What are PCI data acquisition pProducts? PCI data acquisition products are analog I/O, analog output, digital I/O and serial communications boards that are designed to interface with the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus of a personal computer.

PCI is an interconnection system between a microprocessor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely and offer high-speed operation. Using PCI, data acquisition based systems can support new PCI boards while continuing to support Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) expansion boards, an older standard.

Designed by Intel, the original PCI was similar to the VESA Local Bus. However, PCI 2.0 is no longer a local bus and is designed to be independent of microprocessor design. PCI is designed to be synchronized with the clock speed of the microprocessor.

A PCI data acquisition 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 data acquisition system, continuouss monitoring and control can be performed.

Based on matching, meeting or exceeding the set limits, a digital control signal (in the form of a 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.

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.