USB data acquisition is a method of converting analog waveforms into digital values that can be used for processing by means of a universal serial bus (USB). A USB is defined as a standard peripheral device that is used in order to establish communication between a device and a host controller, which is typically a personal computer (PC).
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Designed to replace the multitude of serial and parallel ports, USB devices are frequently used to connect such electrical devices as digital cameras, keyboards, external hard drives, printers and more to PCs. USB devices work well as a method of data acquisition because they are not only able to establish communication but they are also able to supply power and thus require only one cable for linkage. An additional advantage of USB data aquisition over conventional methods such as serial and parallel connections is the ability to reach a higher bandwidth of up to 12 Mbits/s. Due to the many advantages of USB data acquisition, there is a diverse range of industries that utilize this method for many applications including: aerospace, for use in aerial data acquisition systems for the collection of data of environmental conditions such as the temperature; industrial manufacturing, utilized in data acquisition instruments and systems for testing and control applications; and automotive, to be utilized in diagnostic applications for vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans and sports utility vehicles (SUVs).
A USB device can be designed in several different ways. However, all USB devices must be linked in a series by means of hubs, which are connection devices for networks which enable the sharing of information between multiple segments or computers. When it comes to hubs there are two main types: the root hub and sharing hubs. The root hub is built into the host controller, while the sharing hubs are able to switch access between multiple PCs. The way in which USB devices are able to establish communication between peripheral devices and PCs is based upon pipes, which are logical channels. Pipes are referred to as logical channels because there are used to provide a connection from the host controller to a logical entity called an endpoint which is found on the peripheral device being connected to the PC. Different from USB devices, there are also USB systems that are used for data acquisition applications. A USB system differs from a USB device primarily in the complexity of the design. A USB system features an asymmetrical design that includes the components of a host, a number of downstream USB ports and a variety of peripheral devices. For the communication of the information between the peripheral device and the PC, USB devices are able to operate at signal rates including low-speed, high-speed, full-speed and SuperSpeed.
