Where and Why Are Data Loggers Used

We've been talking a lot about data acquisition and other related fields, and here's an overview of where and why are data loggers actually used.

Where are data loggers used?

Data loggers are used for a wide range of applications in many industries worldwide. These include, for example:

• Environmental research into climate change, weather patterns, seasonal changes, wildlife habitats, oceans and rivers.
• Building/facilities/energy efficiency management: monitoring power usage, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in houses, schools, offices, warehouses, industrial premises and museums.
• The preparation, storage, transportation and display of food.
• Laboratories and healthcare: sterilisation processes, cryogenic applications, and environmental controls; in the transportation of vaccines, blood products, organs and medical equipment; and for medical storage in fridges, freezer and culture rooms.
• Logistics industry: monitoring temperature and humidity during storage and transportation and throughout the cold chain (including HACCP compliance).
• In agriculture, horticulture and livestock rearing: monitoring growing, storage, transportation and animal health conditions.
• Composting process monitoring.
• Manufacturing, including process applications, environment/processes, energy and facilities management.
• Museums and galleries: display and transportation of sensitive items; artefacts and archives monitoring.

Why are data loggers required?

Data loggers are required for a multitude of reasons, frequently to ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations, and quality and environmental control procedures. They also help to save costs through energy efficiency/environmental management or reducing wastage of non-compliant or damaged goods.
Here are some practical examples:

• The food industry EC Directive 92/1 indicates that any organisation involved in the preparation, storage or transportation of food should be able to verify that the temperatures have been maintained at the specified levels (Due Diligence). Data logging can give total traceability from initial preparation through to delivery at the final destination.
• Data loggers help ensure compliance with WHO recommendations that vaccines are regularly monitored and kept within a temperature range of +2 to +8°C during storage and transport and until the point of administration. In the compost industry, data loggers assist in achieving stringent environmental regulations, including BSI PAS 100: 2005, requiring compost processes temperatures to be monitored and recorded accurately.
• Energy, temperature and RH data loggers can be useful tools in helping organisations monitor energy consumption in line with ESOS, ISO 50001, and other energy management requirements.
• Accurate environmental monitoring helps companies ensure that HVAC systems are used to maximum advantage, ensuring the wellbeing of occupants and keeping energy use and costs to a minimum.
• Carbon dioxide data loggers help to verify that HVAC systems are performing correctly, and can help with adhering to BB101 recommendations concerning ventilation and CO2 concentrations in school buildings. HM Government Building Regulations state the importance of controllable ventilation in maintaining indoor air quality and avoiding energy wastage, and highlight the use of CO2 detectors as one means of achieving this.

IoT and Your Business

Despite the fact that unique assessments held that we'd see 50 billion "associated" gadgets by 2020, amended evaluations are as yet focusing on about 30 billion, speaking to an industry worth several billions of dollars sooner rather than later.
So here's the question—is your business prepared for the IoT? Regardless of the possibility that you don't bargain straightforwardly with innovation, IoT gadgets will massively affect how you work together.
Let's explain how.

1. Data and more data

Advertisers and business people love information, and with IoT gadgets associating shoppers in new routes with more cooperations, they'll have more noteworthy access to that information than any time in recent memory. Savvy gadgets will have the capacity to track and record examples of shopper conduct, and conceivably even gain from them, making wise item suggestions and altering seeks in new, imaginative ways.
Organizations can begin exploiting this by utilizing these information based bits of knowledge to concoct more viable publicizing and become acquainted with their objective socioeconomics on a more particular, subjective level. Odds are, you'll have more information at each phase of the shopper purchasing cycle, from research to buy and execution.

2. Stock Tracking and Management

Next up, IoT will probably reform how organizations track and deal with their stock. In case you're a business that depends on warehousing, assembling, or capacity, you presumably utilize remote scanners and likewise cutting edge gadgets to help your laborers monitor stock thing by thing. Soon, keen gadgets ought to have the capacity to watch stock changes totally naturally, arranging for your specialists for more essential, intellectually requesting undertakings. It's not just about the "brilliant home" any longer—it's additionally about the "shrewd office" and "keen distribution center."

