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Data Acquisition Systems 101

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Engineers and testing professionals use data acquisition systems to enable smart decisions. The data retrieved through DAQ systems empower users to identify points of failure, optimize performance, and create efficiencies in products and processes.

When it comes to measuring force, the accuracy and reliability of the sensor is a critical component to receiving quality data. The data acquired from measurement devices, including load cells, torque transducers, and other types of force sensors, is valuable for product development, research, and robust testing to ensure performance and durability of all types of innovations. Ultimately, utilizing precision-based data provides enhanced control and response for all types of applications and use cases. Interface provides a wide range of data acquisition instrumentation that is easily paired with our force measurement products.

By definition, a data acquisition system is a collection of components used to acquire data via analog signals and converting them to digital form for storage, research, and analysis. Data acquisition systems, also called DAQ systems, typically are made up of sensors, signal conditioners, converters, plus computer hardware and software for logging and analysis. Interface experts are available to help pair the transducers with the right instrumentation.

The data acquired through the measurement device is only useful if it is logged for analysis and traceability. This is where instrumentation, in particular DAQ systems come into play, in not only transferring data, but also obtaining the right type of data in a format and data transfer method that works with existing user systems.

Data acquisition that utilizes analog output has long been the standard in the industry. As new requirements for use cases and applications grow, test and measurement professionals and engineers find these systems advantageous because of the lower cost, easy integration, and scalability. They also like the advantage of daisy-chaining multiple sensors together on a single cable run to maximize the amount of data through single tests. More data improves the quality of analysis and monitoring.

Advancements in sensor technologies coincide with growing demands for digitalization and to gather more testing data. This is seen using multi-axis sensors, along with requirements for multi-channel acquisition that can integrate into existing systems already designed with specific digital connections and protocols.

In addition to improving speed of data output, acquisition systems offer an abundance of value-added benefits. This is primarily due to the digital signal, as they are less susceptible to noise and are more secure. The systems also typically have built in error detection. Digital signals are best for transmitting signals across longer distances or when you need to allow for simultaneous multi-directional transmissions. Many people like the ease of integration, both into existing networks as well as with other testing devices.

Data acquisition systems and accessories come in many shapes and sizes, wired and wireless and there are also a handful of different software options in different systems. All these various products such as digital instruments, input and output modules, cables, monitors, and accessories. Interface offers a range of DAQ products, including full systems including the sensors.

Interface Complete Data Acquisition Systems

BlueDAQ Data QA Pack

Force sensors can easily connect via the BlueDAQ Family Data AQ Pack for fast and accurate data acquisition. This solution provides a convenient way to view the test results from transducers including single axis, dual axis, 3-axis, and 6-axis multi-axis sensors. Check out our BX8-HD44 BlueDAQ Series Data Acquisition System for Multi-Axis Sensors with Lab Enclosure.

T-USB-VS Rotary Torque Transducer Data AQ Pack

Connecting dynamic torque transducers to the T-USB Rotary Torque Transducer Data Acquisition Pack will provide you with convenient way to view the test results for your torque transducers that have internal USB functionality.

WTS Wireless Data AQ Pack

Utilizing the popular WTS Wireless Data Acquisition Pack provides convenient wireless communication with speeds up to 200 samples per second. Learn more in our Interface Wireless Telemetry System Review. See the complete line Interface WTS here.

DIG-USB PC Interface Module Data AQ Pack

Interface’s DIG-USB Data Acquisition Pack enables a straightforward way to view the test results our load cells or torque transducers. Check out the popular DIG-USB Output Module and the DIG-USB-F Fast USB Output Module.

9325 Portable Display Data AQ Pack

Interface’s 9325 Data Acquisition Pack makes your system portable. The 9325 allows simple display of strain bridge based measurements such as load cells, torque transducers, and other mV/V output transducers with sensitivity up to +/-1 V/V.

INF-USB-VS3 PC Interface Module Data AQ Pack

Our INF-USB-VS3 Data Acquisition Pack connects Interface mV/V load cells or torque transducers to provide real-time data analysis.  Here is more information about the INF-USB3 Universal Serial Bus Single Channel PC Interface Module.

Interface Data Acquisition Systems are modular. We offer the complete system, including enclosures, along with single components to complete a system. Consult with our application engineers to learn what system would be best for your test and measurement programs.

Data AQ Pack Brochure

 

 

 

Ultimate BlueDAQ Software Guide for Interface Instrumentation

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In the new online resource center for BlueDAQ Software, Interface provides helpful instructional guides, video demonstrations, user tips and feature details about the popular software often used with various Interface Instrumentation solutions.

Interface provides various instrumentation products, as highlighted in our Instrumentation Selection Guide, for scale input/output, force and moment value calculation, graphing, logging, and display that are compatible with the BlueDAQ Software.

