What is PC Card Data Acquisition? PC Card is the new term used to describe the PCMCIA slots found in most laptop computers. PC Card Data Acquisition typically refers to a data acquisition board or card design to interface with a slot in a laptop computer. Typical data acquisition cards include Analog I/O, Analog Output, Digital I/O and Serial Communications cards that are designed to interface with the PCMCIA bus of a personal computer.

      When a PC card data acquisition product is in conjunction with the processor in a personal computer, a wide assortment of automated measurement and control functions can be accomplished.

      A PC card data acquisition based system converts analog signals into a digital form, which can then be manipulated by 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 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 measurement made by a PC card based data acquisition system, continues monitoring and control can be performed.

      Based on matching, meeting or exceed the set limits, a digital control signal (in the form of single bit output signal) can be used to turn on or turn of 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.

      Measurement Computing Corporation offers the largest selection of PC card based data acquisition and measurement products. Shop our online catalog by selecting a category above. From PCI, USB, PC104, 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.