WO2004036395A1

WO2004036395A1 - Stand-alone apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing

Info

Publication number: WO2004036395A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/002119
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donghyun Kim
Original assignee: Rectuson Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-10-17
Filing date: 2003-10-14
Publication date: 2004-04-29
Also published as: AU2003271202A1

Abstract

A stand-alone apparatus is provided for acquiring analog signals of noise, vibration, temperature, pressure or the like and processing the acquired signals. The apparatus includes an input module, a processing module, an interface, a data logging memory and a power supply module. The input module is connected to sensors. The processing module has an amplifier, a filter, an AD converter, a DSP, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a microprocessor unit with a RTOS (real time operating system). The interface connects the apparatus with a computer.

Description

STAND-ALONE APPARATUS FOR DATA ACQUISITION AND SIGNAL

PROCESSING

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing, in particular an apparatus for acquiring and processing various analog signals such as noise, vibration, temperature, pressure or the like.

Background Art

Figure 1 shows a configuration of a system for acquiring data comprising a conventional apparatus for data acquisition. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be appreciated that an apparatus for data acquisition 10a installed in a personal computer 150 comprises an amplifier/filer 110, an AD converter 120 and a signal processor 130. The amplifier/filer 110 is provided with an amplifier for amplifying and outputting the amplitude of voltage wave or current wave of inputted signals, and a filter for passing signals having specific frequency and removing the other signals. The AD converter 120 has an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) for converting analog signals to digital signals. The signal processor 130 has a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for performing high-speed processing for digital signals. The amplifier/filer 110, the AD converter 120 and the signal processor 130 are constituted as a respective module and inserted into the corresponding extended slots of the personal computer 150, or integrated into one module and installed in the personal computer 150. The apparatus for data acquisition 10a is separately provided with a data recorder 160 of storage media for analyzing data and a power supply 180 for a sensor 170 collecting analog signals.

As shown in FIG. 1, analog signals such as noise, vibration, temperature and pressure are inputted into the apparatus for data acquisition 10a through the sensor 170. The analog signals received by the sensor 170 is amplified through the amplifier/filter 110, and then signals having specific frequency are extracted from the analog signals and inputted into the AD converter 120. And then the analog signals inputted into the AD converter 120 are converted to digital signals and inputted into the signal processor 130. The digital signals inputted into the signal processor 130 are processed and recorded in the data recorder 160 for analyzing data. The apparatus for data acquisition 10a is utilized as an apparatus for data analysis in the personal computer 150 in the form of a plurality of data acquisition boards.

The apparatus for data acquisition 10a as mentioned above shall comprise the additional data recorder 160 of storage media and the additional power supply 180 for supplying power to the sensor 170. Accordingly, there are many restrictions in space for use and installation of the apparatus since a number of peripheral devices should be additionally attached to the apparatus even for measuring once. For the aforesaid apparatus for data acquisition, it is inconvenient for a user to perform repeated tasks in restricted space even for measuring once, and the measurement and the analysis are carried out through off-line because the apparatus for data acquisition is isolated from external devices. It is impossible for the apparatus to measure and analyze data independently since it consists of one measurement equipment and the other analysis system.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing capable of working independently.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing, which is connected to an external computer by wire or wireless communication and thereby controlling and transmitting data by wire or wireless communication.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing, which can store acquired data and transmit data exceeding its storage capacity to outside by wire or wireless communication. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing, which can supply power to a sensor connected with the apparatus.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing, which is supplied with power using a battery. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing comprising:

(a) an analog input connected with a sensor, and receiving analog signals;

(b) a processor module which includes, an amplifier for amplifying the amplitude of voltage wave or current wave of the analog signals inputted through the analog input; a filter for passing the signals having specific frequency and removing the other signals; an ADC (Analog Digital Converter) for converting the analog signals to digital signals; a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for processing the digital signals; an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) being programmable with a logic block; and a central control module provided with a memory which stores a RTOS (Real Time Operating System) allowing the apparatus to work independently;

(c) an interface being connected with said central control module and connecting said central control module with a remote control computer;

(d) a memory device being connected with said central control module and storing the data processed in the processor module; and

(e) a power supply module for supplying electric power to each part of the apparatus.

