Gather information about your computer and the physical phenomenon you want to study before renting a DAQ unit.  You will be able to use this information to work with a supplier and determine the sensors and DAQ device that will optimize your data acquisition process.  Some DAQ units have the ability to read one analog signal and others are capable of working with multiple conversions simultaneously.  The application software you rent or lease will be determined by what you would like to do with your data once it has been collected and converted by the DAQ device.

There are three major components to operating DAQ units: the sensors, the DAQ device, and a computer.  Many units come with both built in sensors and input/output jacks for you to attach your own sensors.  The DAQ device, where data conversion takes place, has three parts.  The first is a signal conditioner, which takes the analog signal from your sensors and prepares it for the ADC; this may involve amplification, filtration, or other processes.  The second part of the DAQ device is the ADC; this changes the analog data to digital data.  The final component of the DAQ device is a computer bus, the connection between the device and your computer.  DAQ units are available with a variety of computer bus options including USB, PCI, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi.  DAQ units do not come with a computer, so you will need to supply your own.  Application software is frequently available with the DAQ device.  Some application software comes pre-programmed to analyze data, but most are programmable to your needs.  Your KWIPPED network supplier will assist you in working with your application software and other DAQ unit needs.

DAQ units use sensors to receive data from physical conditions and convert the data into electric signals.  The DAQ device conditions the electric signals in preparation for conversion in its analog-to-digital converter (ADC).  Once the data has been converted to digital format it is sent via a computer bus to your computer.  Pre-programmed and programmable application software is available for you to manipulate your data on your computer.

Data acquisition units are used to turn measurements of physical phenomena into digital values that are then manipulated with a computer.  Other names for data acquisition units are DAS (data acquisition system), DAQ, and DAQ device.  DAQ devices are used to gather information for testing, research, and data analysis purposes.

• Testing
• Research
• Data logging
• Engineering
• Science
• Manufacturing
• Technology

• AD Instruments
• GE
• HBM
• Hioki
• Keithley
• National Instruments
• Yokogawa