USB DAQ Box Offers Galvanic Isolation Of Input Signals
August 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition
The DEWE-50-USB2-8 brings unprecedented power to USB data acquisition. There are a lot of USB based data acquisition instruments on the market today, but few of them provide real galvanic isolation of the input signals. Isolation is essential to protecting the test engineer and equipment from the effects of ground loops and high common mode voltages.
Most of the new crop of USB boxes emphasize low cost and convenience, but they achieve this by skipping real signal conditioning for serious data acquisition applications.
The DEWE-50-USB2-8 from Dewetron changes this completely, taking a fresh approach to USB data acquisition, incorporating real plug-in signal conditioning modules for low and high voltages, strain, pressure, acceleration, sound, temperature, force, and more.
The DAQP-HV high voltage module, for example, has selectable input ranges from ±20V to ±1400V (AC or DC), has a bandwidth of 300 kHz, and real galvanic isolation of 1800 Vrms. Therefore it can be used in demanding high voltage environments safely and with excellent performance. With this kind of isolation the test engineer can forget about CMV and focus on making the measurement.
The DEWE-50-USB2-8 has a powerful digitizer inside which features eight separate 24-bit ADCs – one per analog channel, for simultaneous sampling of all channels with very high resolution on the vertical axis. 24- bit resolution provides the test engineer the luxury of such a high dynamic range that he or she can use a single gain setting for a widely varying signals, and still get great resolution recordings.
Any combination of 8 DAQP series plugin modules plug into the front of the small DEWE-50-USB2-8 box, while the rear panel provides several more inputs:
o Two synchronous counter inputs, which can handle a wide variety of encoders and tachometers
o Each counter can alternatively be used as three digital inputs, for recording multiple bi-state TTL “event” inputs
o Two high speed CAN BUS interfaces, so that you can connect up to the data buses in all kinds of cars, trucks, aircraft, trains, and more. Everything is recorded synchronously to a single data file within DEWESoft
The rear panel also contains the DC power input connector, because the system runs from 10-30 VDC directly (AC/DC adapter and line cord is included). There is also a locking USB connector, of Dewetron’s own design, so that it cannot be pulled out of the chassis by accident. Conditioned analog outputs from the inputs are also available as an option, so you can access ±5V outputs from each of them.
Countless uses…
Power plants, flight test, train testing, automotive testing, factory troubleshooting…
Power plant testing
From rod control and rod drop testing in nuclear plants, to walk-around
trouble-shooting in a wide variety of applications. Advanced uses: 1-phase
and 3-phase – all power quality properties are calculated in real time
and displayed graphically. Easy report generation.
Flight test
Add ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 interfaces, as well as IRIG time code and PCM data inputs to this Dewetron system, creating a powerful flight test data acquisition recorder.
Train test
New car inspection, speed tests, braking and emergency braking applications, using GPS, video and other speedometer sensors.
Automotive test
Drivability, Road load testing, CAPS and related applications, pass-by noise
tests, and all manner of in-vehicle and test cell applications.
Factory trouble-shooting
Machine diagnosis, shock and vibration testing, thermovac chambers,
and hundreds of physical measurement test and measurement applications.
Channel Expansion You can also plug in a second DEWE-50-USB2-8 to this one using the SYNC and USB DEVICE interface.
The system runs from 9-36 VDC power, and a convenient AC/DC converter is
included so that you can power the system from standard 120 VAC or 240 VAC power.
Plug-in Modules
There are DAQ series plug-in modules available which can handle a wide variety of sensors, including the DAQP-STG, developed by Dewetron for NASA, who have more than 1000 of these modules. The DAQP-STG can handle any kind of DC strain gage, voltages, resistive and ohmic measurements natively, and with the addition of our MSI plug-in interfaces, can additionally handle IEPE accels and mics, charge sensors, 200V, and more. This module has a bandwidth of 300 kHz.
If you don’t need such high performance, a lower cost version is available called the DAQP-MULTI, which can directly handle bridge, resistance, thermocouples, and RTDs, at a more attractive cost per channel.
