DAQ News - Microstar Laboratories http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq.xml Learn more about Data Acquisition (DAQ) from Microstar Laboratories, Inc. Copyright 2006-2009 Microstar Laboratories, Inc. en-us Wed, 08 Nov 2006 13:47:00 PST Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:25:00 PDT 360 19 20 21 22 23 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Saturday Sunday webmaster@mstarlabs.com (K. Bunzel) webmaster@mstarlabs.com (K. Bunzel) Four Channels at Up to 1.25M Samples/Second/Channel - MSXB 082 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-msxb082.html If you need to sample channels simultaneously, to sample at very high speeds, and you want to be sure you are measuring signals and not noise from ground currents, then take a close look at the new MSXB 082. This new 4-channel signal interface (SI) module offers you differential inputs, channel-to-channel isolation, channel-selectable gains, simultaneous sampling, and very high data rates - all combined in a convenient 3U Eurocard B package. high-speed analog input isolation modulesIf you need to sample channels simultaneously, to sample at very high speeds, and you want to be sure you are measuring signals and not noise from ground currents, then take a close look at the new MSXB 082. This new 4-channel signal interface (SI) module offers you differential inputs, channel-to-channel isolation, channel-selectable gains, simultaneous sampling, and very high data rates – all combined in a convenient 3U Eurocard B package. Click to read more...

]]> Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:25:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-msxb082.html USB DAP for High-Speed Simultaneous Sampling - xDAP 7400 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-xdap7400.html High-performance, PC-based data acquisition applications have a new option: xDAP 7400. This new top-of-the-line Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) product lets you use any PC laptop with a USB 2.0 port to develop and control a data acquisition system that samples 8 channels simultaneously with 16-bit resolution at 1 million samples per second on each channel. xDAP 7400 features an embedded 1.8GHz Intel processor and runs DAPL 3000, a major new release of DAPL, the real-time operating system that runs on every Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) system. usb data acquisition systemHigh-performance, PC-based data acquisition applications have a new option: xDAP 7400. This new top-of-the-line Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) product lets you use any PC laptop with a USB 2.0 port to develop and control a data acquisition system that samples 8 channels simultaneously with 16-bit resolution at 1 million samples per second on each channel. xDAP 7400 features an embedded 1.8GHz Intel processor and runs DAPL 3000, a major new release of DAPL, the real-time operating system that runs on every Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) system.Click to read more...

]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:45:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-xdap7400.html Channel-to-Channel Isolation for 4-20 mA Current Loops - MSXB 081 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-msxb081.html Do you need simultaneous sampling across a number of 4-20 mA current loops with channel-to-channel isolation for an application that you want to control from a PC? Then check out a signal interface (SI) module that has just come on the market. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready DAPservers, announced an SI module, part number MSXB 081, that can monitor up to eight current loops with 300 volts (peak) of channel-to-channel isolation. You can acquire data from as many modules as you need by connecting them to DAP boards in networked DAPservers. scalable modular data acquisition systemDo you need simultaneous sampling across a number of 4-20 mA current loops with channel-to-channel isolation for an application that you want to control from a PC? Then check out a signal interface (SI) module that has just come on the market. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready DAPservers, announced an SI module, part number MSXB 081, that can monitor up to eight current loops with 300 volts (peak) of channel-to-channel isolation. You can acquire data from as many modules as you need by connecting them to DAP boards in networked DAPservers.Click to read more...

]]> Wed, 27 May 2009 15:48:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-msxb081.html If you need simultaneous sampling across a number of 4-20 mA current loops with channel-to-channel isolation for an application that you want to control from a PC, check out a signal interface (SI) module that has just come on the market. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready DAPservers, today announced an SI module, part number MSXB 081, that can monitor up to eight current loops with 300 volts (peak) of channel-to-channel isolation. You can acquire data from as many modules as you need by connecting them to DAP boards in networked DAPservers. Network-Ready Data Acquisition, Channel-to-Channel Isolation http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-smsi64.html You now can buy a complete, network-ready data acquisition package that lets you sample up to 64 differential inputs simultaneously with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation - and at the same time update up to 16 analog outputs also with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation. New scalable modular system (SMS) products from Microstar Laboratories consist of a network-ready DAPserver with up to two Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards connected to eight input signal interface (SI) modules and two output SI modules in a 3U card-cage - all in the same enclosure. scalable modular data acquisition systemYou now can buy a complete, network-ready data acquisition package that lets you sample up to 64 differential inputs simultaneously with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation – and at the same time update up to 16 analog outputs also with 16-bit resolution and channel-to-channel isolation. New scalable modular system (SMS) products from Microstar Laboratories consist of a network-ready DAPserver with up to two Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards connected to eight input signal interface (SI) modules and two output SI modules in a 3U card-cage – all in the same enclosure. Click to read more...

