Novel Data Acquisition and controls System (DACS) Demonstration Project

The novel data acquisition and controls system would benefit NASA funded missions because this tool does not rely on PLC thus improving the control loop rate speed. This smaller, stand alone, data acquisition and control system could be used on small scale projects, where complex acquisition and control systems can be independent of a main test complex DACS. It' s availability would reduce the potential for operator error when conducting test where data is being collected and monitoring is occurring and consolidated on only 1 screen, rather than the typical and often conflicting read-outs that are traditionally displayed on 2 different screen. Benefits to NASA unfunded missions and planned missions, anticipated as part of future test programs, could potentially be that the size of control rooms and data storage could be reduced by half. Additional software maintenance could also be reduced by having to only use piece of LabView® code instead of the three that have historically been used (WonderWare®, LabView™, and Microsoft® Excel). Benefits to the commercial space industry would be similar to those that would provide to NASA. Any processes that require and incorporate multiple data and acquisition control systems would benefit by this simplified, and user information is potentially more accurate. Additionally, the potential for significant costs savings could be a benefit as well. Benefits to other government agencies would be similar to those provided to NASA. If proven successful, a deployable DACS architecture with documented results on performance would be available for use, which would simplify processes, increase user confidence, and reduce costs. More »