A network distributed real-time data acquisition and analysis system based on X Window

On the basis of a set of new concepts called virtual data acquisition machine, the authors have developed a unique working environment for real-time data acquisition. They have tested this system in a biomedical application. The virtual data acquisition machine relies on an extensive use of distributed processing through a fast network and on object-oriented concepts. User interaction is provided by either a flexible and customizable graphic user interface, or by the use of a procedural command language. The network is made completely transparent to the user by a distributed windowing system, based on X. In its final version, this system will offer all the functionalities for data acquisition, processing, analysis and simulation