Vernier Introduces New Multifunctional SensorDAQ Interface for Engineering Education

Beaverton, OR – July 5, 2006 – Vernier Software & Technology, a producer of award-winning science and technology for science and math educators, and National Instruments (NI), a leader in virtual instrumentation, are collaborating to create a powerful, affordable data acquisition interface for use by high school engineering students. The Vernier SensorDAQ, scheduled for release in December 2006, is a USB interface that provides an extremely easy connection to over 50 Vernier sensors, as well as screw terminal connections for customized data acquisition and control projects. The Vernier SensorDAQ is an essential component for creating custom content for engineering education.

Vernier customers are already looking forward to the new interface. Michele Perrin, a teacher at St. Louis University High School in St. Louis, Missouri, said, “SensorDAQ will give my students hands on opportunities to design, analyze and control sensor-based systems and add excitement to my high school engineering courses.”

The SensorDAQ is designed for ease-of-use while still providing the versatility and power required in engineering education. Ease-of-use starts with quick hardware setup using a USB connection. Simply plug Vernier sensors into SensorDAQ’s four ready-to-use channels. SensorDAQ can automatically detect and calibrate Vernier sensors, meaning no confusing wiring and setup—just connect and collect. Three channels accommodate more than 50 different Vernier analog sensors, including temperature, acceleration, dissolved oxygen, gas pressure, pH and force. The fourth channel is a digital channel for Vernier motion detectors, photogates, radiation monitors, rotary motion sensors and drop counters.

In addition to the three analog and one digital channel for Vernier sensors, the SensorDAQ includes a combicon connector with screw terminals. These terminals include two general-purpose analog input channels (which can be either 13 bits single-ended or 14 bits differential), four digital input and output lines and one analog output channel. These connectors provide the versatility required for customized data acquisition and control projects in engineering education.

In addition, the SensorDAQ integrates with National Instruments LabVIEW graphical programming software for custom programming and has full NI LabVIEW Express programming capability. NI LabVIEW is an industry-standard graphical development platform used for text, control and design applications.

“We’re very pleased to be collaborating with National Instruments,” said David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier and a former physics teacher. “Helping to provide an exciting and hands-on learning experience for students is imperative to building interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. NI has a long history of collaboration with academia to provide the latest industry-standard technologies to inspire students to pursue engineering and science degrees, facilitate learning experiences and improve retention. We are happy to work with NI in this endeavor. LabVIEW graphical programming software is used by engineering students all over the world. LabVIEW, SensorDAQ and our line of sensors are a great combination for high school engineering education.”

Ray Almgren, vice president of product marketing and academic relations at National Instruments, said, “National Instruments low-cost USB data acquisition products have been rapidly adopted in the academic market. By adding the Vernier sensor adaptor to our standard USB data acquisition product line, many secondary schools will now be able to use their Vernier sensors with LabVIEW and NI data acquisition products. Our joint collaboration with Vernier to develop this product will lead to more hands-on learning experiences in the secondary school and early college curriculum.”

For 20 years, scientists and engineers worldwide have used LabVIEW intuitive graphical programming to interface with real-world signals, analyze data and share results and applications in projects ranging from communicating with the Mars Pathfinder to controlling the scanning tunneling microscopes of nanotechnology. LabVIEW also is used in high school science classes and is one of the most popular software tools in university science and engineering laboratories.

For more details, visit www.vernier.com/sensordaq.

About Vernier Software & Technology
Vernier Software & Technology has been an innovator of data-collection technology for 25 years. Creating easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and software, their products can be found in education from elementary school to college. Vernier helps teachers enhance their science curriculum, increase learning, and build students’ critical thinking skills. For more information, visit www.vernier.com.

About National Instruments
For 30 years, National Instruments (www.ni.com) has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation – a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, PCI Express, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,900 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. For the past seven years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

About Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier Software & Technology has been a leading innovator of scientific data-collection technology for 32 years. Focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Vernier is dedicated to developing creative ways to teach and learn using hands-on science. Vernier creates easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and graphing/analysis software. With world-wide distribution to over 130 countries, Vernier products are used by educators and students from elementary school to college. Vernier’s technology-based solutions enhance STEM education, increase learning, and build students’ critical thinking skills. Vernier’s business culture is grounded in Earth-friendly policies and practices, and the company provides a family-friendly workplace. For more information, visit www.vernier.com.

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