This software package uses data visualization to analyze massive quantities of acquired data. Effective in simplifying high-channel-count system visualization, it streamlines large-group test management and reporting. It can map sensor data to any virtual reality modeling language (VRML) or STL file format in a CAD model.

Cross-platform (Macintosh/Windows) software is geared to medical and life sciences data acquisition. It handles hardware configuration set, online and offline analysis, procedure automation, and experimental data extraction, displaying up to 32 concurrent data channels. It can derive heart rate, systolic, and diastolic pressure from raw blood flow data.

One company has come up with an Ethernet-based temperature measurement instrument. The network-ready LXI (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation) module supports remote monitoring and control of thermocouples, RTDs, or voltages. It offers 48 separate channels with 24-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion resolution and +/- 0.01% accuracy.

Making under the hood automotive measurements can be challenging. These three acquisition modules are designed for harsh conditions, with an operating temperature range of -40° C to +125° C and a protection class of IP67. One of the modules is for use with thermocouples, while the other two measure voltages.

Lab scales must make precise measurements. By the same token, industrial instrumentation such as high-speed hopper and conveyor scales needs precision with speed. This article describes a 24-bit sigma-delta ADC that combines ultra-high accuracy with high sampling rates for a variety of industrial, scientific, and medical measurement applications.

Quick: What is a flash converter? Maybe you're looking to brush up on analog-to-digital converter (ADC) basics? Here's a Planet Analog tutorial discussing the characteristics of two of the most basic ADCs — the speedy (but component-intensive) flash converter and the pipeline converter.

The best signal-to-noise ratio is always obtained when the measured voltage is near the top of the measuring device's range — but not over (that would result in no measurement). This eight channel signal conditioning amplifier/digitizer includes a built-in auto-ranging function; amplifier gain is automatically set to the proper range.

Twisted-pair wiring is the cabling of choice for most networking and many other communications applications. But doing extremely high-rate signaling over twisted pair wiring is difficult. For those facing this challenge, an Industrial Control DesignLine article provides a problem assessment, and signal conditioning solutions.

The UK's Institute of Acoustics (IOA) hosts the Underwater Noise Measurement Conference, October 14-15, 2008. The event takes place at the Novotel Hotel, Southampton, UK. Topics include: measuring underwater ambient noise, problems and pitfalls, passive acoustic monitoring of ocean weather patterns, addressing and managing marine seismic operations and mitigation guidelines. The conference Web site has additional conference topics and registration details.

A 25-year-old doctoral paleontology student from North Dakota has found the remains of a 65 million-year-old dinosaur known as a hadrosaur. The Edmontosaurus named Dakota is a duckbilled dinosaur. But it isn't just the skeleton he's found, but what may be the most complete dinosaur remains — fossilized skin, as well as bones — ever unearthed. Researchers have used the world's largest CT scanner to examine the remains.

The Power Grid: Hacked?

Have cyber-criminals been able to cut off parts of the world's power grid? What does that portend for industrial security? What's your opinion of Internet-connected control systems for industry?