Data Acquisition

Data acquisition or DAQ refers to applications in which electronic systems composed of various sensors, will receive sensor data, save data and analyse data with a specific process in mind. Data acquisition can be expanded further to process control based on the control data created for the process by DAQ hardware and software. One critical composing piece of DAQ application is the software that will be responsible for the control and measuring of sensors and effectors. MatDeck has developed advanced features in order to perform as a data acquisition software whilst operating at an affordable price. 

Data Acquisition – Python DAQ

MatDeck’s data acquisition ingenious software architecture provides an advanced interface for a wide range of electronic hardware applications. These include Python software control with data acquisition virtual instrumentation software and ready-made widgets for hardware devices and cards, custom electronics and OEM products. Running both analogue to digital and digital to analogue converters, timers, counters, input and output ports, buses, and TCP/IP all done simply and efficiently meaning MatDeck truly provides a fresh and comprehensive approach to data acquisition. 

Some MD Data Acquisition features:

  • Classical Data Acquisition, Measurement and Control
  • Virtual Serial Port GUI Designers including FTDI USB devices for Control and Data Acquisition
  • TCP GUI Designer for Control and Data Acquisition
  • Drag and drop Virtual Instrumentation panel with no coding.
  • Drag and drop Virtual Instrumentation GUI application builder which generates Python and MD Script code
  • No code drag and drop Visual SCADA
  • MD Script and Python SCADA
  • DSP functions, DSP GUIs, signal smoothing, PID, Vibration functions, Wavelets, various signal GUIs , curve fitting and math functions
  • Modbus, Profibus, TCP, Serial ASCII, Serial RTU, universal device configuration from Excel file
  • Hardware devices Advantech, ICP DAS, LabJack and others
  • GPU acceleration and advanced FFT
  • AI modelling and functions
  • Build and Distribute unlimited Windows applications royalty free
Design GUIs and Engines for Data Acquisition (DAQ) example

Using SCADA and Data Acquisition (DAQ)

SCADA applications are used throughout the data acquisition world to allow for the collection, reading and sending of data, in MatDeck all of this is combined into the SCADA Toolbox. SACDA allows for a connection to made with devices while using effective virtual aids to monitor, receive and send data to and from the devices from one centralized software.

Using SCADA for Data Acquisition

As you can see, MatDeck allows you to run the Panel, Tag Manager as well as inbuilt script from one Toolbox while still being able to access and utilize the MatDeck document and its plethora of features. The SCADA Toolbox is also a codeless solution as all virtual instruments, channels and more are created by the MatDeck Software

Virtual Instrumentation for Data Acquisition

Virtument is MatDeck virtual instrumentation panel that allows for the communication between devices and MatDeck using visual aids such as Digit meter, Sliders, Tanks, Gauges and more. Virtument is a No-Code Toolbox, this means that no knowledge of programming is needed as users need only to click a few buttons to create a connection to a device and add a virtual instrument to it. However, a user can choose to add code, GUIs and function to work with the virtual instruments.

Using Virtument for Data Acquisition

Virtument also works in real time meaning that any changes in the virtual instruments will be received or sent straight away, allowing for the professional use of devices with a simple yet effective methods.

Specialized Interface for Data Acquisition

MatDeck’s hardware interface software functions can be used for hardware data channel management and hardware drivers as well as API. These channels can fluently receive and transmit data direct to MatDeck documents.

MatDeck documents can simultaneously run the execution and communication all while the user can edit the exact same document while it is being run in the same time providing an inexhaustible variety of options. To achieve even higher execution speeds, the document file can be converted into an EXE file. This EXE file can now communicate directly to other MatDeck documents, EXE files and other electronic hardware.

Advanced data acquisition commonly requires expert coding and expressing programming ideas in MatDeck takes usually less lines of code. MatDeck Code allows the user to easily add member functions and data during the execution, variables do not have a fixed type and any memory not used any longer is freed automatically. To find out more about MatDeck’s various data acquisition features please have a look at the following links:

embeded SCADA

GUI Designer for Data Acquisition

MatDeck’s GUI Designer is a drag and drop custom GUI builder that utilises an instruments panel similar to Virtument. Below is a snapshot that illustrates the various deployable elements that can be placed on the work area and customised to the user’s needs for professional and efficient GUI applications. Users can now create tailored data acquisition apps that can interface and interact with their DAQ applications in a matter of minutes. Whilst reducing the time and errors users would have to deal with, the simplified layout and each element’s customisable settings make for straight-forward configuration.  

