Abstract: System and method for measurement, DAQ, and control operations. A measurement module includes measurement circuitry for performing signal conditioning and/or signal conversion, and interface circuitry which provides an interface for the measurement circuitry. A carrier unit couples to the interface circuitry of the module. A computer system couples to the carrier unit and stores one or more hardware configuration programs. The interface circuitry communicates an interface protocol describing the interface, e.g., to the carrier unit or the computer system. The computer system provides a hardware configuration program in response to the communicated interface protocol, and programs one or more programmable hardware elements on the carrier unit with the hardware configuration program. After being configured, the programmable hardware elements interface with the measurement module in accordance with the communicated interface protocol.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drilling apparatus for enlarging a bore in the ground, comprising a drilling head (6) having a drilling bit (12); a percussion piston (14) which is driven by a drive medium (9) and which impacts against the drilling bit (12), and a hollow drill string (8) to which the drilling head (6) is fixed and through the cavity of which the drive medium (9) is passed to the percussion piston (14). The drill string (8) is surrounded by a hollow outer string (3) enclosing an annular space which surrounds the drill string (8) and through which the drive medium (9) is passed out of the borehole. The invention further concerns a method of enlarging an existing borehole, using a drilling head of that kind.