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:52:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr-smsi64.html Eight-Channel Isolated 4-20 mA Current Loop Transmitter Module - MSXB 074 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb080.html Transmit signals on up to eight 4-20 mA current loops for real-time control of machinery or process equipment, or for automated test of sensors and process equipment. Signal Interface (SI) module MSXB 074 derives each current output from a 16-bit DAC on each channel. The module provides channel-to-channel isolation - very important for process control - and uses loop power. The actual range is 0-24 mA, and this extended range lets you use the product to test any of your 4-20 mA circuits: 0 mA simulates an open circuit and 24 mA is 20% over the normal range. Like other SI modules, MSXB 074 connects to a DAP board directly controlled by a PC or by a DAPserver. The DAP can send dynamic signals to the current outputs on the MSXB 074 SI module at an aggregate update rate as high as 1M updates/second. Transmit signals on up to eight 4-20 mA current loops for real-time control of machinery or process equipment, or for automated test of sensors and process equipment. Signal Interface (SI) module MSXB 074 derives each current output from a 16-bit DAC on each channel. The module provides channel-to-channel isolation – very important for process control – and uses loop power. The actual range is 0-24 mA, and this extended range lets you use the product to test any of your 4-20 mA circuits: 0 mA simulates an open circuit and 24 mA is 20% over the normal range. Like other SI modules, MSXB 074 connects to a DAP board directly controlled by a PC or by a DAPserver. The DAP can send dynamic signals to the current outputs on the MSXB 074 SI module at an aggregate update rate as high as 1M updates/second. Click to read more...

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:02:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb074.html Analog Inputs: Isolated, Simultaneous, Fast - MSXB 080 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb080.html Protect your application from ground loops and sample all inputs simultaneously and at a high rate. MSXB 080 provides eight onboard analog-to-digital converters and channel-to-channel isolation. These eight converters are synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other, and each one converts an analog signal to a 16-bit data stream at up to 250k samples/second for a total throughput of two million samples per second. All inputs are differential, and each analog channel is isolated from all the others and from any other system component. You can set the gain of each channel to 1, 2, 5, or 10 in software, and channels can have different gains. Protect your application from ground loops and sample all inputs simultaneously and at a high rate. MSXB 080 provides eight onboard analog-to-digital converters and channel-to-channel isolation. These eight converters are synchronized to within a few nanoseconds of each other, and each one converts an analog signal to a 16-bit data stream at up to 250k samples/second for a total throughput of two million samples per second. All inputs are differential, and each analog channel is isolated from all the others and from any other system component. You can set the gain of each channel to 1, 2, 5, or 10 in software, and channels can have different gains. Click to read more...

]]> Web, 04 Mar 2009 12:00:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb080.html Isolated Inputs, 4-20 mA Current Loops - MSXB 086 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb086.html If you are looking for a receiver for 4-20 mA current loops in an application that you want to control from a PC, check out a new signal interface (SI) module that lets you do just that. If you are looking for a receiver for 4-20 mA current loops in an application that you want to control from a PC, check out a new signal interface (SI) module that lets you do just that. Click to read more...

