What is new in Data Acquisition Systems ?

 

 

From research work to modern engineering processes, high rates of encoded information in multiple signals from simultaneous processes have forced data acquisition (DAQ) systems to evolve. This article gives you insight on the latest in DAQ systems.

 

Data acquisition is a process of acquiring information and documenting it in a meaningful way, to analyse a process or phenomenon. Data acquisition (DAQ) systems are usually used in

applications that require data logging, control, test automation, monitoring and prototyping. Advances in electronics and information processing technologies have made these types of processes simpler, accurate, versatile and reliable.

 

What is happening to data acquisition
The most visible trends can be seen as the effects of transition to PC-based DAQ that started some time ago. Most earlier box instruments had processing built into them. Now, all that processing is being done inside computers, so the instruments are interfaced to a computer with analysis being done through computer software. Thus we see a more software-defined approach to DAQ, as well as the emergence of high-speed USB-enabled DAQs.

 

 

The other key trends are wireless DAQs connecting with user’s consumer electronics, which users can associate with using sensors, signal conditioning hardware along with flexible software and extensive DAQ channel counts. Integrated and multifunctional applications for modular PCI-based and USB DAQ systems are also gaining popularity due to their comparatively economical nature.

 

Let us take a look at some recent major developments in the field of DAQ.

 

Better interfacing options to keep up with DAQ system requirements
The industry is moving towards a trend of having a combination of modular hardware and flexible software. These newer modular systems have appropriate signal conditioning and analogue-to-digital conversion (ADC), with various interfacing sensors supporting multiple DAQ requirements.

 

The plug-and-play signal conditioning systems improve accuracy and performance by simplifying sensor connectivity, removing noise and ensuring safety. The traditional approach used to be instruments performing specific DAQ tasks, which is not feasible considering today’s requirements.

 

 

Fig. 1: Global revenue forecast (DAQ)

 

Chinmay Misra, technical marketing engineer, National Instruments says, “A traditional DAQ system is equipped with a fixed user interface and in-built programmed software, and hence it is not capable of catering to multiple applications. This means that as soon as DAQ requirements change, the traditional set-up has to be completely revamped. With today’s advanced technology, as upgrade cycles grow relentlessly shorter and relentlessly more cross-platform, the traditional approach is neither feasible nor cost-effective.”

 

Software-defined, modular instrumentation is gaining popularity as it offers flexibility, scalability and higher speeds. A modular instrument is essentially a generic hardware that acquires and generates raw data while the software is stored on the user’s PC, which allows user-defined measurements, analysis and logging. A successful, software-defined DAQ system comprises modular, reconfigurable hardware platforms based on open industry standards, and a systems design software that can be used to easily define the functionality of the system.

 

 

 

Navjodh Dhillon, application engineer, Electronic Measurement Group, Agilent Technologies says, “Modular systems give you a facility of changing the module as and when required while making minimum changes to the overall DAQ system. They also allow you to put different kinds of modules in a small space, to make one integrated, unified system for DAQ purpose.

Today, DAQ is not just about only taking one type of measurement, it’s taking ‘n’ types of different measurements. For this you need an instrument which can have multiple kinds of modules that can be added to the instrument and still be able to take ‘n’ types of different measurements in a unified, integrated solution. This is how modular solutions help you out.”

Improved sensor accuracy using digital multimeter technology
Many DAQ systems now include digital isolators to protect the device, computer and operator from potentially hazardous electrical signals while improving measurement accuracy. This is done by breaking ground loops and rejecting error-causing common-mode voltages and other signal conditioning features such as amplifiers, filters and sensor-specific circuitry on new devices to further improve accuracy and simplify connectivity to common sensors.

 

 

 

Today, the major requirement for any DAQ system is to be as accurate as possible while continuing to be available at a minimal cost. For this, digital multimeter (DMM) based systems have come up. Many systems use DMM as the measurement instrument, which ensures minimum cost, and the measurements are as accurate as a standalone DMM would have.

 

Integrated signal conditioning
While the fundamental architecture of hardware has remained the same, the technologies used in various integrated components have evolved consistently. High-performance DAQ hardware with integrated signal conditioning have surfaced as next-generation solutions.

 

 

 

Fig. 2: Most preferred DAQ system interface (Source: Integrated Process Systems)

 

Fig. 3: Most preferred DAQ features (Source: Integrated Process Systems)

 

 

These solutions integrate DAQ and signal conditioning on a single module to provide high-performance, high-channel count and reliable sensor measurements. Most of such solutions are built around the industry-standard PXI platform, taking the advantage of the superior synchronisation and the high-throughput PCI express bus.

 

Flexibility with channel count
Increased performance and lowering of ADC prices have also allowed the individual channels on a DAQ system to have their own ADC, rather than sharing a single ADC amongst different multiplexers, thereby making DAQ systems more granular in their channel count.

 

Such modules are designed to work with a specific signal type and provide a dedicated ADC on each channel, this facilitates lower channel count modules and devices, which you can group together to develop a custom DAQ system with the exact channel count and mix to fit a specific application need.

 

Larger share for PXIe, AXIe and even USB buses
Although the commonly used platform for modular systems is PXI, but it is not the only modular platform solution available in the market. Other platforms, such as AXI, give you a larger port size, which is about four times of PXI. This allows you to put much more complex hardware and circuitry on the AXI platform.