The interface of the present invention may comprise at least one selected from a LAN, a WLAN (wireless LAN), an IEEE1394 and a USB. The power supply module may be connected with an external power source or a battery. Further, the power supply module may be connected with the sensor to supply electric power to the sensor through said analog input. The analog input may be provided with at least two input channels. In addition, the apparatus for data acquisition of the present invention may further comprise a remote controller for generating a control signal and a receiver for receiving the control signal transmitted from the remote controller and transmitting the control signal to said central control module.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further comprise an auxiliary memory for storing data processed in the processor module. The

RTOS may make the data which are processed in the processor module and exceed the storage capacity of the memory device be stored in the auxiliary memory and then be transmitted to an external computer through the interface. The auxiliary memory has a DRAM and an SRAM and may store the exceeding data in the DRAM, whereby after compressing and storing the data in the SRAM, the compressed data are transmitted to an external computer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system for acquiring data comprising a conventional apparatus for data acquisition; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system for acquiring data comprising an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing detailed construction of the apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the external shape of the apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing the front side of the apparatus and FIG. 4b is a perspective view showing the rear side of the apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedures for acquiring and storing data in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and transmitting the data exceeding the storage capacity of the apparatus.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

Referring to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 2, an apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to a sensor 20 and a control computer 30. The sensor 20 converts sound, vibration, temperature, pressure and the like delivered from a subject to be measured into electric analog signals and transmits the signals to the apparatus 10. For example, a microphone, an impulse hammer, an accelerometer, a speaker and a noise-measuring instrument may be used as sensors relating to sound and vibration. In general, a user controls the apparatus 10 and analyzes data transmitted from the apparatus 10 with the control computer 30. The host computer 30 may be a notebook computer or a desktop computer.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 10 includes an input/output module 40, a processor module 60, an interface 80, a memory card 92 and a power supply module 90. The input/output module 40 comprises an 8-channel analog signal input 42, a 1-channel pulse signal input 44, a 1-channel trigger signal input 46 and a 1- channel analog signal output 50. Referring to FIG. 4a, the front side of the apparatus

10 is provided with eight analog signal input ports 421 for the 8-channel analog signal input, a pulse signal input port 441 for the 1-channel pulse signal input and a trigger signal input port 461 for the 1-channel trigger signal input. Referring to FIG. 4b, the rear side of the apparatus 10 is provided with an analog signal output port 501 for the 1- channel analog signal output. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the 8-channel analog signal input 42 is connected with the sensor 20. The various analog signals such as noise (sound), vibration, temperature or pressure acquired by the sensor 20 are inputted to the apparatus 10 through the analog signal input 42. The analog signal input 42 outputs the inputted analog signals to input signal filters 62 connected with the analog signal input 42.

In addition, electric power is supplied to the analog signal input 42 through the built-in power supply module 90 installed in the apparatus 10 so that the analog signal input 42 can acquire analog signals. The power supplied from the power supply module 90 to the sensors 20 may be an alternating current, a direct current or a constant- current. Thus, it is possible to acquire analog signals without additional power supply for the sensors because electric power is transmitted to the sensors through each channel of the analog signal input. The range of voltage supplied by the power supply 90 is determined to support the various sensors such as an accelerometer, a microphone, an impulse hammer, and the like allowing the power of around 20V to be inputted. Referring to FIG. 4a, the rear side of the apparatus 10 is provided with a power input port 901 into which an external power source is inputted for the power supply module 90. For example, the external power source is supplied to the power input port 901 after being converted from the power of 100V-220V commercially available to the power of 10V-20V through AC/DC adapter. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4b, a battery 93 connected to the power supply module 90 may be provided to the apparatus 10 so as to allow the apparatus to work without an external power supply. The battery 93 is adapted to be capable of being removably mounted on the apparatus.

