What data acquisition equipment is right for me?
LabJack is helping engineers smile more and stress less, with our Product Comparison Table.
Data Acquisition Applications
Reading Encoders
LabJack will read all major types of encoders including absolute, incremental and rotary. Our encoder app note features a general overview on different types of encoders, how to properly wire them to a LabJack, and different ways to read and record data from encoders.
DAQ with LabJack
Controlling Motors
LabJack devices can be used to control various types of motors, including stepper motors and PID controllers. In addition, LabJack devices can output PWM signals for accurate duty cycle control, voltage regulation and motor speed control for maximum torque at low speeds.
Stepper Motor (App Note)
DAQ Device FAQs
What is a DAQ system?
DAQ stands for data acquisition. It is the process of collecting analog data like temperature and pressure from sensors, instruments and other devices and turning it into digital formats. This digitized data is then stored in a computer for faster analysis and reporting.
A DAQ system allows real-time monitoring, data logging and analysis. It is used in various fields such as scientific research, industrial automation, quality control and more. Combined with customized software and scripts- a DAQ system can be used as a powerful tool to improve and refine new designs ore test and automate with speed and precision.
LabJack offers computer-based DAQ solutions. This means the LabJack is designed and most powerful when connected to a computer via USB, Ethernet or WiFi to configure, run software, and record measurements.
Watch this video for a quick look at how it works.
What are the components of a DAQ system?
The DAQ system has four major components:
1. a DAQ device (the LabJack)that acts as the interface between your
2. computer and 3. external sensors or devices, and
4. DAQ software that can store, analyze and report the data.
How do I choose the right DAQ device for my application?
To choose a DAQ device that meets your specific performance specifications, determine your needs in terms of speed for capturing data or the level of detail in the measurements. Consider your voltage range and channel count, along with how many devices or sensors you need to connect one time.
For example, the LabJack T4 is best for engineering students or hobbyists who need an affordable and easy-to-use DAQ device for simple tests. The LabJack T7, typically used in laboratory or industrial settings, has higher analog input resolution (16 bit) for more precise measurements, and internal amplification for tiny signals like Thermocouples, Bridge Circuits and Load Cells.
LabJack offers more than just the little red box that includes hardware, detailed datasheets, app notes, software and legendary customer support. Our engineers can recommend the right DAQ system for your application and goals.
To speak with our engineers, click the chat bar at the bottom right of any page, or see our Contact page for other ways to get in touch with us.
Can I get additional features for my LabJack DAQ system?
Yes! You can enhance or expand the capabilities of your DAQ device with accessories, expansion boards or a DAQ module.
For example, LabJack’s LJTick-DAC and LJTick-DIO modules provide additional analog output or digital input/output channels.
The DAQ module integrates seamlessly with LabJack devices, offering plug-and-play functionality and compatibility with our software and programming libraries.
Where can I find drawings, models and other information for LabJack products?
We provide enclosure and OEM drawings and models in different file formats. Use the links below to find the information for each LabJack DAQ device.
What is DAQ (data acquisition)?
DAQ is short for data acquisition, which is short for data acquisition and control. The term describes the process of acquiring readings from sensors and transducers (temperature, pressure, strain, etc.), and controlling actuators (relays, solenoids, etc.). In our case the emphasis is on computer-based DAQ, where the LabJack is the interface that allows a computer to read from sensors and control actuators.
Detailed Comparison of the Different LabJack Devices
U3 compared to U12
The U3 is newer than the U12, and in general is faster, more flexible, and less expensive.
The U3 is about half the size of the U12. The enclosure can be mounted using a couple screws or DIN rail, whereas the U12 enclosure has no mounting options.
Command/response functions on the U3 are typically 5-20 times faster than on the U12. See Section 3.1 of the U3 User's Guide compared to the U12 data rates page.
The U3 has up to 16 analog inputs compared to 8 on the U12. Any channel can be measured differentially versus any other channel. Accuracy specs are better than the U12.
The U3-LV has single-ended ranges of 0-2.4 or 0-3.6 volts, and a differential range of ±2.4 volts (pseudobipolar only). The U3-HV has 12 flexible I/O capable of those same low-voltage ranges, and 4 high-voltage analog inputs with a range of ±10 volts or -10/+20 volts. The U12 has a ±10 volt single-ended input range, and differential input ranges varying from ±20 volts to ±1 volt (all true bipolar). The circuitry used by the U12 to provide those high bipolar ranges is simple and inexpensive, but has drawbacks including relativity poor input impedance and errors which are different on every channel. There are many devices on the market now that have copied the same circuitry from the U12 and have the same drawbacks.
