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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

A low-cost PC-based telemetry data-reduction system

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6969714

The Solar Energy Research Institute's (SERI) Wind Research Branch is using Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) telemetry data-acquisition systems to study horizontal-axis wind turbines. PCM telemetry systems are used in test installations that require accurate multiple-channel measurements taken from a variety of different locations. SERI has found them ideal for use in tests requiring concurrent acquisition of data-reduction system to facilitate quick, in-the-field multiple-channel data analysis. Called the PC-PCM System,'' it consists of two basic components. First, AT-compatible hardware boards are used for decoding and combining PCM data streams. Up to four hardware boards can be installed in a single PC, which provides the capability to combine data from four PCM streams directly to PC disk or memory. Each stream can have up to 62 data channels. Second, a software package written for the DOS operating system was developed to simplify data-acquisition control and management. The software provides a quick, easy-to-use interface between the PC and PCM data streams. Called the Quick-Look Data Management Program,'' it is a comprehensive menu-driven package used to organize, acquire, process, and display information from incoming PCM data streams. This paper describes both hardware and software aspects of the SERI PC-PCM system, concentrating on features that make it useful in an experiment test environment to quickly examine and verify incoming data. Also discussed are problems and techniques associated with PC-based telemetry data acquisition, processing, and real-time display. 9 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.

Research Organization:
Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/CE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-83CH10093
OSTI ID:
6969714
Report Number(s):
SERI/TP-257-3737; CONF-9004110--1; ON: DE90000330
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English