StartAcquisition

startAcquisition is a function or command used in software interfaces to initiate data collection from a hardware device or sensor. The function signals the configured data acquisition system to begin sampling according to the previously established parameters, such as sampling rate, channels, buffer size, and trigger conditions. In many APIs it serves as the trigger that moves the system from a configured state to an active measurement state.

Usage of startAcquisition typically involves interaction with a device or session object. It may accept optional arguments to override default behavior, or it may simply start using the current configuration. The function can return a status code or throw an exception if the operation cannot begin. It may operate in blocking mode, waiting for completion, or in non-blocking mode, returning a handle or event that can be monitored. Some systems support continuous streaming after start, while others perform a single acquisition.

Prerequisites often include opening or initializing the device, configuring clocks and channels, and allocating memory buffers. The function may arm triggers, synchronize multiple devices, or rely on external triggers. Common error conditions include failed initialization, insufficient resources, buffer overruns, or hardware faults.

Typical usage patterns involve configuring acquisition parameters, invoking startAcquisition, processing or streaming incoming data as it becomes available, and eventually stopping with a corresponding stopAcquisition or abort function. Variants of the name exist in some APIs, such as beginAcquisition or startCapture, reflecting different design conventions across platforms.

See also data acquisition, sampling, trigger, buffering, and APIs or libraries related to the hardware in use.