Re: Looking for the name on a concept AKA Do "reverse data loggers" exist?

"ghostwriter" <ghostwriter25@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1193756895.863712.183400@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello all,

I am a chemical researcher looking to find out what the heck is the
name of a piece of equipment.

I work all the time with data loggers, some of which are very small
and reasonably priced. $50 for four channels logging of incoming
voltage, saved to a file that can then be downloaded. What would you
call something that did the reverse, that is send out voltages based
on an uploaded file?

That would be something involving a D/A (Digital to Analog) converter(s).
Your data logger would have used an A/D (Analog to Digital) converter, along
with some other electronics to store the data as a file.

Assuming I a looking for the cheapest possible
incarnation, what would the likley cost be?

I am thinking about building a small robot but since any change is
command steps will be rare I dont want more computer than is
necessary.

Does the robot have a specific purpose ? Or are you simply trying to get
started in the hobby by building one based on concepts & devices that you
are familiar with ? I ask this because the statement "any change is command
steps will be rare" sounds like you have a very specific purpose in mind.

Without knowing more, I would *guess* that you need to look into something
like a small programmable microcontroller that offers one or more D/A
converters onboard, such as the Basic Stamp from Parallax, the Oopic, PIC
AVR, etc. Prices range from around $50 on up depending on what you need,
what gear you already have, etc.

Tell us more and I'm sure we can provide more specific suggestions for you.
JCD

Ghostwriter



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