Patent ID: 6717541
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: G01D,G06F

Abstract:
A data acquisition system for converting analog signals into digital data samples and for transferring the digital data samples to a host controller, the data acquisition system comprising:a plurality of readout modules connected in series to each other, each readout module including: a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a plurality of eight bit analog to digital conversion means coupled to the FPGA to convert analog signals from sensors to the digital data samples; a high speed communication bus which couples the plurality of readout modules to the host controller, the high speed communication bus including an optical serial interface for communicating data to the host controller, the optical serial interface in communication with the plurality of readout modules; and wherein each FPGA is adapted to receive a command from the host processor to send the digital data samples to the host controller, command the plurality of analog to digital conversion means to convert the analog signals to the digital data samples, obtain the digital data samples, and send the digital data samples to the host controller.