UNIT -IV.

1. Draw the typical DAQ system.

2. What are the types of hardware present in DAQ system?

A typical DAQ system has three basic types of hardware
 A terminal block,
 A cable, and
 A DAQ device.

3. What are the standard elements of DAQ system?

Most DAQ devices have four standard elements:
 analog input,
 analog output,
 digital I/O, and
 counters and timers.

4. How to Create NI-DAQmx Simulated Devices?

To create an NI-DAQmx simulated device, complete the following steps:
 Expand Devices and Interfaces.
 Right-click NI-DAQmx Devices and select Create New NI-DAQmx
 Device»NI-DAQmx Simulated Device.
  In the Choose Device dialog box, select the family of devices for the device you
want to simulate.
 Select the device and click OK.
 If you select a PXI device, you are prompted to select a chassis number
and PXI slot number.
 If you select an SCXI chassis, the SCXI configuration panels open.

5. How to remove NI-DAQmx Simulated Devices?

To remove an NI-DAQmx simulated device, complete the following steps:

 Expand Devices and Interfaces»NI-DAQmx Devices.

 Right-click the NI-DAQmx simulated device you want to delete.
 Click Delete.

6. Define GUI.
Graphical user interface which permits the user to interact graphically with the computer,
most commonly through the use of a pointing device like a mouse.

7. What is mean by data acquisition?( May09)

A data acquisition system that performs conversion of analog signal to digital data and
the digital data to analog signal is interfaced to a PC to implement the functions of a
measurement and control instrumentation applications.

8. What is mean by Signal-conditioning?

It provides operations necessary to transform a sensor output into a form and level
necessary to interface with other modules of the measurement system.

9. What are all the operations available in signal conditioning?

 Amplification
 Isolation
 Filtering
 Scaling
 Attenuation
 I/V and V/I conversion.

10. What is the need of signal processing?

Simple signal conditioning is not sufficient in many measurements. In addition to
signal conditioning, further processing by signal processing circuits such as modifiers,
detectors or demodulators are needed before they are displayed.

11. Draw the general block diagram of PC-based instrumentation system.(May09)

Physical Transducer Signal Data PC
conditioner acquisition
Medium hardware

12. Mention four important functions required for measurement and control applications.
 Analog to digital conversion
 Digital to analog conversion
 Digital input/output
 Timing I/O
13. List the features of PC- based measurement system.
 DAQ system support the DAC, Digital input /output and Timer functions
 Possible to control various modules in an instrumentation system
 Functionality is defined mainly by the acquisition, analysis, and display routines
in the software

14. Define Sampling.

Quantizing the amplitude of continuous signal to digital data at discrete times is
referred to as sampling.

15. How to reconstruct an analog signal?(Nov09)

The samples represent the analog signal at specific instants. The original analog signal
can be reconstructed by applying back the digital data in sequence at the same time intervals to a
digital to analog converter.

16. Define Shannon Sampling theorem.

The Shannon Sampling theorem relates the sampling rate and the maximum frequency
component present in the signal to completely recover the original signal from its sampled data
without the loss of information.

17. What is mean by Aliasing?

The signal is sampled at a frequency less than twice the high frequency component
is known as under sampling. under sampling results in the phenomena called aliasing.

18. Mention the types of Aliasing.

 Time domain analysis of aliasing.
 Frequency domain analysis of aliasing.

19. Mention different techniques for Digital to Analog Conversion.

 Weighted resistor network
 R-2R ladder network.

20. Mention different techniques for Analog to Digital Conversion.

 Integration type
 Successive approximation type.
  Parallel converter
 Sigma-delta converter

21. What are all the types of sampling?

 Sequential sampling
 Simultaneous sampling

22. Define Single-ended input.

It means signal is referenced to a ground. Only the high end of the signal is
connected to the amplifier input. The low end of the signal is connected to ground.

Figure. Single ended amplifier

23. Define Differential input.

It consists of two terminals, high and low ends, both of which are isolated from ground
and the difference between them is digitized.

24. Define Binary Figure..Differntial amplifier circuit File.

A file where data is stored as binary
numbers. This is the most efficient form of storage but is seldom used since these files cannot be
edited in a normal way. Also , binary storage is system dependent.

25. What is mean by Digital Frequency?

 The ratio between the analog frequency and the sampling frequency , with units as cycles
per sample. Also, called normalized frequency

26. Define Interrupts.

A way for a device to signal to the computer that it ‘needs service’ This results in
efficient communication between devices, esp. When transfers do not take place at
predetermined intervals.

