972A because of its additional functions, measurement types and measurement ranges.
   3. However, there are some minor SCPI command behavior differences. They are listed in the migration guide mentioned in the summary of this blog.

Summary

To get even more details on the how to transition to the new DAQ970A, please visit our website (www.keysight.com/find/DAQ970A) and look for our migration guide literature, Comparisons: DAQ970A to 34970A and 34972A, 5992-3306EN. This migration guide provides you details on some minor programming differences.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our Keysight representatives or distribution partners for a product demonstration.

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