multi function board

The term multifunction card is used in different contexts. On the one hand, for chip cards that fulfill various functions, and on the other hand for PC plug-in cards that are used in measurement technology.

1. A multifunction card is a multifunctional smart card. It combines several different applications on one smart card, has several interfaces and can support and manage applications from different vendors. It can also be a hybrid card equipped with a microprocessor and a magnetic stripe and operated via contact surfaces or by means of a radio link. Such a multifunction card can be used for money transactions, as a cash card, SIM card, electronic health card(eGK) or electronic identity card(ePA). A typical multifunction card is a Universal Integrated Chip Card( UICC). multifunction cards operate with flexible smart card operating systems such as Security Card Operating System( SECCOS), Multi Application Operating System( MULTOS) or Windows for Smartcards, which support and manage the different applications.
   

   multifunction card with different applications

   For example, selecting, activating and deactivating the application, reloading new applications and deleting old ones, and providingprogramming interfaces and security concerns. They meet the requirements of ISO 7816, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
2. In PC measurement technology, the term multifunction card is used for PC plug-in cards that are plugged into the corresponding bus systems, such as the PCI bus. Such multifunction cards are used for the input and output of data and are also available as devices in separate housings that can operate autonomously. Multifunction cards are used in the performance of universal measurement tasks for the acquisition of physical quantities ranging from temperature to vibrations and frequencies. In addition to voltage and current, any sensors from thermocouples to incremental encoders can be connected to the cards. Interfaces can be used to integrate them into graphical programming systems such as Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench( LabVIEW). In PC measurement technology, a distinction is made between the following multifunction card types:
   • Multifunction I/O cards (input/output),
   • digital I/O cards and
   • analog output cards.
   Multifunction cards usually offer the same number of analog input channels as digital I/O channels. For example, in measurement and control technology, analog voltage values are read in from sensors and then the corresponding analog or digital control variables are output.
   

   PC multifunction card, 12 bit, 330 kHz, Photo: Spectra.de

   Before selecting a card, one should get an overview of the number of analog and digital inputs and outputs required. Other important parameters of multifunction cards are the sampling rate and the amplitude resolution, which play a role for precision applications such as highly accurate temperature measurements.