27. Define trigger and signal sense.( Nov09)

TRIGGER: An electronic signal, whose low to high or high to low transition is used to start
DAQ operations
SIGNAL SENSE: The reference to which all analogue signals are measured. Usually the same as
the analog ground

28. What is mean by Remote data acquisition? (Nov09)

Data acquisition using serial interfaces is also known as remote data acquisition. It is an
important class of data acquisition methods employed in industries for process monitoring and
control where a PC cannot be physically placed near the application.

29. Mention the two methods of serial communication.

 Synchronous communication
 Asynchronous communication

30. Mention the serial interface standards.

 RS-232
 RS-422
 RS-485

31. Define serial communication.

In serial communication , data bytes from a transmitting system are converted to a stream
of bits and transferred to receiving system one bit at a time. The receiving system collects the
bits and resembles them back into original data types.

32. Define parallel communication.

In parallel communication, all bits of a data byte are transferred at the same instant. This
makes parallel communication faster than serial communication.

33. Define half duplex and full duplex.

Half duplex: Communication supporting data transfer between two systems in only one direction
at a time is known as half duplex communication.
Full duplex: Communication supporting data transfer on either direction at any time is known as
full duplex communication.

34. Define BAUD rate.(May09)

The baud rate is the number of times per second the serial communication signal changes
states. States may be voltage levels, frequencies or phase angles.
 35. Define Communication protocol.
It is a set of rules that defines procedures for exchanging messages. A serial
communication protocol specifies the number of bits composing a data byte, framing and
formatting, error detection methods, and other information that governs the contol of
communication hardware.

36. Mention three modes of serial communication.

 Simplex communication
 Half-duplex communication
 Full-duplex communication

37. Define RS-232 standard.

Recommended standard-232 to govern the interface between the DTE and DCE
employing serial communication.

38. What is mean by BUS?

An interconnection which allows many devices to be connected in a parallel way to the
same interface. These may be internal or external to computers.

39. Define data sockets and DAV.

DATA SOCKETS: A TCP/IP tool developed by NI for networked data transfer.
DAV: Data valid handshake signal issued by the active talker. Indicates that the byte on data
lines is valid.

40. What is gain bandwidth product?

A figure of merit used for an amplifier,which is a constant, higher the gain, lower the
bandwidth, and vice versa.

41. Define inter-channel Delay.

Delay between acquisition of data from successive channels. Arises due to MUX
switching and conversion times.

42. Write a short note about Instrument I/O assistant.

Add-on launched from the Instrument I/O Assistant Express VI that communicates with
message-based instruments and graphically parses the response.

43. Define GPIB.

Synonymous with HP-IB. The standard bus used for controlling electronic instruments
with a computer. Also called IEEE 488 bus because it is defined by ANSI/IEEE Standards 488-
1978, 488.1-1987, and 488.2-1992.

44. .List the control signals in RS-232.

  RTS and CTS
 DTR and DSR
 DCD
 RI

45. Define Daisy chaining.

Though RS-232 is not designed for multiple device connection, It is possible to connect
more than one device to a single host RS-232 port through a technique called Daisy chaining.

46. Define RS-422.

RS-422 was designed for greater distance and higher baud rates than RS-232.It is multi
drop interface in which multiple receivers can be connected to a single driver.

47. Define RS-485.

It is an upgraded version of RS-422, In RS-485 there can be multiple transmitters on the
Bus. The RS-485 is defined as a multi-point bus.

48. Define MODBUS.

The MODBUS is a LAN system for industrial control applications. The MODBUS is an
application layer, messaging protocol that provides master/ slave communication between the
intelligent devices connected on different types buses

49. What are all the layers in ISO-OSI model? (May09)

1. Application layer
2. Presentation layer
3. Session layer
4. Transport layer
5. Network layer
6. Data link layer
7. Physical layer

50. Define IEEE488.(Nov09)

The IEEE-488 standard established a set of common commands, queries, control
sequences, control protocols, standard instrument message formats and standard status reporting
structure that would uniquely define the control of instruments from several manufacturers.

51. List the features of USB.

 It supports three data transfer rates, 480 Mbps,12Mbps,1.5 Mbps
 It allows up to 127 peripherals to be connected to a PC.
 Peripherals share the available bandwidth through a token-based protocol.
 The USB conforms to Plug and play specification
 It is a non-proprietary, open standard

52. Define Instrument Driver, NI-SPY, IFC.

INSTRUMENT DRIVER: A set of high-level functions that control and communicate with
instrument hardware in a system.
NI-SPY: A software tool used to record all GPIB bus activities for debugging purposes.
IFC: Interface clear-one of the bus management signals which initializes GPIB interface. Takes
over control of the system.

