Page 14 - Shock and Vibration Overview

Data Acquisition (DAQ) System Selection

DATA ACQUISITION (DAQ)

SYSTEM SELECTION

Now that you have the sensor, something needs to capture and record the sensor’s
output! Data acquisition systems do just as the name implies: collect/acquire data. The
global leader in DAQ systems is National Instruments; but there are many other options
out there too. National Instruments offers unparalleled customization options with both
their modular hardware and their software program, LabVIEW. Measurement
Computing offers some more cost effective alternatives to National Instruments; but
they’re less well-known and trusted. For the more advanced user there are systems like
m+p International’s VibRunner that can capture 100s of channels for modal analysis
applications on larger structures. Something like this will cost tens of thousands of

dollars, whereas low-channel systems will cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

1) Sensor Mating

The sensor selection will often dictate the type of DAQ system that will work based
upon the sensor’s output. Does the sensor have a digital output? Is it 0 to 30 volts, is ±5
volt? Low sensitivity sensors may require amplification of their output. It will simplify
your shock and vibration measurement system setup significantly too if the DAQ system
can provide the excitation voltage to your sensor to power it so that clunky power

supplies can be avoided.

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