Modular data acquisition system

Abstract

In a modular data acquisition system (), a module comprises at least one analog-to-digital converter () for converting an analog input signal (IN, IN, IN, IN) into a digital signal (OUT, OUT, OUT, OUT), and a clock generating circuit () for supplying an internal clock signal (). The module further comprises a connector for plugging in a removable connecting element () on the front side of the module () in order to connect it to a synchronization bus connecting several modules in said system. A clock selecting circuit () enables the selection of either a slave-clock status, wherein the converters () are synchronized by an external synchronization signal supplied by said synchronization bus, or of a master-clock status, wherein the converters are synchronized by said internal clock signal which is also used a external synchronization signal on said synchronization bus. Trigger signals can also be transmitted by the synchronization bus and by the connecting elements.