Is it possible to read data through a USB connection, if so how?

[Shifty]

Hi, I'm looking to record temperature readings coming into my PC through a USB connection, but I don't know the best way to go about doing that.  I would want the temperature readings to be recorded into the same data file that my current readings are being recorded into.  What's the best way for me to get the temperature readings into the PC and onto the data file? 

I'm running LabVIEW 8.6.1 on Window's XP.

Thank you.

[Jason_P]

See http://sine.ni.com/nifn/cds/view/main/p/sn/n24 :USB,n36:15/lang/en/nid/1036/ap/daq

[gstanczak]

Shifty, I imagine you have something already to convert temperature you want to read to voltage.  You need a USB A/D converter next.  Here are links to 2 low cost converters, one from NI and one from DATAQ...

NI-         https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/model.usb-6008.html      ($169)

DATAQ-  http://www.dataq.com/products/startkit/di148.htm         ($50)

If you can spend the extra for the NI hardware, the acquisition through labview will be a bit simpler.  In addition, there is lots of example code in the labview help section that will almost immediately acquire data using NI hardware.

Greg

[aNIta B]

Hi Shifty,

      I think an important question to ask is- how are you acquiring temperature?  Are you using thermocouples, RTDs, etc?  Do you have particular accuracy specifications you are needing to meet? Like Jason P had recommended, I also think that the NI 9219 is a great recommendation- this is a universal input module that also has internal excitation.  Let us know if you have more questions!