Data acquisition is the process of sampling signals measuring real world physical parameters and storing the signals as digital numeric values that can be viewed and analysed on a computer. Our laboratory data acquisition systems are ideal for test beds and environments that are hazardous or poorly accessible. System configuration is straightforward by selecting the chassis type suited to your test environment and selecting the input modules for the signals to be acquired. Our systems have from 4 to 144 high speed analogue inputs in a single acquisition unit with simultaneous sampling, high resolution and internal data storage, and are expandable for higher channel counts. All systems include the latest data acquisition and analysis software for setup, real time visualisation, post processing and reporting.
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As you can imagine with a large proportion of engineering activities, choosing the incorrect tool may have serious implications on the results of your measurements. The information contained below is to help visitors make a more informed decision on a Data Acquisition System which is most appropriate for their requirements.
The data acquisition system input modules need to match the output type of the sensors being used in the measurement application. Common sensor output types include voltage, current, Wheatstone bridge (full/half/quarter), IEPE, resistance, potentiometer, counter, digital, thermocouple, and CAN bus.
Our TRION input modules are compatible with these signal types. The TRION-MULTI is the most flexible, allowing the user to switch between input types in software.
All modules have 4, 6, or 8 channels. Multiple modules can be installed in acquisition systems to provide higher channel counts.
Input modules have an anti-aliasing filter before analogue-to-digital conversion. Its cut-off filter is automatically set based on sample rate. Additionally, a low-pass filter with configurable frequency, type, and order is available.
Our TRION modules have configurable sample rates for each channel.
For accurate waveform reproduction of a sinusoid with frequency y Hz, a sample rate above Nyquist’s 2×y Hz is required. A factor of 10× or more is recommended to avoid aliasing in stored data.
All sensors require an external power supply, except battery-powered ones. Data acquisition input modules are available with multi-pin connectors that provide continuous excitation to sensors, both voltage and current. This simplifies DAQ system installation since a single connector is required at the DAQ end, and no separate external power supply is needed.
Our TRION acquisition modules feature configurable voltage and current excitation for maximum flexibility.
Many applications require recording of both analogue signals (force, position, pressure, vibration, torque) and digital bus data (CAN, ARINC-429, MIL-STD 1553, MODBUS) at the same time. This enables comparison of control system output and system response.
Our DAQ systems can store both analogue signals and digital bus traffic synchronised in a single data file. Digital bus traffic can also be decoded in real time, storing channels with engineering unit values.
Storage time depends on the number of channels, sample rate, module resolution, and system drive size. Our systems range from 256GB to 1TB storage.
For example, 16 channels recorded continuously at 50 kS/s per channel on a 1TB drive provides ~168 hours (7 days) of storage. Higher sample rates reduce recording time.
Event-triggered recording can also be used to capture data only when specific conditions occur (e.g. peak exceedance).
