The handbook is divided into nine sections that discuss issues influencing the selection of data acquisition and control equipment. Topics include:
An overview of data acquisition and measurement, including a description of
plug-in boards and external data acquisition systems.
Computer buses, protocols, and hardware, emphasizing the importance of the
computer to the overall performance and reliability of the systems.
Software and making the appropriate choice for data acquisition software.
Basic component theory and the types of electronic components for data
acquisition systems to optimize test procedures.
Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, interfacing, isolation,
and ground loops.
Temperature and strain measurements with tutorials on the capabilities of
the sensor technologies available to make these measurements and ensure
accuracy.
Real-world applications that use data acquisition systems to monitor or
control industrial processes.
The handbook also includes three appendices, including selector guides for plug-in boards, USB modules, PXI systems, and external data acquisition instruments, a glossary of commonly used terms, and a discussion of safety considerations.
Keithley Instruments is currently the only major instrumentation supplier to offer a broad range of precision measurement and high-speed data acquisition solutions, including PXI, LXI, PCI, USB, and GPIB. Keithley’s recently introduced PXI products are designed for high-speed automated
production testing as part of a hybrid test system using precision instruments. Digital Multimeter/Data Acquisition Systems combine the accuracy and sensitivity R&D users need with the high throughput production test demands. Whether the application is in the lab or on the production
floor, Keithley offers solutions in a variety of form factors, from plug-in boards to external systems with multipoint measurement and control capabilities. Taking advantage of additional Keithley innovations such as TSPT (Test Script Processor), an architecture that enables distributed
programming and concurrent execution, results in unparalleled accuracy and
throughput.