Page 1235 - The Mechatronics Handbook

FIGURE 50.10 Rack-Mount industrial PC-based data-logging system.

FIGURE 50.11 Distributed data-logging system.

unobtrusively, and they typically must operate in extended temperature ranges. With distributed logging
systems, you typically have multiple measurement nodes that communicate back to a central computer
through a communications link such as RS-485 or Ethernet. Figure 50.11 is an example of a distributed
logging system.
The choice of logging platform depends on the requirements of your data-logging system, and some
systems might require using multiple platforms together. With properly designed hardware and software,
data-logging systems can scale from simple, low channel count laboratory systems up to very high channel
count, distributed industrial logging systems.

50.5 Conclusions

Data logging allows scientists and engineers to evaluate a variety of phenomena, from weather patterns
to factory performance. PC-based data-logging systems provide the most flexibility, customization, and
integration. To define a data-logging system, you must evaluate your requirements for acquisition, online
analysis, logging, offline analysis, display, report generation, and data sharing. Based on these require-
ments, you can choose data-logging software and hardware to meet your needs.

Related Information
More information about PC-based data-logging systems is available from National Instruments in the
form of white papers, application notes, customer solutions, and product information. Visit www.ni.com
and search for “data logging” to view available information.

©2002 CRC Press LLC