USB Based Data Acquisition Products from MCC

USB based data acquisition products from Measurement Computing are offered in a wide range of configurations. These products are available for multifunction analog and digital I/O, and temperature measurement. The products range from reliable, general purpose modules to robust high-speed, high channel count devices, all at industry-best prices.

USB based data acquisition offers a number of advantages over data acquisition through other buses or interfaces. Compared to PCI and ISA boards, USB based data acquisition products provide ease-of-use, since you don’t have to open up a computer chassis to install a board.

The plug-and-play feature of USB based data acquisition products allow you to combine the USB hardware with ready-to-run software applications, enabling a user to begin taking measurements in a fraction of the time.

USB based data acquisition products from Measurement Computing all ship with a powerful suite of software that is included in the price of the hardware. This suite includes: InstaCal, the installation, test, and calibration utility that quickly makes a device ready to take measurements, TracerDAQ, a strip chart, data logging, and scope application that is ready to run out of the box.

Universal Library is a complete function library that saves you time by simplifying the configuration and operation of your data acquisition board and by reducing human errors by eliminating the use of detailed, low-level functions.

Combining USB based data acquisition hardware and software will create a virtual instrumentation data acquisition system that converts analog signals into a digital output form that can be manipulated with software. Using software in conjunction with a personal computer, analog data can be displayed, logged, charted, graphed, or stored in memory as needed.

Stored data generated from a USB based data acquisition device can later be used and compared with a set of established limits. Control decisions are made if the stored data is at the limit, above or below the limit. With repetitive measurements made by a data acquisition system, continuous monitoring and control can be performed.

Based on matching, meeting or exceeding the set limits, a digital control signal from a USB-based data acquisition device (in the form of single bit output signal) can be used to turn on or turn off a relay. This in turn can be used to turn on various control elements like fans, pumps, motors, etc.

Alternatively, based on the difference between an input and an established set point, a precise analog output signal can be generated. This signal can be used to provide a complete closed loop control patch, providing continuous control of a process.