3. Remote Work

Then again, if your business doesn't straightforwardly manage any physical stock, the IoT could open up a universe of new potential outcomes for remote work. With various gadgets all wired into a similar system, your remote working representatives will be more associated than any other time in recent memory and might have the capacity to finish new sorts of errands from remote areas by taking advantage of gadgets in your office or processing plant floor. Telecommuters have a tendency to be more joyful and more beneficial, so the course of action could likewise help enhance your primary concern.

4. Speed and Accessibility

Since buyers will have entry to new types of research and acquire, the purchasing cycle will probably decrease long. Customers will, with a modest bunch of talked expressions, have the capacity to discover and arrange precisely the item they're searching for, and they'll request conveyance of the item sooner (since all our mechanical advances have a tendency to underscore moment delight). Luckily, your accomplices, providers, and coordinations suppliers will all have likewise propelled innovation available to them, which means you'll have the capacity to serve your clients speedier.

5. Proficiency and Productivity

It's not about speed—you'll likewise have the capacity to accomplish more in less time. Notwithstanding moment satisfaction, mechanical development additionally tends to support profitability and proficiency. The most recent and most noteworthy IoT advancements will probably permit you and your specialists to finish vast scale errands speedier and with more prominent accuracy, including information investigation and administration. You may find that you require fewer staff individuals, or else you'll have the capacity to scale operations in new territories that permit you to grow your business.

DAQ Dictionary: The Final Part (U-V-W-X-Y-Z)

We have reached the conclusion of the DAQ dictionary series. This is the last part that consists data acquisition terms starting with U, V, W, Z, Y, and Z. We hope you've enjoyed learning with us. Stay tuned for more interesting content!

UART

Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter. In serial communications, the UART takes bytes of data and transmits the individual bits sequentially. Adds Start, Stop and sometimes Parity bits before and after the transmitted word.

Unipolar

A signal range that is always positive or always negative, for example, to +10 V.

UPS

Uninterruptible Power Supply. Used to keep critical equipment, including computers, running in the event of a mains power failure.

USB

Universal Serial Bus A serial bus gradually replacing RS232 on PCs because of its higher speed. Generally fitted as standard in new PCs.

VAC

AC Voltage

Velocity

The rate of change of displacement; dx/dt.

Volt

SI unit of potential difference such that the potential difference across a conductor is 1 volt when 1 ampere of current in it dissipates 1 watt of power. Named after Count Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). Symbol V.

Voltage

The value of an electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.

Voltage-to-Frequency Converter

A device that converts an analogue input voltage into a sequence of digital pulses with a frequency that is proportional to the input voltage.

WAN

Wide area network. A network of circuits spanning a large region which is used to transmit data.

Wheatstone Bridge

A network of four resistances, an emf (voltage) source, and an indicator connected such that when the four resistances are matched, the indicator will show a zero deflection or "null" reading. Prototype of most other bridge circuits.

Wi-Fi

Wireless Fidelity. A wireless communications network conforming to IEEE 802.11 specifications.

WiMax

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. Provides wireless data over long distances.

WSN

Wireless sensor network.

x-axis

Conventionally, the horizontal axis of any type of graph.

y-axis

Conventionally, the axis perpendicular to and in the horizontal plane through the x-axis of any type of graph.

z-axis

Conventionally, the vertical axis in any three-dimensional co-ordinate system.

Zero Balance

With transducers like strain gauges, the output is large compared to the changes caused by the strain. Setting a zero balance subtracts an offset (actually a fraction of the bridge excitation voltage), so the changes caused by the strain can be accurately measured.

Wireless Data Acquisition

Remotely observing instruments and sensors is turning out to be increasingly normal. A remote data acquisition system spares cabling expenses and establishment time. It is helpful in electrically loud or threatening situations. It gives you a chance to move your measuring gadget from place to put and remotely screen conditions.
Be that as it may, imagine a scenario where you're existing gadgets are not empowered for remote estimations. Much of the time you can make them so by including fitting connectors or switches.
There are a few unique techniques for remote correspondence. The benchmarks for a hefty portion of these strategies are as yet being created.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth was outlined as a swap for short-go links. It permits up to seven gadgets to be observed over short separations, commonly around 10 meters. It is known as a remote Personal Area Network (PAN) and complies with the IEEE 802.15 standard. It is reasonable when gadgets are near the PC and high data transmission is not required. You can utilize Bluetooth to log information from instruments by connecting a Bluetooth radio connector to your PC's COM port and one into your instrument. Bluetooth is named after a Danish lord who brought together Denmark and Norway.

