Wireless Data Aquisition

[postemun]

I wanted to begin doing data aquisition wirelessly and was wondering how I would go about it. I am currently using scxi modules for my signal conditioning and a USB Data Acquisition and Control Module for the SCXI. I have read about using a something called a MiniDAT by ViaSat to connect a DAQcard to achieve wireless data acquisition capabilities but I can't find any information on the MiniDAT or if it is even still in production. Any suggestions or info about the MiniDAT would be appreciated. Thanks

[Salvador_Santolucito]

Hi Postemun,

We currently do not provide any wireless data aquisition solutions. You might try contacting ViaSat to see if they still offer the hardware you are looking for (www.viasat.com).

Thanks,
Sal

[dpotter]

My understanding is that the MiniDAT is no longer offered. Depending on the requirements of your application, FieldPoint and CompactFieldPoint with their Ethernet and serial ports, are easily used with a number of 3rd party wireless modems, radios, etc. In fact, NI does sell a serial radio modem that connects easily to the RS-232 port of FP and CompactFP.
If you require high speed DAQ capabilities, then your best bet is to use a "wireless PC" to host the NI-DAQ device and software. The wireless PC may be a PXI chassis, or small industrial/embedded PC, coupled with a standard 802.11 adapter.

Regards,
David
david.potter@ni.com

[postemun]

I contacted ViaSat and indeed the MiniDAT is no longer offered. I was hoping to avoid using an additional PC as I do need high speed DAQ capabilities, but it looks like that is what I am going to have to do. Thanks for the prompt and informed answers.

[fadenoid]

Hello Postemun

Take a look at the TDK Blu2i module.

I'm using this in conjunction with LB7.1 apps I've written for PDAs and PCs with bluetooth capability and it is designed as serial cable replacement, although it also has some rudimentary analogue and digital DAQ.

In cable replacement mode it effectively converts a dumb serial device for wireless operation. Obviously there is a bandwidth issue if you're trying to get large amounts of data out of your DAQ unit ie high sampling rates, so you're limited to lower end serial comms speeds.

The other issue is distance. How far away is your pc going to be from your wiress DAQ kit? Another alternative is to use 802.11 based serial modems for longer distances, although comms is still limited to se
rial speeds. This website may be of interest:

http://datahunter.com/

Cheers,