Preferably, as the battery 93 SBS (Smart Battery System) can be used. When employing the battery, a user can confirm the remaining amount of the battery at present. Preferably, the operating system of the apparatus is configured to acquire remaining time of the battery, compare it with time required to acquire the minimal amount of measuring data, and, if the remaining time of the battery is shorter than time required to acquire the minimal amount of measuring data, alert the user to it by performing an automatic alert function. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pulse signal input 44 receives a pulse signal (which is a kind of non-sine wave signals and of which wave sharply rises to a certain value and then maintains the value for a certain time, and sharply descents to the beginning value) from the sensor and outputs it to an FPGA 70 described below. The pulse is a signal of which duration is very short, and for example, the pulse input is performed to analyze signals generated in proportion to speed of a vibrating body of revolution. The trigger signal input 46 receives a trigger signal from the outside of the apparatus and outputs a signal initiating ("trigger ON") or terminating ("trigger OFF") data acquisition to the FPGA 70 in accordance with the condition. The inputted trigger signal is utilized as a signal initiating and terminating data acquisition if a certain measurement condition established by the user is accomplished. The "trigger ON" initiates to accumulate data in an FIFO memory 74 described below and the "trigger OFF" terminates to accumulate data. For example, the measurement condition can be accomplished when predetermined time has passed or a signal having amplitude more than predetermined amplitude is inputted. The analog signal output 50 outputs the analog signals inputted from an output signal filter 79 to the outside of the apparatus 10. For example, it outputs a received voice signal to a speaker or the like after removing noise from the signal by filtering the signal with a DSP.

The processor module 60 includes the input signal filters 62, input signal amplifiers 64, ADCs 66 (analog to digital converters), DSPs 68 (digital signal processors), an FPGA 70 (field programmable gate array), an MPU 72 (microprocessor unit), an FIFO memory 74 (first in first out memory) (generally abbreviated to "FIFO"), an output signal DSP 76, a DAC 77 (digital to analog converter), an output signal amplifier 78 and the output signal filter 79. Each of the input signal filters 62 connected with each channel of the analog signal input 42 passes signals having specific frequency of analog signals inputted through each channel of the analog signal input 42 and removes the other signals, and then outputs the passed signals to the amplifiers 64. Both low pass filters having amplitude-frequency characteristic that they pass low frequency band of signals but remove flattened high frequency band of signals without pulsation in their pass band, and high pass filters removing low frequency band and passing high frequency band may be applied to the above filters 62 since noise is usually generated in signals inputted into the ADCs 66. Particularly, it is preferable to constitute analog filters with Butterworth filters that have increased attenuation factor by making them in the fourth order and so are close to an ideal filter.

Each amplifier 64 connected to the corresponding filter 62 amplifies the amplitude of voltage wave or current wave of the inputted signals and then outputs the amplified signals to the corresponding ADC 66. An operational amplifier (OP Amp) may be adopted as the amplifier 64. The analog signals are amplified to signals detectable in digital circuits by the amplifiers 64 and inputted to the ADCs 66.

The ADCs 66 convert the analog signals inputted from the amplifiers 64 into digital signals and output the digital signals to the DSPs 68. The ADCs 66 perform the sampling of data in a certain interval, which is high-speed and high-resolution sampling of 24-bit. After sampling data at sampling rate more than 100kHz per second, serial data are transmitted from the ADCs 66 to the DSPs 68. The DSPs 68 basically perform digital filtering by using computer program that extracts the component of specific frequency band and stops the components of the other frequency bands, and also perform additional signal processing such as voice signal processing or real time frequency analysis. In the present embodiment, TMS320C6701DSP that is a DSP chip manufactured by Texas Instrument Co., Ltd. is employed as a main processor, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The DSPs are provided with built-in memories to implement computer programs and are arrayed in a parallel for data processing. Such a construction enables the DSPs to perform real time processing and several additional processings (for example, a voice signal processing based on digital filtering that the amount of data for processing is large, and a processing for real time frequency conversion).

The data processed by the DSPs 68 are inputted into and managed in the FPGA 70 capable of performing complex data processing as executed by arithmetic circuits. The FPGA converts the data transmitted in a serial to the data capable of being transmitted in a parallel, and then stores the data in the FIFO (First In First Out) type memory 74 and manages them. In accordance with a signal from the trigger signal input 46, the FPGA 70 accumulates the data within the FIFO memory 74. The "trigger ON" initiates to accumulate the data in the FIFO memory 74 and the "trigger OFF" terminates to accumulate the data. The FPGA 70 can execute complex data processing as executed by arithmetic circuits, which includes logic blocks for realizing arbitrary logic functions and programmable-wired network for connecting between those logic blocks.

