DATA ACQUISITION, DISPLAY &
PRINCIPLES OF INTERFACING
Basic Instrumentation System
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Digital Acquisition
Data acquisition system may consists of;
Transducers
Signal Conditioning
Data Conversion
Data Processing
Multiplexing
Data handling and transmission
Data storage
Displays
Typically analog data is acquired and converted into digital for the
processing purposes.
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Digital Acquisition cont’d
Processing can be simple or complex, this depends on the
need of the applications.
Generally, data acquisition is related to the process of
collecting input data in digital form rapidly, accurately and
economically.
As known before, the input from transducers need some
form of scaling and offsetting which can be achieved by
amplification and filtering.
Conversion of analog signal that are from more than one
source can be done through multiplexing.
Sample and hold circuits can be used to increase the
speed and accuracy of which signals to be converted.
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Schematic block diagram of a General Data
Acquisition System (DAS)
Signal Printe
Transduc
conditioner r
er 1 -
1 Analo
M g Recorder
U Digital
data s
Signal L Display
Transduc - Display
conditioner T
er 2 - Meter
2 I
A/D Magnet
P
Signal Converter ic Tape
Transduce L
conditioner E
r3
3 X Transmissio
E n
Signal R
Transduce
conditioner Compute
r4
4 r
Processin
g
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Configurations and Subsystems
Factors
Important factors that need to be considered
when deciding the configuration and
subsystems of the data acquisition system
can be listed as follows:
Resolution and Accuracy
Number of Channels to be monitored
Sampling Rate per channel
Signal Conditioning requirements of each channel
Cost
Analogue or digital signal
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Microprocessor Based Data Acquisition Systems
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Digital Display System and
Indicators
The data representation devices are known as Display devices. They
are also called as output devices.
In fact if the data is represented for instant observation the device is
called “Display device” and when it is represented for recording, in
that case it is called as a “recorder”.
Display devices provide a visual display of numbers, letters and
symbols in response to electrical input.
Serve as constituents of an electronic display system.
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Classification of displays
Commonly used display in digital electronic field are:-
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Gas discharge plasma displays (Cold cathode displays or
Nixies)
Incandescent display
Others
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Displays are classified in a number of ways
1) Methods of conversion of electrical data into visible light
a) Active displays – CRTs, Gas discharge plasma, LEDs
b)Passive displays – Light controllers, LCDs
2) Applications
a) Analog displays – Bar graph displays (CRT)
b)Digital displays – LEDs
3)Display size and physical size and physical dimensions
a) Symbolic displays – LEDs
b) Console displays – CRTs, LEDs
c) Large screen display – Enlarged projection system
4) Display format
a) Direct view type – Segmental, dot matrix – CRTs
b) Stacked electrode non planar type – Nixie
5) Resolution and legibility of characters
a) Simple single element indicator
b) Multi-element displays
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Display device – Cathode Ray
tube (CRT)
Commonly use when displaying large quantities of alphanumeric
data
Simple electronic circuitry need to generate characters – CRT
form basis CROs (cathode ray oscilloscope) and TV systems
Easy facilities for digit size control by controlling the deflection
system.
Intensity and brightness can be realized with different gray scales
and the display can have different color depending on phosphor
used in the screen (white or green).
Facilitate storing stationary pattern on screen without flickering
display and retain the pattern for long time.
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Cutaway rendering of a color CRT:
1. 3 Electron guns (for red, green,
and blue)
2. Electron beams Microsoft
3. Focusing coilsPowerPoint Presentation
4. Deflection coils
5. Anode connection
6. Mask for separating beams for
red, green,
and blue part of displayed
image
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Display device – Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Basically a semiconductor PN junction diode capable of emitting
electromagnetic radiation under forward conductions.
Radiation can be in the visible spectrum or in the infra red region.
Infra red emitting LED’s are coated with phosphor – by excitation of
phosphor visible light can be produced.
Color emitted depend on semiconductor material and doping level.
Example:
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) – red
Gallium Phosphide (GaP) – red or green
Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (GaAsP) – red or
yellow
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Advantages of Using
(LED)
LEDs are very small devices, and can be considered as
point sources of light.
The light output from an LED is function of the current
flowing through it. An LED can therefore, be smoothly
controlled by varying the current.
LEDs are highly efficient emitters of EM radiation. LEDs
with light output of different colors, i.e. red, amber, green
and yellow are commonly available.
LEDs are very fast devices, having a turn ON-OFF time
less than 1ns.
The low supply voltage and current requirements of LEDs
make them compatible with ICs.
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Display device – Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD)
LCD are passive displays characterized by very low power consumption and
good contrast ratio. Common characteristics:-
they are light scattering
can operate in a reflective or transmissive configuration
do not actively generate light and depend for their operation on ambient or
back lighting
Two liquid crystal materials which are important in display technology are
nematic and cholesteric.