53. Draw the block diagram to display the double- sided output.(Nov09)

Figure . Block Diagram to Display Double-Sided Output Format

54. Draw the block diagram to display the single- sided output.

Figure . Block Diagram for Single-Sided Output

55. How the frequency domain filtration is performed.

. Frequency domain filtration is performed in the following way:
 accumulate the time signal for a certain observation period,
 apply FFT and obtain frequency domain signal,
 suppress the unwanted components,

56. How do u convert complex data to Magnitude and Phase Format.

 57. Define filtering.
The filtering process alters the frequency content of a signal. For example, the bass
control on a stereo system alters the low-frequency content of a signal, while the treble control
alters the high-frequency content.

58. What is the need of signal processing?

Simple signal conditioning is not sufficient in many measurements. In addition to signal
conditioning, further processing by signal processing circuits such as modifiers, detectors or
demodulators are needed before they are displayed

59. Define Common mode signal.

Signals which appear at both the input terminals of an amplifier , which may be large.

60. What is mean by Differential configuration?

Used in differential amplifiers to cancel out the noise that is common to both input lines.

61. What is mean by Firmware?

Parts of a computer which lie in between hardware and software. The prime examples of
firmware things like the BIOS which are stored in PROMs. Even though a PROM is a physical
device and can be classified as hardware, its contents are more in the nature of software.

62. Define cut-off Frequency.

The cut-off frequency of a filter is the frequency at the boundary between the pass and
stop bands.

63. Define Highpass Filter and Lowpass Filter.

HIGHPASS FILTER: A filter that passes frequencies above its cut-off frequency.
LOWPASS FILTER: A filter that passes the lower band of signals.

64. Write a short note about Multiplexer.

Electronic hardware which selects one signal at a time, depending on the control input at
that instant. MUX is used to combine signals and thus share costly resources.

65. Define Normalized Frequency.(Nov09)

The ratio between the analog frequency and the sampling frequency, with units as cycle
per sample. Also, called ‘digital frequency’.

66. Define Nyquist Frequency.

 Half of the sampling frequency which is the maximum frequency that can be represented
accurately , without aliasing.

67. Define Sample and Hold circuit.(May09)

The first stage of an adc which takes the analog voltage of the signal at the specified
instant, and stores it for processing by the converter circuit.

68. What mean by Quantization and Oversampling?

QUANTIZATION : The process by which the sample of an analog signal is represented by an n-
bit number.
OVER SAMPLING: Choosing a sampling rate for a signal higher than twice the Nyquist
frequency.

69. Define Passband, Stopband.

PASSBAND: The range of frequencies that is allowed to pass through a filter
STOPBAND: The range of frequencies that is stopped by a filter.

70. What is mean by Zero-Padding?

ZERO-PADDING: Adding zeros to the end of the input sampled sequence so that the total
number is equal to the next higher power of 2.

71. How to convert analog signal to digital signal?

ADC produces a digital data in binary format at its digital output pins that represents the
magnitude of an analog signal applied at its analog input. The ADC produces digital output by
comparing the analog input against a reference input.

72. Mention the four important types of ADC.

 Integration type
 Successive approximation type
 Parallel converter
 Sigma-delta converter

73. Define conversion time.(May09)

They begin conversion on receipt of a start of conversion(SOC) signal and indicate the
end by an end of conversion (EOC) signal. Period between the two instants is the minimum time
required for the ADC to complete the conversion and it is known as the conversion time.

74. Mention the components of single slope integrating ADC.

 Integrator
 Comparator
 Counter
 Control logic

75. What is advantages of Dual slope integrating ADC?

 Dual slope integration technique corrects the linearity problem of single-slope techniques
76. Define successive Approximation ADC.
 It is a poplar technique implemented in medium to high speed converters. The technique
is similar to determining the unknown weight of an object using standard weights.

77. How to convert digital signals into analog signal?

A digital to analog converter (DAC) converts digital quantities represented by
binary codes to proportional analog voltages or currents.

78. Mention Digital to Analog Conversion Techniques.

 Weighted resistor network
 R-2R ladder network

79. How to reconstruct an analog signal?

The samples represent the analog signal at specific instants. The original analog signal
can be reconstructed by applying back the digital data in sequence at the same time intervals to a
digital to analog converter.

80. Define Shannon Sampling theorem.

The Shannon Sampling theorem relates the sampling rate and the maximum frequency
component present in the signal to completely recover the original signal from its sampled data
without the loss of information.

81. What is mean by Aliasing?(Non09)

The signal is sampled at a frequency less than twice the high frequency component
is known as under sampling. under sampling results in the phenomena called aliasing.

