Frequently asked questions
openDAQ™ is a collaborative joint venture by Dewesoft and HBK, two leading manufacturers of data acquisition systems (DAQ). It is designed to simplify and redefine test and measurement technologies.
With its powerful open-source toolbox, openDAQ™ allows users to effortlessly discover, stream, and configure data, enabling engineers worldwide to unlock new levels of compatibility, flexibility, and efficiency.
The openDAQ SDK is a simple-to-use, versatile software development kit (SDK) specifically designed for the test and measurement industry. It empowers a wide range of users, including DAQ hardware, software, and smart sensor vendors as well as test engineers, system integrators, and academia to utilize the openDAQ™ features of discovery, configuration, and streaming in the easiest way.
They can do it within their preferred programming environments, including C++, C#, Python, and more. Compatible with Linux, Windows, or macOS, it seamlessly runs on any host computer.
A light-wise (LT) collection of straightforward C stacks, each representing a specific feature, designed for seamless integration into Real-Time Operating Systems. Now, C stacks are available for the features streaming and discovery - tested on the embOS real-time operating system.
The aim of openDAQ™ is to be truly cross-platform capable. As a result, it not only considers processor systems in various performance classes with an operating system, but also microcontroller systems with real-time operating systems (RTOS).
Since an RTOS has a different architecture and provides less feature support, such as multi-threading, compared to an operating system like Linux, openDAQ™ necessitates two distinct implementations of its feature set.
Therefore, the distinction between openDAQ™ SDK and LT lies in the implementation of openDAQ features.
Differences are:
| SDK | LT | |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Language | C++ | C |
| Deployment Platform | Operating systems | RTOS |
| Licence | Apache 2.0 | Apache 2.0 |
| Development Support | A feature rich SDK making the utilisation of openDAQ as easy as possible for server and client side. | C Stacks deliver method calls through as an API, facilitating the invocation of openDAQ™ features within tasks provided by a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS). Features are supported from server side only. |
Supported features:
| SDK | LT | |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery | Yes, via mDNS - Server and Client | Yes, via mDNS - Server only |
| Streaming | Yes, via native and LT - Server and Client | Yes, via LT - Server only |
| Configuration | Yes, via native and OPC UA - Server and Client | No |
openDAQ™ SDK is successfully deployed on processor systems like:
openDAQ™ LT is successfully deployed on microcontroller systems like:
Yes. The openDAQ™ SDK was released in June 2023 and was made open source on GitHub at the end of October 2023. New versions are regularly released in a four month period.
More details are available on our GitHub page.
Yes. The openDAQ™ LT was released and made open source on GitHub in April 2024. New versions are regularly released in a four month period.
More details are available on our GitHub page.
The openDAQ™ is licensed under the Apache 2.0 license, allowing users the freedom to utilize the software as they like, provided they include the necessary notices. This permissive license also includes a patent license from the contributors of the code.
CAN
Be used for commercial purposes
Be freely modified
Be freely distributed
Be placed under warranty
Be used privately
Have contributors patent their contributions
CAN NOT
Be held liable
Use name, trademarks, or logos of contributors
MUST
Include Copyright
Include the full text of the license
State changes
Include a "NOTICE" file with attributions
The full text of the Apache 2.0 license and further details can be found here.
openDAQ™ is all about simplifying the test and measurement ecosystem. It enables users to discover, stream, and configure data effortlessly with an open-source toolbox for embracing standards. This goal is achieved through standardized communication interfaces and application data models, utilizing core, non-differentiating code elements.
Founding partners, HBK and Dewesoft, share a common goal to develop, support, and promote the openDAQ™ as a comprehensive toolbox, embracing major industry standards. They believe that this approach simplifies configuration, data analytics, and collaboration models for the entire test & measurement industry.
You can compare it with the LXI consortium (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation), with the open EtherCAT standard, or even component, sub-system, or platform sharing in the automotive industry.
The openDAQ Reference Device has been developed to support evaluation of the openDAQ SDK with real vendor-neutral hardware. No additional vendor-specific hardware is required. The openDAQ reference device provides all stakeholders with high confidence in the SDK, demonstrably simplifying and improving the handling of any DAQ device.
