Real-time Data Acquisition

What is RTD?

Real-time data (RTD) is information that is distributed directly after it has been gathered. There is absolutely no delay in the timeliness of the data delivered. Real-time data is often used for navigation or tracking.
Some uses of the term "real-time data" confuse it with the term dynamic data. The presence of real-time data is actually irrelevant to whether it is dynamic or static. Real-time analytics is the use of, or the capacity to use, data and related resources as soon as the data enters the system.  The adjective real-time refers to a level of computer responsiveness that a user senses as immediate or nearly immediate. Real-time analytics is also known as dynamic analysis, real-time analysis, real-time data integration and real-time intelligence.

Technologies that support real-time analytics include:

• Processing in memory (PIM) --  a chip architecture in which the processor is integrated into a memory chip to reduce latency. 
• In-database analytics -- a technology that allows data processing to be conducted within the database by building analytic logic into the database itself. 
• Data warehouse appliances -- combination hardware and software products designed specifically for analytical processing. An appliance allows the purchaser to deploy a high-performance data warehouse right out of the box. 
• In-memory analytics -- an approach to querying data when it resides in random access memory (RAM), as opposed to querying data that is stored on physical disks.
• Massively parallel programming (MPP) -- the coordinated processing of a program by multiple processors that work on different parts of the program, with each processor using its own operating system and memory.

Why are we talking about this?

ReadyDAQ is preparing a product for real-time data acquisition. In the following weeks, we will describe in detail the pros and cons of RTD, how does it work and when should you use it. Stay tuned for the articles that are about to come, you'll love them!