What is a PCMCIA data Acquisition product? First, a DAQ product is an Analog I/O, Analog Output, Digital I/O or Serial Communications board that is designed to interface to a desktop, notebook or laptop computer. PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is an industry group organized to promote standards. The PCMCIA standard is for a credit card-size memory or I/O device that fits into a personal computer.

      A PCMCIA DAQ card is a credit card-size I/O device that connects to a personal computer, usually a notebook or laptop computer. Common examples of a PCMCIA cards are 802.11 WiFi interconnects and Ethernet ports for notebook computers.

      A PCMCIA DAQ card converts 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 generated from a PCMCIA DAQ card 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 measurement 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 PCMCIA DAQ card (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-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.