Kevin's Notebook: The Fine Art of Analog Signal Sampling

The fine art of converting a continuous analog signal into synthesized discrete digital information (a mouthful for A/D conversion) involves two important accuracy considerations. It also reflects the characteristics of the sampled analog signal. These two considerations involve breaking down the analog signal’s magnitude into discrete levels or steps (quantization) and setting the data sampling rate based on the signal’s maximum change frequency component (aliasing and the Nyquist Frequency). Read the rest of the story.

Data acquisition monitor and control equipment

Driven by the need for continuous improvement in manufacturing floor and machine efficiencies, demand for quality, real-time data acquisition systems has increased steadily. With the increased factory floor utilization of LAN-based systems with Ethernet or emerging wireless technologies, the capability of monitoring, reporting, and control of embedded machine-level sensors has become a possibility.

As monitoring becomes more common-place, digital data acquisition and Ethernet and wireless communications systems will be directly incorporated within machines. However, before the future becomes reality, connecting these advanced systems to legacy equipment with generic I/O or RS-232/RS-485 outputs will require cost-effective analog-to-digital media converters.

B&B Electronics offers a broad portfolio of data acquisition modules, buffers, extenders, analog and serial I/O converters to meet the data conversion requirements of the efficient factory floor revolution.