QSB Quadrature to USB Adapter
QSB Features
- Low-cost, easy-to-use USB (Type A) adapter
- QSB-S and QSB-D designed for basic testing of incremental, PWM and analog encoders without use of an oscilloscope
- Reads quadrature count rate up to 6 MHz
- USB port provides power for adapter and connected encoder
- QSB-M features four analog and four digital I/O pins and 1 channel stepper motor control
- Free downloadable software works with Windows and Linux
See more info below
Configure the QSB
QSB Product Description
The QSB is a low cost USB data acquisition device. The QSB-S and QSB-D count quadrature and index signals from incremental, PWM and analog encoders. The QSB-M provides digital I/O and act as 1 channel a stepper/motor controller.
- QSB-S - One single-ended quadrature, PWM or Analog encoder interface
- QSB-D - One differential quadrature encoder interface and 1-bit of digital I/O
- QSB-M - One single-ended quadrature, PWM or Analog encoder interface; 4-bits of digital I/O or 2-bits of digital I/O and 1 channel stepper motor control (step/direction)
The QSB plugs into any USB (Type A) port on a Windows or Linux machine and is bus powered. US Digital provides free software, examples and documentation needed to use the QSB. The QSB appears as a COM serial port to the PC, so any application that can read/write the COM port can be used to control the QSB.
The QSB-S and QSB-D can be used with the “QuickCheck” app to quickly verify the CPR of an encoder with index.
WARNING: This product can cause exposure to substances, such as phthalate plasticizers, known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information, go to oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65.
Product Specifications
View here or download the specifications
Environmental
| Parameter | Min. | Max. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | 0 | 70 | C |
Electrical
Parameter |
Min. |
Typ. |
Max. |
Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply Voltage (1) | 4.75 | 5.00 | 5.25 | V |
| Supply Current (QSB device only) | 52 | mA | ||
| Supply Current (External devices) (2) | 450 | mA |
(1) Voltage is regulated by USB port
(2) USB port capable of supplying 500mA maximum
Pin-outs
QSB-S Pinout
| Pin | 5-Pin Connector |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ground |
| 2 | Index |
| 3 | A Channel or EAN0 or PWM0 |
| 4 | +5 Volts |
| 5 | B Channel |
- Pin 3 EAN0 is an A/D input designed for the MAE3-A10 and MA3-A10 analog output encoders. It can be used as a generic 10-bit A/D input (0-5V range).
- Pin 3 PWM0 is a pulse width modulation input designed for the 10 or 12 bit PWM output of the MA3/MAE3 encoders.
QSB-D, QSB-M Pinout
| Pin | 10-pin Connector QSB-D | 10-pin Connector QSB-M |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital I/O Channel 0 |
Digital I/O Channel 0 |
| 2 | Ground | Ground |
| 3 | Index- | Digital I/O Channel 1 or Motor Step |
| 4 | Index+ | Index |
| 5 | A- | Digital I/O Channel 2 or Motor Direction |
| 6 | A+ or EAN0 or PWM0 | A or EAN0 or PWM0 |
| 7 | +5 Volts | +5 Volts |
| 8 | No connection | +5 Volts |
| 9 | B- | Digital I/O Channel 3 |
| 10 | B+ | B |
Notes:
- Pin 6 EAN0 is an A/D input designed for the MAE3-A10 and MA3-A10 analog output encoders. It can be used as a generic 10-bit A/D input (0-5V range).
- Pin 6 PWM0 is a pulse width modulation input designed for the 10 or 12 bit PWM output of the MA3/MAE3 encoders.
