Curtiss-Wright data acquisition units (DAUs) utilize modules to create custom systems using COTS elements. Modules are added to a chassis in whatever combination is desired. A key concept behind the DAUs is "any module, any chassis, in any combination". Broadly speaking, modules are categorized as controllers, analog, digital, bus monitors and "others", which includes processing, recording, encoding, switching and so forth.
There are over a hundred modules and variants available and chassis can be built with any mixture of modules to meet the specific needs of a program. The high number of modules and ongoing development means that a chassis is only ever a few modules away from any application. This modularity means inventory requirements are minimized and the proven, easy migration path to new networking and sensor technologies, such as smart and wireless sensor networks, greatly extends system life time and reduces life-cycle costs.