Monitor - ISSN 1472-0221
The Newsletter for Data Acquisition and Control
Issue 260 June 2020
Good afternoon and thanks for subscribing. We hope this email finds you safe and well.
You can download a pdf copy of this newsletter here.
Contents
* The Rise of Virtual Machines
* Your DAQ Questions Answered
* Data Acquisition News Round-Up
The Rise of Virtual Machines
Web link: https://www.windmill.co.uk/virtual-machine.html
What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine (VM) is where a software program behaves like an actual "machine", instead of connecting hardware to the computer. Virtual hardware runs on the host machine, emulating a computer-controlled system.
For example, a virtual machine can emulate a different operating system to the one running on the computer. This allows you to run, for example, Windows software on a Linux operating system.
Why use a Virtual Machine?
Virtual machines have many benefits. They can be deployed almost anywhere, regardless of the operating system or configuration of the host. They cut down the need for physical hardware and make systems independent, improving security and reliability. VMs are isolated from each other and their hosts and system resources are divided between the virtual machines. You can migrate any virtual machine to any physical server.
Using Virtual Machines for Data Acquisition
Virtual machines are more and more widely being used for data acquisition. Let me give you an example. A system to count people, cyclists and vehicles has now removed the need for the counting hardware and is operating as a virtual machine. It uses a computer vision algorithm to detect people and so on. Previously the software algorithm ran within a counting and data logging box. Now the algorithm has been developed and packaged as a virtual device, analysing a video feed and counting people: no counting hardware. The virtual people counter makes information available in real-time, to reporting dashboards and smartphone aps. It can run alongside, but isolated from, other virtual devices.
Hypervisors - the running environment for Virtual Machines
Virtual machines run under a hypervisor. There are two types of hypervisor. One runs on the underlying operating system. This is called a type 2 hypervisor and is useful for running on personal computers. Examples include Oracle's Virtual Box and VMware Workstation Player. A type 1 hypervisor runs on the "bare metal" and accesses the hardware directly: it is the operating system. Examples of these are VMWare vSphere and Microsoft's Hyper-V.
If you need more information about data acquisition using virtual machines please get in touch.
Your Data Acquisition Questions Answered: Continually Measuring Strain on a Pipe
Question
We will be conducting a hydro-test on a fibreglass pipe + joint at 95 degree C temperature with test pressure of 220 bar for a duration of 1,000 hours. Strain gauges will be attached inside the pipe to record the strain readings in the pipe throughout the duration of the test. Your data logger should record and transmit the data to a computer. What would you recommend?
Answer
Providing the logger is to be outside the test unit and at a normal temperature, then the Microlink 851-SG would be suitable. The 851-SG package comprises an 851 data logger, a strain connection box and Windmill data acquisition software. Just connect your strain gauges to the strain box, plug the box into the 851 Data Logger and away you go. The Windmill software will continuously log data to the computer. For more details see https://www.windmillsoft.com/daqshop/strain-data-logger.html.
DAQ News Round-up
Welcome to our round-up of the data acquisition and control news. If you would like to receive more timely DAQ news updates then follow us on Twitter - @DataAcquisition - or grab our rss feed.
Researchers print graphene sensors to monitor food freshness
Researchers use high-resolution printing technology and graphene to make low-cost biosensors to monitor food safety.
Source: Iowa State University
https://www.news.iastate.edu/
Comb on a Chip: could revolutionise clocks, telescopes and telecommunications
A device known as a laser frequency comb, with its hundreds of evenly spaced, sharply defined frequencies, can be used to measure the colors of light waves with great precision.
Source: NIST
https://www.nist.gov/
Smart system supports increase of wind energy use
A 'smart' system that controls the storage and release of energy from wind turbines will reduce the risk of power cuts and support the increase of wind energy use world-wide, say researchers at the University of Birmingham.
Source: University of Birmingham
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/
Graphene smart textiles developed for heat adaptive clothing
Graphene integrated clothing can lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.
The University of Mancheter
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/
* Copyright Windmill Software Ltd
* Reprinting permitted with this notice included
* For more articles see https://www.windmill.co.uk/
We are happy for you to copy and distribute this
newsletter, and use extracts from it on your own web
site or other publication, providing the above notice
is included and a link back to our website is in place.
For previous issues by subject see https://www.windmill.co.uk/monitorindex.html
SUBSCRIBING OR CANCELLING SUBSCRIPTION Visit https://www.windmill.co.uk/newsletter.html and add or remove your e-mail address.
Windmill Software Ltd, PO Box 58, North District Office,
Manchester, M8 8QR, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)161 834 6688
Facsimile: +44 (0)161 833 2190
E-mail: monitor@windmillsoft.com
https://www.windmill.co.uk/
https://www.windmillsoft.com/
