Implementation of a data acquisition Scheduler-on-Chip (SchoC) for heterogeneous multi-channel signals

Data acquisition (DAQ) is a crucial component in instrumentation and control. It typically involves the sampling of multiple analog signals, and converting them into digital formats so that they can be processed. DAQ systems also involve microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processing, and/or storage devices. Many multi-channel DAQs, which utilize some sort of processing for simultaneous input channels, are found in various applications. In this research, for heterogeneous multichannel signals, different sampling rates are identified for each channel, and optimized for best data quality with minimal storage requirement. Accordingly, power consumption and transmission times can be reduced. The fidelity of the proposed Scheduler-on-Chip (SchoC) is increased by using reconfigurable chip technology, where flexibility, concurrency, speed and reconfiguration can be achieved in hardware. Therefore, SchoC can be utilized in various real world applications especially hazardous environments, or isolated areas, for remote architecture reconfiguration, while keeping the cost of the device low. Performance evaluations show that the speed of the proposed SchoC is 24% faster than a comparable software-based scheduler. The proposed SchoC reduces the amount of data being acquired by 59%, which in turn decreases memory requirements.