Data acquisition and use

A. Data Acquisition and Use of Statistics — Errors, statistical considerations... 

The order of the following three subsections reflect the number of gradients applied prior to data acquisition and use examples to illustrate gradient selection. 

For several years, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has developed modelling tools for ultrasonic NDT configurations. Implemented within the CIVA software for multiple technique NDT data acquisition and processing [1,2], these models are not only devoted to laboratory uses but also dedicated to ultrasonic operators without special training in simulation techniques. This approach has led us to develop approximate models carrying out the compromise between as accurate as possible quantitative predictions and simplicity, speed and intensive use in an industrial context. 

With the availability of computerized data acquisition and storage it is possible to build database libraries of standard reference spectra. When a spectrum of an unknown compound is obtained, its identity can often be determined by searching through a library of reference spectra. This process is known as spectral searching. Comparisons are made by an algorithm that calculates the cumulative difference between the absorbances of the sample and reference spectra. For example, one simple algorithm uses the following equation... 

In another type of measurement, the parallel between mechanical and electrical networks can be exploited by using variable capacitors and resistors to balance the impedance of the transducer circuit. These electrical measurements readily lend themselves to computer interfacing for data acquisition and analysis. 

Mass and energy balances are used to evaluate blast furnace performance. Many companies now use sophisticated computeri2ed data acquisition and analysis systems to automatically gather the required data for daily calculation of the mass and heat balances. Typical mass and heat balances are shown in Figure 4 and Table 5, respectively. 

Using the best procedures during data acquisition produces spectra with the maximum available information content. Once spectra are recorded that contain the information that is sought using the best procedures for extracting the information from the data is important to maximize the value of the analysis. This section will consider the procedures for data acquisition and the extraction of various types of information available from the data. 

Let the distance between the injection point and the peak maximum (the retention distance on the chromatogram) be (y) cm and the peak width at the points of inflexion be (x) cm. If a computer data acquisition and processing system is employed, then the equivalent retention times can be used. 

Using equation (10), the efficiency of any solute peak can be calculated for any column from measurements taken directly from the chromatogram (or, if a computer system is used, from the respective retention times stored on disk). The computer will need to have special software available to identify the peak width and calculate the column efficiency and this software will be in addition to that used for quantitative measurements. Most contemporary computer data acquisition and processing systems contain such software in addition to other chromatography programs. The measurement of column efficiency is a common method for monitoring the quality of the column during use. 

Data Acquisition and Parameter Estimation determines frequencies of the initiating events, component unavailability and probabilities of human actions were estimated from plant history. If insufficient, generic values were used including generic data from the nuclear industry (IAEA, 1988). In addition meteorological data and data on the population distribution around the plant were gathered and processed. 

While this approach increases speed, it is not generally recommended for vibration analysis. Overlap averaging reduces the accuracy of the data and must be used with caution. Its use should be avoided except where fast transients or other unique machine-train characteristics require an artificial means of reducing the data-acquisition and processing time. 

Beware that this type of coupling often may go undetected in a normal vibration analysis. Since the ghost frequencies are relatively high compared to the expected real frequencies, they are often outside the monitored frequency range used for data acquisition and analysis. 

Repeated twisting of the spindle s tube or the solid shaft used in jackshafts results in a reduction in the flexible drive s stiffness. When this occurs, the drive loses some of its ability to absorb torsional transients. As a result, damage may result to the driven unit. Unfortunately, the limits of single-channel, frequency-domain data acquisition prevents accurate measurement of this failure mode. Most of the abnormal vibration that results from fatigue occurs in the relatively brief time interval associated with startup, when radical speed changes occur, or during shutdown of the machine-train. As a result, this type of data acquisition and analysis cannot adequately capture these... 

Since the publication of the Standardised Sleep Manual by Rechtshaffen and Kales (Eds) in 1968, human sleep has been described using a classification system based on a combination of EEG, EMG and EOG features. The acquisition and use of such data is known as polysomnography. Note, that when including the state of WAKE in the classification, these are most accurately described as arousal states in place of sleep stages. 

Computer Techniques McLafferty (Ref 63) has pointed out that the usefulness of elemental composition information increases exponentially with increasing mass, since the number of elemental combinations with the same integral mass becomes larger. There are compilations of exact masses and elemental compositions available (Refs 12a, 13 18a). Spectral interpretation will be simplified in important ways if elemental compositions of all but, the smallest peaks are determined. Deriving the elemental compositions of several peaks in a spectrum is extremely laborious and time-consuming. However, with the availability of digital computers such tasks are readily performed. A modern data acquisition and reduction system with a dedicated online computer can determine peak centroids and areas for all peaks, locate reference peaks, interpolate between them to determine the exact masses of the unknown peaks, and find within minutes elemental compositions of all ions in a spectrum (Refs 28b 28c)... 

The spectrometer was a Physical Electronics Model 548 modified for emplacement in a glovebox so that actinide samples could be examined. Spectra were taken using AIK radiation (1486.6 eV). The overall energy resolution of tne spectrometer was 1.2 eV using an analyzer pass energy of 25 eV. The spectrometer control was interfaced to a Nicolet 1180 minicomputer providing automatic data acquisition and analysis capability. 

All aspects of interferogram and experimental data acquisition and optical test rig control are provided by a computer program that also performs film thickness evaluation. It is believed that the film thickness resolution of the colorimetric interferometry measurement technique is about 1 nm. The lateral resolution of a microscope imaging system used is 1.2 /u,m. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the measurement system configuration. This is an even conventional optical test rig equipped with a microscope imaging system and a control unit. 

Additionally, our experimental regime now includes extensive use of computer modelling of the polymerisation process and we need to extract chemical, thermal and engineering data for model assembly, verification and for final process improvement. In ICI at Slough we have developed our own approach to the control and data acquisition process used on our semi-technical reactors. 

The OPMBS used a custom-written spreadsheet application, i.e., a workbook, in conjunction with laboratory automation systems to standardize data recording, calculations, and presentation of results. Devising this approach required careful differentiation between (a) the workbook used to calculate and report the results and (b) the data acquisition systems used in each laboratory. The laboratory systems were used to collect the raw chromatographic data, but the calculation modules in the laboratory systems were not used. Instead, all calculations were done in the workbook. Use of the laboratory systems to collate and output the final results was considered but was rejected for two reasons. First, different laboratories used different systems, and some laboratories used more than one system. The output characteristics of the various systems differed considerably and would have required extensive modification... 

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