Data Acquisition (DAQ) technology
provides the link between the data-generating sensors and data-storing
recording devices. DAQ can also provide the means for driving external
actuators from a computer, by the generation of external excitation
signals. DAQ technology includes both hardware and software.
Thanks to the recent advancements in processor technology, the
low cost personal computer is now the most important carrier for data
acquisition cards. The high clock speeds of modern central processing
units (CPUs), such as Pentium and PowerPC, enables higher sampling
rates. This along with high performance bus architectures such as PCI,
cheap RAM, and fast voluminous hard disks make long-term continuous
measurements possible.
Traditionally, the clock speed of the computer CPU can significantly affect the performance of the DAQ system. However, newer direct memory access
(DMA) transfer technology speeds up the system by using dedicated
hardware to transfer data directly into system memory. Thus, the CPU is
not burdened with moving data and is therefore free to engage in more
complex processing tasks. In addition, if an application requires
real-time processing of high-frequency signals, a dedicated digital signal processing (DSP) chip can be built-in on the DAQ board to share the work load of the main processor.
Another important development is portable data acquisition based
on laptop computers with PCMCIA cards. This configuration allows more
convenient field measurements that used to be troublesome for practicing
engineers.
Emerging broadband internet and broadband cellular phones
outperform traditional modem hookups using RS-232 or RS-485 serial
communication ports. These emerging communication technologies will
make remote monitoring and access measurements more achievable.
In short, the current level of data acquisition technology,
although still not perfect, is far more effective and efficient than a
decade ago. In the future, one can expect even more affordable and
accurate measurement instruments, some that could be fitted into
computers as small as modern hand-held calculators or personal digital
assistants.
God bless us all.....:)