For an exact data processing, the synchronisation of the different signals is crucial for being able to draw conclusions from the conditions of the snow and the environment. For a fast overview of the situation two more components are important: First the data logger is to process the captured data directly on site and then transfer the results to the base station. If the system (in this example the MSX-Box) detects a critical situation it can immediately alarm the base station.

The technological solution:

The MSX-Box allows a synchronisation of the acquisition of different signals. To enable this synchronisation it uses a well thought-out combination of interrupt and hardware trigger. This is how it works:

A timer generates a cyclic interrupt and simultaneously starts a trigger. The interrupt routine reads out the serial interfaces (via APCI-7800-3) and links the captured values to a time stamp.

Then the trigger starts the acquisition of the analog values. In this example the temperature measuring board APCI-3200 acquires the temperature and an analog input board of the APCI-3xxx series captures the vibration. The two values are linked to the same time stamp.

The analog and the serial interface value are calculated and then stored on a SSD hard drive (Solid State Disk).

Then this protocol data is transferred via UMTS board (PCI bus) to the base station. It is also possible to access this data any time via remote access or to administrate the MSX-Box via remote access.