Data Acquisition And Control Software.

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.

MTSC) today announced the release of VX-In 3.2 software, an enhanced version of its proven data acquisition and control software for powertrain testing. Featuring a state-of-the-art integrated user interface and a system rate of up to 1 kHz, this version 3.2 will streamline and simplify test definition and execution, increasing users?

The diagram above illustrates the position of Companion II in the flow of control, data acquisition and cell interface/safeties within a system comprised of dyno control and data acquisition products from DyneSystems. The bottom line is, when you combine the expandability and accuracy of the Companion II with the power and flexibility of Cell Assistant for Windows, you can satisfy your current and future dyno test cell, data acqusition, and control requirements.

Doctor Aquarium is low cost, professional aquarium monitoring and control software package for Windows XP, 2000, and NT that will help you automate the most challenging repetitive aquarium tasks! From the comfort of your computer chair, or across the world, control and monitor important aquarium parameters like temperature and pH using the inexpensive DrDAQ data acquisition board, and control your Pumps,Heaters,Lights remotely using standard X10 home automation modules. <

Opsis AB is the leading supplier of open-path monitoring systems for air quality monitoring, continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) and process control. Opsis offers total monitoring solutions and the product line includes both monitoring hardware and data handling software.

Download a free demonstration of Streamer high speed data acquisition software, or Windmill low speed data acquisition and control software. Select either strdemo.exe (360k), or wmldemo.exe (593K), and save to disk. For more details see the Streamer demo page or the Windmill demo page. Streamer and Windmill are year 2000 compliant.

Find updates, drivers, manuals and other files for your UEI data acquisition and control products. Choose your board model and platform from the drop-down menu below to find all the available downloads.

The whole system is designed to be linked to a computer using the software provided. This provides real time monitoring of the various sensors, with a wide range of data logging and graphical display options. The dynamometer and throttle can both be controlled electronically from the software, which makes installation into a closed test cell very straightforward, and allows for remote computer operation.

A safety ‘watchdog' facility ensures the system shuts down safely in the event of computer failure or software lock-ups. The interfaces are compatible with packages such as LabView and MatLab for users who wish to provide their own control and monitoring software. A further advantage of the computer control is that stable rpm readings can be easily achieved using the closed loop control function on the dynamometer drive.

DataLink AQM is a software suite for Ambient Monitoring. In addition to it?s powerful graphics analysis this software package provides automatic data retrieval and report preparation. Available as DataLink/Lite when data acquisition is the only primary concern.

ComputerBoards, Inc. has released SoftWIRE 1.0, an add-in to Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. SoftWIRE combines the speed and simplicity of graphical programming with the power and flexibility of writing code in an industry-standard language. Whether its home or office automation, X-10 control, laboratory analysis or database management, SoftWIRE aligns a visual correspondent with common experience that allows users to quickly create powerful data acquisition programs. With all SoftWIRE graphical control blocks COM/ActiveX compatible, this software package is an ideal programming tool.

Issue 118 of Monitor, the newsletter for PC-based data acquisition and control, is now freely available on-line. This month: example messages from RS232 measuring instruments and more on using Excel to monitor for alarm conditions and e-mail an alert when necessary.

Instant-results data acquisition software gives you immediate results. No matter how complex your application is, instant-results software can provide nearly effortless dedicated functions such as basic signal verification, real-time data display and datalogging. It lets you verify your signal connections, view your data as it is being acquired, and record it within minutes of connecting your hardware (Figure 1).

Whether you are away on Vacation, or just away from home, if you have a cable modem, or persistent internet connection, Dr Aquarium comes with a build in webserver, customized to let you monitor and control you aquarium over the internet using a web browser. Best of all, with a single button click you can launch any predefined task.

Contec Systems was founded in 1990 as a privately held corporation. Contec Systems primary business is in the development of control and data acquisition software with special emphasis on Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and Meteorological Monitoring Systems (MET).

USB 2.0-based data acquisition is growing in popularity for small, stand-alone, multichannel data-acquisition units. But EDN contributing editor Dan Strassberg writes that a new CompactDAQ system also adds plug-in modularity.

TestPoint is a software tool for designing and developing test, measurement, and data acquisition application for Windows. TestPoint builds applications quickly without forcing you to become a Windows programmer.

Data Acquisition boards ship with software for data logging and viewing and support widely used programming environments and cost under $800. IOtech's DaqBoard/3000USB boards feature a 1-MHz/16-bit analog-to-digital converter; up to 32 differential or 64 single-ended analog inputs with programmable input ranges, four thermocouple inputs, and 1-MHz/16-bit analog outputs. For details, see this article in Machine Design.

DAx is a powerful data acquisition and analysis program that places emphasis on finding peaks in data. DAx features: Support of different brands of AD/DA cards & hardware, Multi channel data acquisition, Hierarchical measurement linking, Measurement sequence lists, Automatic re-calibrations, Various measurement triggering methods.

Test engineers have traditionally selected data acquisition hardware and software depending on the requirements of their data collection projects. Type of data to be collected, sampling rate, channel counts and test environments, etc., typically dictate the system characteristics that are important.