]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:35:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb086.html Isolated Analog Inputs and Outputs - MSXB 085 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb085.html If you need to protect your signals from noise and you want to avoid ground currents, take a look at a new board that helps you do both. It is a good fit in applications that have a number of analog inputs and a smaller number of analog outputs. The MSXB 085 isolated analog expansion and termination board from Microstar Laboratories, Inc., provides sixteen isolated analog inputs and two isolated analog outputs. A single DAP board, controlled from a PC or from a network-ready DAPserver, can support up to eight MSXB 085 boards. An MSXB 085 board can sample signal inputs at 333k samples per second and can update each of its signal outputs at 500k updates per second. If you need to protect your signals from noise and you want to avoid ground currents, take a look at a new board that helps you do both. It is a good fit in applications that have a number of analog inputs and a smaller number of analog outputs. The MSXB 085 isolated analog expansion and termination board from Microstar Laboratories, Inc., provides sixteen isolated analog inputs and two isolated analog outputs. A single DAP board, controlled from a PC or from a network-ready DAPserver, can support up to eight MSXB 085 boards. An MSXB 085 board can sample signal inputs at 333k samples per second and can update each of its signal outputs at 500k updates per second. Click to read more...

]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:50:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb085.html Analog Output Isolation: No Ground Loops - MSXB 075 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb075.html With even a few analog outputs, your application may come up against two serious problems: ground currents and phase errors. You now can eliminate these possibilities - at relatively low cost. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready DAPservers, today announced a new board that lets you do this. The board - part number MSXB 075 - includes four single-ended analog outputs, with an isolated ground for each output. And it updates all channels simultaneously. With even a few analog outputs, your application may come up against two serious problems: ground currents and phase errors. You now can eliminate these possibilities - at relatively low cost. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and network-ready (DAPservers), today announced a new board that lets you do this. The board - part number MSXB 075 - includes four single-ended analog outputs, with an isolated ground for each output. And it updates all channels simultaneously. Click to continue...

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:35:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb075.html Isolation Improves Application Performance, Eliminates Ground Loops - MSXB 084 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb084.html You now can better protect your analog inputs from noise - and eliminate ground loops as well. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and DAPservers, today announced a new board to complement its growing family of isolated analog and digital signal-conditioning expansion boards that make it easy to implement signal conditioning in data acquisition systems. The new board - part number MSXB 084 - includes 16 differential analog inputs, with isolation from PC ground. Analog-to-digital conversion to 16-bit resolution takes place on the board itself, to minimize exposure to noise from other circuits in the system. Each board can acquire data at 333k samples per second. Only digital values are passed to other system components. Eight boards in a 19-inch rack-mountable industrial enclosure can connect to a single DAP board. A PC or DAPserver can control multiple local DAP boards and many more across a network - as a fully synchronized system. MSXB 084 boards share attributes of the new engineering design implemented across the entire signal-conditioning family that the company now produces. Specifically, the new boards offer high signal density, they enable high channel counts, and they include FPGAs for flexible control. You now can better protect your analog inputs from noise – and eliminate ground loops as well. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and DAPservers, today announced a new board to complement its growing family of isolated analog and digital signal-conditioning expansion boards that make it easy to implement signal conditioning in data acquisition systems. The new board – part number MSXB 084 – includes 16 differential analog inputs, with isolation from PC ground. Analog-to-digital conversion to 16-bit resolution takes place on the board itself, to minimize exposure to noise from other circuits in the system. Each board can acquire data at 333k samples per second. Only digital values are passed to other system components. Eight boards in a 19-inch rack-mountable industrial enclosure can connect to a single DAP board. A PC or DAPserver can control multiple local DAP boards and many more across a network – as a fully synchronized system. MSXB 084 boards share attributes of the new engineering design implemented across the entire signal-conditioning family that the company now produces. Specifically, the new boards offer high signal density, they enable high channel counts, and they include FPGAs for flexible control. Click to continue...

