Using arduino as a "data acquisition" interface?

hi all,

first post, yay! i'm working on i'm stuck on (no coding experience).

i'm trying fix laser doppler velocimeter (ldv) system. it's outdated (90s) should work. ldv (consists of laser , 2 processing machines) has output ribbon cable delivers 16 bit data isa card in desktop, software has drop-down menu port selection. 16 bit data becomes "word" , sequence of "words" means software.

problem is, isa card missing. i'd utilize arduino interface take 16-bit ldv data , pass computer, perhaps through usb port (instead of isa slot).

i imagine arduino uno scan 16 pins 0's/1's, , when available, capture them in "word", put them in sequence through usb port. can offer commands should use , perhaps examples? other ideas? also, if arduino isn't feasible, other options?

thanks in advance!
wayne

the "put them through usb" no great challenge.

as starting point, see...

http://sheepdogguides.com/arduino/aht1serimoni.htm

... although want bit fancier, re-write use separate serial line "big" pc, , write program display , store data device.

build in stages. start various places, above any. once you've got loop counter reporting, modify to, say, report whether button on input pressed or not.

then you're ready start "looking" @ coming out of ldv, , trying figure out how drive it, interpret answers.

===
when "write program big pc save..." material in...

http://www.sheepdogguides.com/dt4q.htm

... useful you. although written when using delphi, of what's there work in lazarus, i'm pretty sure. lazarus: free multiplatform general programming environment. excellent. delphi-like.

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