Data acquisition hits the road
An exclusive interview with a technical leader
By Larry Maloney, Contributing Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 7/1/2007
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Q: Astro-Med is involved in data acquisition, neurological instruments, and label printing. What ties these technologies together?
A: The neurological business, which includes EEG systems for monitoring patients with sleep disorders, is really a specialized form of data acquisition, relying on such technologies as analog-to-digital converters, isolation techniques, sampled data streams, and digital filters. Our label printer connection began when our T&M products focused on chart recording with thermal technologies. The label printer and T&M product groups have become much more diverse, but they still share key technical elements, such as hybrid design [mixing analog and digital], use of microprocessor firmware to embed functionality, and complex graphic presentations of data.
Q: What distinguishes your data-acquisition products?
A: Streaming large amounts of sampled data directly to a disk drive is something we introduced and continue to perfect. This approach avoids the limits that Windows places on typical data-acquisition products. The field recorder, a strong niche for us, gives a user everything he or she needs for data acquisition and review in a compact, rugged package that can be used almost anywhere. Our user interface combines large LCDs with touch panels and icons that create a distinctive look and make our products easy to use. We also believe that we are the best people to go to when you need a real-time chart recorder, which we typically sell as a peripheral to our data-acquisition products.
Q: Can you cite some other technical advances that Astro-Med has pioneered?
A: We added data acquisition to our products well before the PC was introduced. At that time, we used small amounts of static memory to augment our chart recorders. We introduced high-speed streaming of sampled waveforms direct to disk drive and continue to increase the bandwidth of this approach. Before that innovation, you had to decide between high sample rates and long captures. Now, you can have both. In addition, we were one of the first to use DSPs to provide real-time filters and other functions as part of a data-acquisition product. Our Dash2 and Dash4 products were among the first data recorders designed for field use, including operation from battery.
Q: What application areas are responsible for your biggest customer volume?
A: We are very strong in aerospace, where our data-acquisition products test new aircraft on the ground and via telemetry. Similarly, engineers rely on our equipment for test and evaluation of automotive components. Other key applications include field service for monitoring processes in steel, aluminum, and paper mills, as well as the monitoring of power-generating equipment.
Q: What are the most important features that test engineers want to see in data-acquisition systems?
A: The ability to “grab and go” and have multiple functions in one package. They also want simplicity of operation. An engineer may not use the product every day and cannot afford a long learning curve before collecting data. Connectivity and multimedia are becoming more important as well. Engineers need to get acquired data “out of the box” so they can edit it, combine it with other data, and produce reports. We provide the interfaces and software to help with this. Finally, the demand always exists for more channels, higher sample rates, and smaller size.
Michael J. Sullivan offers additional comments on the importance of telemetry and networking in data acquistion, as well as trends affecting product development, in the continuation of this article.
