Real time system design using personal computer

Abstract

This thesis dwells on the issue of using personal computers in real-time control and data acquisition applications. A data acquisition and control system is designed to acquire temperature, humidity, air volume and solar radiation data and control the inside temperature, air volume and maximizes solar radiation inside an ecologically closed test structure. The focus is on an Intel 8088 or 80286 based personal computer. A personal computer is used for development of the software and the final real-time system runs on a PC as well. This eliminates the need of expensive cross compilers and in-circuit emulators. A control and data acquisition task is selected and a solution using an IBM compatible personal computer is demonstrated. Various advantages and disadvantages for selecting the personal computer and development software and environment are discussed. Solutions to various problems encountered are discussed.