Data Acquisition Equipment
Description
Data acquisition equipment are systems that collect data usually by digitizing analog channels and collect the data together under computer control for manipulation. Simply put, it is used to collect data in an automated fashion. Data acquisition systems are configured for a wide selection of modular and instrumentation systems and are used in manufacturing, research testing, safety, environmental, and certification projects. The different components of a data acquisition system include sensors, signal processors, data acquisition software, communication links, databases, etc.
Data Acquisition Measurements
Some of the parameters that can be measured in data acquisition measurements are:
Other measurements include the following:
Current (use of a resistor which is accurate and measurement of the voltage)
Sensing of temperature (use of thermocouple sensor which provides a voltage as per the temperature)
Measurement of resistance (use of a precise current source and measuring the voltage across the resistance)
Types
Data acquisition equipment can be classified based on user interface as follows:
Specifications
The specifications to be considered while choosing data acquisition equipment are listed below:
Advantages
Complex measurements can be easily done by using computer based data acquisition systems
Recent data acquisition systems store data digitally as compared to the older versions which were analog and required a separate analog-to-digital converter
Applications
Data acquisition equipment are essential for test and measurement industries. They are needed in electronics, chemical, mechanical industries and also to monitor data related to the geography of mountains and volcanoes, lab instruments to embedded systems.