Data Acquisition Module.

The 8018 Thermocouple/mV Data Acquisition Module is a high resolution, 16-Bit, RS-485 data acquisition device. It accepts up to 8 Thermocouple, differential mV, Volts and mA inputs. The 8018 includes a temperature sensing thermistor, allowing the module to perform "cold junction compensation" (required for accurate temperature measurements), without sacrificing one of its 8 inputs. When ordered as a 8018, it is used in a 8000 Series System along with a 8520 converter module so that it can be controlled by a PC via a standard serial port. Because of the unique ASIC included on the 8520 the 8018 can be used in a network of up to 2,048 8000 Series modules operating at different baud rates and with different data formats.

A typical data acquisition module family includes modules for remote measurement of temperature, strain, stress, pressure, flow for sensors, 4-20 mA currents, digital signals, frequency, etc. These modules can also be commanded to output a voltage, current, digital signal, or activate relays.

Every NI USB data acquisition module includes a copy of NI LabVIEW SignalExpress LE for Windows so you can quickly acquire, analyze, and present data without programming. In addition to LabVIEW SignalExpress, USB data acquisition modules are compatible with the following versions (or later) of NI application software ? LabVIEW 7.x, LabWindows?/CVI 7.x, or Measurement Studio 7.x; or LabVIEW with the LabVIEW 7.1 Real-Time Module.

There is a considerable number of different USB data acquisition products that are available. Although dedicated measurement modules may be available, other items may be capable of taking in a variety of analogue and digital inputs. These items are particularly useful in applications where a number of points and sensors need to be monitored. Also, having a multiple input USB data acquisition module means that only one module may be required. These modules may also come with their own data acquisition software.

A further advantage of this form of data acquisition module is that only one module may be required. If several modules are needed, then ultimately the power supply on the computer may become overloaded.

Data acquisition module is designed to acquire data from very large binary files written by digital tape recorders. This module incorporates several state of the art features such as rpm proportional windowing and on the fly time to angle base conversion for leakage free data acquisition as well as data browsing and snapshot acquisition that currently no other data acquisition software offers.

With ExpressCard MXI (Multisystem eXtension Interface) and PCMCIA CardBus interface kits, users can control PXI systems directly from laptop computers. During boot-up, the laptop computer will recognize all peripheral modules in the PXI system as PCI devices.

Process Monitor software can save files in a format that can be opened later for reviewing. It can also export data to a text file so other programs can import it for further analysis.

USB data acquisition cards provide a very attractive solution to many data acquisition applications. Often compact modules are available and these can be connected to virtually any PC very easily. Not only is the connection simple, but a USB data acquisition system can be extended relatively easily by using a USB hub to enable further units to be connected.

Watch-dog supervisory: NuDAM contains a watch-dog supervisory circuitry which will automatically reset the module when the system fails. In addition, a user-programmable software timer provides a "safe" output signal in the event of host computer and communication failure. This can minimize damage and disruption to the system.

Although the PACR and PDR systems provide automated monitoring of a number of characteristics associated with a process, they have relatively limited capacities before entire duplicate systems need to be used. Furthermore, if such duplicate systems are used, then there is no one central recording station compiling all the monitored information.

Data acquisition: The Data acquisition module is provided with three external gyro sensors of the type Murata ENC-05, These have a range of 90 deg/s which is more than the calculated worst-case angular velocity about any axis of the rocket, during the fin control experiment. The R-DAS module samples standard acceleration and pressure, which allows reconstruction of the major trajectory data (velocity and altitude as function of time). Furthermore, relevant parameters in the fin controller such as battery voltage and statuses will be measured.

A further limitation is that the PACR and PDR systems are not readily adaptable for accommodating dispersed locations where conditions or characteristics are to be monitored as well as where equipment is to be subsequently controlled to change the conditions or characteristics. That is, these systems are primarily, if not exclusively, unitized data acquisition systems to which multiple cables are run for conveying the monitored signals. They do not include modularized components which can be dispersed throughout a process area for both monitoring conditions and controlling the process.

A Windows-like NuDAM module configuration utility is provided and the look and feel (user interface) emulates Windows style. Users can easily configure and calibrate the NuDAM modules with this utility. Also, the utility allows easy testing of the modules.

New data output: The model H11-LIN has an additional output providing the kinetic energy of every individual particle impact. This data is in the form of a variable pulse height signal. A pulse height analyzer (PHA) module to capture this data should be available by the 4th quarter 2007.

The present invention overcomes the above-noted and other shortcomings of the prior art by providing a novel and improved data acquisition apparatus and method. Both the apparatus and method are adapted for use at locations throughout a process area for retrieving data to be used in monitoring the process and for applying controls to the process equipment to change the conditions or characteristics.

The infrared data acquisition module is built on top of the IRACE interface libraries and coordinates the IRACE controller and the acquisition process. This is the interface to the VLT-software. The control server process and the data transfer task are executed on the IWS and the RTD either on the IWS or on the IRACE workstation.

The two most important factors in data acquisition modules are safety and reliability. No control system can afford to lose communication with the host computer. The watch dog supervisor circuit will automatically reset when the system fails. A user programmable software timer is provided to produce a safe output signal to the controlled device. These two features will greatly reduce damage.

Therefore, from the foregoing, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved data acquisition apparatus and method. Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the preferred embodiment is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Managing an orderly flow of this massive quantity of data to a central recording unit requires a plurality of geographically-distributed digital signal processing devices. The data acquisition modules convert the sensor array analog data to digital data and transmit the digital data packets along receiver lines or radio transmission channels. There may be numerous data acquisition modules transmitting data packets along a single receiver line or channel. Among the functions of each data acquisition module is data packet transmission timing respective to the flow of data packets from other data acquisition modules transmitting respective data packets along the same receiver line. Typically, two or more receiver lines connect with base line units that further coordinate the data packet flow of numerous additional base line units into a base transmission line for receipt by a central recording unit.