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Data Acquisition Concepts
Data Acquisition Concepts
Computer
Analysis
Data Acquisition Concepts
A/D Interface
• Converts analog data into digital data
which can be processed
• Typical components:
– Multiplexers
– Amplifiers
– Sample and hold circuits
– A/D converters
Data Acquisition Concepts
A/D Converter Functions
• Input and output (I/O)
– Analog input is converted into a digital
number, by comparing the voltage with its
position within the Full Scale Range
– With an n-bit A/D converter the number of
output levels equals 2n – e.g. 12-bit
converter = 212 = 4096
Data Acquisition Concepts
Full Scale Range (FSR)
• Full scale range refers to the largest
voltage range which can be input into
the A/D converter
Data Acquisition Concepts
Range
• Range is an input span for an A/D and
D/A system
• Typical ranges are based on available
sensors
– Uni-polar (positive) • Bipolar
• 0 to 5 volts
•-5 to +5 volts
• 0 to 10 volts
•-10 to +10 volts
Data Acquisition Concepts
Full scale range examples
+10v +10v +1.25v
0v -10v -1.25v
Analog Digital
(101110010011)
Data Acquisition Concepts
Resolution
• Resolution determines the smallest
change that can be detected
• Specified in bits. Determines number of
output levels, or steps
– 8 bits = 256 steps
– 10 bits = 1024 steps
– 12 bits = 4096 steps
– 16 bits = 65,536 steps
Data Acquisition Concepts
Typical Resolutions
• 8-bit – common for image capture
• 10-bit – general analog acquisition
• 12-bit – general analog acquisition
• 16-bit – precision analog acquisition
• 24-bit – high-accuracy analog
acquisition
Data Acquisition Concepts
Output Levels/Resolution Example
1-bit A/D Converter
+10v
1
0
0v
Data Acquisition Concepts
Output Levels/Resolution Example
2-bit A/D Converter
+10v
11
10
01
00
0v
Data Acquisition Concepts
Output Levels/Resolution Example
4-bit A/D Converter
+10v 1111
1110
1101
1100
1011
1010
1001
1000
0111
0110
0101
0100
0011
0010
0v 0001
0000
Data Acquisition Concepts
Output Levels/Resolution Example
12-bit A/D Converter
+10v 1111
1111
1111
4096
Output
Levels
0v 0000
0000
0000
Data Acquisition Concepts
Output Levels/Resolution Example
16-bit A/D Converter
+10v 1111
1111
1111
65,536
Output
Levels
0v 0000
0000
0000
Data Acquisition Concepts
LSB
• LSB stands for “least significant bit”
• An LSB represents the smallest change
that can be resolved by the A/D converter
• An LSB carries the smallest value or
weight
• An LSB is the rightmost bit
• LSB = Full Scale Range (FSR) ÷ 2n
Data Acquisition Concepts
What affects conversion speed?
• A/D converter only
• A/D converter and related circuitry
• A/D system and host
Data Acquisition Concepts
Acquisition time
• The time required to perform a complete
conversion from the analog signal to
digital
• The time required after receipt of “start
digitizing” command until the A/D
converter has finished digitizing
Data Acquisition Concepts
Settling time
• Time it takes to switch to a new channel
• Each time a user switches between
channels, there is a delay, referred to as
settling time
Data Acquisition Concepts
Throughput rate
• The inverse of A/D conversion time +
acquisition time
• Measured in Hertz (Hz), which means
the number of conversions per second
• The maximum rate at which the data
conversion system can operate, while
maintaining a specific accuracy
Data Acquisition Concepts
Throughput
• Acquisition System
– The acquisition system determines the
maximum throughput possible
– The entire system (host, disk, A/D board,
and program) determines the practical
throughput
Data Acquisition Concepts
Throughput
• Throughput is specified as an aggregate
of all channels
– A/D runs at a constant rate
– Number of channels determines
throughput per channel
• The host computer and software must
be able to service the A/D board before
the next conversion is complete
Data Acquisition Concepts
Speeding up throughput rate
• Overlap mode - while one sample is in
Sample and Hold circuitry, the next is
read into the multiplexer
• Throughput equals the greater of
conversion time OR acquisition time,
plus any time needed for Sample and
Hold switching
Data Acquisition Concepts
Getting signals into the computer
• Transducers convert physical variables
into electrical outputs
• An input transducer (sensor) then
supplies its output to signal conditioning
circuitry (on a Screw Terminal Panel)
• Signal conditioning circuitry prepares for
interfacing with the PC
Data Acquisition Concepts
Amplification
• The output of a sensor usually requires
amplification
• Apply gain
Data Acquisition Concepts
Gain
• A scale (multiplying) factor which
increases an input signal to better utilize
the range of the A/D converter
Data Acquisition Concepts
Gain
• Gain is the amplification applied to a
signal to bring it to the range of the A/D
system
– High Level Gains (PGH) for high level
signals – 1, 2, 4, 8
– Low Level Gains (PGL) for low level
signals – 1, 10, 100, 500
Data Acquisition Concepts
Selecting Gain and Range
User Input Selected Range (uni-polar)
10 volts
5 volts
0 volts
0 volts
+10 volts
5 volts
0 volts 0 volts
-10 volts
+10 volts
Gain Amp
0.25 v
10
0 volts
-0.25 v
-10 volts
10 volts
1 volt
0 volts
0 volts
-10 volts
Using this range only utilizes 1/20th of the range. This would allow
the input to be divided into 205 increments.
Data Acquisition Concepts
Selecting Gain and Range
User Input Selected Range (uni-polar)
1.25 volts
1 volt
0 volts
0 volts
1 ± 10 v 4.8828mv 305 µv
1 ± 10 v 4.8828 mv 305 µv