DAQiFi Nyquist 1 is a self-contained, mobile connected, battery powered, wireless data acquisition device. It’s perfect for general data acquisition applications where economical, feature-rich DAQs are required.

Nyquist is completely wireless, utilizing a built-in Li-Ion battery for power and an 802.11 WiFi connection, allowing it to be deployed virtually anywhere and everywhere. Since it uses the 802.11 standard, it can be used on existing Wi-Fi networks in many facilities. Open-source hardware and software allow DAQiFi Nyquist to be adapted to any data acquisition application. Drivers and APIs are available to interface with 3rd party software such as Node-RED, NI LabVIEW or Wolfram Mathematica.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Nyquist is that it eliminates the need for a dedicated PC plugged into each data acquisition solution. Multiple Nyquist devices can be part of a single data collection system, each wirelessly delivering the data it collects to a single client. PCs, experiments, machines, robots, etc. can all be connected to the same client all at once.

Modular, Portable, and Wireless

Data acquisition is commonplace in most engineering, scientific, and academic environments. However, most of these systems have limited flexibility or high cost. They generally require additional software purchases and dedicated computers to collect data. Many data acquisition systems still require the user to learn proprietary programming languages.

After extensive experience in engineering/scientific environments at universities and engineering companies, the founders of DAQiFi observed most users were spending excessive time configuring and programming their data acquisition devices. This detracted from their main goal: collect and analyze data essential to the task at hand.

The founders of DAQiFi envisioned a better solution: modular, portable data acquisition with flexible wireless connectivity. So they built features in the new Nyquist line of data acquisition devices that allow anyone to easily collect the data they need without wasting time learning the intricacies of data collection setup and software.

DAQiFi Nyquist has helped advance numerous projects during its beta testing, including a 0g test-flight for portable fire extinguishers headed to the International Space Station.

Can It Do More?

For power users, the device is capable of interfacing directly with industry standard software such as National Instruments’ LabVIEW, Wolfram’s Mathematica, and for ultimate open-source flexibility, Node-RED.

DAQiFi’s line of products are not only capable of data acquisition within a system. They can operate as dedicated data loggers, storing to a mini-SD card via included port. They can also be controlled using the free, bundled software or the aforementioned third-party software. Future product development and updates will allow these products to be programmed like a PLC or other microcontroller and operate autonomously according to the user’s programming.

Built to Last

Aside from ease-of-use and rich feature set, the DAQiFi hardware is designed to be incredibly robust. All its ports and electrical interfaces are protected against overvoltage, overcurrent, electrostatic discharge, and reverse polarity. The USB interface and internal lithium-ion battery are protected with automatically resetting polyfuses and are safeguarded against overvoltage, overcurrent, improper charging, and temperature extremes.

Before each Nyquist device is boxed, it will be flashed, tested and calibrated for proper operation. Users can count on Nyquist reliability!

Excellent for Everyone from Education to Business

K-12 Education Educators can use Nyquist in their classrooms as demonstration tools or hands-on devices.

University Research Rather than spending time setting up, programming, and troubleshooting traditional DAQ systems, graduate and undergraduate engineering students can gain efficiency in both time and budget with Nyquist. Time dedicated to steps that detract from the science with traditional systems can be reallocated to actual research.

Engineering Research and Development Engineering companies can utilize Nyquist as a tool for collecting data during the research and development phases of their business. Software libraries are available to program custom solutions tailored to customers’ products, creating a complete, professional data acquisition and control system.

Small Business Small businesses can embed Nyquist into quality control machinery, medical devices, or even race cars to tune the suspension – the possibilities are endless!

Hobbyists The Nyquist can be paired with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi to serve as a powerful hardware interface for either of these microcontrollers and single board computers. You can use Nyquist to build custom projects like robots, interactive arcade games, WiFi controlled RC cars, etc.

Features & Specifications

• 802.11 n Wi-Fi and USB 2.0
• Windows and Android client apps
• MicroSD card slot
• Sampling rates up to 10 kHz aggregate (1000 Hz per channel)
• Integrated 4000 mAh Li-Ion rechargeable battery
• SCPI compliant command structure
• (16) 5 V general purpose I/O 30 mA sink/source
• (16) 12-Bit 0-5 V Analog in RSE or (4) differential and (8) RSE
• 2 x Independent (digital and analog) 5 V regulated power outputs

Comparisons

Support & Documentation

You can find the Nyquist 1 source code and design files in our GitHub repository and its datasheet on our website. You can also reach out to us using the Ask a technical question form on our campaign page or contact Crowd Supply if you have order-specific questions.

Manufacturing Plan

We have already manufactured an initial run of about 200 Nyquist 1 boards. Once the campaign launches, we will finalize the firmware and client applications and publish them on our GitHub repository.

While the campaign is running, we will write an automated testing-and-calibration script and integrate it into our custom testbed. Each PCB will be flashed, tested, and calibrated to ensure proper operation. Each PCB will be assembled with a battery and an enclosure. The final product will be packaged with a USB cable, and pluggable terminal blocks.

Fulfillment & Logistics

After testing the first production batch of DAQiFi Nyquist 1 boards, here at our lab in Colorado, we will install them into their enclosures, package them up, and send them on to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will distribute them to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.

Risks & Challenges

DAQiFi Nyquist has been in development and beta testing for a number of years. This has given us the opportunity to flush out a number of design issues and to realize a polished product well in advance of any public offering. As a result, many of the design challenges and risks have already been addressed.

However, due to the scope of the project, however, we are still working to coordinate efforts related to the device firmware, LabVIEW drivers, and the client app. Additionally, we plan to test and calibrate each unit prior to shipment. All four of these tasks are resource intensive and could potentially delay our time line if we encounter unexpected developments.