A particular sort of nematic liquid crystal, called twisted nematics (TN), is
naturally twisted.
Applying an electric current to these liquid crystals will untwist them to
varying degrees, depending on the current's voltage.
LCDs use these liquid crystals because they react predictably to electric
current in such a way as to control light passage.
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Liquid crystal material
Apply an electric charge to liquid crystal
molecules, they untwist.
When they straighten out, they change
the angle of the light passing through
them so that it no longer matches the
angle of the top polarizing filter.
Consequently, no light can pass through
that area of the LCD, which makes that
area darker than the surrounding areas
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Display device – Other display
devices
Gas Discharge Plasma Displays
Segmented Gas Discharge Displays
Segmental Displays using LEDs
Dot Matrix Displays
Bar Graph Displays
Electro Luminescent (EL) Displays
Incandescent Display
Electrophoretic Image Display (EPID)
Liquid Vapour Display
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Typical applications of digital
display
FIELD OF APPLICATION DISPLAY
INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONIC Incandescent,
-meter, positioner and LED,
instrumentation, test equipment, LCD,CRT,Nixie
gauges and counter
MEDICAL CRT, LED
-digital thermometer, pulse rate
meter, manometer, patient
monitoring
COMPUTER, COMMERCE AND LED, CRT, LCD,
BUSINESS Nixie, EL
-Peripheral and ALU status,
calculator and cash register
DOMESTIC LED, CRT, LCD,
-Electronic oven, telephone, dial Nixie
indicator, TV channel indicator,
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Some popular display device : advantages
and disadvantages
DISPLAY APPLICATIONS ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
DEVICES
CRTs Large display, Bright, efficient, Bulky, high voltage,
small and uniform, planar non-digital
large group display-all colors, high addresses, high
viewing, console reliability initial cost
display
LEDs Indicators and Bright, efficient, red, High cost per
small displays, yellow, amber, green element, limited
individual colors, compatible reliability, low
viewing, flat panel with ICs, small size switching speed
LCDs Good contrast in Limited temperature
bright ambient light, range (0-60°C),
low power, limited reliability, ac
compatible with ICs, operation necessary,
low cost element low switching speed
NIXIEs Indicators, small, Bright, range of High drive power
medium and large colors, low cost
displays, small element, compatible
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Principles of Interfacing Techniques and Data
Acquisitions
Principles of interfacing instrumentation systems to
computers and microcontrollers, types of connection,
introducing custom instrumentation software. Advanced
instrumentation techniques such as wireless and virtual
instrumentation. Elements and characteristics of
computer based data acquisition systems
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Asynchronous and Synchronous
Transmission
Timing problems require a mechanism to synchronize the
transmitter and receiver
Two solutions exist
Asynchronous
Synchronous
Both methods are concerned with timing issues
How does the receiver know when the bit period begins
and ends?
Small timing difference becomes more significant over time
if no synchronization takes place between sender and
receiver.
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Asynchronous
Transmission
Used in serial • Timing needed only
communication within each character
Data transmitted 1 • Resynchronization is
character at a time accomplished with
Character format is each start bit
usually 1 start & 1+ stop • Uses simple, cheap
bits, plus data of 5-8
bits
technology
Character may include • Wastes 20-30% of
parity bit bandwidth
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Synchronous
Transmission
Used in parallel • Data framed by
communication preamble (opening)/
Large blocks of bits postamble (closing) bit
transmitted without patterns
start/stop codes • More efficient than
Synchronized by a clock asynchronous
signal or clocking data
• Overhead typically
below 5%
• Used at higher speeds
than asynchronous
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Synchronization
Choices
Low-speed terminals and PCs commonly use
asynchronous transmission
inexpensive
Large systems and networks commonly use
synchronous transmission
overhead too expensive; efficiency necessary
error-checking more important
Digital
• The point Interfaces
at which one device connects to
another
• Standards define what signals are sent, and
how 24
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Generic Communications
Interface Illustration
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RS-232 and RS-449
It is a physical protocol to interface computers
with modems.
specify mechanical, electrical, functional, and procedural
interface.