The microprocessor unit (MPU) 72 controls each part of the data acquisition apparatus and instructs the related parts of the data acquisition apparatus to perform data processing. The MPU 72 has a memory in its inside and a RTOS (Real Time Operating System) is embedded in the internal memory of the MPU so as to allow the data acquisition apparatus to work independently. The RTOS is an operating system capable of integrating, managing and performing real time processing such as debugging, input/output and time-sharing multitasking. The RTOS is configured so that if another important event is generated during the performing of a certain task, the RTOS is sure to process the event within predetermined time. The RTOS embedded in the apparatus 10 of the embodiment includes the function of a web server to respond to the request of a client and the function of a scheduler capable of performing reserved tasks even in the absence of the request from the external host computer 30. The data to be used by the scheduler are stored in the memory located within the microprocessor. In this respect, the RTOS can automatically perform instructions, for example, to process the stored data in predetermined mode on predetermined day and to transmit the data to predetermined position. On the other hand, the RTOS may be stored in a memory device such as an

SRAM provided outside of the MPU. If the SRAM is employed to store the RTOS, there are provided two SRAMs together with an SRAM 754 for data storage described below.

To reduce load burdened to the MPU 72, the inside of the MPU 72 is provided with a DMAC 73 (direct memory access controller). The MPU 72 reads the data accumulated in the FIFO memory 74 by using the DMAC 73. If the data processed in the DSPs 68 is accumulated in the FIFO memory via the FPGA and the amount of the data stored in the FIFO memory exceeds predetermined amount, the MPU 72 reads the data from the memory 74 by using the DMAC 73. The memory device 92 for logging data performs a function to store acquired data for a long time in preparation for the next data processing. The memory device 92 can send the data and the signals to and receive them from the MPU 72, and can also receive the data from the memory 74. Referring to FIG. 4a, if a compact flash memory card is used as the memory device 92, a slot 921 for inserting and drawing the card may be provided at the front side of the apparatus 10. The memory device 92 may independently store the acquired data for 2-3 days.

For example, a memory card for PCMCIA as well as the aforesaid compact flash memory card may be employed as the memory device. A hard disk drive recently advanced in miniaturization may be also employed as the memory device. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the interface 80 may include two LAN modules

(local area network modules) 82 and 84, a WLAN module 88 (wireless local area network module), an IEEE1394 module 86 and a USB module 89. Referring to FIG. 4b, the rear side of the apparatus includes LAN connection ports 821 and 841 for the LAN modules 82 and 84, an IEEE1394 connection port 861 for the IEEE1394 module, a USB port 891, and an antenna 881 for improving sensitivity of sending and receiving data when the WLAN module 88 is used. An external power source may be supplied to the data acquisition apparatus by connecting an external device such as a notebook computer with the USB port 891. In order to transmit the data through the LAN module 82, the MPU 72 makes the final stored data be transmitted into chips of the LAN modules 82 and 84.

The WLAN module 88 performs low power wireless data communication using frequency band of 2.4GH generally used in the industry and transmits the data between the inside and the outside of a building. The WLAN employs a frequency band of 2.4GHz, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The IEEE1394 is a serial interface protocol established by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and is related to the interface technology allowing data to be sent and received at high speed of one hundred Mbps ~ lGbps by connecting communication devices to a single network. The IEEE1394 device 86 is provided for sending and receiving data in accordance with the protocol of IEEE1394 and connected with the control computer, and thus the transceiving of data via the WLAN module and the LAN ports after the data measurement is enabled.

The user can select one from the aforesaid interface modules 80, and then initiate and terminate the measurement by using control programs of the control computer capable of being controlled remotely. In addition, the apparatus 10 not only can perform the measurement without any instruction from the control computer, but also can measure and transmit the data according to predetermined schedule since the apparatus 10 is stand-alone. Referring to FIG. 4a, the front side of the apparatus 10 is provided with a start button 105, a stop button 106, a pause button 107 and a set-up button 108 so as to allow the apparatus to work independently. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4b, the WLAN module 88 may include the antenna

881 for improving sensitivity of sending and receiving data upon data communication. .

