Digital frequency converter

Question

Hi,
I have an rotation table which is equipped with an encoder. The encoder is sending about 737 pulses each time the rotation table does one complete turn. If the rotation frequency is, let say, 10 turns/second the encoder will by sending pulses at a frequency of 7370Hz. I need a way to convert this pulse train by another pulse train at lower frequency. For the example at hand here I would like to divide the pulse train frequency by a factor of 7.37.
Also, the rotation frequency may change in realtime but the conversion factor (7.37) will remain the same.
Is there an easy way to do this? I currently have a PCI-6601board, how could I use it for this application?
Thanks

Answer 1

I don't know a simple way to do exactly what you describe with hardware.  Here are a couple things you *can* do using 1 or 2 counters (most multifunction boards have 2).  Not exactly what you're after, but maybe one or the other will work good enough?
1. You can use 1 counter to divide down a TTL signal by any integer >= 4.  You would define your pulse train using units of "Ticks" and then specify the integer #'s of ticks for high time and low time.  (The minimum allowed value of ticks is 2.)  You would also have to specify the external encoder signal as the counter's "timebase source" signal.
2. You can achieve nearly any fractional division factor by using 2 counters.  One will measure the incoming encoder freq, the other will generate an output that is some arbitrary fraction of the other.  However, the output won't change instantaneously with the input, nor can it be expected to track every nuance of the input variation.  You have to perform software calls to sample, then calculate, and finally update the output freq.  Note that the output pulse train can have its freq changed on-the-fly without stopping.
   Another tip for option #2:  measure your input frequency with continuous sampling.  Then you can setup DAQmx Read properties to request that you read the most recent N samples.  That way each time you request data, the call will return immediately with the freshest available data.  You can then do any needed filtering or averaging on these samples to determine the most representative input freq.
Don't have time to explain all details of terminology above.  Search the forums and you'll probably find quite a bit of help.  You can include my signature ("Kevin P") in the search because I've been involved in past threads using many of these terms such as "timebase source", "units of Ticks", "on the fly", "most recent samples".
-Kevin P.