Timing and Coordination: LC880 8-Channel Programmable Logic Controller

LabSmith's LC880 coordinates, integrates and synchronizes complicated physical experiments, simply and affordably. With 8 timing channels, logic integration, unique timing modes and 10 ns resolution, the LC880 outperforms a rack full of digtal delay generators, gates, timers, filters and cables, all for the price of a single delay.

• Complete toolkit for timing and triggering experiments
• 8 channels of agile digital delays, timers, and clocks
• Sophisitcated logic, gating and filtering
• Windows- or LabView-based programming and operation
• 10ns resolution and 100ps accuracy
• Field-updatable software and firmware

The LC880 consists of both ground-breaking software and a programmable hardware controller. Trigger(tm) experimental design software makes it easy to create sophisticated control schemes from a PC, with a built-in compiler that can accept C-style assignments and operations.

The LC880 hardware controller can function as part of a computer-based control system using Trigger or LabView, or it can operate in stand-alone mode. With the LC880 linked to your computer, you'll quickly program, refine and expand experiments. Using stand-alone mode, you can store and recall up to 64 complete settings, then trigger and monitor an experiment from the LC880 front panel. You'll have the flexibility to design experiments offline, then to embed the controller in your test environment for "set and forget" operation. Drift Compensation mode offers automatic, closed loop timing compensation for maintaining extremely high laser accuracy, run after run.

A Rack Full of TIming in a Single Box

With a single LC880 you can synchronize cameras, lasers, shutters, choppers, solenoids, igniters, etc. Each of the eight logic channel can operate as a clock, digital delay, delayed trigger, counter, and more, all with 10 ns resolution and programmable trigger logic.

What's more, the LC880 brings you functions that are simply not available elsewhere. "Dynamic delay triggering" lets you reliably capture elusive phenomena, basing its delay time on a real-time measurement. This unique mode lets you control uncertain timing situations, such as synchronizing a flash to a passing projectile, or timing the spark in a cyclic combustion system. Another mode, false-trigger suppression, helps tame noisy signals and prevents unwanted triggering in sub-optimal environments. You can even employ safety interlocks and switches to toggle between operating modes (free-run, single-shot, calibration), all without jumper cables or external logic.

LC880 architecture (click to view larger version)

The LC880 goes far beyond the functions of a digital delay generator, pulse generator, logic delay or logic controller, integrating all of these functions and more in a single unit. The LC880 is field proven daily in gas dynamics, fluid flow, and material science experiments at national research facilities and major universities worldwide. In applications from gas dynamics to fracture mechanics, the LC880 is earning its place among function generators, oscilloscopes and power supplies as an indispensable lab tool.

Timing Application Notes
Timing Support and Downloads
Timing FAQ
LC220 2-Channel Programmable Logic Controller
TT1680 16-Channel Programmable Logic Controller
Request a Quote