Python SCADA
MatDeck MD Python example elements

Whereas other approaches would include a disconnect between the value or reading DAQ produces and the process/manipulation done with that value, MatDeck allows for DAQ and the MD GUI Designer to be used in unison.

Essentially, GUIs can be designed and deployed in the same document where DAQ can be configured and performed as well. This has numerous advantages however, the biggest is that users can now save countless hours not having to configure and juggle between two different software’s for their GUI and their DAQ. Additionally, users can create their own custom GUIs that are bespoke to their data acquisition application.

MatDeck Functions for Data Acquisition

MatDeck is equipped with over 2000 functions that span across numerous industries and fields. Paired this with ready made configuration forms for DAQ hardware units, users can expect to be ready for efficient DAQ processes on both common and unique applications.  

Data acquisition is only one of many areas MatDeck functions cover. MatDeck has dedicated functions for FFTs, signal filtering, averaging, transform spectre and more. For more information about functions and examples, have a look at https://labdeck.com/application-examples-screenshots/

Below is an example of a FFT being performed through the joint use of MatDeck functions and a Signal Transforms Form.

Signal Transforms Form

Following MatDeck’s universal framework approach means that Data Acquisition can be performed in a similar manner utilising the advantages of having one universal document. This remains true for MD functions which can be deployed and integrated in the same MD documents as Data Acquisition applications. Being a cross-field software, users can deploy and utilise functions from a catalogue of different fields and studies. Users can perform and use functions from various fields and their data acquisition in one file, reducing the need for multiple specialised software to complete their task.

Build and Run Data Acquisition .EXE applications

Data Acquisition .EXE application

Another unique formatting option that users can exploit is the Build and Run option. In simple terms, by building and running a MatDeck file as .exe file, MatDeck converts your chosen file into an executable file that can be deployed and used as a standalone application outside of MatDeck. Paired with this, .exe files can be shared more readily to both MD users and non-MD users as well as execute at much faster speeds than in the normal MD document format.

This option includes Data Acquisition in MatDeck meaning DAQ applications can be deployed between users more readily and faster.

Affordable cost

The universal framework approach was used to allow MD users to have a single software solution to their applications and mix functions and processes from various fields and industries into on MD document. However, this universal approach extends further to the availability and affordability of MatDeck software.

Drag and Drop Instrument Panel for Data Acquisition

Being able to configure and interface with hardware units to perform Data Acquisition is an absolute necessity and is the founding step for an DAQ application. However, being able to represent, interpret and manipulate data obtained from DAQ application is equally important and arguably gives the DAQ application meaning.

MatDeck provides users with the tools and means to produce detailed and ergonomic Virtual Instrumentation panels for DAQ applications through MD’s Virtument. Here, Virtument has an array of customisable instruments that can be connected with DAQ applications in order to display and represent data in real time. Building on this, users can create complex instrument panels for DAQ applications that can feature any number of processes and instruments all on one panel. Below is an example of how different Virtument instruments can be deployed for use in DAQ applications.

Virtument instruments example

The main advantage from having software toolboxes such as Virtument is the countless hours and errors that are reduced by designing DAQ instrument panels in Virutment. Any programming burden required to code the aesthetic and functionality of instruments is completely removed and instruments and elements are readily available for the user in Virtument instead.

Data Acquisition Frequently Asked Question

What are data acquisition channels?

MatDeck uses data acquisition channels to enable users to easily connect readings from devices to virtual instruments. They act as a bridge between your program and the device, enabling fast and simple communication.

Why use MatDeck as a Data Acquisition software?

MatDeck offers drag and drop data acquisition toolboxes, code-free virtual instrumentation and device configuration alongside both MD Script and Python. Additionally, it alos offers drag and drop GUI Designer, 2000 functions and dedicated signal processing and DSP features.

How to connect to Databases and Excel?

You can directly connect your databases and excel files with MatDeck using Virtument, SCADA as well as custom export channels which connect to the necessary files without the need of any code.

What Virtual Instrumentation widgets does MatDeck have?

Virtument offers gauges (squared, circular, linear), switches (rotary and toggle), buttons (tact and push), sliders (horizontal and vertical), real-time data plotting, digit meters, VU meter gauges, lamps and indicators, image importing, text boxes, tanks, temperature meters, and more.

Why is MatDeck cost-effective? 

MatDeck is significantly cheaper than any of its competitor and with its focus on simplicity and ease of use, firm chose MatDeck for both cost and efficiency.

What is Build and Run?

Build and Run is a MD feature which allows users to deploy there apps independently from MatDeck to an unlimited number of apps.