Naturally Parallel Measuring System Based on FPGA Hardware

Abstract

The FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) technology, usually a little unnoticeable, almost from the very beginning is developed simultaneously with the microprocessor technology. The possibility for the system designer or end user to influence the internal structure of the integrated circuit gives unattainable possibilities of building plastic and fully massively parallel systems that fit in almost one integrated circuit. This fact allows, among others for building fully parallel multi-point measuring systems. This manuscript presents the architecture proposal for such an FPGA-based exemplary multichannel measurement system and presents the results of its practical use to study the functioning of a tubular heat exchanger in automotive air-conditioning.