The evolution of a course in computer-based data acquisition and analysis is described. The physics of the sensors, the physics of the system under study, and practical electrical measurement techniques are emphasized in this course, as well as computer hardware and software. Three experiments of particular physical interest are described in detail: heat flow in a metal plate, light-emitting diode characteristics, and the sounds generated by a speech chip.

1.
J.
Maps
, “
A computer-based data acquisition laboratory for undergraduates
,”
Am. J. Phys.
61
,
651
655
(
1993
).
2.
Carl A.
Kocher
, “
A laboratory course in computer interfacing and instrumentation
,”
Am. J. Phys.
60
,
246
251
(
1992
).
3.
Stephen C. Gates with Jordan Becker, Laboratory Automation Using the IBM PC (Prentice–Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1989).
4.
Dhananjhay V. Gadre, Programming the Parallel Port: Interfacing the PC for Data Acquisition and Process Control (R&D Books, Lawrence, KS, 1998).
5.
Jan Axelson, Parallel Port Complete: Programming, Interfacing, & Using the PC’s Parallel Printer Port (Lakeview Research, Madison, WI, 1996).
6.
Jan Axelson, Serial Port Complete: Programming and Circuits for RS-232 and RS-485 Links and Networks (Lakeview Research, Madison, WI, 1999).
7.
Kevin R.
Hoskins
, “
Add Analog I/O Channels to a Serial Port
,”
Test Meas. World
17
,
29
33
(September,
1997
). Program code is in C; 12-bit resolution, 3300 samples/s.
8.
Jerry
Steele
, “
Interface 12-Bit ADCs to Laptops or PCs
,”
Electron. Des.
43
,
89
92
(October,
1995
). Three circuits are given; high speed can be achieved by using a cache memory IC next to the A/D converter.
9.
John S.
Jacono
, “
Programming Serial Ports
,”
Pop. Electron.
10
,
63
87
(August,
1993
).
10.
Bruce
Thomas
, “
Inexpensive parallel-port interface controls power-strip outlets
,”
Personal Eng. Instrum. News
10
,
50
55
(October,
1993
).
11.
Alexander
Eisen
, “
Data Acquisition Made Easy
,”
Electron. Des.
44
,
111
112
(May,
1996
). Program code is in C; 12-bit resolution, sampling to 100 000/s.
12.
Clayton B.
Grantham
, “
Capture Fast Analog Signals with Your PC’s Printer Port
,”
Test Meas. World
16
,
9
14
(December,
1996
). Uses a 2k external memory IC to achieve 16-bit resolution at 100 000 samples/s, with output to a spreadsheet.
13.
Ed
Ramsden
, “
A Do-It-Yourself Data Acquisition Card
,”
Sens. Data Acquisition
15
,
26
32
(
1998
).
14.
Ed
Baroth
,
Chris
Hartsough
,
Amy
Holst
, and
George
Wells
, “
An Evaluation of LabVIEW 5.0 and HP VEE 5.0
,”
Evaluation Eng.
38
,
64
75
(April,
1999
).
15.
Thomas A.
Walkiewicz
and
James R.
Kirk
, “
Characteristic Curves
,”
Phys. Teach.
32
,
90
92
(
1994
).
16.
Jameco, 1355 Shoreway Road, Belmont, CA 94002-4100.
17.
Gilbert
Strang
, “
Wavelets
,”
Am. Sci.
82
,
250
255
(May–June,
1994
).
18.
Matt
Perry
, “
Wavelets help resolve uncertainties associated with FFTs
,”
Personal Eng.
12
,
50
53
(March,
1995
).
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