The DAQP-HV is a high voltage module with ranges up to ±1400V, and the DAQP-LV low/medium voltage module with ranges from ±10 mV to ±50V, and still with high isolation. The DAQP-ACC-A is a 300 kHz bandwidth IEPE (ICP) signal conditioner amplifier which powers microphones and accelerometers.
Of course, CHARGE sensors are also supported with the DAQP-CHARGE-A and -B modules. Several other DAQP series modules are available for frequency to voltage, and other kinds of sensors.
Software
When you install the DEWE-50-USB2-8 on your computer, in addition to the driver,
Dewetron’s award winning DEWESoft data acquisition software will be installed.
DEWESoft provides incredible graphical control over the user interface, from system
setup through screen design, acquisition, triggering, and replay.
Version 7 now includes many more capabilities in the analysis mode. Data files can be processed using a wide range of math functions, from programmable filtering, (statistical analysis, integration and differentiation, and much more.
Standard displays include strip chart recorder, scope, digital and analog meters, FFT, and tabular numeric displays. You can connect video cameras to your computer and record video in sync with the data, adding a whole new level of understanding to it.
Software options are available for 3-phase power quality analysis, modal analysis, sine processing order tracking, torsional vibration, sound level meter, and many more advanced capabilities.
Size/performance
Instruments like the DEWE-50-USB2-8 are commonly sold at a much higher price point due to their isolation, 200 kS/s/ch sample rate, and 24-bit resolution.
Instruments like this are usually also much larger and occupy a bigger footprint than the DEWE-50-USB2-8.
Analog DAQ Card Has PCI Express Interface
August 11, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition
The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech introduces the PCIe-1744 4-channel, 12-bit, ultra high-speed analog data acquisition card with PCI express interface. The PCIe-1744 is capable of handling analog-to-digital sampling simultaneously and independently on all four channels.
The PCIe-1744 features multiple trigger modes for convenient application scenarios and a 30MHz sampling rate is achieved with independent A/D converters for each of the four analog input channels. Large sample FIFO buffers per channel help ensure all readings are securely captured.
PCIe, unlike previous PC expansion standards, are structured around point-to-point serial links, a pair of which (one in each direction) make up a lane; rather than a shared parallel bus. These lanes are routed by a hub on the main-board acting as a crossbar switch. This dynamic point-to-point behavior allows more than one pair of devices to communicate with each other at the same time. In contrast, older PC interfaces had all devices permanently wired to the same bus; therefore, only one device could send information at a time. This format also allows channel grouping, where multiple lanes are bonded to a single device pair in order to provide higher bandwidth.
The PCIe-1744 is targeted at applications requiring high sampling rate, such as automatic test equipment, quality control, factory production, and so on.
New USB DAQ Devices From NI Useful For Multiple Applications
August 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition, Featured
National Instruments announced NI X Series multifunction data acquisition (DAQ) devices for USB. USB X Series devices integrate high-performance analog measurement and control channels, digital I/O and counter/timers onto a single plug-and-play device, which engineers and scientists can use for a wide variety of portable test, measurement and data-logging applications. USB X Series DAQ devices include up to 32 analog inputs, four analog outputs, 48 digital I/O lines and four counters. The eight new devices range from 500 kS/s multiplexed AI to 2 MS/s/channel simultaneous sampling AI.
NI LabVIEW graphical programming makes it easy for engineers and scientists to develop completely custom test and measurement applications for USB X Series using intuitive graphical icons and wires that resemble a flowchart. LabVIEW 2010 simplifies data logging and analysis with a new technical data management streaming option within the NI DAQ Assistant and the ability to export data from a waveform graph to Microsoft Excel or NI DIAdem for post processing. USB X Series devices use the same multithreaded NI-DAQmx driver software as other National Instruments DAQ devices, making it easy to port LabVIEW or text-based code from previous applications for use with X Series.
USB X Series devices include two key technologies that make them as powerful as they are easy to use: NI-STC3 technology for advanced timing and triggering and NI Signal Streaming for high-speed, bi-directional data streaming.
