FreeBSD Data AcQuisition Framework

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Introduction

The main goal of the DAQ project is to develop open-source drivers for data acquisition cards. The drivers are implemented as a kernel module, so we're able to load them via kld. The methodology is not new - Linux comedi has a large amount of drivers for daq hardware not supported on FreeBSD.

To help with this task, I decided to start working on an FreeBSD implementation for data acquisition support that would let us provide a standardized interface for daq based low-level driver writers. The result of all this is that project.


Anatomy

Fundamentally, DAQ consists of the following three parts:
    - core kernel module
    - low-level drivers
    - card configuration utility
The core kernel module is the main part and provides all the functionality a driver needs to manage their daq card/s. It furthermore provides the userland-interface with functions like ioctl() for example, to grab miscellaneous information about a corresponding card. The second part is a collection of drivers for a variety of common data acquisition plug-in boards (which are called 'card' in DAQ terminology). The configuration tool is lately needed to let the core module know which driver you want to attach to the card, and which run-time options you want to give to the driver.


Current status

The project is in an early development stage, I currently looking for one or two individuals to help me out with the development process (especially PCI, ISA, and PCMCIA). Don't be modest; if you're ready to work, you can easily become a 'DAQ guru' =) (send me just an email).


Maintainers

    - Manuel Gebele <forensixs@gmx.de>

If you find a bug, or if you have some comments, suggestions or patches, use the tracker system located on the project page, or if you find it easier, you can contact me via email.