SDI-12 eye candy! an SDI-12 + analog input USB adapter

The SDI-12 USB adapter is definitely a success! They are flying off the shelf! I guess people want to log data with PC/raspberry pi just as much as with Arduino (I have an SDI-12 data logging shield for Arduino). So I thought what else I can do to provide even better service to the community of SDI-12 sensor users.So here it is (well, just the design, actual device is not ready for prime time yet):

Here are the things that I added to make another version of the adapter:

1. 4 SDI-12 screw terminal blocks. The original adapter can handle multiple SDI-12 sensors if you wire them all together to the single SDI-12 block. On the other hand, I can make this easier by providing more connectors. 4 connections don’t mean limit of SDI-12 sensors to 4. You can wire any number of sensors to the same connection. More connections just mean more convenience when building your logger.
2. External power supply block. With the original adapter, SDI-12 sensors are powered by 5V from USB. If it is not enough, you need another power source and some additional wiring. With the new version, just wire external power to this connection and select the SDI-12 power jumper to Ext., less wiring.
3. Analog channels: Many users asked about using analog sensors that are NOT SDI-12 sensors. That requires additional hardware and distracts you from focusing on making your logger. Enter 4 analog channels! Each channel is capable of 16-bit analog to digital conversion and can have up to 16X gain. The smallest voltage you can read is down to 8 micro volts! You are welcome, pyranometers!
4. Resistance sensors: resistance measurements are available on every analog channel. The channels come with select-able high-precision low-temperature-drift pull-up resistors. You can select 1K resistor for PT1000 and anything with low resistance or 10K resistor for 10K thermistors or anything with high resistance. If your sensor generates a voltage, such as pyranometer, you can disconnect the jumper to disable this pull-up resistor. Each channel is separately configurable and auto-scales for best precision.
5. Analog channels are sensed the SAME way you would sensor an SDI-12 sensor. The address is ‘z’ (lower case). Just in case you wonder, there is also a differential mode to further increase precision of small signals if you pair channels 0 and 1 as a differential channel, or 2 and 3 as another differential channel. A different command is used for differential channels also at address ‘z’ (lower case).
6. Every key component, such as the analog-to-digital converter IC, the ATMEGA328 processor, the FT232RL USB chip, crystal oscillator, fuse, and precision resistors, comes from reputable vendors such as digikey, mouser, or newark. Every adapter is assembled by myself and tested with an actual SDI-12 sensor (also an analog or resistive sensor). I don’t know how else to ensure excellent quality! There is no guarantee coming with ebay purchases!

Important! This version will be named SDI-12 + Analog USB adapter and the original adapter will still be offered. The original adapter works great as part of a desktop/lab test device and for data loggers mostly made up of SDI-12 sensors. The new adapter is more expensive due to added capabilities.

Any comments? Suggestions? Please feel free to tell me.