Definition of concrete sensor data acquisition systems

There are various sensors and electric components suitable for sensor signal processing available in a moderate price. However, expert knowledge is needed e.g. to place the sensors, to define the measurands and the signal charasteristics. Today, significant efforts towards smart structures (e.g. a structure covered with sensors) and functional materials (e.g. materials acting as structural components and sensors) exist. If the sensor location is right while the nature of the signal is estimated wrong or the data acquisition system is designed or tuned badly, the result will be expensive noise. In air/space applications the harsh environmental conditions set special requirements for the measuring electronics - for example the temperature drifts. The purpose of this paper is to point the requirements and boundary conditions of the measuring system designed to this application area, and to present the components of such a system in rough level. Special attention is given to the system architecture aspects.