Wibree (Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth)

Wibree is another interoperable radio innovation for little gadgets like games sensors. It was composed by Nokia for applications where ultra-low power utilization, little size, and ease were the basic necessities. In June this year, it was chosen that Wibree would be incorporated into the Bluetooth details and renamed Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth.

WiFi

Like a customary Ethernet demonstrates, WiFi contains a neighborhood (LAN). It utilizes an indistinguishable radio recurrence from Bluetooth, however with higher power utilization. WiFi is desirable over Bluetooth for working medium-to-extensive systems since it takes into account a quicker association speed, more prominent range, more gadgets to be checked and higher security levels.
WiFi systems fit in with the IEEE 802.11 particulars. The initial 802.11 determinations were presented in 1997 and these have been routinely corrected. Each new form of the detail has an alternate letter toward the end - IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11g for instance. The contrasts between the renditions incorporate the recurrence at which they work and the speed of information exchange
You can utilize instruments with RS232 ports over WiFi. To do this you require a serial gadget server. This will, for the most part, accompany driver programming which makes your instrument show up as though it were associated with the COM port. You can along these lines utilize any information procurement programming which peruses RS232 instruments to log information from your gadget.

ZigBee

ZigBee was planned particularly for remote observing and control. It contains an individual zone organize in view of the IEEE 8-2.15.4 standard. ZigBee can bolster a large number of hubs in a star or work arrange. In a star system, all gadgets speak with the controlling hub, as is utilized by WiFi and Bluetooth. In a work arrange, messages can be passed from hub to hub with the end goal that if any of the hubs fizzle, the message can at present achieve the goal. Once connected with a system, a ZigBee hub can wake up and speak with other ZigBee gadgets then come back to rest. This and its low power implies that a gadget's battery can keep going quite a while.

DAQ Dictionary: T

Our newest edition of DAQ dictionary explains terms from data acquisition starting with the letter T. Enjoy and learn!

Talker

A device on the GPIB (general purpose interface bus) that sends information to a Listener on the bus.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Communications protocols used to connect hosts on the internet.

Text Format

Text format refers to information in the ASCII character set. It is unformatted. Each byte in the file contains one character that conforms to the standard ASCII code.

Thermal

The coefficient of Resistance The change in resistance of a semiconductor per unit change in temperature, over a specific range of temperature.

Thermal Conductivity

A measure of the rate of flow of thermal energy through a material in the presence of a temperature gradient. Materials with high electrical conductivities tend to have high thermal conductivities.

Thermocouple

Popular temperature sensor because of its low cost, wide operating range, and ruggedness. Consists of two dissimilar metals joined together, making a continuous loop. When one junction has a different temperature from the other an electromotive force (voltage) occurs. There are several types of thermocouples, constructed from different metals and with differing temperature ranges and accuracies.

Thermistor

A temperature sensor. The name comes from the thermal resistor. It is a semiconductor that exhibits a large change in resistance as a function of temperature. Most thermistors exhibit a negative temperature coefficient, where resistance decreases as temperature rises. These are referred to as NTC thermistors.

Throughput

A number of results produced per unit time.

Timeout

The timing software should wait for a reply from the instrument before giving up. If no reply is received in this time, an error may be declared. To avoid spurious timeouts set to between five and ten times the normal response time.

Timestamp

The information added to data to indicate the time at which it was collected.

Transducer

A device which converts a physical quantity into an electrical signal. Examples include thermocouples and photocells. Most sensors are also transducers.

Transient

A short surge of current or voltage, often occurring before steady-state conditions have become established.

Trigger

A trigger is something that causes a data acquisition system to start collecting data. It may be as simple as pressing a software button or a set of conditions which when met trigger data capture (internal triggers), or an externally generated, hardware signal (an external trigger).

