The Dataq-CF2 (AD241) is a multi-functional data acquisition interface card for the compact flash standard. This enables the many hand held computers and PDAs now available to be used as sophisticated data collection and analysis tools. Hand held computers can now be used for data acquisition too.
The new Dataq-CF2 interface card has a very impressive specification, with up to four 24 bit analogue inputs, two 12 bit analogue outputs and four bi-directional digital lines. The Compact Flash Dataq-CF2 card has been designed to be easily programmable for use with the Windows CE operating system => Datasheet !

Labview (TM) drivers now available for the Dataq-CF2 (AD241), contact HACKER-Datentechnik for more details.

It can also be used with Windows 95/98/ME, 2K and XP with the additional PC Card converter CA201, making it a phenomenally versatile unit available at a price that would simply not be possible using conventional technology. Data acquisition and analysis systems can now make use of the excellent features of hand held PCs such as high resolution touch screens, PC docking stations and GSM/LAN networking. These, together with the wide range of available software such as Excel and Access, as well as C-Cubed's own data acquisition suite, now make system development a rapid and affordable task. Data acquisition has at last come into the 21st century...

The versatility of the Dataq-CF2 is currently being demonstrated by its use with the C-Cubed bolt force sensors. The PDA(Compaq iPAQ) and the data acquisition card is currently being used for a number of tasks and replaces the original dedicated hand held bolt force meter. Each bolt force sensor has its own internal non-volatile memory (EEPROM) that is accessed using the Dataq-CF2’s four digital I/O lines. This enables sensor identification information and historical data to be stored both within the sensor and on the PDA. The card’s analogue inputs are used for the data signal, with the 24 bits of resolution enabling even the smallest of changes in bolt force to be detected.

The screen shot (bolt tension graph) shows the results of logging four bolts over several hours after they had been fastened using a torque wrench. It can clearly be seen that not only were all the bolts initially experiencing different levels of force, but that the force dropped off markedly within a short period of time as the bolts stretched. The stable force values were then stored for comparison with future readings. This system makes record keeping a simple task as the data can be easily and quickly transferred to Excel or uploaded from the PDA to a central computer using either a PC docking station or a wireless LAN/GSM network card. Since the Dataq-CF2 can sample at up to 40kHz, the system can also be used in dynamic force applications such as analysing the combustion waveforms in a petrol engine.