Allows users to connect digital and analog process signals to their Ethernet network for automatic data collection, logging and export.
www.integpg.com
Data acquisition equipment from Fluke, Tektronix, Astro-Med, Gould, Keithley, TEAC & more available for rental & sale.
www.atecorp.com
Database of suppliers for data acquisition (DAQ) microelectronics. Provides catalogs, technical information and supplier contact information.
www.globalspec.com
Value, Selection, Top Quality Data Acquisition Much More Online!
www.omega.com
Standalone 80MHz DAQ, Program in C Up to 48 channels 24-bit ADC, <$100
www.tern.com
Analog, Serial,Dig I/O on pcie,104+ Windows, Linux, LabView,VxWorks,etc
www.generalstandards.com
Measure four analog signals, Volts, Current, or TC via RS-232 or RS-485
www.dghcorp.com
Hooks up to Laptop via RS232 or USB port. Stack multiple cards together
www.weedtech.com
From 10 to 200 Channel DAQ devices In stock- Pricing Starts at $995
MicroDAQ.com/TheDataLoggerStore
Programming-Free, Full-Featured Any Physical Quantity, Flexible H/W
www.mpihome.com
Your Industrial Equipment Resource! Full Directory of Used Machinery
Data-Acquisition.Industrial101.com
Searching for Data Acquisition? Visit our Data Acquisition Guide.
www.convectorcontrol.com
Some of the high-performance DAQs that are available will perform a range of test, measurement and control functions. In concert with well-written software, a DAQ card will transform a personal computer into a powerful measurement system. You can do automated testing and experimentation and you can monitor and/or control production line equipment. You can even link in to auto testing simulators or medical monitoring devices. When you search a data acquisition card directory:
1. Locate DAQ cards designed for a PCI slot.
2. Consider buying a fully integrated high-performance DAQ card system.
3. Acquire a DAQ card designed to work with a laptop.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Acquire a DAQ card configured for a personal computer
A personal computer is the most common venue for a DAQ card. Cards are available covering areas such as digital multimeter functionality, high-speed digital i/o, and temperature. Ask your data acquisition card provider either for 12-bit or 16-bit DAQ cards, depending on the accuracy you require.
I recommend: Omega and IOtech both have a broad list of data acquisition cards covering both electrical and temperature measurements. Signatec has some very high-level systems on DAQ cards.
Get a fully integrated system with more than one DAQ card
These products can be interconnected through a high-speed bus for real-time applications. These are specially designed high-performance systems that can contain multiple DAQ cards for maximum performance. They also typically come with software that will operate the various boards at either the board level or at the system level. Unlike a PC-based DAQ system, these fully integrated systems are ready to go, out of the box.
I recommend: Signatec carries a fully integrated DAQ system that houses multiple DAQ boards for applications in signal analysis. Microstar Laboratories has some impressive offerings in this category.
Find data acquisition card products for your laptop computer
Data Acquisition Card information would not be complete without mentioning DAQ cards for notebook computers. The cards use the PCMCIA interface and are smaller than the PCI cards, but they're just as functional.
I recommend: SuperLogics has an impressive PCMCIA data acquisition card list. Hacker has numerous PCMCIA DAQ cards for both electrical measurements and for communications. Janbit weighs in with a list of analog and digital electrical measurement DAQ cards with accuracy choices of 12-bit and 16-bit.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Remember to do the following when making DAQ card measurements: try to eliminate DC common mode voltage; try to eliminate AC common mode voltage; break any ground loops; use 4-20 mA loop currents; and use 24-volt digital logic.
Allows users to connect digital and analog process signals to their Ethernet network for automatic data collection, logging and export.
Data acquisition equipment from Fluke, Tektronix, Astro-Med, Gould, Keithley, TEAC & more available for rental & sale.
Database of suppliers for data acquisition (DAQ) microelectronics. Provides catalogs, technical information and supplier contact information.