Truncation

Rejection of the final digits in a number, thus lessening the precision but not necessarily the accuracy.

TTL

Abbreviation for transistor-transistor logic. Referring to logic circuits consisting of two or more directly interconnected transistors, to provide conditional switching capability.

TTL-Compatible

For digital input circuits, a logic 1 is obtained for inputs of 2.0 to 5.5 V which can source 40 microA, and a logic 0 for inputs of 0 to 0.8 V which can sink 1.6 mA. For digital output signals, a logic 1 is represented by 2.4 to 5.5 V with a current source capability of at least 400 microA; and a logic 0 by 0 to 0.6 V with a current sink capability of at least 16 mA.

T-Type Thermocouple

Copper-constantan thermocouple with a temperature range of -200 to 400 oC.

Twisted Pair

A cable that consists of individual wires wrapped around each other for carrying telephone or computer data. Reduces pickup noise levels in signals.

Spectra Resolution: Part 2

When endeavoring to gauge the spectral resolution of a spectrometer guarantee that the deliberate flag is altogether slender to guarantee that the estimation is resolution constrained. This is regularly expert by utilizing a low weight discharge light, for example, a Hg vapor or Ar, since the linewidth of such sources is commonly much smaller than the spectral resolution of a dispersive exhibit spectrometer. In the event that smaller resolution is required, a solitary mode laser can be utilized.
After the information is gathered from the low weight light, the spectral resolution is measured at the full width half most extreme (FWHM) of the pinnacle of intrigue.
While ascertaining the spectral resolution (δλ) of a spectrometer, there are four qualities you should know: the opening width (Ws), the spectral scope of the spectrometer (Δλ), the pixel width (Wp), and the quantity of pixels in the indicator (n). It is likewise critical to recollect that spectral resolution is characterized as the FWHM. One exceptionally basic mix-up while figuring spectral resolution is to ignore the way that with a specific end goal to decide the FWHM of a pinnacle, at least three pixels is required, in this manner the spectral resolution (accepting the Ws = Wp) is equivalent to three circumstances the pixel resolution (Δλ/n). This relationship can be developed to make an esteem known as resolution variable (RF), which is dictated by the relationship between the opening width and the pixel width. As would be normal, when Ws ≈ Wp the resolution component is 3. At the point when Ws ≈ 2Wp the resolution calculate drops to 2.5, and keeps on dropping until Ws > 4Wp when the resolution figure levels out to 1.5.
For instance, if a spectrometer uses a 25µm opening, a 14µm 2048 pixel identifier and a wavelength extend from 350nm – 1050nm, the ascertained resolution will be 1.53nm.

Spectral Resolution: Part 1

In the course of recent years, smaller than usual fiber optic spectrometers have advanced from an oddity to the spectrometer of decision for some cutting edge spectroscopists. Individuals are understanding the propelled utility and adaptability gave by their little size and similarity with a plenty of testing extras.
A standout amongst the most vital qualities of a spectrometer is the spectral (or optical) resolution. The spectral resolution of a framework decides the most extreme number of spectral pinnacles that the spectrometer can resolve. For instance, if a spectrometer with a wavelength scope of 200nm had a spectral resolution of 1nm, the framework would be fit for settling a most extreme of 200 individual wavelengths (crests) over a range.
In dispersive exhibit spectrometers, there are 3 fundamental variables that decide the spectral resolution of a spectrometer: the opening, the diffraction grinding, and the identifier. The opening decides the base picture estimate that the optical seat can shape in the locator plane. The diffraction grinding decides the aggregate wavelength scope of the spectrometer. The locator decides the most extreme number and size of prudent focuses in which the range can be digitized.
At the point when the flag linewidth is essentially more prominent than the spectral resolution, the impact can be disregarded and one can accept that the deliberate resolution is the same as the flag resolution. On the other hand, when the flag linewidth is fundamentally smaller than the spectrometer resolution, the watched range will be constrained exclusively by the spectrometer resolution.
For most applications it is protected to accept that you are working in one of these constraining cases, however for specific applications, for example, high-resolution Raman spectroscopy, this convolution can't be disregarded. For instance, if a spectrometer has a spectral resolution of ~3cm-1 and utilizations a laser with a linewidth of ~4cm-1, the watched flag will have a linewidth of ~5cm-1 since the spectral resolutions are so near each other (expecting a Gaussian appropriation).

