Merging Data Acquisition and a Real-time Control Systems

Written by Grant Maloy Smith, the data acquisition expert In this article we will discuss how it is possible to integrate a fully-featured data acquisition system with a real-time control system, getting the best of both worlds. At the end of this article you will: See how DAQ and real-time control can work together seamlessly Learn more about the IOLITE and RT series systems from Dewesoft Understand the benefits of combining DAQ with real-time control Are you ready to get started? Let’s go! Introduction Into Data Acquisition and Real-Time Control Until recently, there were two types of separate systems: Real-time Control systems - designed to react to events as fast as possible and with highly deterministic data. Recording high speed data was a secondary concern. Data acquisition systems (DAQ systems) - designed to acquire data as fast as possible. Providing real-time data to a control system was largely or completely unavailable. Now, we have entered a new era, where both systems can be merged together. These systems provide the best of both worlds. A highly deterministic data for control purposes and high-speed and high accuracy data for detailed online or offline analysis. Both are achieved using the same front end with inputs and outputs used for both purposes. This greatly reduces the complexity and the price of the whole system since there is no longer a need for installing two sensors going to two different input channels while acquiring the same data in the same place. It also introduces a much simpler configuration, since the input channels only need to be configured once to serve both parts of the system. For Dewesoft’s DAQ and control systems these features come included by default. There is no longer a case where data is shared over analog lines. Our systems include a dedicated EtherCAT bus for direct connection to the real-time control system. EtherCAT connection replaces dozens of analog cables with a single digital one, eliminating the redundant analog-to-digital conversion of the signals and at the same time taking noise and interference out of the equation.

For more information on Merging Data Acquisition and a Real-time Control Systems talk to Dewesoft UK Ltd