What is a PCI DAQ? DAQ is data acquisition and PCI is Peripheral Component Interconnect. Simply stated it is a data acquisition product that interfaces with the PCI bus. A PCI DAQ system is not just the acquisition of data, but rather, it is both the acquisition and control of data, both in analog and digital form.

In more detail, a Peripheral Component Interconnect is an interconnection system between a microprocessor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high-speed operation. A PCI-based computer can support both new PCI cards while continuing to support Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) expansion cards, an older standard. PCI is now installed on most new desktop computers.

A PCI 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 PCI DAQ system, continuous monitoring and control can be performed.

Advanced data acquisition systems such as offered by Measurement Computing Corporation, offer PCI DAQ system boards or cards with multiple analog-to-digital and a digital-to-analog functions. Systems are available for simple measurement and control applications to highly complex measurement and control applications requiring 100s of analog and digital inputs and outputs.

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 to RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, and GPIB interfaces; Measurement Computing has everything you need for your PC-based data acquisition and control applications.