Serial data acquisition (sometimes referred to as serial I/O) products are free-standing data acquisition modules. These modules perform the same function as a data acquisition board or card, but with several important differences.

Instead of interfacing with a personal computer’s internal ISA, PCI or PCMCIA bus, serial data acquisition modules use a serial interface. This interface is usually an RS-232 or RS-485 serial interface. This interface is used for two-way communications with the module. It is used to send signals to the module to control it, as well as to receive the data results from the module.

The source for the signal measurements or signal output now can be remote from a personal computer. This allows measurement in difficult or hostile locations without subjecting the personal computer to this environment. Instead, the modules are placed close to the actual measurement location and the computer controlling the module(s) can be located 100s or 1000s of feet away in a safe, less hostile environment.

By using a set of specific commands, a personal computer communicates over the serial communication lines to the remotely placed serial data acquisition module. Typical commands that would be sent to a module include Read Analog Input, Perform Calibration, Read CJC Temperature, Set Digital Output, etc.

Since each module is an independent system, each will have a unique identification. This will allow configuration with multiple serial data acquisition modules to function within one larger configuration. Measurement Computing Corporation offers a wide range of input and output modules to meet most data acquisition measurement and control applications.

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, 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.