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Data Acquisition and Data Logging Overview

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Data is used for various purposes within an organization. You could be gathering data for the purpose of analyzing certain trends regarding sales of your products. Irregardless of the reason for collecting and analyzing the data, you know how difficult and time consuming it can be. It really depends on how you take in the data and the way you acquire it will depend on the amount of effort involved. Many businesses that are involved in collecting data use instruments to do the work. These instruments are usually referred to as data acquisition and data logging equipment. In most instances, the person takes a sample of data, analyzes it, and logs it for future use. In order to perform the task of data acquisition you need to have certain perquisites in place. This includes knowing what to do and having the equipment to do it. Data acquisition and data logging actually go together. However, for the sake of this article, each area will be explored independently. The main thing to know is that data acquisition and data logging involve the following:

• Data acquisition: This usually involves using equipment to collect the data. This equipment will consists of using:
o Sensors – These are little devices that monitor and acknowledge a change in conditions of whatever is being monitored. This is done by sensing a change in movement or voltage reading.
o Transmitters – Transmitters are used to send electronic signals to some kind of receiver, whether it is a radio, TV, or other electronic device.
o Scopes: When taking data, scopes are usually used to evaluate the type of data that has been collected. Some times the user relies on scopes or meters to determine the intensity of the signal received to know whether it is an audio, video, or some other kind of signal.
• Data logging: Data loggers are used mainly for one purpose – to take data that has been collected and store it for later analysis. There are various requirements that a data logger uses. These include:
o Input signal – With data loggers, the input signal is interpreted and acted upon based on predetermined settings and configurations. The type of signal it works with could be any type form AC voltage to sound waves.
o Number of inputs – Many data loggers come in two designs: single and multi-channel. When it comes to being a multi-channel receiver, it has been known that data loggers can handle well over a hundred inputs at one time.
o Size – Some data loggers are small while others are large. It really depends on what use you have for one that will decide on the size you want. However, if your situation warrants a small one, because of a lack of space as an example, you may qualify for a small unit.
o Speed – Some data loggers work slowly compared to data acquisition systems. This is because data loggers store everything in internal memory which is limited in capacity. The more data that is acquired, the more memory needed.
o Operation: How do you want the unit to operate? Many of them offer a system where you can display the data that is being collected onto a computer, while the data is being collected.

Next Page: Defining Data Acquisition and How Is It Used?

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