Glossary of Signal Conditioning and Data Acquisition terms
Analog I/O: Analog I/O devices process analog signals (output of transducers, for instance) and output the results in analog format.
Analog-to-Digital Converter Chips (ADC): Analog-to-digital converter chips (ADC) transform information from analog form into digital form.
Analog-to-Digital Converters: Analog-to-digital converters (ADC) sample an analog signal and convert it to a series of digital values to represent the signal to a computer processor.
Bridge Conditioners: Bridge conditioners are instruments that provide excitation and support for strain gages, Wheatstone bridges, load cells, and sensors. They also include circuitry for signal conditioning, amplification, and processing.
Charge and Capacitive Signal Conditioning: Charge and capacitive signal conditioning modules or systems amplify, attenuate, filter and/or convert a charge signal from an accelerometer, load cell, pressure transducer, displacement transducer or another type of capacitive sensor.
Charge Amplifiers and Charge Converters: Charge converters and charge amplifiers convert the charge output from a piezoelectric, capacitive or other charge-producing sensor to a signal such as analog voltage or current.
Chart Recorders and Strip Charts: Chart recorders and strip charts are data acquisition tools used to generate a plot, graph or other visualization of data versus time.
Chart Recording Paper and Consumables: Chart recording paper and consumables consist of circular charts, strip charts, markers, fanfolds, sheets, pens and pen arms used in chart and strip recording instruments.
Computer Boards, Data Acquisition: Data acquisition computer boards are self-contained printed circuit boards that typically plug into the backplane, motherboard, or otherwise interface directly with the computer bus.
Counter and Timer Boards: Counter and timer boards are computer cards that perform digital counting and/or timing functions.
Current Loop Converters: Current loop converters convert an analog or digital signal to a current loop output such as 4-20 mA or 0-20 mA.
Current-to-Voltage Converters (38 companies) Current-to-voltage converters scale and convert current signal input to the desired output voltage range.
Data Acquisition: Data acquisition is the digitizing and processing of multiple sensor or signal inputs for the purpose of monitoring, analyzing and/or controlling systems and processes. Signal conditioning includes the amplification, filtering, converting, and other processes required to make sensor output suitable for rereading by computer boards.
Data Acquisition Input Modules: Data acquisition input modules accept sensor and other signal output for data acquisition systems. They may include signal conditioning prior to the analog-to-digital conversion stage.
Data Acquisition Systems and Instruments: Data acquisition systems and instruments collect, digitize and process multiple sensor or signal inputs for the purpose of monitoring, analyzing and/or controlling systems and processes.
Data Acquisition Output Modules: Data acquisition output modules or cards transfer amplified, conditioned, or digitized signals.
Data Collection Terminals: Data collection terminals are typically portable or handheld devices for inputting, reading, and/or logging data. They frequently have barcode and wireless data transmission capability.
Data Input Devices: Devices such as a keyboard or mouse, used to interact with other devices or computers for the purpose of inputting data.
Data Loggers and Data Recorders: Data loggers and data recorders acquire digital data from sensors and other signals. They are primarily used to store data for subsequent downloads to a host PC, but may also include real-time features such as monitors and alarms.
Digital I/O: Digital I/O devices process digital signals (output of a controller, for instance) and output the results in digital format.
Digital-to-Analog Converter Chips (DAC): Digital-to-analog converters chips (DAC) convert digital signals, representing binary numbers, into proportional analog voltages.
Digital-to-Analog Converters: Digital-to-analog converters (DAC) transform a digital number into a corresponding analog voltage or current.
Encoder and Resolver Signal Conditioners: Encoder and resolver signal conditioners accept encoder and resolver measurements and convert or condition these signals into digital data or suitable levels.
Frequency / Pulse Signal Conditioners: Frequency / pulse signal conditioners accept the output of devices specifically designed for frequency measurement and convert or condition these signals to digital data or suitable levels for digitization.
Frequency Converters and Translators: Frequency converters and translators scale and/or filter frequency inputs to produce outputs signals with frequencies that are a function of the inputs.
Frequency-to-Current Converters: Frequency-to-current converters accept a frequency (an AC signal) and produce an output current whose value is a function of the input frequency.
Frequency-to-Voltage Converters: Frequency-to-voltage converters accept a signal and convert its frequency to a corresponding analog voltage level.
I/O Modules, Data Acquisition: Data acquisition I/O modules or cards have both input and output functionality. Digital or discrete I/O modules include on-off signals used in communication, user interface, or control.
Instrumentation Amplifiers: Instrumentation amplifiers are differential amplifiers that have been optimized for use with DC signals. They are characterized by high gain, high common mode rejection ratio (CMRR), and high input impedance.
LVDT and RVDT Signal Conditioners: Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and rotary variable differential transformer (RVDT) signal conditioners are devices that translate the linear or rotary movement of a ferromagnetic armature into an AC voltage that is proportional to the armature position.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Optical character recognition (OCR) products are used to read text from paper and translate it into data that can be manipulated by computers.
Sensor Multiplexers: Sensor multiplexers allow the signal delivered to an instrument to be scanned or switched between multiple sensors. The multi-channel testing of multiple sensors / samples increases sample throughput and the productivity of costly instrumentation.
Sensor Transmitters: Standardized measurement packages consisting of a transducer, its power supply, and a signal conditioner / re-transmitter that converts the transducer signal into a standardized output.
Signal Amplifiers: Signal amplifiers accept signals from sensors and other devices and amplify them to levels suitable for further processing or digitization by computer elements.
Signal Conditioning: Signal conditioning includes the amplification, filtering, converting, and other processes required to make sensor output suitable for reading by computer boards.
Signal Converters: Signal converters contain inputs for one type of signal and outputs of another. Features can also include filtering and amplification or attenuation.
Signal Filters: Signal filters block or decrease (attenuate) unwanted frequencies or signal wave characteristics.
Signal Isolators: Signal isolators must be used when connecting grounded signal sources to grounded signal followers. If the speed control input of an adjustable frequency drive is grounded, any input signal must be ungrounded.
Signals Intelligence Systems: Signals intelligence systems are designed to intercept signals in transit.
Spectrum Analyzers and Signal Analyzers: Spectrum analyzers and signal analyzers display raw, unprocessed signal information such as voltage, power, period, wave shape, sidebands, and frequency. They can provide the user with a clear and precise window into the frequency spectrum.
Telemetry Receivers and Telemetry Transmitters: Telemetry receivers and telemetry transmitters are data acquisition components used to gather information from remote locations via wireless communication.
Temperature Signal Conditioning: Temperature signal conditioning devices accept outputs from temperature measurement devices such as resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermocouples, and thermistors. They then filter, amplify, and/or convert these outputs to digital signals, or to levels suitable for digitization.
Voltage and Current Signal Conditioners: Voltage and current signal conditioners amplify or modulate AC or DC current or voltage process signals to improve transmission.
Voltage Converters and Voltage Inverters: Voltage converters and voltage inverters accept voltage input and provide a scaled voltage output. Conversion types include scaling up a low-level signal, voltage doubling, and inversion (converting a positive voltage to negative and vice versa).
Voltage-to-Frequency Converter Chips: Voltage-to-frequency converter chips provide a signal frequency output as a function of an analog input voltage.
Voltage-to-Frequency Converters: Voltage-to-frequency converters accept a voltage signal and convert its analog level to a signal with a corresponding frequency.