]]> Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:10:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb084.html Configurable Sonar Chirp Sound Generation http://www.mstarlabs.com/dsp/sonar-chirp-signals.html A typical marine bottom survey in deep water might study sediment accumulations to a depth of 30 meters or so. A "fish" device is trawled below a ship, sending out sonar pulses. These are not simple pulses, rather, they are complex pulses with waveforms having controlled spectral content, and with a well-selected pulse shape. The pulses will echo back from discontinuities between material layers where density changes. By analyzing the distortion and time delay of the return echoes, the properties and dimensions of the layers can be mapped. The shapes and frequency content of the pulses matter. Depending on the study, the signals might be configured differently for best resolution, best directionality, best penetration depth, etc. While DAP boards and the DAPL systems are not complete sonar measurement system solutions, they offer hardware and software features useful for signal shaping, signal generation, and data capture for these systems. A typical marine bottom survey in deep water might study sediment accumulations to a depth of 30 meters or so. A "fish" device is trawled below a ship, sending out sonar pulses. These are not simple pulses, rather, they are complex pulses with waveforms having controlled spectral content, and with a well-selected pulse shape. The pulses will echo back from discontinuities between material layers where density changes. By analyzing the distortion and time delay of the return echoes, the properties and dimensions of the layers can be mapped.

The shapes and frequency content of the pulses matter. Depending on the study, the signals might be configured differently for best resolution, best directionality, best penetration depth, etc. While DAP boards and the DAPL systems are not complete sonar measurement system solutions, they offer hardware and software features useful for signal shaping, signal generation, and data capture for these systems. Click to continue...

]]> Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:45:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/dsp/sonar-chirp-signals.html Timing for Rotating Equipment http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/time-rotating-equipment.html Most measurements of rotating machines are captured at a set of equal angular increments that span each rotation. To determine angular position, the usual practice is to mount an optical encoder device on the shaft. Optical encoders provide one "top dead center" (TDC) output pulse per rotation, plus a separate stream of pulses at equal angular intervals. The TDC pulse indicates the start of each rotation. For example, engines time their fuel injection and firing cycles based on an angular displacement from the TDC position. Instead of sampling at equal time intervals based on a precision oscillator, your DAP (Data Acquisition Processor) board can use the encoder pulses to initiate sampling action. Depending on the rotation speed, the time between samples might vary, but the sampling locations are always the same. Most measurements of rotating machines are captured at a set of equal angular increments that span each rotation. To determine angular position, the usual practice is to mount an optical encoder device on the shaft. Optical encoders provide one "top dead center" (TDC) output pulse per rotation, plus a separate stream of pulses at equal angular intervals. The TDC pulse indicates the start of each rotation. For example, engines time their fuel injection and firing cycles based on an angular displacement from the TDC position.

Instead of sampling at equal time intervals based on a precision oscillator, your DAP (Data Acquisition Processor) board can use the encoder pulses to initiate sampling action. Depending on the rotation speed, the time between samples might vary, but the sampling locations are always the same. Click to continue...

]]> Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:45:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/time-rotating-equipment.html Online Self-Tuning PID Controller http://www.mstarlabs.com/control/self-tuning-pid.html A previously posted note on the Microstar Laboratories Web site describes an experimental PI controller augmented with automatic self-tuning features. Why not a PID controller? This article explains why. It also shows how a classic tuning strategy, unsatisfactory in itself, makes a useful complement to the self-tuning strategy, extending the method to full PID control. A previously posted note on the Microstar Laboratories Web site describes an experimental PI controller augmented with automatic self-tuning features. Why not a PID controller? This article explains why. It also shows how a classic tuning strategy, unsatisfactory in itself, makes a useful complement to the self-tuning strategy, extending the method to full PID control.Click to continue...

]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:00:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/control/self-tuning-pid.html Intelligent Data Selection - A six-part article on software triggering http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/triggering.html First, the basics: what is it, and when does it matter to you? Second, walk through the steps necessary to add software triggering to a data acquisition application on a Data Acquisition Processor system. Third, see how applications can use software triggering to process data in blocks rather than individual samples. Fourth, explore how you can use software triggering to control acquisition on many data channels - perhaps the most common application of software triggering. Fifth, use a DAP board for measurement and control. And, finally, work with the PC host. First, the basics: what is it, and when does it matter to you? Second, walk through the steps necessary to add software triggering to a data acquisition application on a Data Acquisition Processor system. Third, see how applications can use software triggering to process data in blocks rather than individual samples. Fourth, explore how you can use software triggering to control acquisition on many data channels - perhaps the most common application of software triggering. Fifth, use a DAP board for measurement and control. And, finally, work with the PC host.Click to continue...