Referring to FIG. 3, the circuitry including the output signal DSP 76, the DAC

77 (digital to analog converter), the output signal amplifier 78, the output signal filter 79 and the analog signal output 50 outputs a function, of which value is determined by one or several variables, in the form of a voltage wave, and functions as a function generator capable of generating a sine wave, a triangle wave, a square wave and the like. The output voltage ranges around from 0 to +5V.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control computer 30 is adapted to remotely control the stand-alone apparatus 10 after the user's selection of the interface type to be used. In this case, the MPU 72 controls the operation of the apparatus by using the control signals received from the control computer.

Referring to FIG. 4a, the front side of the apparatus 10 is provided with a power switch 101, a liquid crystal display device 102 displaying the state of measurement, a light emitting diode 103 showing the state of measurement, and four buttons for measurement, i.e., a start button 105, a stop button 106, a pause button 107 and a set-up button 108.

Now, referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the data acquisition procedures of the data acquisition apparatus will be illustrated in detail. The wireless LAN (WLAN) is employed as the interface. First, the user installs the corresponding input sensor 20 at a location subject to measurement, and connects the sensor 20 to the analog signal input port 421 of the apparatus 10. The sensor 20 receives power required for operation of the sensor 20 among an alternating current, a direct current and a constant-current via the analog signal input 42 from the power supply module 90 of the apparatus 10, and thereby operates. Alternatively, any external power source or a built-in battery may be employed as the power supply 90. The power supplied through the USB port may be used. Subsequently, the user sets up a fixed or dynamic IP address and a netmask of the control computer 30 for the measurement by using wireless communication. And then, the user initiates the measurement by connecting the control computer with the apparatus 10 remotely and implementing analysis programs for the measurement. - Once the measurement is initiated, analog signals of noise (sound), vibration, temperature, humidity, voltage, or current are inputted into the apparatus 10 through the sensor 20. The inputted analog signals are passed through the 4^th order Butterworth of an analog filter provided in the apparatus 10, and then only the analog signals having specific frequency are passed while the other signals are removed. The analog signals passed through the filters 62 are amplified in the amplifiers 64, for example, OP amp

(operational amplifier) into the signals having voltage level detectable in digital circuits, and then the amplified signals are inputted into the ADCs 66 capable of high-resolution sampling of 24-bit. The analog data inputted into the ADCs 66 are converted into digital data, and then the digital data are inputted into the DSPs 68. The digital data are inputted into the DSPs 68, being matched to a certain clock time for sending the data via serial ports of the DSPs 68. The DSPs 68 perform real time signal processing, for example, digital filtering by using computer program that extracts the specific frequency band and stops the other frequency bands. The digital filtering is carried out at the time that the data inputting into the DSPs 68 has been completed. The processed data are inputted into the FPGA 70. The FPGA 70 performs complex data processing as executed by arithmetic circuits and stores the data in the FIFO memory 74. If the FPGA 70 receives "trigger ON" or any other control signal to initiate the data acquisition, it accumulates the data in the FIFO memory 74. On the other hand, if the FPGA 70 receives "trigger OFF" or any other control signal to terminate the data acquisition, it terminates to accumulate the data. The MPU 72 reads the data stored in the FIFO memory 74 in direct memory access mode using the DMAC 73.

The MPU 72 stores the processed data in the memory device 92, and then transmits the data to the control computer 30 through the wireless LAN 88 over the frequency band generally used in the industry. The user can analyze the data stored in the memory device 92 by using the next data processing, or analyze the measurement result data by using real time analysis programs.

By the way, in case of vibration, the amount of data acquired may be very large. The event that the amount of data to be stored exceeds the storage capacity of the memory device 92 may occur when the data are being acquired to perform the measurement continuously. If there is no preparation against the event, the data exceeding the storage capacity of the memory device may not be stored. The apparatus 10 in accordance with the embodiment of the invention provides a construction in preparation for the event.

Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 further comprises a DRAM 752 and an SRAM 754 as auxiliary memory devices. Both those memories 752 and 754 are connected to the microprocessor unit 72, and can receive the data not only from the FPGA 70 but also from the FIFO memory 74. Referring to FIG. 5, the data are acquired (S501), and the data are transmitted to and stored in the memory card 92 (S503). And then the microprocessor 72 checks whether all the storage space of the memory card is occupied (S505). If the storage space is still remained, the microprocessor 72 controls to receive and store the data continuously. If the microprocessor determines that all the storage space is occupied, the MPU 72 makes the data be transmitted to and stored in the DRAM 752 (S507). If the data are stored up to predetermined amount in the DRAM 752, the MPU compresses the data, stores the compressed data in the SRAM 754, and waits (S509). If the amount of the stored data exceeds a certain amount, the microprocessor 72 transmits the data to the computer via the interface (S511). Such a control operation is performed under the control of the MPU that is operated in accordance with the sequence of the RTOS.

In the above description, it is illustrated that the apparatus 10 operates with being connected to the control computer 30. However, the apparatus 10 can perform its function without being connected to the control computer 30. In the other words, the apparatus 10 can perform data acquisition and signal processing independently without the control of the control computer 30 since the RTOS (Real Time Operating System) is embedded in the internal memory of the MPU 72 to allow the apparatus to work independently. The presence of the RTOS enhances the independent operation of the apparatus 10. For example, the apparatus can operate as a server system for performing a certain processing procedure in the wait state for service. That is, when the user connects the apparatus in wait state, the apparatus carries out a task requested by the user due to the RTOS capable of functioning as a server. The data acquired are stored in the memory card 92. The user may perform the next data processing by using the data stored in the memory card.

The procedure of acquiring data in a case where the LAN modules 82 and 84 or the IEEE1394 module 86 is used as an interface is substantially identical with that in a case where the wireless LAN module is used as an interface except the interface connection mode with the control computer. Therefore, the detailed description about the procedure in a case where the LAN module or the IEEE1394 module is used will be omitted.

A remote controller may be provided for the apparatus 10 although it is not shown. The remote controller includes a power button, a start button (for starting data measurement), a stop button (for stopping data measurement), a pause button and a setup button (for selecting channels). The remote controller enhances the function of the apparatus for performing the independent measurement.

The data acquisition apparatus in accordance with the present invention can acquire data even in a case where it is not connected to the control computer since it works independently. And the apparatus can conveniently acquire data when being connected to the control computer since the control computer controls the apparatus in on-line state by using wire or wireless communication. Further, there is no loss of data in the apparatus since it can transmit the data exceeding the storage capacity of the memory card, which stores the data for the next data processing and is installed in the apparatus, outside of the apparatus via the interface. Moreover, it is convenient for the user to install and use the apparatus since the apparatus has the built-in power supply for the sensors. Furthermore, the apparatus can perform the measurement at the place where an external power supply is not provided since it has a battery as a power source.

Although the aforementioned preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described only for the illustrative purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. It should be understood that a person having an ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains could make various modifications and changes to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. The modifications and changes fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS . An apparatus for data acquisition and signal processing comprising:

(a) an analog input connected with a sensor, and receiving analog signals; (b) a processor module which includes, an amplifier for amplifying the amplitude of voltage wave or current wave of the analog signals inputted through the analog input; a filter for passing the signals having specific frequency and removing the other signals; an ADC (Analog Digital Converter) for converting the analog signals to digital signals; a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for processing the digital signals; an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) being programmable with a logic block; and a central control module provided with a memory which stores a RTOS (Real Time Operating System) allowing the apparatus to work independently;

(d) a memory device being connected with said central control module and storing the data processed in said processor module; and

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interface comprises at least one selected from a LAN, a WLAN (wireless LAN), an IEEE1394 and a USB.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said power supply module is connected with an external power source or a battery.

4. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said power supply module is connected with the sensor to supply electric power to the sensor through said analog input.

5. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said analog input is provided with at least two input channels.

6. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a remote controller for generating a control signal and a receiver for receiving the control signal transmitted from the remote controller and transmitting the control signal to said central control module.

7. The apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an auxiliary memory for storing the data processed in said processor module, wherein said RTOS makes the data which are processed in said processor module and exceed the storage capacity of said memory device be stored in the auxiliary memory and then be transmitted to an external computer through said interface.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary memory has a DRAM and an SRAM and stores the exceeding data in the DRAM, whereby after compressing and storing the data in the SRAM, the compressed data are transmitted to an external computer.