Introduction
What is Data Acquisition? Data Acquisition (DAQ) is the process of collection data from different sensors into a computer.
A DAQ System consists of 4 parts: Physical input/output signals, sensors DAQ device/hardware Driver software Your software application (Application software).
Tutorials:
Introduction to Data Acqquisition in Visual Studio and C# (PDF)
DAQ Devices
Here are some examples of DAQ devices:
- TC-01 Thermocouple
- USB-6008
To use these DAQ devices from National Instruments, you need to install the NI-DAQmx driver.
Here you find more information about NI-DAQmx.
Both these devices (TC-01 and USB-6008) are programmed in the same manner in C#. See Examples below.
Note! The NI-DAQmx driver do not support .NET Core, only the standard .NET Framework.
Note! Make sure to at least select "NI-DAQmx Support for .NET Framework 4.x" and "NI-DAQmx Support for Visual Studio 2019" during the installation of DAQmx.
TC-01
TC-01 Thermocouple is a DAQ device from National Instruments used to read and log temperature data. Read more...
Data Acquisition (DAQ) is the process of collection data from different sensors into a computer. A DAQ System consists of 4 parts: Physical input/output signals, sensors DAQ device/hardware Driver software Your software application (Application software).
In order to use the TC-01 Thermocouple, make sure you have installed the DAQmx driver first.
Firmware: If you get error using TC-01, you may need to upgrade the Firmware.
Video: DAQ in Visual Studio using TC-01 and DAQmx:
This video is also available from my official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/IndustrialITandAutomation
USB-6008
USB-6008, or similiar, are DAQ devices from National Instruments.
You can use them preferably together with LabVIEW, but you can also use them together with Visual Studio/C#, MATLAB, Python, etc. USB-6008, USB-6001 (USB-600x), myDAQ, etc. all use the same driver, which is the NI-DAQmx.
More Information about USB-6008
Video: Data Acquisition in Visual Studio and C# using USB-6008 as an example:
This video is also available from my official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/IndustrialITandAutomation
Sensors and Actuators
Below you find information and resources about the different sensors and components you are going to use.
The sensors and components are:
- TMP36
- Thermistor
- Light Sensor
- LED
TMP36
A Temperature sensor like TM36 uses a solid-state technique to determine the temperature. They use the fact as temperature increases, the voltage across a diode increases at a known rate.
Video: Using TMP36 in Visual Studio and C# with USB-6008:
This video is also available from my official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/IndustrialITandAutomation
Thermistor
A thermistor is an electronic component that changes resistance to temperature - so-called Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTD). It is often used as a temperature sensor.
Video: Using Thermistor in Visual Studio and C# with USB-6008:
This vdeo is also available from my official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/IndustrialITandAutomation
Light Sensor
Light sensor, Photocell (Photo resistor), LDR (light-dependent resistor). A light sensor / photocell is a sensor used to detect light. The resistance decreases with increasing light intensity (stronger light).
Video: Using Light Sensor in Visual Studio and C# with USB-6008:
This video is also available from my official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/IndustrialITandAutomation
LED
Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are used in all kind of electronics today.
Video: Using LEDs in Visual Studio and C# with USB-6008:
This video is also available from my official YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/IndustrialITandAutomation
Hardware
The following components are used in the examples and videos above:
| Hardware | Information | Supplier |
| TC-01 | Thermocouple Temperature Sensor | National Instruments |
| USB-6008 | DAQ Device from National Instruments. USB cable included | National Instruments |
| Breadboard | Elfa | |
| Wires | 10 wires in different colors | Elfa |
| LED Green | Elfa | |
| LED Red | Elfa | |
| TMP36 | Temperature Sensor | Elfa |
| Thermistor | Temperature Sensor | Elfa |
| Light Sensor | Measures the light level inside a room (or outside) | Elfa |
| Resistor 330 Ohm x 2 | Resistor for the LEDs | Efa |
| Resistor 10 kOhm | Resistor for the Thermistor | Elfa |
| Resistor 33 kOhm | Resistor for the Light Sensor | Elfa |