Data Acquisition And Control Applications.

The hardware and software characteristics of current-generation digital data acquisition and control packages are presented. The history of digital-computer-based control from the IBM 1710 and GE PAC 4060 is reviewed, and the increasingly unique nature of the associated hardware platforms is noted. In recent years, this hardware evolution has been reversed as the general-purpose super microcomputer adapts to the special needs of data acquisition and control applications with speeds exceeding 6 MIPS. The hardware organization of modern super microcomputers is presented, along with performance benchmarks. Operating systems for such machines are discussed, and a number of poplar data acquisition and control packages for microcomputers are detailed. It is concluded that the variety and diversity of data acquisition and control software will continue to grow, while an increasing proportion of such programs will be designed for the POSIX (`Unix') environment.

NI LabVIEW 8.20 is a graphical system design platform for test, control and embedded system development. It offers general compatibility with The MathWorks; Matlab software, FPGA-based custom hardware design wizards for building industrial controllers and updates to the NI Modulation Toolkit for LabVIEW so engineers can develop models to simulate communications systems and evaluate parameter and design decisions. There's also the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, which lets you design real-time data acquisition and control applications.

According to survey data, primary applications for data acquisition hardware and software range widely. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and testing and diagnostics form the bulk of the applications (see illustration). Some category overlap is evident, however. SCADA systems are used for statistical process control and work-in-progress testing in many industries, including utilities, continuous process, discrete, and batching applications. When applied this way, they are classified as SCADA systems and lose their identity as to the industry they represent. In any case, it is safe to say that data acquisition is certainly an integral part of many manufacturing operations and a mainstay of automated test data collection.

Dataforth Corporation, Tucson, Arizona announces the introduction of its new isoLynx SLX100 data acquisition system. The system is designed for applications in laboratory, R&D test and measurement, data acquisition & control on factory floor and industrial process, or machine monitoring.

In 2007, Ramtron added five products to its line of F-RAM automotive products. These devices are qualified to operate from -40 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius and guarantee data retention for 9,000 hours at the high end of the operating temperature range. The FM22L16 is a four Mb, three-volt, parallel nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) in a 44-pin thin small outline plastic (TSOP) package that features fast access, high read/write endurance and low power consumption. The FM22L16 targets industrial control systems, such as robotics, network and data storage applications, multi-function printers, auto navigation systems and a host of other static RAM (SRAM)-based system designs. In 2007, the Company also introduced the FM33x product family, a line of F-RAM enhanced processor companions with a high-speed serial peripheral interface (SPI).

A data acquisition system does not need to stop with just an analog-to-digital and a digital-to-analog function. More complex systems can and do included timers, abundant digital input and digital output control lines, signal conditioning, and multiplexing.

Advansed Microcomputer Systems produces PC add-in boards including data acquisition cards. AMS DAS card is a high performance hardware which upgrades PC system to a high � speed data acquisition and process control system. An Application Programmer Interface (API) is provided to make the task of writing a customized user application program easy and fast.

The easy-to-use Application Programming Interface (API) defines a platform-independent, run-time function library used to program Dataforth's isoLynx SLX100 hardware system under Windows XP/2000/NT/9X. High-level functions are included to encapsulate the transmission and reception of isoLynx commands and responses over the installed communications interface (e.g., RS-232/485). The isoLynx API simplifies the creation of data acquisition and control applications by providing intuitive function calls that hide the complexity of formatting and parsing isoLynx command and response packets. A platform-independent, common API eases application migration from one operating system and/or programming language to another.

Data acquisition system suppliers have done a yeoman's job providing control engineers with accuracy and scalability in the systems they provide. According to Rahul Kulkarni, industrial control product manager at National Instruments, "Absolute accuracy of a system depends on the percentage of actual input voltage, offset, system noise, and temperature drift. In a high channel count system with multiple boards, accuracy will not degrade as long as the individual boards meet accuracy specs."

