Configuration of a Gas Compressor Developmental Testing Data Acquisition Facility

The technological, economic and human engineering aspects of data acquisition system development are discussed using the configuration of a microcomputer based gas compressor data acquisition facility as an example. The system described includes features common to other systems with a wide variety of applications and complexity including real time data acquisition with background data reduction, serial line communication with peripheral devices and other computers as well as IEEE standard 488 bus control of laboratory devices. Foreground operation of the data acquisition software allows for simultaneous machinery protection surveillance and compressor performance parameter data reduction. Data output is available in either graphical or tabular form on the system CRT and printer.