The U3 supports input streaming with a max rate of up to 50 ksamples/second, compared to 1.2 ksamples/second for the U12. The U3 achieves the full 12-bit resolution up to 2.5 ksamples/second, and then as speed increases the effective resolution drops to about 10 bits due to noise.
The U3 has 2 10-bit DACs as does the U12. The DACs on the U3 are derived from a regulated voltage, whereas the U12 DACs are derived from the power supply, so the U3 DACs will be more stable.
The digital I/O on the U3 use 3.3 volt logic, and are 5 volt tolerant. The U12 has 5 volt logic.
The U3 can have up to 2 timers and 2 counters. The timers have various functionality including period timing, duty cycle timing, quadrature input, pulse counting, or PWM output. The U12 has 1 counter and no timers.
The U3 has master support for SPI, I2C, and asynchronous serial protocols. The U12 does not support I2C, but does have some SPI and asynchronous support.
The U3 is supported on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. The U12 has full support for Windows, limited support for Linux, and limited public support for the Mac.
On Windows, the U3 uses the flexible UD driver which also works with the U6 & UE9. There is a specific separate driver for the U12.
The U3 is compatible with the LJTick signal conditioning modules, whereas the U12 is not. Current ticks include:
- LJTick-Divider (LJTD): Divides 2 single-ended higher voltage analog signals down to 0-2.5 volt signals. Install different resistors for different gain and offset.
- LJTick-DAC (LJTDAC): Provides a pair of 14-bit analog outputs with a range of ±10 volts. Plugs into any digital I/O block, and thus up to 10 of these can be used per U3/UE9 to add 20 analog outputs.
- LJTick-InAmp (LJTIA): Provides two instrumentation amplifiers ideal for low-level signals such as bridge circuits (e.g. strain gauges) and thermocouples. Each amplifier converts a differential input to single-ended.
- LJTick-RelayDriver (LJTRD): Allows 2 digital I/O lines on a U3/UE9 to each control a relay or other moderate load up to 50V/200mA.
- LJTick-CurrentShunt (LJTCS): Converts a 4-20 mA current loop input signal into a 0.47-2.36 volt signal.
- LJTick-Proto (LJTP): Consists of an 8x8 grid of holes for prototyping custom signal-conditioning ticks.
... versus UE9: (EOL)
The UE9 has all the same improvements as the U3 above, with the following additions and differences:
The UE9 is about twice the size of the U3.
The biggest difference is that the UE9 supports Ethernet communication in addition to USB. Ethernet communication uses standard TCP or UDP protocol, and supports Modbus/TCP. Ethernet speeds in command/response or stream mode are generally similar to USB speeds (see Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the User's Guide for more information). The addition of an 802.11 WiFi bridge allows for inexpensive wireless data acquisition and control.
When using Ethernet only (not USB), the UE9 has at least 500 volts of electrical isolation.
The UE9 has 14 analog inputs and 2 analog outputs. The analog inputs and outputs on the UE9 have better accuracy, resolution, and linearity. The analog inputs are single-ended only, but the LJTick-InAmp can be used for low-level differential signals.
Each analog input can be configured individually as unipolar (four ranges from 0-5 volts to 0-0.625 volts) or true bipolar (±5 volts). Analog input resolution is 12-bits at max speed (12 us conversion time), increasing up to 16-bits at slower speeds (2.7 ms conversion time).
Maximum input stream rates range from 250 samples/second at 16-bit resolution to 50+ ksamples/second at 12-bit resolution. The UE9 has a very large 4 Mbit buffer for stream data, compared to a very small buffer on the U3.
The UE9 has up to 6 timers available compared to 2 on the U3.
The UE9-Pro has all the features of the normal UE9 with the addition of an auxiliary low-speed hi-resolution (24-bit) sigma-delta ADC. This converter takes about 125 ms per sample and provides an effective resolution of about 20-bits (18-bits noise free) over the 0-5 or ±5 volt ranges. Linearity and accuracy are also improved compared to the normal converter (which is still available on the UE9-Pro).
... versus U6:
The U6 is similar to a UE9 without Ethernet, but the U6 is newer and has some analog input improvements. Some key details:
USB only.
Up to 4 timers available.
20 digital I/O (compared to 23 on the UE9).
The U6/U6-Pro analog inputs have higher resolution than the UE9/UE9-Pro in most cases.
Analog inputs are single-ended or differential, with input ranges of ±10, ±1, and ±0.1 volts.