]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:14:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/triggering.html Data Reduction: Isolating Information from Bulk Data http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/reduce.html The most common reason for using a Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board is its extended capacity. But if you use that capacity in the same way that you would use a basic data acquisition device, you will realize only a fraction of the potential benefits. This note is about using data acquisition effectively on a larger scale. The most common reason for using a Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board is its extended capacity. But if you use that capacity in the same way that you would use a basic data acquisition device, you will realize only a fraction of the potential benefits. This note is about using data acquisition effectively on a larger scale. Click to continue...

]]> Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:58:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/reduce.html Benchmarking - Throughput Capacity http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/throughput.html Measure tradeoffs between the number of channels, data rates, and onboard processing when capacity requirements conflict. Though embedded processing is often hard to observe and measure, some features of the DAPstudio software make measurements of DAPL processing capacity relatively easy. Most processing commands on a Data Acquisition Processor board - even some intensive DSP processes such as Fast Fourier Transforms - can run as fast as the Data Acquisition Processor can sample. Measure tradeoffs between the number of channels, data rates, and onboard processing when capacity requirements conflict. Though embedded processing is often hard to observe and measure, some features of the DAPstudio software make measurements of DAPL processing capacity relatively easy. Most processing commands on a Data Acquisition Processor board - even some intensive DSP processes such as Fast Fourier Transforms - can run as fast as the Data Acquisition Processor can sample. Click to continue...

]]> Thu, 04 Oct 2007 11:45:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/throughput.html Benchmarking - Response Latency http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/latency.html Measure the time delays you can expect between event detection and the delivery of results. This note describes how to use a Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board to measure control loop signal propagation delays. Measure the time delays you can expect between event detection and the delivery of results. This note describes how to use a Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board to measure control loop signal propagation delays. Click to continue...

]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:22:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/daq/latency.html White Paper: Implementing Automatic Controls on a Windows PC http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prcontrolwp.html You now can review a white paper on when and how to implement automatic controls on a Windows PC. A PDF version of the complete document is also available for download. You can develop and operate a real-time control system under Windows by using a Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board from Microstar Laboratories, Inc. Every DAP board includes an onboard processor running a real-time operating system. DAPstudio - a Windows application from Microstar Laboratories - lets you communicate with and control this real-time operating system. You also can do this from third party (or your own) applications. Any software that supports DLL calls can communicate with and control the real-time operating system that runs on every DAP board. There are limitations to PC-based systems like this, of course. The white paper details them. Within these limitations, the approach described provides a reliable platform for the implementation of control methods that would be very difficult or very expensive to deliver any other way. Such systems might implement advanced control methods, require special data analysis, or operate on a scale beyond the capabilities of ordinary control devices. You now can review a white paper on when and how to implement automatic controls on a Windows PC. A PDF version of the complete document is also available for download.

You can develop and operate a real-time control system under Windows by using a Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) board from Microstar Laboratories, Inc. Every DAP board includes an onboard processor running a real-time operating system. DAPstudio - a Windows application from Microstar Laboratories - lets you communicate with and control this real-time operating system. You also can do this from third party (or your own) applications. Any software that supports DLL calls can communicate with and control the real-time operating system that runs on every DAP board.

There are limitations to PC-based systems like this, of course. The white paper details them. Within these limitations, the approach described provides a reliable platform for the implementation of control methods that would be very difficult or very expensive to deliver any other way. Such systems might implement advanced control methods, require special data analysis, or operate on a scale beyond the capabilities of ordinary control devices.

Scope of the White Paper

The white paper points out where you can apply DAP technology and where other approaches may be a better fit. It discusses how hardware affects system performance and how software does. It goes into how to assure response times and how to measure actual performance limits. It covers time-critical and preparatory processing and explores the issues involved in managing complex event-driven systems. It lists different control strategies in common use and describes what to expect when you implement them on the DAP hardware platform. It concludes with examples that illustrate the technical benefits that come with applying DAP technology.

The Next Step

To find out more, take a look at the white paper itself. You can review it online and download a PDF version to refer to later.