At the core of all USB, PCI Express and PXI Express X Series devices is NI-STC3 timing and synchronization technology, which coordinates the timing and triggering of the analog, digital and counter subsystems. NI-STC3 technology provides X Series devices with independent timing engines for the onboard analog and digital I/O subsystems, making it possible for analog and digital I/O to execute independently at different rates or together with synchronization. X Series devices include four enhanced 32-bit counters for frequency, pulse-width modulation (PWM) and encoder operations, as well as a new 100 MHz timebase that can generate analog and digital sampling rates with five times better resolution than previous devices.
USB X Series devices include NI Signal Streaming, a patented technology that uses message-based transfers and device-side intelligence to deliver high-speed, bidirectional data transfer over USB, making it possible to perform analog, digital and counter operations concurrently. With this technology, simultaneous sampling now is available on two new devices, which can sample at 1.25 MS/s and 2 MS/s on each of their eight analog inputs. These devices are available with 32 or 64 MS onboard memory to guarantee finite acquisitions even with heavy USB traffic. The high sampling rates on all channels make these devices well suited for portable ultrasonic test and transient recording applications.
Each USB X Series device features a redesigned, extruded aluminum enclosure. The new enclosure offers an easy-access lid to keep signal wiring secure and shielded, and device-specific pinout labels on the lid make it possible to quickly determine the corresponding screw terminals for a given channel. The enclosure also includes a lockable USB port to prevent accidental removal during operation.
New Ethernet Data Acquisition Platform From NI
August 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition, Featured
NI CompactDAQ is an easy-to-use, complete data acquisition system for mixed-signal and sensor measurement.
National Instruments announced the new Ethernet-based NI CompactDAQ modular data acquisition system, which combines the ease of use and low cost of a data logger with the performance and flexibility of modular instrumentation. The new NI cDAQ-9188 chassis is designed to hold eight I/O modules for measuring up to 256 channels of electrical, physical, mechanical or acoustic signals in a small (25 by 9 by 9 cm), rugged form factor. With more than 50 different I/O modules to choose from, engineers and scientists can build remote or distributed, high-speed measurement systems using standard Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure. In addition, NI CompactDAQ simplifies initial setup with zero configuration networking technology and a built-in, Web-based configuration and monitoring utility.
A locking data cable and screw terminal-based power connector option make using NI CompactDAQ off the benchtop easier.
The flexibility of Ethernet allows users to more easily standardize their test systems by eliminating many of the physical constraints required by more traditional PC interfaces.
NI CompactDAQ uses patented NI Signal Streaming technology to deliver high-bandwidth data over Ethernet to a host computer. NI Signal Streaming provides the ability to maintain bidirectional analog and digital waveforms continuously over a TCP/IP connection. With NI-STC3 timing and synchronization technology, each chassis also can manage up to seven separate hardware-timed I/O tasks at different sample rates, including analog I/O, digital I/O and counter/timer operations. The chassis operate in a temperature range of -20 to 55 degrees Celsius and can withstand up to 30 g shock and 3 g vibration, making NI CompactDAQ ideal for demanding test applications on the benchtop, in the field or on the production line.
In addition to the Ethernet chassis, the NI CompactDAQ platform includes a four- and an eight-slot USB chassis and NI C Series I/O modules. NI offers more than 50 C Series modules to use interchangeably in NI CompactDAQ systems, each of which is hot-swappable and auto-detectable for simplified setup. C Series modules offer integrated signal conditioning and multiple connectivity options to create custom, mixed-measurement systems specific to the needs of an application. A single analog input module, for example, can acquire up to four channels of simultaneous 1 MS/s voltage inputs for measuring high-speed signals such as ballistic pressure or ultrasonic transducers.
These NI C Series modules are shown in a variety of chassis and carriers for USB and Ethernet.
You can choose from more than 50 NI C Series measurement modules
NI-DAQmx driver software, which is included with NI CompactDAQ, goes beyond a basic device driver to deliver increased productivity and performance. With NI-DAQmx, engineers and scientists can log data for simple experiments or develop a complete test system in NI LabVIEW, NI LabWindows™/CVI, ANSI C/C++ or Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. Furthermore, a consistent API means that an application developed for an NI CompactDAQ USB chassis will work with an NI CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis without any changes to software.
