Data Acquisition
Data Acquisition (DAQ) is the process of sampling real-world physical conditions and converting the resulting samples into digital numeric values that can be manipulated by a computer. It involves sensors, signal conditioning, analog-to-digital converters, and software to collect, process, and store data from various sources like industrial equipment, scientific instruments, or environmental monitoring systems. This foundational concept enables systems to measure, analyze, and respond to physical phenomena in fields such as engineering, research, and automation.
Developers should learn Data Acquisition when building systems that interface with the physical world, such as IoT devices, industrial control systems, or scientific experiments, as it provides the means to gather critical sensor data for analysis and decision-making. It's essential for applications requiring real-time monitoring, data logging, or feedback control, like in manufacturing, automotive testing, or environmental sensing, where accurate and reliable data collection is paramount.