Software channels are virtual measurement channels that do not acquire measurement values directly from a physical input, but rather calculate, link, or further process them based on existing measurement data. They expand the functionality of a measurement data acquisition system and enable the intelligent evaluation of measurement values directly during data acquisition.
Unlike hardware channels, which capture real sensor signals such as temperature, pressure, voltage, or current, software channels generate new information through mathematical, logical, or statistical operations on existing measurement data.
How do software channels work?
A software channel processes measurement data from one or more input or measurement channels in real time. The calculations are performed automatically within the measurement system or in the analysis software.
Typical features include:
- Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
- Calculation of the Mean
- Calculation of Minimum and Maximum Values
- Difference Calculations
- Efficiency Calculations
- Performance Calculations
- Threshold Monitoring
- Mathematical Formulas
- State and Logic Functions
- Filter and Smoothing Functions
This makes it possible to derive complex process information from simple measurement values.
Examples of Software Channels
Calculate the temperature difference
The temperature difference is automatically calculated from two temperature measurements:
ΔT = Temperature 1 – Temperature 2
Calculate Power
Electric power can be calculated from current and voltage measurements:
P = U × I
Determine Efficiency
By combining multiple measurement values, the efficiency of a system or machine can be continuously monitored.
Threshold Monitoring
Software channels can trigger alerts or actions as soon as specified thresholds are exceeded.
Advantages of Software Channels
The use of software channels offers numerous advantages:
- Additional information without additional sensors
- Real-time calculations directly during the measurement process
- Greater Informativeness of the Measurement Data
- Reduction in the use of external billing software
- Automatic Process Monitoring
- Flexibility for Changing Measurement Tasks
- More Efficient Data Analysis
This makes it possible to carry out even complex measurement tasks with a manageable amount of hardware.
Software Channels in Delphin Measurement Systems
The measurement data acquisition solutions from Delphin Technology offer powerful software channels for the intelligent preprocessing of measurement data. Measurement values can be linked, calculated, filtered, and monitored directly within the device or within the measurement software. This allows complex measurement tasks to be carried out efficiently and data to be processed even before it is stored or transferred. Intelligent data processing is one of the core functions of Delphin measurement data acquisition and supports users in analysis, test bench, and monitoring applications.
For example, software channels can be used to:
- Services are billed
- Energy values are summed
- Temperature differences are formed
- Monitoring of threshold values
- Machine statuses are detected
- Process parameters are evaluated automatically
This reduces the volume of data while simultaneously increasing the information density of the measurement data. Preprocessing takes place directly within the measurement system, thereby reducing the load on downstream evaluation and automation systems.
Typical areas of application
Software channels are used in numerous fields today:
- Test Bench Technology
- Process monitoring
- Energy Analysis
- Laboratory automation
- Machine monitoring
- Condition Monitoring
- Research and development
- Quality control
- Industrial Automation
Especially in applications with many measurement channels, they enable efficient and structured analysis of large amounts of data.
Benefits for Measurement Data Acquisition
By using software channels, companies can:
- Making Processes More Transparent
- Analyze measurement data faster
- Detect errors early
- Analyze Energy Consumption
- Operate Facilities More Efficiently
- Automate Test Procedures
Software channels thus form an important foundation for modern measurement data acquisition, intelligent data analysis, and Industry 4.0 applications.