Programming NI CompactDAQ with LabVIEW delivers the most performance for the least effort. LabVIEW graphical programming makes it possible for engineers and scientists to develop sophisticated measurement, test and control systems using intuitive graphical icons and wires that resemble a flowchart. The multiple timing engines featured on NI CompactDAQ chassis complement the multicore optimizations in LabVIEW to make programming multiple measurement tasks in parallel easy. LabVIEW also offers integration with thousands of other hardware devices and provides hundreds of built-in libraries for advanced analysis and data visualization.
DAQ System Features 28 Channels At High Sampling Rate
July 28, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition
Kistler has developed its new data acquisition (DAQ) system Type 5697A… for recording data in R&D laboratory applications. It is suitable for acquiring and evaluating up to 28 channels at a high sampling rate. The system is supported by data acquisition and evaluation software DynoWare Type 2825A…
The acquisition box, which holds the HASP key (dongle) with runtime license, controls the charge amplifier or signal conditioner directly via RS-232C interface. A USB 2.0 interface makes the system independent of PCI and PCMCIA interfaces. Power is supplied via a robust Binder connector. Measurements can be started remotely via the D-sub connector incorporated in the acquisition box.
The new version of DynoWare is designed primarily for measuring forces with dynamometers or single- or multicomponent sensors. It includes different functions for online visualization, signal evaluation and calculation, individual documentation and saving of configuration and measurement data. It configures and controls all Kistler laboratory charge amplifiers and signal conditioners, now also including single-channel charge amplifier Type 5018A… and multichannel amplifier Type 5080A…
Data Acquisition Module Provides 250 kS/s Sampling Rate
July 14, 2010 by admin
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition
The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech introduced the PCM-3810I, a 250kS/s, 12-bit, 16-ch multifunction PCI-104 module. This is Advantech’s first multifunction PCI-104 module and integrates digital I/O, analog I/O, and counter functions in one small module for various embedded system applications, eliminating costs and saving space.
To meet demanding task requirements, PCM-3810I possesses the highest sampling rate among all of Advantech’s PC/104 modules and supports many advanced trigger modes, such as pre-trigger, post-trigger, delay-trigger, and about-trigger.
With its self-stacking bus and pin-and-socket connector technology, PCM-3810I resists strong vibrations and can be reliably stacked on other PC/104, PC/104 plus, and PCI-104 modules. As part of a package bundled with Advantech’s Device Manager and support for several data logging tools, libraries, and examples (WaveScan, Visual C++, Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual Basic. NET, Borland C++ builder, Delphi, and LabView), PCM-3810I saves time and effort on software development as well. To purchase or if you have any questions, please contact your regional Advantech authorized dealer for more information.
Universal DAQ System Has Eight Individual Analog Voltage Outputs
June 29, 2010 by admin
Filed under Bench Test, Data Acquisition, Meters & Testers
Many test and measurement tasks require measured physical parameters to be output as a standardized voltage. For these applications, HBM released the MX878 output module – a new module of the flexible and powerful QuantumX data acquisition system.
The output module has eight analog voltage outputs that can be individually configured. The module enables system signals to be output as scaled and filtered values in the range of ±10 V. All signals supplied by the amplifiers can be used as signal sources. This makes individual monitoring or forwarding of system signals such as measured values very easy.
In addition, the module offers integrated local intelligence that enables measured values to be analyzed or set off against each other in real time using algebraic operations. The module also features functions for the computation of peak value or root mean square value. Computed signals can be made available in the system in real time or the can be output directly.
The functions or outputs can be configured directly using QuantumX Assistant software, LabView® VIs or the user’s individual programs via the integrated QuantumX programming interface (API) for .NET or COM. catmanAP software provides comprehensive options for configuration, data acquisition, visualization and analysis.
Typical fields of application of the new MX878 QuantumX module include for example test bench applications involving conversion of various transducer signals.
Further information at
Lean-design XL-80 laser calibration brings greater performance, precision, and portability
June 7, 2010 by kremington
Filed under Calibration, Data Acquisition, Sensing
Renishaw advances laser interferometer calibration with the “lean design” XL-80 system. 
