What Is Data Acquisition?

Data acquisition is a pivotal process in the world of technology, enabling the collection and analysis of information from devices and sources. Whether in a scientific research laboratory, industrial automation applications, IoT applications, or sensor-based systems; effective data acquisition is critical to making informed decisions. Let’s review the intricacies of a sensor-based data acquisition system and its key components.

Understanding Data Acquisition

Definition and Purpose:

Sensor-based data acquisition refers to the process of sampling real-world signals and converting those samples into digital data that computers can understand. This process involves the use of hardware components such as sensors, instruments, and precision devices from DGH Corporation to accurately measure and convert the signals to digital data. The digital data can then be stored, analyzed, and used to swiftly respond to changing conditions, mitigate risk, or improve system performance.

Data Acquisition System Components:

• Sensors: Devices that convert physical quantities such as temperature, pressure, and motion into electrical signals.
• Signal Conditioning: The process of modifying raw signals to ensure compatibility with the data acquisition system. This may include circuits that perform amplification, attenuation, isolation, filtering and more.
• Data Converter: Analog to digital converters, such as high accuracy products from DGH Corporation that convert analog signals into digital data for processing by a computer.
• Software: Data acquisition software that interfaces with the hardware components, contains software control algorithms, facilitates data storage, and performs data analysis. It normally provides a user-friendly graphical interface for viewing, configuring, and managing the data acquisition system.
• Data Storage: Physical storage devices where the collected data is stored for subsequent analysis. Typically, local disk drives or cloud storage services.
• Communications Interface: Interfaces that enable the data acquisition system to communicate with hardware components, external devices, or other computer-based systems. Common communications interfaces include USB, Ethernet, Serial, and wireless communication protocols.
• Control Unit: The control unit manages the overall operation of the data acquisition system, coordinating the activities of different hardware components, setting parameters, and ensuring proper data acquisition.
• Power Supply: Provides the necessary power to operate the data acquisition system. This can include both internal and external power sources.
• User Interface: The user interface allows users to interact with the data acquisition system, configure settings, monitor real-time data, and access historical data.

Methods of Data Acquisition

Data acquisition methods refer to how data is collected from different sources. The methods are performed by capturing and storing information from sources such as sensors, instruments, or data producing devices. Examples of methods used in sensor-based data acquisition systems may include gathering location-based data using satellites, gathering data from remote areas of a municipality using wireless telemetry, collecting data on new engineering designs, or logging environmental data within a facility. Here are a few data acquisition methods that are commonly found in sensor-based data acquisition systems:

Data Logging:

• Data logging is the recording and storing of data over a specified period of time.
• Data logging begins when the data acquisition system is started, collecting data for a period of time and saving the data to a storage device.
• Stored data is analyzed using software tools or algorithms to determine system trends, anomalies, system compliance, performance analysis, and even for troubleshooting purposes.

Testing / Experiments:

• Performing tests or experiments using appropriate measurement techniques to collect data.
• Setup a data acquisition system to systematically process the collection of data in order to determine meaningful insight from the test data.

Wireless Telemetry:

• The collection of data using wireless telemetry methods involves transmitting data without a physical cable or wired connection. This method is commonly used in applications, including IoT (Internet of Things), remote monitoring, and industrial automation.
• Wireless data collection is often performed using standards and protocols such as Wi-Fi on LAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, cellular and satellite networks.

Data Analysis

• Use appropriate tools and algorithms to analyze collected data.
• Make appropriate decisions based on findings.

While this is an abbreviated list of data acquisition methods, choosing the appropriate method depends on the type of data collected, objectives for gathering the data, and the application requirements to collect the data.

System Challenges and Solutions

Data acquisition systems play an important role in collecting, processing, and analyzing information. These systems face challenges that can impact their performance and effectiveness. Here are some common challenges for any data acquisition system:

Calibration and Accuracy:

• Sensors may exhibit accuracy errors or even drift over time. Follow manufacturers recommendations and calibration procedures to maintain accuracies and ensure sensor reliability.
• Measurement hardware may exhibit accuracy errors over time. Follow manufacturers calibration procedures to maintain accuracies and ensure hardware reliability.
• DGH product manuals include comprehensive calibration procedures for each series of products.