The BlueDAQ Software contains modules for stress analysis with strain gages. It is designed to be used for multiple axis and multi-component force torque sensors. A benefit is the long-term data acquisition decimation at run time.

BlueDAQ Software is used for configuration of measuring amplifiers, recording of measurement data, playback and export of recorded data and read-out dataloggers for Interface Instrumentation models 9330 and BX6-BT.  You can see a complete instrumentation comparison guide to determine the model that works best with the software requirement needed for a project or lab.

The BlueDAQ software is commonly used with the following Interface Instrumentation Models:

The software and drivers are available for download, at no cost.  Visit the BlueDAQ resource center for quick access.

Instrumentation paired with the right software extends the value of test and measurement projects and work in the lab. As noted in our our recent Advancements in Instrumentation webinar, expectations for how data is viewable, stored and retrievable for detailed analysis is critical. This is confirmed in the recent report on trends in data management for sensor products, which includes:

  • Mathscripting
  • Real-time data manipulation versus post process
  • Remote access to equipment and results
  • Transmission to the cloud and data security
  • Alerts, notifications, automated reports
  • Advanced triggering and logging
  • Mixed and expanding communication protocols: Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, EtherCAT and ethernet, Wi-Fi, 5G

You can watch product and software demonstration videos and review compatible and comparative instrumentation options that come with BlueDAQ software.

BlueDAQ Software Brochure

 

TEDS 101

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In the electronics industry, sensor compatibility challenges can lead to significant issues with efficiency, accuracy, safety and more. When it comes to force measurement sensors, incompatibility issues can railroad an entire project.  This is where the role of Transducer Electronic Data Sheets (TEDS) comes into play.

TEDS is a set of electronic data in a standardized format stored in a chip that is attached to a transducer, therefore allowing the transducer to identify and describe itself to the network and ease automatic system configuration. This self-identification capability for the transducer is needed for maintenance, diagnostics, and to determine mean time between failure characteristics. The chip stores information such as manufacturer name, identification number, type of device, serial number, as well as calibration data. The TEDS can be uploaded to the system upon power up or request. It also serves as documentation for the transducer.

Transducer Electronic Data Sheets (TEDS) provide:

  • Sensor with electronic identification
  • IEEE 1451.4 standard for smart transducer interface
  • Plug and play readiness
  • Storage of sensor information and calibration data
  • Use with new or existing sensors

IEEE1451.4 specifies a table of identifying parameters that are stored in the load cell in the form of a TEDS. TEDS is a table of parameters that identify the transducer and is held in the transducer on a EEPROM for interrogation by external electronics.

A TEDS chip becomes the ultimate tool to allow users to take off-the-shelf sensor solutions and integrate them into a total force measurement solution. The key benefits TEDS provide includes:

  • Eliminating potential for data entry error
  • Simplifying new system setup and speeds up the process
  • Making swapping load cells in and out of a test system seamless
  • Improving safety by ensuring the system has the correct sensors
  • Easily identifying and tagging sensor locations
  • Improving inventory control of sensors
  • Changing sensors out without jeopardizing integrity of the system

TEDS chips can be sold separately or integrated into existing systems such as instrumentation products. Interface offers both options, selling TEDS as a standalone accessory, as well as integrating them into instrumentation solutions, such as:

9840 Calibration Grade Multi-Channel Load Cell Indicator

Model 9840 is suitable for use in calibration labs, field service, or anywhere high accuracy is important. This product’s features include a bipolar 6-digit 2-line display, remote sense, low noise, 24-bit internal resolution, USB port with RS232 communication, mV/V calibration, store calibrations for up to 25 sensors. 6-point linearization, unit conversion and front-panel tare. This unit also has Self-calibration via TEDS Plug and Play ready IEEE 1451.4 compliance.

9320 Battery Powered Portable Load Cell Indicator

Model 9320 is a bipolar 7-digit handheld meter featuring two independently scalable ranges, peak and valley monitoring, display hold, mV/V calibration, and a power save feature. Typical battery life exceeds 45 hours of continuous use and 450 in low power mode. IEEE1451.4 TEDS Plug and Play compliant.

Additional TEDS Ready Interface Solutions

9840-400-1-T 4-Channel Intelligent Indicator

9840TQ mV/V Input Torque Transducer Indicator

9870 High-Speed High Performance Teds Ready Indicator

BX6-BT Portable 6-Channel High Speed Bluetooth Data Logger

BX8-AS BlueDAQ Series Data Acquisition System With Industrial Enclosure

BX8-HD15 BlueDAQ Series Data Acquisition System For Discreet Sensors With Lab Enclosure

BX8-HD44 BlueDAQ Series Data Acquisition System For Multi-Axis Sensors With Lab Enclosure

These solutions make a great addition to any testing environment as they enable quick compatibility and are very easy to setup. To learn more about TEDS or to explore how TEDS can help solve your force measurement challenges, contact us to explore the possibilities.