Hello,
I'm wanting to build a data monitoring system that displays the incoming data onto a computer VIA USB. The system will work with at least 4 potentiometers (0 - 5 volts) at 12 bit resolution. Speed isn't a huge concern but the faster the better. I'm a programmer, not a electrician so I'm a little lost, but here is what I came up with. Let me know if you can help or tell me if I'm out to lunch:
First, I was thinking I could use a USB interface like this one:
http://www.devasys.com/usbi2cio.htm
which looks like it can take 20bits of incoming data and transmit that data via USB. But how do I get the 20bits of info from the Potentiometers?
I was thinking that I could use 4 (or more) 12 bit AD converters. Each of these would take a turn sending their incoming data to the 20 bit USB interface bus. Perhaps I could rotate between the ADC's with a clock and add 2 more bits of data to the ADC's data indicating which ADC is supplying the data? Or instead of a clock/counter would it be better to use a microcontroller and add on 2 more bits of data indicating which ADC is supplying the current data?
Like I said, I have no idea as to what I'm doing, but any help would be appreciated...
Cheers :?
I'm wanting to build a data monitoring system that displays the incoming data onto a computer VIA USB. The system will work with at least 4 potentiometers (0 - 5 volts) at 12 bit resolution. Speed isn't a huge concern but the faster the better. I'm a programmer, not a electrician so I'm a little lost, but here is what I came up with. Let me know if you can help or tell me if I'm out to lunch:
First, I was thinking I could use a USB interface like this one:
http://www.devasys.com/usbi2cio.htm
which looks like it can take 20bits of incoming data and transmit that data via USB. But how do I get the 20bits of info from the Potentiometers?
I was thinking that I could use 4 (or more) 12 bit AD converters. Each of these would take a turn sending their incoming data to the 20 bit USB interface bus. Perhaps I could rotate between the ADC's with a clock and add 2 more bits of data to the ADC's data indicating which ADC is supplying the data? Or instead of a clock/counter would it be better to use a microcontroller and add on 2 more bits of data indicating which ADC is supplying the current data?
Like I said, I have no idea as to what I'm doing, but any help would be appreciated...
Cheers :?