Protective Ground (1)
Transmit (2)
Receive (3)
Request to Send (4)
Computer
Clear to Send (5)
or Modem
Terminal Data Set Ready (6)
Common Return (7)
Carrier Detect (8)
Date Terminal Ready (20)
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Mechanical Specifications
• 25-pin connector with a specific arrangement of
leads
• DTE devices usually have male DB25 connectors
while DCE devices have female
• In practice, fewer than 25 wires are generally used
in applications
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RS-232 DB-25 Connectors
DB-25 Female
DB-25 Male
DB Connector-Data Bus Connector
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RS-232 DB-25 Pin outs
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RS-232 DB-9 Connectors
• Limited RS-232
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RS-422 DIN-8
• Found on Macs, some IBM compatible computers, network
processor panels
DIN-8 Male DIN-8 Female
DIN Connector-Deutsche Industrie Norm
Connector
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Functional Specification
Circuits grouped in categories
Data
Control
Timing
Ground
One circuit in each direction
Full duplex
Two secondary data circuits
Allow halt or flow control in half duplex operation
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Transmission Media
The transmission media that are used to convey information can be
classified as guided or unguided.
• Guided media provide a physical path along which the signals are
propagated; these include twisted pair, coaxial cable, and optical fiber.
• Unguided media employ an antenna for transmitting through air,
vacuum, or water. Unguided transmission techniques commonly used
for information communications include broadcast radio, terrestrial
microwave, and satellite. Infrared transmission is used in some LAN
applications.
Adobe Acrobat
Document
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Wireless
A Wireless network uses radio waves, just like cell phones, televisions and
radios do. In fact, communication across a wireless network is a lot like two-
way radio communication:-
A computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and
transmits it using an antenna.
A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends the
information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection.
The process also works in reverse, with the router receiving information
from the Internet, translating it into a radio signal and sending it to the
computer's wireless adapter.
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Virtual instrument
Concept of virtual instrumentation - engineer can use software
running on a computer combined with instrumentation hardware
to define a custom, built-to-order test and measurement solution.
Vision of virtual instrumentation revolutionized the way
engineers and scientists work, delivering solutions with faster
development time, lower costs, and greater flexibility
Built on this flexible and powerful software.
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Printers
Character printers and graphic plotters are two devices
used to prepare permanent or hard copy record of
computer output.
Difference between printers and plotters:
o Printer = prints letters, numbers and characters in term of
readable form.
o Plotter = print diagrams with continuous line.
Printers are classified in three categories:-
a) Impact and Non-impact printer
b) Fully formed character and dot matrix printer
c) Character at a time and line at a time printer
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Impact and Non-impact printer
Impact printers form characters on a paper by striking the paper with a print
head and squeezing an inked ribbon between the print head and paper.
Non impact printer form characters without engaging the print mechanism
with the print surface ex: by heating sensitized paper or by spraying ink from
a jet.
Character at a Time and Line at a Time
Printer
Character at a time printers – character printer
or serial printer, print each character serially
and virtually instantaneously.
Line at a time printers – line printers, print each
line virtually instantaneously.
Advanced printer – those using lasers, print
lines so rapidly that it virtually print a page at a
time = page printers
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Fully Formed Character and Dot Matrix
Printer
Fully formed characters are like those made by a
standard typewriter – all parts of character are
embossed in the reverse on the type bars of the
typewriter.
When printed, all type elements appear connected of
fully formed
Dot matrix characters are shaped by combinations of
dots that form a group representing a letter or number
when viewed together.
Typical output from a dot matrix printer
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Printer character set
Most printer –use ASCII code; specify using 48 or 64 or 96
or 128 character set.
48 and 64 character set – common special symbols,
number, space and upper case
96 character set – include lower case and additional
special symbols
128 character set – include communication and control
functions.
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Character at a time impact printers for fully
formed characters (DRUM WHEEL)
Typewriter example of this printer
Print mechanism – vertical cylinder, characters are
embossed in several rows and columns around the
cylinder
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Line at a time impact printers for fully formed
characters (LINE PRINTERS)
Printed simultaneously across the entire line.
Used for high volume of printed output.
Embossed type font is positioned across a line for printing by using
embossed type.
Hammers strike when the correct character positioned, imprinting
the character on the paper with inked ribbon
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Drum printers
Drum rotates in front of the paper and ribbon.
Print hammers strike the paper, imprinting characters from
drum through the ribbon and form impression on the
paper.
Drum printer uses cylindrical drum which contains letter
embossed on it.
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Dot-Matrix Printer
Dot matrix characters are formed by printing a group of
dots to form a letter, number or other symbol.
A 5x7 dot matrix – used when all letter are in upper case.
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Character at a time dot-matrix impact
printer
Composed from an array of
wires or pins arranged in
tabular form, also called wire
printers
Print head contains single
column 7 wires high or two
or more columns wide.
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Non-impact dot-matrix(NIDM)
printers
NIDM printer- cause mark without directly touching the
paper.
More quiet compare to impact printer.
Suitable for single copies of computer output, video
display and etc.
Four types:- thermal, electro sensitive, electrostatic and
ink jet.
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Thank You
Good Luck in Exams
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