2 Fixed Current Outputs (200/10 μA).
... versus T7:
The T7 is similar to a U6 and UE9, but the T7 combines the benefits of both devices, namely the high quality analog of the U6 with the advantages of Ethernet that you get from the UE9. The T7-Pro extends the advantages even further by adding WiFi.
Other improvements over the U6 and UE9 include:
Supported by our 3rd generation cross platform LJM library.
Straightforward low-level interface that uses Modbus TCP registers to access all device functionality.
Compatibility with most SCADA Modbus TCP enabled systems for both wired and wireless operation.
12 digital I/O lines can be configured for various timing/counting functionality, which we now refer to as DIO extended features. Read more in the DIO EF section of the T-series datasheet.
23 digital I/O, up from 20 on the U6.
The analog input extended feature system (AIN-EF) has the ability to do math and processing in hardware. Calculations for things like average, RMS, and thermocouples can be done on the device.
Write Lua scripts that run on the device with or without a host computer.
Improved slot-style screw mounts on the enclosure, which makes it possible to wall mount the T7 in any orientation, and still have the ability to quickly 'un-hook' it from the screws.
... versus T4:
The T4 is a blend of a U3-HV and T7. It has the form factor and I/O of the U3-HV, analog specifications very similar to the U3-HV (e.g. 12-bit analog inputs), but it has the processor of the T7 resulting in various changes compared to the U3:
- Like all T-series devices, the T4 has Ethernet in addition to USB.
- Add a standard WiFi bridge for inexpensive wireless data acquisition and control.
- Supported by our 3rd generation cross platform LJM library.
- Straightforward low-level interface that uses Modbus TCP registers to access all device functionality.
- Compatibility with most SCADA Modbus TCP enabled systems for both wired and wireless operation.
- 10 digital I/O lines can be configured for various timing/counting functionality, which we now refer to as DIO extended features. Read more in the DIO EF section of the T-series datasheet.
- The analog input extended feature system (AIN-EF) has the ability to do math and processing in hardware. Calculations for things like average and RMS can be done on the device.
- Write Lua scripts that run on the device with or without a host computer.
- The T4 has 4 single-ended analog inputs with +/-10V range, plus up to 8 digital I/O lines can be configured as single-ended analog inputs with 0-2.5V range. Similar but not exactly the same as the U3 AIN system.
Does LabJack Have More Video Tutorials?
LabJack currently has basic Quickstart tutorials that show users how to measure a voltage, change a digital I/O, and set the voltage of an analog output using our free software. This tutorial teaches basic software and device functionality, and is also useful as a quick debugging check to verify that I/O on the device are working properly.
The LabJack Youtube channel has curated playlists of videos that show users tutorials, product reviews, experiments, as well as other areas of interest.
If you are seeking a more detailed, self paced, step by step introduction taught by an amazing educator with great editing check out our friends at TechExplorations. They offer an affordable Data Acquisition course featuring LabJack hardware and also teach many other hardware and software courses that our customers will enjoy.
We have a blog post that announced the course and explains that there is no affiliation between LabJack and TechExplorations
What Can I Do with a LabJack?
Read the output of sensors which measure voltage, current, power, temperature, humidity, wind speed, force, pressure, strain, acceleration, RPM, light intensity, sound intensity, gas concentration, position, and many more. A LabJack brings this data into a PC where it can be stored and processed as desired.
Control things like motors, lights, solenoids, relays, valves, and more.
Support Resources
Every LabJack includes lifetime technical support. We are committed to providing quality, responsive support for all our products.
Data Acquisition Examples
Read the output of sensors which measure voltage, current, power, temperature, humidity, wind speed, force, pressure, strain, acceleration, RPM, light intensity, sound intensity, gas concentration, position, and many more. A LabJack brings this data into a PC where it can be stored and processed as desired.
Control things like motors, lights, solenoids, relays, valves, and more.
Visit our Blog for detailed examples, case studies and customer projects:
https://shop-labjack-com.myshopify.com/blogs/news/tagged/applications
What is the meaning of Data Acquisition?
DAQ is short for data acquisition which is short for data acquisition and control. The term describes the process of acquiring readings from sensors and transducers (temperature, pressure, strain, etc.), and controlling actuators (relays, solenoids, etc.). In our case the emphasis is on computer-based DAQ, where the LabJack is the interface that allows a computer to read from sensors and control actuators.
DAQ Definition: What Is A DAQ System?
DAQ is short for data acquisition which is short for data acquisition and control. The term describes the process of acquiring readings from sensors and transducers (temperature, pressure, strain, etc.), and controlling actuators (relays, solenoids, etc.). In our case the emphasis is on computer-based DAQ, where the LabJack is the interface that allows a computer to read from sensors and control actuators.