Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for Data Acquisition and Instrumentation Recording Systems

Five examples of HMIs, Human Machine Interfaces, (formerly Man-Machine-Interfaces) are presented to illustrate the variety of operating solutions for computer-aided dynamic data acquisition systems. The examples range from a simple on-off control with a simple terminal -type interface for a sophisticated instrumentation recorder to a 384-channel automated Wind Tunnel test system. The design challenges, the evolution from GUI’s to HMI’s, the potential pitfalls and benefits of software-based HMI’s and a means to speed development and to get timely end-user input are covered.