Data acquisition: definition, areas of application and technology
The term "measured value acquisition" covers methods and techniques used to record physical quantities such as temperatures, pressures or vibrations using sensors and measuring devices. The determination of measured values, the measuring equipment and its application as well as the associated basic terms of measurement technology are defined in DIN 1319. Measured values can be communicated both analog and digitally. With analog measuring methods, the measured value is usually displayed on a scale, while digital measuring methods use numerical displays. Communication of the measured values as electronic analog or digital signals is also common, especially for further processing in control, regulation or data processing systems. Delphin Technology is your competent partner when it comes to metrological applications in an industrial environment.
The measuring principle: the basis of every measured value acquisition
A physical basis - the measuring principle - is required for a measurement. According to DIN 1319, the measuring principle allows "another quantity to be measured instead of the measured quantity in order to clearly determine the value of the measured quantity from its value." This detour is necessary because humans cannot recognize most physical quantities with their senses.
One of the few physical quantities that can be measured directly by humans to a large extent using scales is length. For other physical quantities, such as temperatures, electrical voltage or masses, a measuring method and a measuring device are required in terms of the measuring principle. In this way, the measured variable can be transferred into a recordable measurement signal and made "understandable" for humans. A simple example of this is a Temperature measurement can be listed. The measurand "temperature" can be transferred to a simple length measurement: the higher the measured temperature, the further a pointer moves on a scale. The measured value "X degrees Celsius", which can be read on a scale, is obtained from the measured variable temperature, which cannot be precisely determined by humans, by using one or more successive measuring principles.
Analog and digital measured value acquisition
Physical variables can be recorded in both analog and digital form. In analog measured value acquisition, an analog measured value is acquired by a sensor and transmitted in analog form. As the measurement progresses, any value is assigned to the signal parameter of a specific value range. Especially with high-impedance analog signals, for example when measuring pH values, errors can occur during signal transmission due to humidity or electromagnetic influences. Delphin Technology therefore consistently relies on a galvanic isolation of the analog inputs of the measuring devices to ensure unadulterated analog signal transmission.
In digital measurement value acquisition, the signals are acquired digitally during a measurement and transmitted digitally. In contrast to analog measurement, the signal parameters of a specific value range can only assume predefined values in a digital measurement. A complete measured value, consisting of a numerical value and a unit of measurement, is therefore transmitted from the digital sensor to the measuring device.
The advantages of analog measured value acquisition
- Even the smallest changes in measured variables can be monitored.
- Fluctuating measured variables can be detected.
- Voltage states can be monitored.
The advantages of digital data acquisition
- Automatic measuring range detection
- High accuracy
- Comparatively insensitive
What measurement data acquisition options are available with Delphin Technology products?
The measurement technology from Delphin Technology is specially designed for the highest demands in industry, on test benches or in laboratories. The diversity of requirements is reflected in the extensive product range. The products from Delphin Technology can be used to carry out the following measurements, among others.
Data acquisition with the PC
In the laboratory, in the service area or on the test field, solutions are required to record measured values such as temperatures, current or voltage quickly and easily using a PC. With the Expert Key devices, Delphin Technology offers universal inputs for connecting any sensors, individually adjustable measuring rates, simple connection to the PC via USB or LAN and the fastest acquisition speeds.
Modular data acquisition
Modular measuring systems are used in spatially distributed applications. Modular measurement systems are also required for applications that require an expansion of inputs and outputs. With the ProfiMessage D system, Delphin offers a freely scalable option for measured value acquisition, which can be perfectly adapted to the respective application from a few to 1,000 channels in just one system. With internal data storage for measured values, extensive signal processing functions and various I/O modules, the ProfiMessage D system is ideal for tasks in field tests or complex industrial plants.
Recording measured values in the laboratory
Flexibility and the ease of use of the measuring devices play a central role in the laboratory. The LoggitoLab and the Expert Key device are designed for use in laboratories or at universities. The device allows the use of any sensors, can record data from laboratory equipment via serial interfaces and can be connected to a laboratory information management system. As a complete solution consisting of hardware and user-friendly software, the Expert Key device is used for series tests, laboratory automation or dosing applications.
Mobile data acquisition
Whether for worldwide commissioning or service operations: Mobile, flexible and easy-to-use measurement solutions are required in mechanical and plant engineering. The mobile stand-alone devices and individually configurable measurement cases from Delphin enable mobile measurement data acquisition with high resolution. Depending on the components selected, the self-sufficient mobile units can process all common analog or digital signals and offer the fastest analysis options thanks to intuitive software.