82. Mention the types of Aliasing.

 Time domain analysis of aliasing.
 Frequency domain analysis of aliasing.
83. What are all the types of sampling?
 Sequential sampling
 Simultaneous sampling

84. Define Single-ended input.

It means signal is referenced to a ground. Only the high end of the signal is connected to
the amplifier input. The low end of the signal is connected to ground.

85. Define driver software

Driver software that usually comes with the DAQ hardware or from other vendors, allows the
operating system to recognize the DAQ hardware and programs to access the signals being read
by the DAQ hardware

86. Define sampling.

Sampling:

The data is acquired by an ADC using a process called sampling. Sampling a analog
signal involves taking a sample of the signal at discrete times. This rate at which the signal is
sampled is known as sampling frequency. The process of sampling generates values of signal at
time interval as shown in following figure.  

87. Define resolution

Precision of the analog input signal converted into digital format is dependent upon the number
of bits the ADC uses.
The resolution of the converted signal is a function of the number of bits the ADC uses to
represents the digital data. The higher the resolution, the higher the number of divisions the
voltage range is broken into, and therefore, the smaller the detectable voltage change.
A 8 bit ADC gives 256 levels (2^8) compared to a 12 bit ADC that has 4096 levels (2^12).
Hence, 12 bit ADC will be able to detect smaller increments of the input signals then a 8 bit
ADC.

Resolution of ADC

88. Explain settling time

 On a typical board, the analog signal is first selected by a multiplexer, then amplified before it
is converted by the ADC. The amplifier used between multiplexer and ADC must be able to
track the output of the multiplexer, otherwise the ADC will convert the signal that is still in
transition from the previous channel value to the current channel value. Poor settling time is a
major problem because it changes with sampling rate and the gain of the DAQ board

89. Define VISA.

Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) is the lower layer of functions in the
LabVIEW instrument driver VIs that communicates with the driver software. VISA by itself
does not provide instrumentation programming capability. VISA is a high-level API that calls
low-level drivers. VISA can control VXI, GPIB, serial, or computer-based instruments and
makes the appropriate driver calls depending on the type of instrument used. When debugging
VISA problems, remember that an apparent VISA problem could be an installation problem with
one of the drivers that VISA calls.

90. Explain VISA in LabVIEW

In LabVIEW, VISA is a single library of functions you use to communicate with GPIB, serial,
VXI, and computer-based instruments. You do not need to use separate I/O palettes to program
an instrument. For example, some instruments give you a choice for the type of interface. If the
LabVIEW instrument driver were written with functions on the Functions»All
Functions»Instrument I/O»GPIB palette, those instrument driver Vis would not work for the
instrument with the serial port interface. VISA solves this problem by providing a single set of
functions that work for any type of interface. Therefore, many LabVIEW instrument drivers use
VISA as the I/O language.

Important University Questions:

1.Explain briefly about PC based data acquisition(Nov09)
Refer: R2(180-186)
2.Write a notes about Resolution and sampling frequency.
Refer: R2 (72-83)
3.Write a notes about Multiplexing of analog inputs.(May09)
Refer: R2(190-196)
4.Describe the Concepts of Single-ended and differential inputs(Nov09)
Refer: R2(306-311)
5.Mention Different strategies for sampling of multi-channel analog inputs and explain.
Refer: R2(196-203)
6.Explain the Concept of universal DAQ card
Refer: R2(360 – 367)
7.Explain briefly about ADC conversation (May09)
Refer: R2(160-171)
8.Explain briefly about DAC conversation.
Refer: R2(152-160)
9. Explain the construction and working of Typical on board DAQ card.
Refer: R2( 186-190)
10. Write a notes about Interfacing of external instruments to a PC. (May09)
Refer: R3 (4-13)
11. Explain briefly about RS232.
Refer: R3 (40-54), R3 (146-152)
12. Explain briefly about RS 422.
Refer: R3 (59-62), R3(155-158)
13. Explain briefly about RS 485.
Refer: R3 (62-68)
14. Describe the Concepts of USB standards. (Nov09)
Refer: R3 (81-94)
15. Write a note about IEEE 488 standard. (May09)
Refer: R2 (375-388)
16. Explain ISO-OSI model for serial bus.
Refer: R4 (44-53)
17. Describe the Concepts of bus protocols of MOD bus.
Refer: R2 (563-567)
18. Describe the Concepts of Bus protocols of CAN bus.
Refer: R2 (571-574)
19. Describe the concepts of serial communication. (Nov09)
Refer: R3 (15-22)
Reference Books

R1 – VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION USING LabVIEW

R2 – P.C BASED INSTRUMENTATION - MATHIVANAN

R3 – DATA COMMUNICATIONS FOR INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL

R4 – DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING-A.FOROUZAN