Wireless Data Loggers
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Overview
NI wireless data logger devices combine IEEE 802.11b/g wireless or Ethernet communication, direct sensor connectivity, and the flexibility of NI LabVIEW software for remote monitoring and control of electrical, physical, mechanical, and acoustic signals. With built-in signal conditioning and the highest commercially available network security, NI Wi-Fi data loggers stream data in real time for easy-to-use, high-performance remote measurements.
Table of Contents
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What Is a Wireless Data Logger?
A data logger is an electronic instrument that acquires measurement data and records it for future use. Common data logger measurement types include temperature, pressure, current, velocity, strain, and displacement. Data loggers use sensors to convert these physical phenomena and stimuli into electrical signals, such as voltage or current. The electrical signals are then digitized into binary data, analyzed by software, and stored on a PC hard drive or other storage media.
Wireless technology is revolutionizing the way engineers and scientists collect and log data by extending data loggers to new applications where cables are inconvenient or uneconomical. Wireless is inherently more flexible than a traditional cabled solution because it helps eliminate the cost and overhead associated with wired measurement applications.
How Do NI Wireless Data Loggers Work?
PC-based data loggers from National Instruments combine easy-to-use LabVIEW SignalExpress software with flexible data acquisition hardware to create customizable data-logging solutions for a nearly infinite variety of applications. NI Wi-Fi data acquisition (DAQ) devices use industry-standard IEEE 802.11 and Ethernet networks to extend sensor measurements beyond the desktop for remote applications.
Figure 1. NI WLS-9163 carriers and C Series modules provide IEEE 802.11 connectivity and signal conditioning to make traditional analog sensors wireless.
Each NI Wi-Fi DAQ device is a combination of an NI WLS-9163 wireless carrier and an NI C Series measurement module. C Series modules provide direct sensor connectivity and built-in signal conditioning for a variety of measurements, including temperature, strain, acceleration, current, and voltage. In addition to the WLS-9163, you can use C Series modules interchangeably for measurement and control applications with different chassis, including NI CompactDAQ and CompactRIO, as well as the NI USB-9162 and ENET-9163 carriers.
View the C Series module compatibility table »
NI Wireless Data Logger Hardware
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NI Wi-Fi DAQ devices can measure a wide variety of sensor signals, from thermocouples to accelerometers. Using industry-standard IEEE 802.11b/g and Ethernet, you can stream data up to 100 kS/s per channel. In addition, IEEE 802.11i (WPA2 Enterprise) security provides the highest level of data protection for integration into existing corporate or IT networks. Compare NI Wi-Fi DAQ device prices and specifications » |
NI Data-Logging Software
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Every Wi-Fi DAQ device is shipped with NI-DAQmx measurement services software and NI LabVIEW SignalExpress LE interactive data-logging software for quickly acquiring, analyzing, and presenting data with no programming required. Using LabVIEW SignalExpress LE with NI-DAQmx driver software, you can acquire, log, export, and view historical data. Upgrade to the full version of LabVIEW SignalExpress to use advanced analysis functions, alarming, or events in your data-logging applications. Watch a video demonstration of LabVIEW SignalExpress » |
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This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).