Description

The data acquisition board PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) is a crucial electronic component that can collect data from various signal sources and convert them into digital form for subsequent storage, analysis, and processing. It is the core part of the data acquisition system and widely used in many fields that require precise data acquisition.

1.Functions of Main Components

Signal Conditioning Circuit: Pre – processes analog signals to ensure they meet the input requirements of the ADC. For example, when collecting weak signals from a temperature sensor, the amplification operation raises the signal to an appropriate level; filtering removes noise interference to improve the signal – to – noise ratio and ensure the accuracy of the acquired data.

Analog – to – Digital Converter (ADC): Converts analog signals into digital signals, and its resolution determines the degree to which the digital signal can restore the analog signal. A high – resolution ADC can represent the details of the analog signal more precisely. For example, in audio acquisition applications, it can capture sound changes more delicately.

Microcontroller (MCU) / Digital Signal Processor (DSP): Controls the data acquisition process, including configuring the parameters of the signal conditioning circuit, starting and stopping ADC conversion. It processes the acquired digital signals, such as adding timestamps, performing simple mathematical operations or data compression, to facilitate subsequent data transmission and storage. It is also responsible for communicating with external devices and managing data transmission protocols and processes.

Communication Interface: Enables data transmission between the data acquisition board and external devices. Common communication interfaces include USB, RS – 232, RS – 485, Ethernet, SPI, I2C, etc. Different interfaces are suitable for different application scenarios. The USB interface is convenient for connecting to a computer for fast data transmission, while RS – 485 is often used for long – distance communication in industrial environments.

Power Management Module: Converts the input power (such as an external DC power supply or a battery) into voltages suitable for the operation of each component and monitors and protects the power. For example, when the power voltage is too high or too low, the protection mechanism is activated to prevent component damage; in low – power consumption mode, the power consumption is managed reasonably to extend the usage time of battery – powered devices.

2.Working Principle

The data acquisition board PCBA first receives signals from signal sources such as sensors and instruments through its input interfaces. These signals can be either analog signals (e.g., voltage and current variations) or digital signals.

For analog signals, the signal conditioning circuit processes them, including operations like amplification, filtering, and isolation to optimize the signal quality. Then, the analog – to – digital converter (ADC) converts the processed analog signals into digital signals.

The microcontroller (MCU) or digital signal processor (DSP) plays a controlling and coordinating role throughout the process. They receive the digital signals from the ADC and conduct preliminary data processing, such as data calibration and packing.

Finally, the processed data is transmitted to external devices, such as computers and data loggers, through the communication interface for data storage and further analysis. Meanwhile, the power management module provides a stable power supply for each component of the entire acquisition board.

3.Application Fields

Industrial Field: Used to collect operating parameters of production equipment, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and rotational speed. By monitoring these parameters in real – time, precise control and optimization of the industrial production process are achieved, improving production efficiency and product quality. It can also be used for equipment fault diagnosis. By collecting signals such as vibration and noise of the equipment, potential faults can be detected in advance, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Environmental Monitoring Field: Collects environmental data, including atmospheric temperature, humidity, air quality (PM2.5, PM10, etc.), soil moisture, and water quality pH. These data are crucial for weather forecasting, environmental protection, and agricultural production. For example, long – term monitoring of air quality data provides a basis for environmental governance measures; in intelligent agriculture, precision irrigation is achieved based on soil moisture data.

Medical Field: Cooperates with medical equipment to collect human physiological signals, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation. These data are important bases for doctors to diagnose diseases and formulate treatment plans. In addition, in medical research, the data acquisition board PCBA can be used to collect a large amount of physiological data for statistical analysis and research.

Transportation Field: In intelligent transportation systems, it collects traffic flow, vehicle speed, vehicle type, and other information to provide data support for traffic management and control. In the fields of rail transit and aerospace, it is used to collect operation parameters of trains, airplanes, and other vehicles to ensure operation safety and reliability.

Scientific Research Experiment Field: In various scientific research experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, etc., it collects various parameters during the experiment, such as force, displacement, and temperature in physical experiments, and reaction temperature, pressure, and reactant concentration in chemical experiments. These data help researchers analyze experimental results, verify theoretical models, and improve experimental methods.