MCC USB-231
The USB-231 is an MCC multifunction USB DAQ with eight single-ended or four differential 16-bit inputs at 50 kS/s, two 16-bit analog outputs, eight digital I/O lines and a 32-bit counter. Digilent lists it as retired, and MCC’s uldaq library does not support it, so it runs only with MCC’s Windows software.
Specifications
| Analog inputs | 88 single-ended or 4 differential |
| Resolution | 16-bit |
| Max sample rate | 50 kS/saggregate across the scan list |
| Input ranges | ±10 V |
| Input modes | single-ended, differential |
| Analog outputs | 2 × 16-bit |
| Digital I/O | 8 |
| Counters | 1 |
| Isolation | No |
| Interfaces | USB |
Vendor driver by OS
| Driver | uldaq |
| Windows | Yes |
| macOS | No |
| Linux | No |
Vendor software
| InstaCal | WindowsIncluded. Device detection, configuration, test and calibration |
| DAQami | WindowsFree. Data logging, visualization and signal generation; CSV export |
Status: retired, with the USB-234 still on sale
Digilent marks the enclosed USB-231 as retired. The USB-230 Series page still lists a USB-231-OEM board through distributors, and the USB-234, which keeps the 16-bit, 8 SE/4 DIFF input side and doubles the rate to 100 kS/s, lists at $502 at the time of writing. Both models have two 16-bit analog outputs, eight digital I/O lines and one 32-bit counter, and the inputs use a single ±10 V range.
Why the USB-231 does not work on Mac or Linux
MCC’s cross-platform library, uldaq, supports a fixed list of devices, and no USB-230 Series model is on it. The USB-200 Series parts and the USB-1208FS-Plus and USB-1408FS-Plus are. For the USB-231 that leaves MCC’s Windows software: InstaCal for setup, the Universal Library for programming and DAQami for logging. MCC’s product page lists only Windows. If you need macOS or Linux, swap in a uldaq-supported device such as the USB-1408FS-Plus or USB-205. The USB-1408FS-Plus is the closer match if you want differential inputs and two analog outputs.
Other software for the USB-231
On Windows, DAQami remains the vendor option, and DAQami alternatives covers other Windows tools. If a USB-231 is already part of a mixed bench, building a mixed-vendor DAQ bench covers how to split devices across software. DAQAtlas, which is in development, uses uldaq for MCC hardware, so it detects a connected USB-231 and lists it as detected but not runnable.
Questions
Does the MCC USB-231 work on a Mac?
Not with MCC software. The USB-231 is not in the supported device list of uldaq, MCC’s library for Linux and macOS, and InstaCal, the Universal Library and DAQami are Windows only.
Does DAQAtlas support the USB-231?
DAQAtlas, which is in development, detects the USB-231 but cannot run it, because it uses uldaq for MCC devices and uldaq does not support the USB-231.
Is the USB-231 discontinued?
Digilent lists the enclosed USB-231 as retired. The USB-234, a faster 100 kS/s model in the same series, is still sold.
Specifications and prices are taken from the vendor’s published pages at the time of writing and can change. Check the vendor before you buy. Sources: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5