1. CR300 series data acquisition
system components
A basic data acquisition system consists of sensors, measurement hardware, and a computer with
programmable software. The objective of a data acquisition system should be high accuracy,
high precision, and resolution as high as appropriate for a given application.
The components of a basic data acquisition system are shown in the following figure.
Following is a list of typical data acquisition system components:
l
Sensors - Electronic sensors convert the state of a phenomenon to an electrical signal (see
(p. 3) for more information).
l
Data logger - The data logger measures electrical signals or reads serial characters. It
converts the measurement or reading to engineering units, performs calculations, and
reduces data to statistical values. Data is stored in memory to await transfer to a computer
by way of an external storage device or a communications link.
l
Data Retrieval and Communications - Data is copied (not moved) from the data logger,
usually to a computer, by one or more methods using data logger support software. Most
communications options are bi-directional, which allows programs and settings to be sent
1. CR300 series data acquisition system components
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