Accuracy, security, and real-time information have become the essential tools of this information-based world economy. By using MODCOMP's balanced real-time technology as the basis for a communications system, a user can access information quickly and transparently. MODCOMP is on the cutting-edge of Internet based electronic commerce solutions providing corporations the necessary technology and expertise to be able to take advantage of this new way of conducting business. MODCOMP has many real-time systems in communications and network applications including packet switched networks, reservation service systems, transaction processing systems, information system access, and front-end processing for IBM, DEC, CDC, Cray and many other systems. MODCOMP systems are widely used in data communications applications ranging from direct interfaces to satellite channels that link geographically dispersed earth stations to supplying up-to-the-second financial information to stockbrokers and their clients.

The Application Programming Interface (API) defines a platform-independent, run-time function library used to program Dataforth's isoLynx� SLX100 hardware system under Windows XP/2000/NT/9x. High-level functions are included to encapsulate the transmission and reception of isoLynx commands and responses over the installed communications interface (e.g. The isoLynx API simplifies the creation of data acquisition and control applications by providing intuitive function calls that hide the complexity of formatting and parsing isoLynx command and response packets.

MODCOMP systems are used within the various utilities markets. On-line supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems in electric, gas, and plant monitoring of waste-water treatment plants provide real-time data for efficient energy management of all processes. These applications require real-time deterministic system performance. MODCOMP systems are used worldwide in these markets providing long-term reliable performance.

In addition to the potentially variable sepctrum of time response demands that are encountered, it is also necessary for a data acquisition and process control system to provide a range of computing power. Generally most functions requiring a fast time response are simple in nature and do not require a significant amount of computing power. Other functions necessary within the total system, however, require considerable computing capability. In a direct digital control DDC application, for instance, the computing requirements for controlling the DDC loops are relatively small. Algorithms are repetitive in nature but must be performed on a frequent basis. However, the optimization program that may provide target values to the DDC program is run only occasionally but requires considerable computing power. Thus, within the same computing complex, both simple and extensive computing power demands are potentially present.

MODCOMP systems can be found in many other real-time applications. In addition to the process control, government/aerospace, communications, and utilities industries, MODCOMP systems are used in applications that include online transaction processing (OLTP) in financial institutions, hospitals, and manufacturing companies. MODCOMP systems are also used in various transportation applications, such as centralized traffic control and computerized train dispatch systems. Scientists and researchers use MODCOMP computers in a variety of applications, such as solar energy and nuclear research, cancer and agricultural research and in analytical, image processing, and robotics laboratories.

Ramtron's integrated F-RAM enhanced microcontrollers are highly-integrated, mixed-signal 8051 microcontrollers that offer solutions for a range of signal conditioning, data acquisition and control applications. These products include on-chip analog peripherals, such as a pulse width modulators (can be used as digital-to-analog (D/A) converters), a voltage reference, a programmable current source, an uncommitted operational amplifier, digital potentiometers and an analog switch, making them complete data acquisition System-on-Chip (SoC) devices.

Model 2701 Ethernet-based DMM/data acquisition system is said to be the industry's first multipoint measurement and control system that fully integrates instrument-quality, 22-bit (6-1/2 digit) resolution and sensitivity with Ethernet long-distance networking. Model 2701 also delivers high accuracy, high channel count, broad expansion potential, free software, and built-in Ethernet at a price comparable to less accurate Ethernet-based data acquisition products.

External triggering allows the data acquisition process to begin exactly when test conditions are appropriate. This feature is extremely important in test and measurement applications that require an undefined amount of time to reach the prescribed condition. Some practical examples are motor RPM ramp-up time, ambient temperature setup, chamber pressure setup and impact/crash testing.

Model M-7045 provides 8 isolated digital outputs that cn source up to 650 mA into 4o V loads. Outputs are short circuit protected. Download the data sheet as a pdf file.

Vancouver, BC, Canada - - Reliable, cost effective boards for PC-based data acquisition and control applications over RS232 and RS485 (opt isolated) link. Dynamic link library for Windows XX and Linux operating system, free source code software written in VB, and C++, signal condition for sensors, pulse measurement, and motion control capabilities, ASCII Commands.

Fluke 2680A data acquisition system chassis is designed for small to large multi-channel applications requiring reliable Ethernet communications. Front-end chassis style system has six slots, allowing users to custom build a complete data-logging system. Five slots can accommodate any combination of 20-channel universal input modules compatible to the new 2680 Series and eliminating the need for, and the added expense of, external signal conditioning.