Instrumentation

Test and Measurement Technologies

By:
On:
In: Instrumentation

For the past 30 years, National Instruments has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation – a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government, and academia approach measurement and automation.

LabVIEW, Data Acquisition, Modular Instruments, PXI, Programmable Automation Controllers.
Here is a page from an old NI Catalog. RS-232 Tutorial of NI. drag-drop image to read.

National Instruments – Test and Measurement

One which is useful for beginners is the LabVIEW Student Edition – LabVIEW easily connects to any device be it hardware or outside applications like Microsoft Excel. You can depend on this seamless development experience as you write your program.

By:
On:
In: Instrumentation, Power Electronics

This is a Regulated 0-30 V DC Power Supply manufactured by me in small numbers, 0-30V 5A and 5V -5A. It had a Switching Preregulator. This keeps the Vce across Transistor Bank at the Back of Instrument, at the lowest possible level, in order to keep them Cool. When Vce and Ic both are more in a Power transistor it will get heated more, then the efficiency of power supply is low.

Power Supplies Section – delabs

Variable Regulated Power Supply

The Output had both Constant Current Control and Constant Voltage Control. The CC control is also a Short circuit protection. The Output was protected from outside voltages damaging output circuits even when equipment is switched off. The back panel is a finned anodized black aluminum heat sink with many transistors.

Read More →

By:
On:
In: Instrumentation, Training Consulting

For an T&M Learning, Start with these tutors of NI. Like Analog Amplifier Circuits and Analog RC Filters. RF and Microwave Fundamentals if you want to be good at Communication Technologies. Sensor, DAQ and Instrument Fundamentals for Industrial Automation Learning.

Measurement Fundamentals – National Instruments

National Instruments Wi-Fi DAQ devices combine IEEE 802.11 wireless or Ethernet communication, direct sensor connectivity, and the flexibility of NI LabVIEW software for remote monitoring and control of electrical, physical, mechanical, and acoustical signals.

Measurement Basics at National Instruments

NI Wi-Fi DAQ features and to learn how you can simplify wireless remote measurements without compromising on the security or performance of a cabled data acquisition solution.

delabs Notes

You can learn about every niche/domain in Electronic Technologies. You also need to Specialize in a niche which resonates within you. The skill sets need to be broad, in case you find less opportunities in the specialization you have. This keeps changing all the time.

By:
On:
In: Handheld Portables, Instrumentation

Any Tablet with an external Hardware can make a nice Instrument. The professional part lies in that external hardware and usability of the software or app. Windows Virtual Instrumentation are well known. Things like USB Scope and Data Loggers have been there for decades.

Now we have Android in which an Open Source product can be developed. The Open Source is both in Hardware and Software.

Android Virtual Instrumentation

See a android virtual instrument – OsciPrime is an Open Source Android high speed data acquisition hardware platform and Android oscilloscope application.

Open Source Android Oscilloscope

Virtual Instruments for Android has a nice future in Industrial, Automotive and Measurement areas. You could start by Interfacing with Bluetooth, USB and then move to IoT and WSN.

 Android OPC UA SCADA and Client

TeslaSCADA is a SCADA for accessing production and process data through smart phones and other Android devices, using the industrial communication standard – OPC Unified Architecture (UA).

These were some questions i got a few years back…

1 – If i had to create a crude “Lux Meter” and “db Meter” using the built-in camera and microphone on a Android Device – How would i Calibrate it ?

2 – Is there a Component(software) for Android to interlace with a Arduino Device as an external interface, This will help us make a DMM/Scope or even a Entire Lab Test bench centered around a Tablet and a Plug-in Mini Instrument Rack.

Both Sound or db Meters and Lux or Light Level Meters are in the Google Play nut need calibration. All These Instrument Needs a USB/Bluetooth Sensors.

Add Bluetooth you can carry your Tablet away from the instrument probing the DUT. (Device under Test)