How Data Loggers Help With Energy Saving

While it's notable that overwhelming industry stands the most to pick up from vitality reviews and the subsequently enhanced process effectiveness, it's likewise genuine that organizations and associations in all fields have the opportunity to get better while checking their vitality bills. Indeed your own office likely has numerous undiscovered ranges where you can cut or generally advance your vitality use for significant long haul funds.
In case you're an office's professional or specialist, you can utilize a data logger (otherwise known as data acquisition system) to recognize these investment funds ranges. These gadgets can quantify and record a wide range of qualities including current, voltage, power and that's just the beginning. Regularly these gadgets likewise incorporate programming to slant, break down and chart data. This article explains how data loggers can help you monitor and save the energy in a more efficient way.
In spite of the fact that it's outstanding that a vitality review can decrease vitality utilization and enhance execution, many individuals don't know how to perform one themselves. Your office's vitality data can let you know a considerable measure truly, however, what it can't let you know is:

• Where did the energy go
• Which gear, circuits, structures or divisions devoured the energy;
• The moment when this use happened.

To answer these inquiries, you have to record data over a timeframe, and data loggers are intended for this reason. For instance, dataloggers introduced in plants are as often as possible used to screen current, voltage and additionally force of substantial apparatus for later presentation to bosses. However the potential outcomes don't stop there—numerous offices screen different values, for example, temperature or stream, again with the objective of decreasing vitality utilization or maintaining a strategic distance from expensive process delays.
Also, keen data acquisition frameworks are accessible which join data gathering with control and examination usefulness. These frameworks have the calculation energy to self-reference data verifiably for both examination and alert warning purposes.
Data loggers have a few components which make them helpful amid the energy examining process:

• Data Measurement- - Identify chances to spare energy;
• Nonstop Recording - Identify execution issues with electrical supply and gear;
• Data Analysis—Calculate the money related estimation of future energy reserve funds with pattern capacities;
• Dependable Operation—Many data loggers can work in independent mode autonomous of a PC;
• Investigation and Graphing Software—Analyzes data, for example, control utilization over the span of the logging time frame. Clients can likewise create outlines and charts as verification of funds.

To answer these inquiries, you have to record data over a timeframe, and data loggers are intended for this reason. For instance, dataloggers introduced in plants are habitually used to screen current, voltage or potentially force of substantial hardware for later presentation to directors. However the conceivable outcomes don't stop there—numerous offices screen different values, for example, temperature or stream, again with the objective of lessening energy utilization or keeping away from exorbitant process delays.

Future of IoT

A large part of the Internet of Things is wireless transceivers combined with sensors, which can exist in almost anything physical – devices, machinery, infrastructure, even clothes. Normally, saying “wireless transceiver combined with sensors” every time would be at least awkward, so such a bulge of the IoT is called a mote. Every mote must have addressability, the state of being uniquely identifiable as well as traceable. The whole system that runs this is known as the Identity of Things (IDoT).

Our cars are already equipped with hundreds, if not thousands of sensors. Soon, they will communicate with the manufacturer for update checks, with other cars (V2V, or vehicle-to-vehicle), with the driver, of course (V2P, or vehicle-to-person), and with basically everything around them (V2I, or vehicle-to-infrastructure), which leads to the creation of IoV – Internet of Vehicles. Our health will be monitored constantly with dozens of both external and internal sensors. I’ve heard this being called BAN – Body Area Network.

Apparently smart TVs and refrigerators are only an introduction to what’s about to come in our homes. Things like Internet-connected security systems, automation systems, robots, and many others are about to go through our door step. You’d like to watch the game or eat out? You’ll be notified which of your friends want to do the same thing, or if they already did it, so you can ask if it’s worthy.

You get the idea. In the end, we’ll have Internet of Everything (IoE), which takes us to the new level and surpasses the nature of IoT where only machines will communicate with each other. We’re also part of the equation.  Welcome to the future, stay connected.

