
Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 19 (12): 1623-1629, 2014
ISSN 1990-9233
© IDOSI Publications, 2014
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2014.19.12.11265
Corrseponding Author: S. Philomina, Department of ECE, Bharath University, Chennai, India.
1623
Data-Acquisition System Using Embedded Linux
S. Philomina
Department of ECE, Bharath University, Chennai, India
Abstract: In this paper, we present the principles of a low-operational-cost but flexible Internet-based
data-acquisition system. The main core of the system is an embedded hardware running a scaled-down version
of Linux: a popular choice of operating system for embedded applications. The embedded device communicates
through General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which makes it accessible from anywhere in the world through
a web server built into the embedded device. In addition, GPRS provides a bidirectional real-time data transfer
allowing interaction. The proposed system eliminates the need for server software and maintenance. A novel
approach is introduced to minimize the operational costs while operating with a large amount of data.
The system is demonstrated to be suitable for different embed- ded applications by attaching several real-time
modules through appropriate interfaces.
Key words: Data-acquisition
Embedded system Interaction Internet Linux Real time
INTRODUCTION There are also several systems that allow data to be
DATA-ACQUISITION systems with remote collection through the Internet, General Packet Radio
accessibility are in great demand in industry and Service (GPRS) is a popular choice in several
consumer applications. In some applications, human applications. A surveillance system based on GPRS
beings have been replaced by unmanned devices that is presented in. A recent work [10] has presented a
will acquire data and relay the data back to the base [1]. GPRS solution to the data-acquisition problem for remote
There are data-acquisition and control devices that will be areas. A distributed system capable of road vehicle
a substitute for a supervisor in a multisite job operation. locating, monitoring and telemetering with GPRS is
A single person can monitor and even interact with the presented in [11]. A long-distance data-collection
ongoing work from a single base station. An acquisition system for the Earth tide gravimeter, collecting
unit designed to collect data in their simplest form is information on temperature, humidity, atmospheric
detailed in [2], which is based on Linux [3], which is a pressure, etc., is designed with GPRS using a hard-coded
popular choice for embedded PC systems. A similar static Internet Protocol (IP) address. These systems use
system in [4] provides data-acquisition with no concern GPRS without concerns about minimizing the cost of data
for remote access. Data collection for post processing on transfer.
a vehicle’s position for an advanced traffic survey is Similar types of Internet-based systems, such as
discussed in [5]. those in, are designed to gather a bulk of data before
Some applications adding remote accessibility are serving them upon request. In these applications, data are
detailed in [6] and [7], which are built to collect and send compiled in a central server and are then served to the
data through a modem to a server. Although these are clients via the Internet. The client framework is in a central
well-built systems that serve the purpose for a specific server and has all the applications. A person that needs
task, the user cannot interact with the system. Another to access any data must first access the server.
unidirectional data transfer is presented in, which uses the An indirect access to the data-acquisition unit makes the
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): a system unattractive for real-time control applications,
popular wireless choice for connectivity between the where direct interaction with the system may be required.
data-acquisition units and clients. The need to maintain an additional server will also
remotely accessed. As a solution to wireless data
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