DATA ACQUISTION SYSTEM

Data acquisition is the process of sampling signals that measure real world physical conditions
and converting the resulting samples into digital numeric values that can be manipulated by a
computer. Data acquisition systems, abbreviated by the acronyms DAS or DAQ, typically convert
analog waveforms into digital values for processing.
Data acquisition (DAQ) is the process of measuring an electrical or physical phenomenon such as voltage,
current, temperature, pressure, or sound with a computer. A DAQ system consists of sensors, DAQ
measurement hardware, and a computer with programmable software.

The components of data acquisition systems include:

Sensors, to convert physical parameters to electrical signals.

Signal conditioning circuitry, to convert sensor signals into a form that can be converted to
digital values.
Analog-to-digital converters, to convert conditioned sensor signals to digital values.

how a das should be?

DAS must acquire the necessary data, at correct speed and at correct time.

It must monitor the complete plant operation to maintain on line and safe operations.

It must be able to collect, summarise and store data for diagnosis of operation and

record purpose.

It must be flexible and capable of being expanded for future requirements.

It must be able to compute unit performance indices using on-line, real time data.

It must be reliable, easy to operate and must be user friendly.

block diagram
Physical condition that can be used as input of DAS or which can be represented in Digital form

are as under

Temperature

Pressure

Light

Force

Displacement

Level

Electric signals

ON/OFF switch
 A transducer converts temperature, pressure, level, length, position, etc. into voltage,

current, frequency, pulses or other signals.

A transducer thus converts the physical conditions in electrical waveform for easy signal

processing
The measurement of a physical phenomenon, such as the temperature of a room, the intensity of a light source,
or the force applied to an object, begins with a sensor and a transducer

Common Sensors

Sensor Phenomenon

Thermocouple, RTD, Thermistor Temperature

Photo Sensor Light

Microphone Sound

Strain Gage, Piezoelectric Transducer Force and Pressure

Potentiometer, LVDT, Optical Encoder Position and Displacement

Accelerometer Acceleration

pH Electrode pH

Measuring Temperature with Thermocouples, RTDs, or Thermistors

Thermocouples are passive sensors that produce small changes in voltage with temperature. Resistance
temperature sensors are active sensors whose resistance changes with temperature. .

Measuring Sound with Microphones

Sound waves are created by pressure variations in the air. Microphones transform sound pressure into capacitive
variations, which are then converted into an electrical voltage

Measuring Strain with Strain Gages

Strain gages are used to measure the deformation of a material due to an applied force. The resistance of a
strain gage changes with small bends and pulls on the material.

Measuring Pressure, Load, and Torque with Bridge-Based Sensors

Pressure, load,a dn torque sensors measure force in different ways. Load cells measure force or weight.
Pressure sensors measure force per unit area. Torque sensors measure the tendency of force to rotate an object

Measuring Vibration with Accelerometers

Accelerometers are commonly used to measure vibration. They contain piezoelectric crystals that generate an
electric charge proportional to force from oscillations of a solid.