DAQ Dictionary: S - Part 1

Data acquisition is a huge field, so it the letter S, so we've prepared two parts of DAQ dictionary only for terms starting with S.
Stay tuned for part two that comes out tomorrow!

Sample and Hold

A component of a type of analogue-to-digital converter. The analog signal is frozen in a sample and hold circuit to prevent it changing during digitization.

Sampling Rate

The number of samples, or readings, per second of an analog signal.

Scan

Normal channel scanning in a data acquisition system involves stepping around and reading each input channel in turn. The scan will return to the first channel once all the channels have been sampled.

SCADA

Supervisory control and data acquisition - a large scale software package usually used to monitor and control a manufacturing process.

Seebeck Effect

The principle that describes how a thermocouple works. In a circuit in which there are junctions between dissimilar metals, an electromotive force (voltage) is set up when the junctions are at different temperatures.

Self-Calibrating

A data acquisition module with a stable on-board reference voltage that software can use for automatic recalibration.

Sensitivity

A measure of the minimum change in an input signal that an instrument can detect.

Sensor

A device that can detect a change in a physical quantity and produce a corresponding electrical signal.

Serial Communication

Where data is transferred one bit at a time.

Settling Time

When a change in signal occurs, the time taken for the input or output channel to settle to its new value.

Set Point

The value of a controlled variable, departure from which causes a controller to operate to reduce the error and restore the intended steady state.

SI

The International system of units. Abbreviation for Systeme International.

Signal Conditioning

Makes a signal suitable for input to an analogue-to-digital converter. For example, a signal may be filtered to remove noise, or amplified to meet the range of the A-D converter.

Signal

A general term referring to a conveyor of information.

Signal to Noise Ratio

Compares the signal strength to background noise. Abbreviated to SNR or S/N. The ratio is usually measured in decibels (dB).

Single-Ended Input

An analog input that is measured with respect to a common earth. Single-ended inputs are only suitable for signals that are of good size - 100 mV full scale or above.

Simultaneous Sampling

When all analog signals are read simultaneously. This is achieved by providing each input with its own A-D converter, and initiating sampling from a single clock. It ensures that there is no reduction in sampling rate when more signals are connected.

DAQ Dictionary: R

After a short holiday break, we’re finally back with the new part of the DAQ dictionary. This time, the R takes the whole article for itself. Enjoy the new page on your quest to learn more about data acquisition.

Ramp Voltage

A steadily rising voltage.

Range

The maximum and minimum allowable full-scale signal (input or output).

Reed Relay

Consists of two thin magnetic strips (reeds). When a coil close to the reeds is energized, they are magnetized and drawn together making a connection between leads attached to the reeds.

Relay

An electromechanical device that opens or closes contacts when a current is passed through a coil.

Relative Accuracy

How accurately a change in signal is measured.

Repeatability

The ability of an instrument to give the same reading under repeated identical conditions.

Reproducibility

The precision with which a measured value can be repeated.

Resistance Temperature Device (RTD)

Resistance temperature devices (or detectors) rely on the principle that the resistance of a metal increases with temperature. When made of platinum, they may be known as platinum resistance thermometers (PRTs).

Resolution

A measure of the smallest change that can be detected.

Response Time

The time a system takes to respond to a given input. For example the time between software sending a message to an instrument and the instrument sending a reply, or the time a sensor takes to indicate a change in conditions.

Rise Time

The time a signal takes to change from a specified low value to a specified high value. Usually measured as the time to rise from 10% to 90% of the step height or maximum amplitude, but sometimes over 5 to 95%.

RMS

Root mean square. The square root of the sum of the squares of a set of quantities divided by the total number of quantities. Used when monitoring AC (alternating current) signals. Many power supplies, for example, issue an AC signal. This needs to be converted to a dc (direct current) signal for the PC interface. The solution is a signal conditioning input that produces a dc signal proportional to the RMS of the amplitude of the input signal. The RMS operation means the reading will always be positive.

RTU

Remote Terminal Unit. A data acquisition device at a remote location which transmits data back to, and accepts commands from, a central PC (or another controller).