Data Acquisition and Coding Project

Data Acquisition and Coding Project
Data acquisition and projects coding have been automated in recent times with the introduction of modern technologies. The suitability of Bar Codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), 3D Laser Scanners, Inductive Loop Detectors, Radar Detectors and Pen Based Computers depends on the activities performed by these technologies. The new technology is enhanced by computers as nearly all sensors make use of computers while in operation (El-Omari & Moselhi, 2009). An analysis of the traffic loop sensors, bar code scanners, smoke detectors and radar detectors will play a big role in exploring how the application of these automation have helped in solving the world problems and the challenges present so as to come up with effective techniques of accomplishing activities.
The Traffic Loop Sensors
The Traffic Loop sensors are sensors used to detect vehicles intersection. The detectors are applied in the suburbs and country roads where they detect a car arriving at an intersection. It controls the length of the light when many cars have stack up in the intersection or activate the arrow light in case cars have entered into a turn lane. The traffic light sensors tests the inductance of the loop in the road and in times when the inductances rises knows that a car is waiting (Ostrander, 2009). A coil of wire is embedded in the road surface and is evident by big rectangular loops that have been cut in the pavement. However, in towns and cities, traffic officers are needed to aid in the flow of traffic as traffic-jam usually takes place throughout the day. The traffic loop sensor has got limitations in the sense that a vehicle must enter the loop area for it to be sensed by the sensor. They also disrupt traffic flow during installation and maintenance thus making them less reliable and flexible making it ineffective. The inductor is limited by the number of coils and the material wrapped around the coil which are connected to an electronic circuit thus making it possible to detect a car passing over it (Brownlee, 2008).
In addition, it measures the presence of a metal and not a vehicle; hence vehicles with less or no metals cannot be attended to. It is also limited by water infiltration which affects the loop performance since its installation is permanent based. As the car enters the loop area, it transmits some inductance which makes the light to light. In case the sensors have been adjusted or improperly designed, they will not detect the presence of a smaller car, scooter or a motorcycle due to their inability of disturbing the electromagnetic field. The traffic sensor may fail to recognize the presence of a vehicle resulting to loss of time, frustrations and delay. The sensor works when the electromagnetic field has been disturbed, and this has happened, the signal will begin switching on process of the lights using the pre-programmed rules usually less than 30 seconds (Martin, & Wang, 2003).
Bar code scanners
Bar code scanner is an electronic device used for reading bar codes on products. The scanner consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor that translates the optical impulses into electrical ones. Information in bar codes can be read and processed electronically by either scanners or cameras. They are located in nearly all consumer goods, businesses and warehouse stores but mostly applicable for electronic goods as compared to manufactured consumer goods. Products that are to be scanned by bar code are labeled with unique codes which will help in identifying the product once scanned. The bar code is capable of registering coupon amounts, price scanning and monitoring up-to-date inventory which is accurate. It increases speed in the workplace, and transparency of the movements of goods (Pearce, & Bushnell, 2010).
When the bar codes are greased, dirty or damaged, however, they cannot be able to read at all since they are not durable. In addition, it offers low level security making it possible to be reproduced with more ease. They are, however, not able of triggering alarms or door openings. For a bar code to be able to read, the scanner needs to actually see the bar code thus requiring human involvement. Lastly, they are not vital for many applications as they store information up-to a certain limit. The sensor works well when all the system has been installed properly and the codes are directed to the lens an attribute that enhances the effectiveness of the sensor. The bar code scanners consists of decoders circuitry that analyzes the barcode’s image data provided by the sensor and later transmitting the bar code content to the output port of the scanner. Further, the decoders do translate the bars and spaces into a corresponding output which is then transmitted into a computer in a traditional data format (DHL, 2011).
Smoke detectors
Smoke detectors are used to sense the presence of smoke in the environment by detecting the earliest combustion particles which provides therefore early warnings of fire. The smoke sensor is mostly applied in clean rooms, switching stations, hospitals, museums, archives and historical places, telecommunication centers and computers which are prone to more damage and environments where human interface is available. In schools, smoke detectors are placed in washrooms to curb smoking activities of students. The smoke detectors are employed in such places to avoid cigarette smoke, cooking fumes, high level of airborne dust and any other process that may cause combustion (System Sensor, 2001). Smoke detectors are capable of detecting flaming fire, the type of fire and their location and the presence of smoke very quickly. However, they should not be placed in buildi...