The Reference Device enables acquisition and transmission of analog and digital data with existing or newly developed software. The SDK is delivered with comprehensive examples & makes integration quick and easy.
System integrators: After implementation, any vendor device supporting the openDAQ standard can be accessed, enabling you to address your application with the optimum solution irrespective of vendor or domain.
DAQ or smart sensor vendors: The value demonstrated by evaluating openDAQ SDK and reference platform, will make joining the consortium the obvious next step.
Universities: Get involved in using the openDAQ SDK by setting up your own project! The software is free and open-source for anybody to contribute.
The data sheet of the device can be found in our docs.
You can rent the openDAQ Reference Device at no cost, typically for a period of 4 weeks. The loan period is agreed at the time of request. If you would like to have a device, please contact us via opendaq@opendaq.com.
Disclaimer: We reserve the right to adapt or change this concept depending on demand.
Founding partners, who are initial investors in openDAQ™, use this communication standard to develop new, better products more quickly and economically. These products will be created in compliance with the openDAQ™ SDK, ensuring interoperability right from the start, and will seamlessly integrate with an expanding range of openDAQ™ certified devices and software.
With openDAQ™, test engineers and system integrators experience vertical interoperability never before seen in the test & measurement market. Customer investment in data acquisition systems is now more secure than ever, as they can effortlessly combine or interchange different devices. Additionally, users and integrators can continue to use the software packages that they are familiar with.
New application software can be written according to the openDAQ™ SDK ensuring interoperability with a continuously expanding range of devices. This flexibility enables addressing even greater challenges.
Learn more:
openDAQ™ can benefit test engineers on the openDAQ for test engineers page.
openDAQ™ can benefit system integrators on the openDAQ for system integrators page.
The training agenda encompasses theoretical and practical sessions over three days, covering introductory, client-server usage, and hands-on modules tailored to customers' needs for effectively utilizing openDAQ™ devices.
A typical training agenda includes:
Day one
1.5 hours: Introduction to openDAQ basics (theory)
3 hours: Using openDAQ as a client to read data from an openDAQ device
3 hours: Using openDAQ as a server to deliver data via the openDAQ interface
0.5 Day Wrap-Up
The end goal of the day is to connect your openDAQ™ server with your own implemented openDAQ client.
Days two and three
Hands-on customized training, based on customer needs
The end goal of the day is to establish a connection with the customer’s device, adjust properties, and view streaming values.
The openDAQ™ standard defines communications, operation & function.
Currently, it embraces the following standards:
IEEE 1588v2 (PTP)
OPC-UA with openDAQ™ vendor model
openDAQ™ streaming LT.
The inclusion of new standards, such as iDDS, CMP and CCP/XCP from ASAM, is in development. In the future also White Rabbit, EtherCAT, and TSN will be added to the openDAQ™ standards toolbox.
openDAQ compliance refers to a set of standards and specifications designed to ensure interoperability, reliability, and functionality of devices and software within the openDAQ ecosystem. openDAQ is typically associated with data acquisition systems, which are used for collecting, analyzing, and storing data from various sensors and instruments.
Compliance levels within openDAQ involve different compliance of functionality and integration capabilities. You can learn more on our compliance page.
The lab is located at openDAQ headquarters in Trbovlje, Slovenia.
This means that if a member sends a product to the compliance lab, openDAQ will test it to assess its compliance with openDAQ. If the testing is successful, the member will receive a certificate for each device confirming its compliance, along with all related documentation, such as test reports, testing environment details, any notes, etc.
openDAQ will issue an invoice after a membership contract is signed. When the payment is received, the membership becomes valid.
This is a yearly fee. The membership is valid for one year from the date of signing the contract and can be renewed annually if you so choose. This does not apply to community memberships as they are completely free.
The openDAQ™ is an open-source project, accessible for anyone to contribute at our GitHub repo.
Users have the freedom to integrate the standard interface into their devices or develop software, and then share their solutions with the openDAQ community. Each new member is invited to add value to the ever-growing openDAQ community.
Learn more about openDAQ membership.