USB Data Acquisition Products from Measurement Computing
USB Data Acquisition Products from Measurement Computing
USB data acquisition products - - what are they? They are analog I/O, analog output, digital I/O and serial communications boards that are designed to interface with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) of a personal computer.
USB data acquisition products are offered in a wide range of configurations to meet most any application. These products are available for multifunction I/O, digital I/O, and temperature measurement. The products range from reliable, general purpose modules to robust high-speed, high channel count devices, all at industry-best prices.
The Universal Serial Bus is a plug-and-play interface between a computer and add-on devices such as data acquisition product, but it can also be used for audio players, joysticks, keyboards, telephones, scanners, and printers. With USB, a data acquisition board can be added to a computer without having to add an adapter card.
IBM, Compaq, DEC, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom developed the USB standard. The technology is available without charge for all computer and device vendors.
A USB 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 data acquisition system, continuous 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, Ethernet, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, and GPIB interfaces; Measurement Computing has everything you need for your PC-based data acquisition and control applications.
