DAS Data Acquisition system Basic principle BY: MUYEMBA CHIMBOOLA What is a Data Acquisition System? • Is the process of digitizing data from the world around us so it can be displayed, analyzed, and stored in a computer. • It a process of sampling signals that measure real world physical conditions & converting it into numeric values that can be manipulated by a computer. Data Acquisition System Block Diagram Components Data Acquisition System Components Data Acquisition System? • Transducer − It converts physical quantities into electrical signals. • Signal conditioner − It performs the functions like amplification and selection of desired portion of the signal. • Analog to Digital Converter − It converts the analog input into its equivalent digital output. • Display device − It displays the data in digital format. • Digital Recorder − It is used to record the data in digital format. Data Acquisition System Measurements • • • • • • • • • • • Current Voltage Strain Frequency or time interval Pressure Temperature Distance Vibration Angles Digital signals Weight Data Acquisition System Equipment Data Acquisition System Data Loggers • Depending on the type of application, the data can be used to read voltages, temperature measurements, humidity levels, currents, or other signals of interest. Data loggers are self-contained data acquisition systems with built-in processors and predefined software embedded in the unit. Conductivity meter Data Acquisition System • Data acquisition devices contain signal conditioning circuitry, as well as an analog-to-digital converter. However, they need to be connected to a computer in order to function. • They are mostly plug and play devices Proximeter Data Acquisition System Signal Capturing Voltage Signals The voltage signal is the most commonly used signal employed by DAQ systems. Strain gauge bridge circuits, thermocouples, and gas concentration probes, for example, all produce a voltage signal. Data acquisition hardware conditions the signal and then converts it into a digital number by employing an analog-to-digital converter. This digital value is stored by the computer Data Acquisition System Signal Capturing Current Signals Current is usually used for transmitting signals in noisy environments since it is much less affected by environmental background noise. A data acquisition system measures the amount of current that flows and then stores the value in a computer for analysis. Data Acquisition System Signal Capturing Resistance Resistance measurements are performed employing a current source together with a normal voltage input. The current flows through an unknown resistance and the voltage drop across that resistance is measured. This voltage drop is then recorded by the data acquisition system. Data Acquisition System Signal Capturing Digital Signals Digital outputs produced by switches and are treated as logic signals. These signals are sensed as on(1) or off(0). When the digital signals are rapidly changing and become pulse trains, counter-timer type inputs must be considered. Data Acquisition System Objective • Monitor the complete plant operation to maintain online, safe operation and control. • It must be able to collect, summarize and store date for diagnosis of the operation, status of equipment, and also for records purposes • It must be able to compute unit performance indices using online, real time data. • It must be reliable, easy to operate and must be user friendly Data Acquisition System Conclusion Data acquisition systems are a process for capturing, storing, analyzing, and manipulating data. The data is acquired through different techniques including voltage signals, current signals, power signals, etc. There are different types of data acquisition systems utilized. Some of them are multipurpose devices with an all-in-one configuration whereas some are single-purpose devices designed for measuring data from single parameters. These systems offer so many benefits. They are cost-effective, fast, versatile, and reliable. Data acquisition systems are a very efficient and convenient way of recording data for further analysis. Data acquisition systems not only improve data security since the process of capturing data is now automated, they improve access to data for the users while reducing errors.