Signal Interference and Noise:

• External factors such as electromagnetic interference (EMI), radiofrequency interference (RFI), and environmental noise can introduce unwanted signals or noise in readings, affecting the quality of acquired data. Ensure that sensors are properly connected, follow practical grounding recommendations, and utilize shielding to eliminate unwanted noise.
• All DGH measurement devices include user-programmable single-pole digital filters for filtering out unwanted noise in sensor readings.

Data Synchronization:

• Synchronizing real-time data in systems that contain multiple sensors or distributed components can be challenging. Proper system design and preparation can eliminate misalignments in timing that lead to inaccuracies during analysis.

Data Security and Privacy:

• Data acquisition sometimes involves the collection of sensitive or private information. Ensuring the security of this data is critical. Proper system design steps must be taken to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized access or data breaches.

Compatibility with Legacy Systems:

• Compatibility issues often arise when integrating new data acquisition systems with existing legacy systems. Proper planning must be performed to ensure seamless integration without downtime or disruptions.

Scalability and Flexibility:

• Design with system expansion in mind. Expanding data acquisition systems to collect larger amounts of information or handle increased numbers of sensors requires careful planning in order to maintain system performance.

Low Power Consumption:

• In battery-operated remote sensing applications that require low operating power, minimizing power consumption using hardware from DGH Corporation to ensure energy efficiency and prolonged operation.

Data Transmission:

• Transmitting large volumes of data over networks can be limited by network bandwidth. Data compression techniques may be necessary, especially in remote or resource-constrained environments.

Cost and Budgets:

• Designing and implementing data acquisition systems can be costly. Balancing system performance and functionality within budget constraints is always a challenge.

System Environmental Conditions:

• Harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, humidity, or exposure to toxic chemicals, can impact the performance and longevity of data acquisition equipment.

Maintenance and Reliability:

• Ensuring the ongoing reliability of the system through regular maintenance and monitoring is essential. Unexpected failures can disrupt data acquisition processes.

Data Standards and Formats:

• Lack of standardized data formats and communication protocols can hinder data exchanges between different system equipment or devices.

Data Analysis:

• As datasets grow in size and complexity, extracting meaningful insights becomes challenging. Utilizing effective data analysis tools and algorithms is crucial for deriving actionable information.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Meeting regulatory requirements related to data collection, storage, and privacy can be complex and requires continuous adherence to evolving standards.

Addressing these challenges requires a disciplined approach and expertise in sensors, electronics, software development, cybersecurity, and data analysis. Regular software updates, calibration cycles, preventative maintenance, and improvements are necessary to maintain data acquisition system performance, reliability, security and responses to evolving needs.

Emerging Trends in Data Acquisition

Edge Computing:

• The shift toward edge computing involves processing data closer to the source rather than relying solely on centralized cloud servers. This trend is particularly significant in applications where real-time data processing is crucial, such as in IoT devices and industrial settings.
• Products from DGH Corporation are ideal for edge computing applications. Each product is small in size for mounting in close proximity to the sensor, operates on low power and accepts direct connection to the sensor without the need for external conditioning devices.

Internet of Things (IoT):

• The Internet of Things (IoT) is driving the proliferation of sensor networks. These networks, consisting of interconnected sensors, enable extensive data collection from various sources, contributing to smart cities, smart buildings, and industrial IoT applications.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies are increasingly being integrated into data acquisition systems. These technologies enable predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and automation, enhancing the ability to derive insights from large datasets.
• Leveraging Machine Learning algorithms to analyze and interpret acquired data for predictive insights.

Wireless Data Acquisition:

• The use of wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi or cellular, is becoming more prevalent in today’s data acquisition systems. This trend allows for both flexible and scalable deployments. Especially in locations where wired connections are not possible.
• Products from DGH Corporation are ideal for use in wireless applications. The serial communications products easily interface with many different wireless modems, allowing data to be transmitted through wireless or cellular networks.

Data acquisition is a complex process with many aspects that play a pivotal role in the design, collection and processing of data using many different technologies. From analog systems to IoT applications, today’s system designers must understand the principles and design challenges of a data acquisition system. As today’s technology continues to improve, so will the methods and tools used to collect valuable data.