What's up DAQ?
Andrew Shannon,
Data Acquisition Product Manager
For all but the most demanding or specialised applications, we’ve always recommended Measurement Computing Corporation’s data acquisition products. Why? Because the product range is broad enough to meet just about any need; the quality is top; and prices are almost invariably a lot lower than equivalent products from other manufacturers.
We also like the fact that MCC keeps right up to date with new technologies. For example, more and more people are using tablets, and even smartphones, to perform traditional PC functions. MCC is at the forefront of targeting these new devices with its low-cost USB DAQ products through its DAQFlex programming interface, an open-source framework that supports the Android operating system used on so many of these devices.
Unlike most DAQ devices which interface to the computer via low-level commands, DAQFlex uses simple text messages. The Android API provides programmers a method of communicating with their devices without the need for understanding USB communication mechanisms.
Wireless DAQ
The increasing number of people working on wireless networks will find MCC's WiFi-502 the perfect solution for wireless data acquisition for a variety of temperature and humidity monitoring applications.
The rechargeable WiFi-502 is 802.11b compliant and has an on-screen data display which simultaneously saves the data it collects to your PC.
Simply and efficiently, the WiFi-502 measures and transmits wirelessly the temperature and humidity of the environment in which it’s situated. It has a built-in display for real-time viewing of data, and on-board memory that stores data even if the WiFi connection is temporarily lost.
Power consumption is low: typically when sampling once every 60 seconds, the WiFi-502 will operate for a year before it needs recharging. The included software handles set-up, data logging and data review. Once configured historic data can be viewed via the graphing tool or exported into Excel.
The MCC range includes devices that connect wirelessly or across an Ethernet network; devices that plug directly into your PC via USB or PCI; or use serial or IEEE-488 connections. If you've been using PCMCIA, PC104 or ISA cards for data acquisition, then we also offer a range of modern alternatives with equivalent, if not better functionality.
MCC's continued support for established computing standards is very much appreciated by a considerable proportion of our user base, and development continues. For example, the 16-bit PCIe-DAS1602/16 was introduced this summer. It's a multifunction DAQ board for the PCI Express bus, and is a very competent and useful performer with 16 analogue inputs, a 100kS/s sample rate, 32 digital I/O, two analogue outputs and three counter inputs. It's also connector and software compatible with the MCC PCIM-DAS1602/16 for existing customers who need to migrate to PCI Express.
Your software choices
All MCC DAQ devices ship with some basic software for installation and calibration; some virtual instrument applications; and programming libraries.
We find, however, that most of our customers don't want to spend large amounts of time developing their own applications. They just want to get on with collecting and using their data. That's why we recommend DASYLab.
If you've read previous issues of TCM or know our DAQ product range, you'll know that DASYLab is is a powerful tool that lets you develop custom applications without having to write programs.
Using an intuitive graphical interface, DASYLab presents you with a wide library of components and functions – data displays, controls, calculation and analysis functions and more – that you simply drag and drop on-screen. Unless you're an experienced programmer, building your application visually in this way is a lot faster and a lot easier too.
Our range of affordable MCC data acquisition products covers just about any application you can think of, and innovative products are always being added. Our DAQ specialists are always on hand to guide you through the maze and help you choose exactly the right hardware/software combination for your specific needs.
Visit the daq home page and try our MCC Product Selection Wizard to help you pinpoint the right device for your DAQ set-up; or email daq@adeptscience.com if you need advice with more complex measurement applications.
Downlaod our MCC product selection guide.
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