Encoder Interface (QSB-D, QSB-M, QSB-S only)
| PARAMETER | MIN. | TYP. | MAX. | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadurature Encoder Input Frequency | 0 | 6 | MHz | |
| PWM Encoder Input Frequency (1) | 250 | 1000 | Hz | |
| Encoder Single-Ended Interface | ||||
| -Low Input | -0.5 | 2.1 | V | |
| -High Input | 2.8 | 5.5 | V | |
| Encoder Differental Interface | 200 | 5 | mV | |
| -Differential Voltage | 0 | 5.5 | V | |
| -Common Mode Voltage | -0.5 | V | ||
| -Input Voltage Range | ||||
| Analog Encoder Input | ||||
| -Voltage Range | 0 | 6.3 | 5 | V |
| -DC Input resistance | 4.8 | 9 | kOhm | |
| -Bandwidth | 0 | 3000 | Hz |
(1): The PWM mode is designed specifically to operate with US Digital's MA3/MAE3.
Digital I/O (all variants)
Parameter |
Min. |
Typ. |
Max. |
Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Input Voltage | 0 | 5 | 24.5 | V |
| Positive-going Input Voltage Threshold (Vin+) | 1.5 | 2.5 | V | |
| Negative-going Input Voltage Threshold (Vin-) | 0.83 | 1.82 | V | |
| Input Voltage Hysteresis (Vin+ - Vin-) | 0.33 | 1.1 | V | |
| Digital High Output Voltage (Note 1) | 4.5 | 4.7 | 5.0 | V |
| Digital Low Output Voltage (Note 1) | 0 | 0 | V |
Note 1: Output can be externally pulled up to 24V. Open drain MOSFET pulldown capabile of 1.0 A max. continuous current. See digital output port circuits below. When driving inductive loads, add an external diode to protect the QSB from damage caused by large voltage transients.
Digital Input Port Circuit:
Digital Output Port Circuit:
Stepper motor control (QSB-M only)
The speed and direction of a single stepper motor can be controlled using the QSB-M in conjunction with a stepper motor driver, such as the US Digital MD3. Two of the four digital I/O port pins can be configured to have motor step/direction functionality or normal digital I/O.
See the QSB Command List document for detailed information on the QSB's motor control commands.
Command Interface
See the QSB Command List document for detailed information on the commands.
Software Field Upgrade
The QSB firmware can be easily upgraded using the "QSB Firmware Updater" program that is available on the QSB Software page. There may be periodic upgrades to the QSB firmware that can be loaded as needed by a customer. The firmware upgrades typically take less than 30 seconds.
Product Change Notifications
| Title | Date | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCN 6938 - QSB Product Marking | 2/17/2020 |
This PCN is a formal notification that US Digital is implementing a product marking change for the Quadrature to USB Adapter series of products. The new marking will be used across all models, including the QSB-S, QSB-D and QSB-M. The new marking is designed to improve readability for customers while the device is plugged into a computer and to include the CE mark. US Digital recently added the CE mark to the QSB series, meaning these products are now available to ship worldwide. |
Download |
| PCN 4464 - CE - RoHS | 6/30/2014 |
US Digital is aware of the increasing attention to world-wide environmental regulations, specifically with regard to the need for hazardous substance restrictions in electronic components and systems. As of July 10th, 2014 US Digital will now be CE Marking certain products inline with compliance under RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU). In order to achieve RoHS Compliance, the products will not contain more than the acceptable levels of the listed restricted substances within the RoHS 2011/65/EU directive. Part Numbers Affected:
For the part numbers listed above, US Digital cannot confirm that they meet Low-Voltage and EMC Directives and for that reason US Digital cannot support shipping those products / product families into the CE required countries (For Example countries in the EU). Those products can still be shipped to Non-CE required countries with a Statement of Material Conformance to the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, in place of a RoHS Compliance Declaration. |
Download |
Additional Information
Product Notes
- Cables and connectors are not included and must be ordered separately.
- US Digital® warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for two years. See complete warranty for details.
Downloads Available
DATASHEETS
GUIDES AND ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
SOFTWARE
3D Model Downloads
Please configure your product first to download a 3D model.
(Note: The formats below will become links if there are 3D models available.)
- SolidWorks format
- IGES format
- Parasolid format
- STEP format
Related Products & Accessories
The following are related products for the QSB
Product Configurator
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