The Micro-Measurements StudentDAQ is a USB-powered data acquisition interface for connection to resistive strain gauges. The associated application software runs under PC Windows and transfers control and measurement data via the USB port. The source code runs in the National Instruments LabView development environment and includes a .NET framework. An RJ-45 socket on the dongle provides connections to the strain gauge elements.

The StudentDAQ is primarily targeted as a teaching aid in a classroom environment and its portability makes it an ideal tool for homework assignments. It does not require any calibration and features built-in support for a single channel of a full-bridge, half-bridge and 120 Ω quarter-bridge inputs, including all the necessary bridge completion. A 24-bit delta-sigma ADC provides a ±16,000 µε measurement range at 80 Hz and a gauge factor setting of 2.00, with a 1% reading accuracy. To minimise temperature effects on lead wires, the unit supports a full three-wire, quarter-bridge connection. The circuit balance is manually controlled via software. Pregauged beams are available to use with the StudentDAQ and are supplied with an appropriate experiment in mechanics for classroom use.

According to Donielle Dockery, Senior Field Design Engineer at Micro-Measurements, "The StudentDAQ is easy to set up and allows the user to begin recording strain gauge data at a rate of up to 80 Hz, within minutes. They simply plug the unit into a USB port on their PC, crimp the connector to the end of their bridge instrument, plug into the on-board socket and start the supplied software. It's a powerful, low-cost tool for exploring the fascinating world of experimental mechanics."