Plug-in data acquisition boards: Introduction



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In recent years, the distinction between separate data acquisition systems and control systems has narrowed because an increasing number of real-life systems are designed not only to acquire data, but also to act on it. This is true of a wide range of plug-in data acquisition and control boards now available. Commonly used multi-purpose plug-in data acquisition boards, currently on the market, typically combine all aspects of data acquisition and control.


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This includes analog input circuitry for measuring and converting analog input voltage signals to digital format, analog output circuitry for generating analog output voltages from digital control signals, counter/timing circuitry and digital I/O interfaces. Depending on the number of analog inputs/outputs and digital inputs/outputs required for a particular application, multi-purpose boards represent the most cost effective and flexible solution for DAQ systems. Also available and widely used are plug-in boards that specialize in each of the data acquisition and control functions just mentioned.

Examples of these plug-in boards are:

• Analog input (A/D) boards

• Analog output (D/A) boards

• Digital I/O boards

• Counter/timer I/O boards Computer plug-in data acquisition and control boards often represent the lowest cost alternative for a complete data acquisition and control system. As they interface directly to the host computer's I/O expansion bus, they are generally compact, and represent the fastest method of gathering data and /or changing outputs. These boards are most commonly used in applications where the computer is close to the sensors being measured or the actuators being controlled. Alternatively, they can be interfaced to remotely located transducers and actuators via signal conditioning modules known as two-wire transmitters.


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For simplicity this chapter looks at the different aspects of data acquisition and control separately, briefly describing the main components of typical plug-in boards their uses in a data acquisition and control system, as well as the important specifications associated with each classification of plug-in board. Also discussed are the different techniques and important considerations when interfacing analog and digital input and output signals to plug-in boards, as well different sampling techniques.

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Updated: Sunday, May 1, 2011 7:16 PST