What is PC Based DAQ?

DAQ is shorthand for data acquisition. PC-based DAQ products offer analog input, analog output, digital I/O, or a combination of these capabilities in a board, card, or module that is designed to interface with a personal computer.

Prior to the advent of the personal computer, DAQ systems were products designed for just data acquisition and generally for a limited or specific application. These systems lacked the computational power and flexibility of today’s PC-based data acquisition systems.

By combining the computational power of the PC with one or more PC-based DAQ boards, cards, or modules, a powerful system can be created. The combination of these two elements is so powerful, that today they have replaced older systems that cost tens of thousands of dollars.

PC-based DAQ products have been designed for every common PC-bus configuration including: PCI, USB, PC/104, ISA, and PCMCIA.

A PC-based DAQ system can convert analog signals into a digital output form, which 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 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 PC-based DAQ system, continuous monitoring and control can be performed.

Measurement Computing Corporation offers the largest selection of PC-based data acquisition and measurement products. Shop our online catalog by selecting a category above. From PCI, USB, PC/104, ISA, and PCMCIA bus boards to external systems based on USB, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, and GPIB interfaces; Measurement Computing has everything you need for your PC-based data acquisition and control applications.