Data Acquisition System

BY-
PRIYANKA GOSWAMI
INTRODUCTION
 Data acquisition is the process of sampling
signals that measure real world physical
conditions and converting the resulting samples
into digital numeric values that can be
manipulated by a computer.
 DAS or DAQ typically measures an electrical or
physical phenomenon such as voltage, current,
temperature, pressure, or sound and converts
the analog waveforms into digital values for
processing and analysis.
 A DAQ consists of sensors, DAQ measurement
hardware, and a computer with programmable
software.
 A Data Acquisition System is comprised of three
parts; an I/O sub-system, a host computer and
the controlling software. Hence these systems
are often referred to as embedded DAQ systems.
NEED OF DATA ACQUISITION
SYSTEMS
 Data acquisition systems interface between the
real world of physical parameters, which are
analog, and the artificial world of digital
computation and control.
 DAQ are used widely because they are low cost,
accurate, and relatively simple to implement.
 Data acquisition systems are capable of
measuring hundreds of variables simultaneously.
 They are now used by most engineers and
scientists for laboratory research, industrial
control, test, and measurement of input and
output data to and from a computer.
 Industries that presently employ such automatic
systems include steel making, food processing,
paper production, oil refining, chemical
manufacturing, textile production, cement
COMPONENTS OF DATA
ACQUISITION SYSTEM
 Sensors which measure physical variables
such as temperature, strain, pressure, flow,
force and motion (displacement,
velocity and acceleration).
 Signal conditioning circuitry to convert sensor
signals into a form that can be converted to
digital values.
 Analog-to-digital converters, which convert
conditioned sensor signals to digital values
which can be used by the computer.
 A computer with the appropriate application
software to process, analyze and log the data
to disk. Such software may also provide a
graphical display of the data.
DAQ MODULE
DAQ module can be divided into three categories:
 Source and the system: It consists of the system
from which the data is to be acquired with the
help of different sensors and the signal
conditioning circuit.
 DAQ hardware: It acts as an interface between
the signal and a PC. DAQ cards often contain
multiple components (multiplexer, ADC, DAC,
high speed timers, RAM). These are accessible
via a bus by a microcontroller, which can run
small programs.
 DAQ software: Specialized DAQ software may
be delivered with the DAQ hardware. DAQ
software is needed in order for the DAQ
hardware to work with a PC.
DAQ MODULE
SENSORS
 In order to sense and measure physical variables
such as pressure, flow and motion, it is
necessary to use transducers or sensors, which
convert physical variables into electrical signals
and transmit these signals to a signal
conditioning device or directly to the data
acquisition board.
 The six distinguishable energy forms that are
usually measured are:
◦ Radiant: Light, infrared radiation, nuclear radiation
◦ Mechanical: Displacement/velocity/acc, Force/Torque
◦ Thermal: Temperature, Heat flux
◦ Electrical: Resistance, Capacitance, Voltage, Current,
Energy, Power
◦ Magnetic: Magnetic Flux density
◦ Chemical: pH, Chemical Composition
SIGNAL CONDITIONING
The signal conditioning device performs
the following main functions:
 Supplies power to the transducer
when required.
 Amplify, filter and digitize the sensor
signal. E.g.Using a programmable
gain amplifier.
 Provide an appropriate output signal
that can be easily processed by the
analog to digital convertor.
DAQ HARDWARE
The DAQ hardware turns the computer into a
measurement and automation system. The
main criteria to consider while selecting a
DAQ device for a specific application are:
 Type of input channels:
a).Single ended input channels
b).Differential input channels
 Compatibility with variety of protocols
 No. of analog input channels
 Sampling rate
 Resolution
 Accuracy
DAQ HARDWARE
The hardware basically consists of :
 The Analog to Digital convertor
ADCs transform an analog voltage to a binary
number (a series of 1’s and 0’s). The number
of binary digits (bits) that represents the
digital number determines the ADC
resolution.
 Interfaces
If the DAQ system is in the form of modules
then it can be connected to the computer's
ports (parallel, serial, USB, etc.) or if in form
of cards then they are connected to slots
(ISA, MCA, PCI, PCI-E, etc.) in
the motherboard.
DAQ SOFTWARE
 DAQ software is needed in order for the hardware to
work with a PC.
 It is the most critical factor in obtaining reliable, high
performance operation.
 The software transforms the PC and the hardware into
a complete data acquisition system which can analyze
and display the parameters acquired from the source.
The different softwares available are broadly classified
into two categories:
 Programmable Software involves the use of
programming languages such as C++, Visual C++,
BASIC, etc. The advantage of using these softwares is
it provides flexibility but it increases the complexity of
the code.
 Data acquisition software packages do not require
programming. They enable developers to design the
custom instrument best suited to their application. E.g.
LabView, MATLAB, etc
DATA ACQUISITION
PROCESSORS
 For real time data acquisition DAP boards
are available which have on board
processors.
 All data acquisition processor boards
consist of:
 Onboard processors.(e.g. Intel)
 Multitasking, real-time operating system.
 Onboard memory.
 Support external expansion boards
to increase the number of data channels.
DATA ACQUISITION
PROCESSORS
Some of the major advantages of using DAP boards are:
 Each Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board gives the system an
additional processor running a real-time operating system that can be
controlled from a Windows application.
 Two or more DAP boards, in the same PC or on a network, can work
together as a single synchronized system. This is highly advantageous
for large scale data acquisition, like in process industries.
 High quality measurement: DAPs can provide direct measurements
with 15+ accurate bits in the best case. DAP onboard filtering and
careful calibration can yield measurement accuracy even in the
presence of random noise.
 High sampling rates: Data Acquisition Processors are built for speed. At
the low, slow end of the DAP product line, sampling rates are 800,000
samples per second, without sacrificing sampling accuracy at these
speeds. Some other data acquisition cards sample fast, but not many
can maintain accuracy at their maximum rates.
 Signal generation: In addition to sampling, Data Acquisition Processors
can also generate signals: complex waveforms, digital alarm outputs,
and digital or analog control commands. These processes do not
interfere with sampling or reduce its capacity. Output clocking accuracy
is the same as the input clocking accuracy.
 Real time response: The reserve of processing power necessary for
high-speed data transfers also make it possible for a DAP to respond to
external events reliably. Delays of 10 milliseconds or much longer are
common in a loaded PC workstation. But on a DAP, updates are
ADVANTAGES
 Reduced data redundancy
 Reduced updating errors and increased
consistency
 Greater data integrity and independence from
applications programs
 Improved data access to users through use
of host and query languages
 Improved data security
 Reduced data entry, storage, and retrieval
costs
 Facilitated development of new applications
program
DISADVANTAGES
 Database systems are complex, difficult,
and time-consuming to design
 Substantial hardware and software start-
up costs
 Damage to database affects virtually all
applications programs
 Extensive conversion costs in moving
form a file-based system to a database
system
 Initial training required for all
programmers and users
Arduino based DAQ using
LabView

Interfacing a 10KΩ Potentiometer with LabView using Arduino Uno