Data Acquisition
Data acquisition (DAQ) is the process of sampling real-world physical signals such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure or sound, and converting these measurements into values that can be read by a computer. Data acquisition systems, often referred to as DAS or DAQ systems, enable this conversion by capturing analogue waveforms and transforming them into digital values for processing and analysing.
What Is Data Acquisition Used for?
A data acquisition system, often referred to as a DAQ system, serves to bridge the gap between physical phenomena and digital analysis. It operates by sampling real-world analogue signals, such as those representing temperature, pressure, or voltage, and converting them into digital values understandable by a computer.
The core process involves sensors that measure these physical properties and output corresponding electrical signals. These signals are then typically conditioned by specialised circuitry or dedicated signal conditioning hardware, which may amplify or filter them. A crucial component, the Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC) often integrated into the DAQ hardware or data acquisition device (sometimes referred to as a data acquisition unit), digitises the conditioned analogue signals.
Finally, this digital data acquisition is transmitted to a computer running dedicated software for comprehensive processing, analysis, storage, and visualisation, providing critical insights into the measured conditions. This integrated collection of DAQ hardware and software forms a complete data acquisition system.
What Are the Features and Components of the Data Acquisition (DAQ) System?
- Sensors to convert physical parameters into electrical signals.
- Signal conditioning circuitry that prepares sensor signals for digitisation by amplifying, filtering, or isolating them.
- Analogue-to-Digital Converters (ADC) to convert conditioned analogue signals into digital data.
A data acquisition system is a collection of software and hardware that lets you measure or control physical characteristics of something in the actual world. A complete data acquisition system comprises DAQ hardware, sensors and actuators, signal conditioning hardware, and a computer running DAQ software.
Key Specifications of Data Acquisition (DAQ) Systems and Tools
When selecting a data acquisition system or DAQ tool for your specific application, understanding the key specifications is vital to ensure accurate and reliable measurements. These specifications define the performance and capabilities of the DAQ hardware and ultimately impact the quality of the data acquisition.
Number of Input Channels
When selecting a data acquisition system, the number of input channels is a primary consideration. This determines the number of different signals or measurements that the DAQ hardware can acquire simultaneously from various sensors. Choosing the right number of channels ensures you can monitor all necessary points in your experiment or process using a single data acquisition device or data acquisition unit.
Sampling Rate
The sampling rate is a critical specification for any data acquisition device or DAQ system. It defines how many times per second an analogue signal is measured and converted into a digital value. A higher sampling rate allows for the accurate capture of faster-changing signals, ensuring that important details and transients in your data are not missed during data acquisition.
Resolution
Resolution in a data acquisition unit or DAQ system refers to the level of detail with which an analogue signal is
digitised. It is typically expressed in bits, where a higher bit count indicates finer precision. Higher resolution allows the data acquisition device to detect smaller changes in the measured signal, providing more accurate and granular data for analysis within the data acquisition system.
Connectivity
Connectivity refers to how the DAQ hardware or data acquisition system connects to a computer or network for data transfer and control. Common options include USB for portable or proximity use, Ethernet for longer distances and distributed systems, and wireless options like Wi-Fi. The connectivity type impacts data transfer speed, range, and system integration, which is important when setting up a DAQ tool or data acquisition system.
How Are DAQ systems Used in Industrial Settings in Singapore?
Data acquisition systems and DAQ tools play a crucial role across a multitude of industrial sectors in Singapore, providing the necessary data to monitor processes, test products, and ensure operational efficiency and safety.
Manufacturing
In manufacturing, data acquisition systems monitor process parameters, conduct quality control tests on data acquisition products, and perform production line diagnostics. This ensures consistent product quality and efficient operations.
Automotive Industry
The automotive industry applies DAQ systems for vehicle testing, analysing engine performance, collecting crash test data, and validating electronic systems. This supports design improvements and safety standards.
Aerospace and Defence
Aerospace and defence utilise data acquisition devices for structural testing, flight testing data collection, and monitoring the performance of critical systems under various conditions, where reliability is paramount.
Energy and Power Generation
Energy and power generation facilities use data acquisition units to monitor critical parameters in plants and grids, optimise performance, and facilitate maintenance through continuous data acquisition.
Ordering and Delivery Information for Singapore
At RS Singapore, a trusted data acquisition device supplier, you'll find a wide range of data acquisition systems, DAQ hardware, and data acquisition devices from leading brands like Sefram, Digilent, and Keysight Technologies—ideal for research, testing, and industrial applications.
RS offers fast delivery of data acquisition and logging accessories like data loggers and chart recorders within Singapore. Next-working-day delivery is available for online orders (Terms & Conditions apply), please refer to our Delivery page for more details regarding our full range of delivery services and fees.