]]> Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:15:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prcontrolwp.html Sampling Techniques Extend Demodulation Bandwidth http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/highmodulation.html It is not unusual for advanced sensor applications to use modulated signals. Sound, light, or electromagnetic signals can be modulated by a high frequency selected according to physical properties to be measured. For example, an infrared laser beam could be modulated by a high frequency and passed through a material. Attenuation and phase shift of the modulated signal will reveal information about the material thickness and density.To get good resolution in measurements, it is often necessary to use high modulation frequencies. This presents a problem when the bandwidths required for the signal exceed the capabilities of the data acquisition equipment. The obvious solutions can become quite expensive. It is not unusual for advanced sensor applications to use modulated signals. Sound, light, or electromagnetic signals can be modulated by a high frequency selected according to physical properties to be measured. For example, an infrared laser beam could be modulated by a high frequency and passed through a material. Attenuation and phase shift of the modulated signal will reveal information about the material thickness and density.

To get good resolution in measurements, it is often necessary to use high modulation frequencies. This presents a problem when the bandwidths required for the signal exceed the capabilities of the data acquisition equipment. The obvious solutions can become quite expensive. Click to continue...

]]> Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:08:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/highmodulation.html Analog Outputs with Isolated Grounds - Simultaneous Updates: No Phase Errors http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb076.html You now can design out two serious potential problems - ground currents and phase errors - from the analog outputs in your application. A new analog output board offers high density, enables high channel counts, includes an isolated ground for each channel, and allows simultaneous updates across all channels. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards, today announced the MSXB 076 board that includes eight analog outputs, with an isolated ground for every output. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:10:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb076.html Control Loops Adjust to Process Change - Automatically http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prpizst.html You know how it goes with control applications: some key control loops require continual tuning. You don't always have time for this, so system performance suffers. But help is on the way. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards, now has shown how you can use off-the-shelf components to build a control system that tunes itself. Every DAP board runs a real-time operating system, DAPL, that you control from PC software. A new DAPL command - PIZST, a self-tuning control algorithm based on a variation of the iterative feedback method - keeps your system in full control during the self-tuning cycles, never interfering with feedback processing. You can read all the supporting documentation online, you can download all required software, and you can order evaluation hardware. So you can see for yourself almost right away how you could build into your application a control loop that tunes itself. Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:40:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prpizst.html Press Release: Digital I/O for High Channel Counts - Isolated Ground http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb078.html If you have concerns about ground currents as a source of noise, and if you need precise timing across many - or potentially many - channels of digital I/O, then check out a new product that addresses both of these issues. A new expansion board from Microstar Laboratories, maker of Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards for PC systems, combines simultaneous operation on all channels with a ground isolated from the PC. The new board - part number MSXB 078 - provides sixteen digital inputs and sixteen digital outputs. Eight rack-mounted MSXB 078 boards connected to a single DAP board controlled by a PC give it 128 digital inputs and 128 digital outputs. Multiple DAP boards can work together across a network as a synchronized system that provides you with maybe hundreds of digital inputs and outputs operating simultaneously - and with isolated grounds. Tue, 22 May 2007 17:05:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prmsxb078.html Press Release: Data Acquisition Case Studies - A Useful Resource http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prcasestudies.html View several application write-ups that look at a wide range of situations where an engineer has answered the question, "How can a Data Acquisition Processor board help me do what I need to do?" Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:40:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prcasestudies.html Technical Article: Ziegler-Nichols Tuning Rules for PID http://www.mstarlabs.com/control/znrule.html PID Tuning Rules, Watch Your Step - While many PID control loops are adequately tuned using time-honored heuristic rules, beware of the hazards. Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:20:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/control/znrule.html Press Release: Sensor Signal Conditioning for High Channel Counts http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prscsnetwork.html Take a look at sensor signal conditioning packages with data acquisition systems that eliminate all aliasing from sampling and that scale up to acquire data for applications with hundreds of inputs. Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:31:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prscsnetwork.html Technical Article: Building PID Controls in Software http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/pidsoftw.html Learn how to implement basic and extended PID controls in software. Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:50:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/pidsoftw.html Technical Article: Packaging Multiple Commands in a Single Downloadable Module http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/multicmd.html Package your processing commands, so that all of the special commands your application needs are installed together. Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:50:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/multicmd.html Technical Article: Coding the QDECODE command - State-driven processing in a custom command http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/qdec.html Explore coding in depth for a state-driven custom command that processes position encoder signals. Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:12:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/techniques/qdec.html Press Release: A Clear Path to Windows Vista http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prvista.html If you install a data acquisition system today on Windows XP, you later can move your application to Windows Vista without any changes to the parts of your application that interface with your data acquisition hardware and related software. Use Data Acquisition Processor (DAP) boards and systems from Microstar Laboratories, Inc., and you can do this. Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:20:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prvista.html Technical Article: Online Self-Tuning PI Controller http://www.mstarlabs.com/control/selftune.html Try this with your ladder-logic PLC - a PI-controller that tests and tunes itself online. Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:58:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/control/selftune.html Press Release: DAPstudio 3.00 Data Acquisition Software http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prdstd30.html If you need to deliver a data acquisition system quickly and you want to develop a good user interface for it, then DAPstudio 3.00 could help. This upgrade makes development easier for you in several ways: user input controls for run-time application configuration, custom design windows, easily handle multiple log files. Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:47:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prdstd30.html Case Study: Data Acquisition Critical to Imaging System that Monitors Brain Activity http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/redshirtimaging.html Learn how a high-speed data acquisition system plays a critical role in an imaging system being used by researchers to monitor brain activity. Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:47:00 PST http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/redshirtimaging.html Technical Article: IEC651A - A Processing Command for A-Weight Audio Filtering http://www.mstarlabs.com/dsp/iec651a/iec651.html Human Factors in Real Time: Compensate for frequency sensitivity of human hearing in real time, using standard "A-weight" research-grade digital filters. Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/dsp/iec651a/iec651.html Press Release: Scalable 16-Bit Data Acquisition - DAP 5016a/527 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5016a.html If you need easily scalable 16-bit data acquisition or some real-time processing under Windows, use a product with an onboard processor - one that runs a real-time OS you control from software on your PC. Microstar Laboratories, Inc., announced a new mid-range board, the DAP 5016a/527, that includes a 233MHz Pentium CPU and acquires 16-bit data at 500k samples/sec. Optional software lets you create a synchronized network of multiple DAQ boards. Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5016a.html Press Release: Just Add Strain Gauges for Single-Box Solution http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prdapserver-sg.html For networked signal conditioning, simultaneous sampling, and logging, take a look at a network-ready single-box DAPserver 200 system that conditions, acquires, and logs signals from up to 32 strain gauges. Wed, 30 Aug 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/prdapserver-sg.html Press Release: Simultaneous Sampling on Many Channels - DAP 5380a/526 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5380a.html For an affordable building block for creating high-channel count systems that sample inputs simultaneously: a new mid-range DAP board, model number DAP 5380a/526, powered by an Intel Pentium 233MHz CPU. An individual board has sixteen analog inputs and can acquire 14-bit data at up to 800k samples per second per channel. The board has been designed to work well in multiples. Fri, 28 Jul 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5380a.html Press Release: Fast Sampling and High Resolution - DAP 5216a/627 http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5216a7.html When your data acquisition application needs fast 16-bit sampling and significant processing under Windows, check out the latest product from Microstar Laboratories: a new high-end DAP board, model number DAP 5216a/627. Thu, 13 Jul 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5216a7.html Press Release: Data Acquisition with Onboard Processing - DAP 5000a http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5000a.html When your data acquisition application needs real-time processing and you need to provide a Windows solution, use a product with a powerful additional processor - one that runs a real-time OS you control from Windows. Try the new mid-range board, the DAP 5000a/526, that includes an Intel Pentium 233MHz CPU. Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/docs/pr5000a.html Technical Article: Long-Run Engine Testing http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/integration/engine.html Test Engines with DAP Systems: Combine ordinary measurement, monitoring, and networking features of DAP board systems to make an extraordinary engine test system. Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:47:00 PDT http://www.mstarlabs.com/apeng/integration/engine.html