Transient data acquisition
Whether sound distribution measurement, fault location or pressure pulse measurement: long-term and uninterrupted recording of the measured values is required in many areas of application. With the Expert Transient device from Delphin, 8 or 16 analog tracks can be recorded in parallel and time-synchronized with a sampling rate of up to 50 kHz per channel. There is no PC behind the Expert Transient technology, which makes the solution particularly stable and reliable in terms of recording. With sniffing functions for measured values on the PROFIBUS and the ability to expand the system to up to 64 analog inputs, Expert Transient is the answer to maximum reliability in the most demanding applications.
Measured value acquisition with galvanic isolation
Earth current loops, potential shifts or electromagnetic interference can falsify measured values and thus render entire measurement series unusable. Galvanic isolation interrupts the electrical line between two circuits or decouples two conductive objects from each other. The galvanic isolation of the inputs is standard with the devices from Delphin Technology, which makes the solutions particularly suitable for applications with long cable runs, in EMC-loaded environments or with interlinked measuring circuits.
Measured value acquisition of temperatures
Temperatures are measured in almost all measurement technology applications. Whether with thermocouples or resistance sensors: the Delphin products are optimized for high-precision temperature measurement. Over decades of experience, the Delphin hardware has been adapted for the special challenges. With analog inputs that can be universally configured for any thermocouple or resistance sensor, high-precision and galvanically isolated 24-bit AD converters and precise internal current sources for the reference current supply, the Delphin devices can measure temperatures down to +/- 0.05K - without additional measuring transducers.
Measured value acquisition via fieldbus
In industrial environments, especially in machine and plant engineering, control, sensors and actuators are usually networked via fieldbuses. The ProfiMessage, Expert Transient and Expert Vibro devices from Delphin can transmit measured values via PROFIBUS, Modbus, TCP or CAN interfaces. Bidirectional data exchange is just as possible as the transfer of control commands from the PLC to the Delphin devices.
Measured value acquisition via GPS
Positioning via GPS signals is one of the latest additions to the Delphin data loggers. A GPS sensor records GPS data in accordance with the NEMA protocol, enabling the devices to determine longitude, latitude and speed autonomously and online. The GPS data is available as software channels and can be merged with any measurement data. This makes it possible to establish correlations between measurement data and position data, which makes the solution particularly interesting for measurements in field tests or for diagnosing effects with position-changing machines.
Data acquisition and remote monitoring
By recording measured values with remote monitoring, decentrally recorded measurement data can be monitored and analyzed centrally or decentrally online. With hardware and software products from Delphin Technology, remote monitoring including measured value acquisition can be easily implemented.
Process and energy data acquisition
The need to optimize energy consumption is one of the highest goals in today's world. In the industrial sector, the EEG regulation also stipulates that certain companies must optimize their energy consumption.Delphin Technology offers hardware and software solutions for energy data acquisition, from measured values to monitoring.
Pressure pulse measurement and analysis
Liquids and gases are stored or moved in piping systems and containers. Pressure peaks can occur due to unauthorized conditions. Suddenly decelerated media (liquids or gases) release high impulse energies. This impulse energy can cause major damage to the pipe system with valves and flaps. To ensure safe operation, Delphin offers a solution both for recording measured values and for analyzing time-synchronous measurements.
Combined power measurement
In the field of combined power measurement, Delphin's products such as ProfiMessage D offer the option of synchronously recording power and process data.
The right software for your measurement and testing solution
Data acquisition and analysis
With ProfiSignal Go you can display online data from the Message and Expert hardware in diagram form. Numerous analysis functions, such as zoom, cursor, movable axes, flags, ASCII export and calculation channels, enable fast display of measured values and post-processing.
To the product
Operating and monitoring
ProfiSignal Basic combines the functions of ProfiSignal Go with operating and monitoring elements of process visualisations, e.g. digital and analogue displays, switches, buttons and signal lamps. With Basic, you can create everything from simple visualisation diagrams to complex visualisation systems.
To the product
Automate and control
ProfiSignal Klicks supplements ProfiSignal Basic with functions for process automation. Structural diagrams for mapping the process as well as a script language (completely operable with the mouse) enable even the non-informatician to create complex test stand and automation applications with automatic report generation.
To the product
Visualisation and operation
With ProfiSignal 20 Basic you can create individual diagrams using a wide range of operating and monitoring elements. Both continuous processes (e.g. production data acquisition) and discontinuous measurement tasks (e.g. test measurements) can be visualised, operated and monitored without any programming effort. You can create the operating and monitoring diagrams by assembling and configuring the prefabricated elements.
To the product
Fast project planning and analysis of measurement data
With ProfiSignal 20 Go you can visualise your measurement data in just a few steps, both online and offline, in various diagram types, monitor, analyse, archive as a measurement file or export directly in the appropriate file format.
To the product
Central measurement data management
The Delphin Data Center is the solution used for the worldwide measurement networking and control of plants, machines and test stands.
To the product