Testing machine errors with MCU based device

Hi.

I want to monitor state of machine ( e.g. pump state, pressure, water level etc. ) with my MCU based controller/device.

Would it be enough to use A/D converter or do i need D/A converter ? Based on this i have to select MCU. Most of them have A/D converter but i dont know if i need D/A for such task..

regards!

Reply to
Igor
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"Igor" schreef in bericht news:kmada3$u8l$ snipped-for-privacy@l01news1.ot.hr...

You can't drop an mcu in a water tank to measure the water level :) For the functions you need you'll have to find out what sensors you need. Some may be easy to find or to build, others may be difficult and expensive. Some sensors may look like very good in the labaratory but may be useless in an (electrically) noisy environment. The properties of the mcu required depend highly on the properties of the sensors. Nevertheless it seems very unlikely that you need a DA-converter. Once you know your requirements, you have a large number of mcus to make your choice, though I think you'd better look for a complete system like PIC-stamp, Arduino or even Raspberry pi.

petrus bitbyter

Reply to
petrus bitbyter

Your sensors will provide inputs to the computer, and if they encode their readings in analog voltages, you will need A/D conversion. If you have something like a mechanical valve that is to control the rate of flow and it maps voltage levels to valve state, you will need D/A conversion to set that with the computer.

Regards,

Uncle Steve

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Reply to
Uncle Steve

Any microcontroller can implement D/A converter functions with pulse width modulation. Whether this is sufficient for your needs, depends on ... your needs.

Reply to
whit3rd

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Reply to
Tim Wescott

Igor schrieb:

Hello,

an A/D converter is useful for input of sensor values, a D/A would be used for output. As long as you dont need analog output, you dont need D/A.

Bye

Reply to
Uwe Hercksen

It looks like we seem to have misunderstood. Machine that i want to check has all necessary sensors built in. My job is to send this analog or digital signal, from those sensors,to MCU device controller.

What Im not sure of is, would it be enough to use just A/D pin input. As far as i know most of such machines use some kind of analog control, so i dont think i have to use digital output.

Bottom line, i have to take signal from those sensors and process them. If this signal is in analog value, no problem but if the signal is in digital format, what can i do then ?

I would have to detect protocol and encoding using by this sensor etc... ?

Reply to
Igor

"Igor" schreef in bericht news:kmi9ou$kch$ snipped-for-privacy@l01news1.ot.hr...

So you heve the required sensors in place and at your disposal already? Well, the next step is to map out their properties. Including place, protocol, signal type(s), boudaries and everything you need to know to calculate the info you need to present to the mcu. As my crystal ball in defective once more I can only speculate about your requirements.

petrus bitbyter

Reply to
petrus bitbyter

-------------------- One example would be to process error data from frequency inverter like Eaton. This regulator is used to control 3phase machine and it has standard inputs where i can connect my "error logging device".

I would like to collect those data and save them to MCU. What would be the simplest way to do this ?

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Reply to
Igor

You need to decide which input/output interfaces, measurable device parameters, or analog controls are of interest.

For each of these, determine an appropriate means of measurement, control, or communications.

Then design a system.

The example that you cite above has:

6 digital control inputs (24 V DC, adjustable logic) 1 digital output (transistor, 24 V DC, 50 mA) 2 analog inputs (0?10 V DC / 0/4?20 mA, adjustable) 1 analog output (0?10 V) 2 relays (1 x N/O, 1 x C/O, 230 V AC, 2 A) Serial interface (RS485 / Modbus RTU) Fieldbus communication (PROFIBUS, CANopen, DeviceNet) (optional)

From these, you decide which ones are meaningful. Then you research each interface, generally in cooperation with the equipment's application engineers and the end-use facility engineers. Then you implement the interface in a way that is practical, economical, and in compliance with applicable standards.

Reply to
Rich Webb

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