The ITC-18 is an external rack-mountable data acquisition unit that is attached to the computer using a dedicated host interface. A major advantage of this design is the capability to use the analog front end (ITC-18 or EPC-10Plus) with a variety of available host interfaces. Most data acquisition devices are printed circuit boards installed directly into the computer. These devices become obsolete with the computer platform that they are attached to. Moving the ITC-18 from one computer platform to another is a simple matter of using the appropriate host interface, and installing compatible software. Utilizing the same hardware when changing computer platforms provides a cost effective upgrade path to newer computer technologies without sacrificing your initial investment

In keeping with this design philosophy InstruTECH has developed new host interfaces for the ITC-18 and EPC-10Plus.

Apple has once again changed the PCI bus on their Power Mac G5 desktop computers. The latest release, as of November 2005, use’s a PCI Express bus architecture. The PCI Express bus IS NOT compatible with either the PCI-18 or the PCI-18V3 host interface. The only host interface choice would be the USB-18. This would also be true for iMAC G5, MAC mini and laptop computers. The new Intel based Mac computers will also use the PCI Express bus architecture.

Power Mac G5 computers before November 2005, used a 3.3 Volt PCI /PCI-X bus architecture. For these systems either the PCI-18V3 or the USB-18 host interface would be required.

There are many PC computers manufactures, which makes it impossible for us to know the exact bus architecture that is currently available. Many as still supporting the original PCI bus, some are using a mixed PCI bus scheme and others have adopted the new PCI Express standard. Please check the exact bus specifications of your particular system before selecting a host interface.

USB2.0 comes in three speed settings. The USB-18 requires a high-speed (480Mbps) connection. Most newer computer systems are supplied with multiple USB2.0 ports but only some of these ports are configured for high-speed operation. The USB-18 will work on the slower ports but the transfer rates will be greatly affected.

If your computer system does not have high-speed USB2.0 ports then a USB2.0 adapter may be used. These adapters are available in many different bus configurations (PCI, PC Slot, etc).

PCI-18
	The PCI-18 host interface card is a short form factor, 32-bit, 33 MHz 5 Volt PCI bus plug in card. The PCI-18 is compatible with Apple, PC, and other computer systems that feature a 5 Volt PCI Bus. Please note that the PCI-18 can only be physically connected to a 5 Volt or Universal PCI bus connector.
PCI-18V3
	The PCI-18V3 host interface card is a short form factor, 32-bit, 33 MHz, 3.3 Volt PCI bus plug in card. The PCI-18V3 is compatible with Apple G5, PC, and other computer systems that feature a 3.3 Volt PCI Bus. Please note that the PCI-18V3 can only be physically connected to a 3.3 Volt or Universal PCI bus connector.
USB-18
	The USB-18 host interface is a USB 2.0 high-speed (480 Mbps) interface for Apple, PC, and other computer systems that feature USB 2.0 high-speed ports. Since the USB-18 is an external adapter "box" it can be used with all ITC-18’s and EPC 10Plus amplifiers produced. An extra feature of the USB-18 is the addition of sixteen asynchronous digital input and output lines.

• Form factor: short, 32-bit, 33MHz, 5 Volt PCI
• Type: Slave I/O, PCI 2.0 compliant
• Cable: 3 foot shielded
• Connectors: DB-80 female, high density

• MacOS Classic
• MacOS X (10.2 and above)
• Windows 9x, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
• Linux

Drivers are available for download.

• One year parts and labor, except for cable

• Form factor: short, 32-bit, 33MHz, 3.3 Volt PCI
• Type: Slave I/O, PCI 2.1 compliant cable, 6 foot shielded
• Connectors: DB-80 female, high density

• MacOS Classic
• MacOS X (10.2 and above)
• Windows 9x, ME, NT, 2000, XP and Vista

Drivers are available for download.

• One year parts and labor, except for cable

• Form factor: external adapter
• Type: USB2.0 hi-speed (480 Mbps)
• Cable: 1 foot shielded, 4 foot AB USB
• Connectors: DB-68 female, DB-68 female, high density

• Number of inputs: 16, logic level
• Input type: 3.3 and 5 Volt logic
• Minimum pulse width: 150 nS
• Input connectors: DB-68 female, high density
• Maximum over voltage: ±30 Volts D.C.

• Number of outputs: 16
• Output driver: 3.3 Volt, TTL, LS, ACT,and HCT compatible
• Output connectors: DB-68 female, high density
• Sink output current: 3.2 mA
• Source output current: 3.2 mA
• Power-on state: logic low

• MacOS X (10.2 and above)
• Windows 2000, XP and Vista

Drivers are available for download.

• One year parts and labor, except for cable