Post by ZeroVash on May 5, 2013 12:27:23 GMT -5
(Woot first thread \0/) . So a quick introduction to the topic at hand. 
With the increase of computer technology the need for a better/safer/faster system status acquisition has vastly increased. Not only is one of the more important stages,
since information lost at this point is forever lost, but a slow or incorrect acquisition can lead to a system malfunctioning. It is therefore important to understand every little step of the acquisition chain.
Let's get started!
What is Data Acquisition?
There are numerous situations where data is requires in digital form, either to maintain a record of activity, or simply as a prerequisite to control the status of the system.
Even though most sensors still present their output in analog voltage, or current of the quantity being measured with the advances of the most current systems (much faster, much more complex) it became possible to have digital outputs known as data. This led to a decrease (price-wise) of general electronics and computers. In addition, it is obvious computers can process (read and interpret) information at an incredible rate and act on it more quickly than human, achieving trough it real-time control.
In sum, Data Acquisition is the name for collecting information from a number of analogue sources and converting it to digital form suitable for transmission or display.
Elements of a data acquisition system:
-> Sensors or transducers: Devices that convert the quantity which is to be measured into an electrical signal.
-> Signal Conditioning: It is obvious that all signals need to be treated before being able to be interpreted. Things like, amplifying, correcting the level for the A/D, filtering, etc.
-> Sample & Holders: Which is a circuit used before the multiplexer to sample several signal channels simultaneously, or before the A/D to prevent the input to be able to change its value before a conversion is complete.
-> Multiplexer (A.k.a Mux): is basically a selector switch connecting one channel at a time to the A/D.
-> The Analog to Digital Converter (A.k.a A/D): As the name suggests, it converts analogue signals to digital signals through different techniques.
-> Clock: Serves various purposes like timing pulses in order to operate all the parts in its correct sequence. When a computer is involved, the computer clock is used. In any other case we use a independent clock.
-> Interfaces: Can be computers, microcontrolers, plcs, anything that can process data.
So this was a basic description of the topics i'll be sharing with you guys. Hopefully i can make them worthwhile!
Next time i'll give you a run down about the basic principles of measurement and basic units you'll find in everyday work. Hope to see you here next time!
And as a discussion note, what do you guys think are the reasons for measuring?
With the increase of computer technology the need for a better/safer/faster system status acquisition has vastly increased. Not only is one of the more important stages,
since information lost at this point is forever lost, but a slow or incorrect acquisition can lead to a system malfunctioning. It is therefore important to understand every little step of the acquisition chain.
Let's get started!
What is Data Acquisition?
There are numerous situations where data is requires in digital form, either to maintain a record of activity, or simply as a prerequisite to control the status of the system.
Even though most sensors still present their output in analog voltage, or current of the quantity being measured with the advances of the most current systems (much faster, much more complex) it became possible to have digital outputs known as data. This led to a decrease (price-wise) of general electronics and computers. In addition, it is obvious computers can process (read and interpret) information at an incredible rate and act on it more quickly than human, achieving trough it real-time control.
In sum, Data Acquisition is the name for collecting information from a number of analogue sources and converting it to digital form suitable for transmission or display.
Elements of a data acquisition system:
-> Sensors or transducers: Devices that convert the quantity which is to be measured into an electrical signal.
-> Signal Conditioning: It is obvious that all signals need to be treated before being able to be interpreted. Things like, amplifying, correcting the level for the A/D, filtering, etc.
-> Sample & Holders: Which is a circuit used before the multiplexer to sample several signal channels simultaneously, or before the A/D to prevent the input to be able to change its value before a conversion is complete.
-> Multiplexer (A.k.a Mux): is basically a selector switch connecting one channel at a time to the A/D.
-> The Analog to Digital Converter (A.k.a A/D): As the name suggests, it converts analogue signals to digital signals through different techniques.
-> Clock: Serves various purposes like timing pulses in order to operate all the parts in its correct sequence. When a computer is involved, the computer clock is used. In any other case we use a independent clock.
-> Interfaces: Can be computers, microcontrolers, plcs, anything that can process data.
So this was a basic description of the topics i'll be sharing with you guys.
Hopefully i can make them worthwhile! Next time i'll give you a run down about the basic principles of measurement and basic units you'll find in everyday work. Hope to see you here next time!
And as a discussion note, what do you guys think are the reasons for measuring?
