Deimos DAQ is a ready-to-use Ethernet data acquisition (DAQ) module with integrated precision voltage reference, precision clock, precision analog frontends, and PWM outputs. No configuration or extra modules are required—just plug in power and LAN, and it’s ready to measure.

Compared to other DAQ devices, you can expect Deimos to deliver exceptional data accuracy and timing in an attainable package. Everyone from researchers performing experiments at universities to hobbyists performing high-level science in their garages will love the power Deimos gives them.

Useful Wherever Precision is Critical

Whether designing thermal-fluid and cryogenic systems, measuring strain in structural test articles, or ground-based testing of actuators and propulsion systems such as hydraulics, propellers, and motors, Deimos can do it all.

The example diagram below shows a notional 3-phase switched motor control test assembly with a simplified externally-actuated high-side driver.

In this arrangement, a single Deimos DAQ unit can measure and control both the test article and the supporting lab utilities. The test article, operator, and lab equipment would typically be in a single room, but may be separated for safety depending on the circumstances.

Deimos DAQs are equally well-suited for applications requiring physical separation between stored energy and personnel or equipment, as seen in the turbine setup below.

In this example, two Deimos Analog I units provide simultaneous remote monitoring and actuation for the fluid supply and turbine engine test article from a test control room at a third location.

The broad set of inputs and outputs of each DAQ support measurement of temperatures, pressures, flow rates, and speeds, along with PWM and voltage outputs in a single module that is simple, inexpensive, and alleviates configuration burden compared to conventional modular backplane systems.

Features & Specifications

• 0.02% voltage reference with self-calibrating 16-bit ADCs
• User-selected round-trip control cycle rate up to 5 kHz
• Multi-module time sync with 100 ppm timing accuracy
• On-board filtering @ 20 kHz internal sample rate
• Synthetic simultaneous sampling

Continuous Analog Inputs

• 2x K-type thermocouples
  • About 70K-1600 K temperature range - to-do to test minimum measurable temp using calibrator
  • About 0.5 K accuracy near room temp, about 0.03K resolution
  • Less accurate at very high temp (about 5K, to-do to show test curves)
  • Cold-junction compensated with onboard RTD
  • Matched-material connectors
• 3x 3-wire resistances (minimum for a load cell or strain rosette)
  • About 70-1200 K temperature range, about 0.02 K resolution
  • About 0.1 K accuracy below 400 K
  • Less accurate at very high temp (to-do to show test curves)
• 4x 4-20 mA
  • Actual full range 0-33 mA, about 0.8 uA resolution
  • 0.04% accuracy everywhere (confirmed <0.1% error across full range in testing)
• 6x raw voltage
  • 2x 0.2x gain (0-15V in, 0.04% accuracy, 0.57 mV resolution)
  • 2x 1x gain (0-2.5 V in, 0.02%, 38 uV resolution)
  • 1x ~25.7x gain (0-97 mV, 0.04%, 1.5 uV resolution)
  • 1x ~660x gain (0-3787 uV, 0.04%, 58 nV resolution)
    • About 40 uV input offset voltage (can be zero-tared in software)
• Diagnostic bus current, bus voltage, and board temperature channels

Discrete analog inputs

• 2x frequency input
• 1x counter input
• 1x encoder input

Outputs

• 4x PWM (16-bit resolution, 16-bit scaling)
• 2x DAC (0-2.5 V voltage output, 12-bit resolution)

Open Source

Deimos DAQ is open hardware. Files are already available under the MIT/Apache 2.0 license, and we hope to get certified by OSHWA as well. You can browse them on our GitHub page here.

Interested in This Project?

You can sign up at the top of this page to be notified when the campaign launches and to receive other updates. We only send out relevant content, and you can unsubscribe at any time.