 

In general, with ADC technology we have trade-offs with the sampling rate and the resolution. If we increase the sampling rate, resolution has to go down and if we increase the resolution, the sampling rate has to go down.

 

But with AXI, we can get ADCs which go up to 3.2GHz sampling rate and still maintain a good 12-bit resolution. This has been an achievement as there are very few digitisers crossing 1GHz sampling rate at 12-bit resolution.

 

USB is a very interesting product for DAQ systems. Providing added functionality for DAQ, compared to plug-in PCI bus devices, USB offers additional benefits such as auto-discovery, set-up and the ability to locate the device up to 5m from the PC with a standard USB cable. It improves both ease of use and flexibility. The bus apportions up to 60MB/s of bandwidth, and signal streaming technologies have ensured the simultaneous operation of multiple DAQ data streams.

 

Most of the USB DAQ systems are standalone cards, which can directly work with a PC without a mainframe. Interestingly, the same card can be put into a chassis and then used as a modular system, where you can club different kinds of cards together or club multiple cards of the same type together to increase the channel density. You can use it as a standalone card if you are looking for only a few channels, or if you are looking for a higher channel density, the same card can be inserted into the chassis and then it can be controlled via a host PC.

 

Wireless approach is growing
While handheld computing platforms with USB interfaces are popular, newer versions having wireless communication have been developed. Designed for remote monitoring, operation and control of the system, these mobile computing devices are proving to be game changers for wireless DAQ systems.

 

Wide adoption of high-speed continuous transmission standard IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) in mobile computing applications has forced DAQ system vendors to improve the industrial ruggedness of Wi-Fi products. The economies of scale, reliability and ease of use of Wi-Fi make the technology appropriate for integration with DAQ systems.

 

Additionally, significant enhancements in the security and reliability of Wi-Fi networks, with technologies such as WPA2 data encryption, have contributed towards Wi-Fi being seen as the next promising technology for DAQ. Also, the seamless connection of Wi-Fi access points to Ethernet-based DAQ systems is adding to their utility.

 

The latest wireless DAQ devices come with built-in signal conditioning and high levels of network security, allowing you to stream data in real time for easy-to-use, high-performance remote wireless sensor measurements.

 

Also, there are different kinds of batteries available for the Wi-Fi DAQ devices with single use and rechargeable options. While the modern devices are designed to last a full day on a small to moderately sized battery, for longer applications batteries with recharging options (such as with a solar panel) are also available.

 

More field-programmable gate arrays in DAQ system
Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have made their way to DAQ systems for in-line signal processing and data reduction. This has resulted in more intelligent DAQ systems, which you can program with various available software tools to process acquired data on the device without having to transfer it over a bus to the PC processor. When it comes to high-end measurement applications involving immediate processing on the incoming data, on-board FPGAs come into play.

 

Also, the software tools for these programmable solutions with pre-defined as well as custom algorithms are leveraging the FPGA technology. This enables user-defined control, sensor simulation, digital protocol emulation with flexible and precise timing and triggering, allowing you to configure hardware and make deterministic measurements and control.

 

Owing to their intelligence and flexibility, these devices can be ideal solutions for custom DAQ requirements, embedded applications and development and testing of custom digital interfacing. As technology advances, the price/performance evolution curve of FPGAs will continuously improve, and also with various software and tools easing the programming of FPGAs, we can expect the integration of FPGAs on DAQ systems to continue to expand.
 
DAS becomes more affordable
As far as a measurement system is concerned, we cannot say that the prices decrease sharply. But due to a growing processing capability, you can get more processing and measurement capability available for the same amount of money you spent before.

 

Following the trend of other semiconductor technologies, modern-day ADCs have significantly reduced costs. Today, we have advanced integrated ADCs with faster conversion speeds, higher resolutions, at an order of much lower price than what was previously available.
 
The price decline has contributed to the integration of signal conditioning features on DAQ systems for the improvement of safety, accuracy and ease of use. ADCs with 16-, 12- or even 10- and 8-bit resolution are available depending upon what requirement you are looking for.

 

A very important thing that has to be kept in mind is, a lot of instrument functionality controlled by the software that you use to control these equipment, and with the PCs becoming affordable and powerful, you are able to use the equipment to a much more extent than ever before. So, as a user, your overall cost for DAQ still reduces because PC still owns a larger part of your system and you are getting much more value for the money you spent.

 

Frankly speaking, you will not see a drastic drop in DAQ systems’ cost like you see in consumer electronics. However, if we see overall value for money, we can see a drastic change in terms of processing, power and measurement capability. Vendors such as Measurement Computing Corporation have lowered the cost of DAQ by bringing out inexpensive USB-based versions that can sample at 500kS per second for under US$ 200.

 

Future
We can see that the technology advancements in the broader computing and consumer electronics sector will continue to leverage and benefit the future DAQ systems. We can expect to see continued growth and adoption of USB, more integration of signal conditioning and added flexibility with on-board programmable FPGAs on DAQ systems. With increased modularity and granularity, the next-generation interfacing and integrated wireless capabilities, one can look forward to the development of more advanced DAQ in the near future.

 

Another area which most of the companies are eyeing for future is Cloud-based DAQ. The applications are already developed and available for various popular operating systems, such as Android and iOS, for remote DAQ with handheld devices allowing you to see the sensor data and providing you the ability to control various parameters, and also log the data onto the system. Working in a seamless environment provides users the ability to access their data from anywhere, further increasing the flexibility and utility of the systems.