It allows a 4X faster slew rate, 10X higher dynamic data capture rate and the industry’s total system in a smaller, lighter and more portable package. The XL-80 brings nanometer-level motion analysis to calibration, error-mapping and compensation of everything from laboratory equipment, semi-conductor processing machinery and radiosurgery tools to coordinate measuring machines, lithography equipment, advanced machine tools, robots and assembly systems.
Meeting industry trends to high-speed machinery, higher precision and greater process control, the XL-80 increases linear measurement speed to 4m/s, while providing a resolution of 1 nm, even at top speed. Lightweight, compact packaging allows easier transport and set up while industry’s fastest warm up — less than six minutes — minimizes waits to increase available measurement time.
A new signal gain switch gives the option of 80 m linear range (such as for large aircraft profilers) or increased signal strength at shorter ranges.
System accuracy of ±0.5 ppm, is maintained over the full operating range of 0-40°C (32°-104°F). A new XC-80 Intelligent Sensor maintains that accuracy against variations in temperature, pressure and humidity by updating the environment factor every seven seconds via a USB link.
The XL-80 takes readings at 50 kHZ, up from 5 kHZ for Renishaw’s previous industry-standard ML10. The 10X increase in bandwidth improves capture of detailed data about small high frequency movements. Enhanced versions of Renishaw software (LaserXL™ and QuickviewXL™) present data in easy-to-use style.
The new XL-80 system is backward compatible with optics from Renishaw’s ML10 laser system, enabling thousands of current ML10 users to upgrade to the new system while retaining their investment in optics, procedures and staff training. A full range of optics allows highest precision interferometer determination of a machine’s linear, angular, flatness, straightness and squareness measurements to international checking standards.
As with the ML10, all measurements are based on the wavelength of a stabilized HeNe laser source, giving users traceability.
Advanced engineering reduces weight for the XL-80 laser unit and XC-80 compensator by 70% compared to the ML10. Combined weight is just over 3 kg, including connecting cables, power supply and sensors.
In turn, other system components — such as tripod and stage — have been downsized. The smallest “wheelie case” option is now just half the size of the original ML10 “Supercase,” but still carries a full linear and angular system, with available provision for a Renishaw QC10 ballbar kit. Weighing less than 17 kg, it offers portability to other laser systems for travel, especially by air.
The reduced dimensions of the laser head and stage allow mounting on an available magnetic base for applications where tripod mounting is not convenient. The same base height and optics dimensions as the ML10 allows the XL-80 to also be placed directly on the table (without tripod stage) for coordinate measuring machine (CMM) calibration.
Faster warm-up gives highest measurement productivity. This is especially important for calibration service providers and large manufacturing organizations needing to perform measurements on multiple machines, particularly on regularly scheduled predictive/preventive maintenance programs. A new multi-signal connector facility increases XL-80 flexibility. It provides a standard trigger signal-in (for data capture), an analog voltage-out facility, and an optional quadrature signal output. Connection to a PC is now via USB, so no separate interface is required.
High-Performance PXI Express DAQ With Integrated Signal Conditioning
June 1, 2010 by admin
Filed under Data Acquisition
National Instruments announced the company’s first data acquisition (DAQ) modules with integrated signal conditioning for scalable, high-performance measurements on PXI Express. The new NI SC Express family delivers increased accuracy, high data throughput and best-in-class synchronization for measuring strain gauges, bridge-based transducers, thermocouples and high-voltage analog inputs. PXI Express provides 250 MB/s of dedicated bandwidth for each SC Express module in the chassis, which helps engineers increase channel count without compromising sampling rates or data throughput. With a smaller footprint, simplified cable management and new software features for automatic synchronization, the SC Express modules make it easy for engineers to set up and program high-channel-count sensor measurement systems.
The NI PXIe-4330 24-bit simultaneous bridge input module offers 0.02 percent accuracy and 25 kS/s per channel sample rate for high-performance strain, load, force and torque measurements. The bridge input module achieves high accuracy with a ratiometric design where the ADC references the excitation voltage. This approach removes the measurement’s dependence on the stability and accuracy of the excitation voltage. In addition, unique delta-sigma ADCs provide both excellent AC performance as well as DC accuracy, while traditional delta-sigma ADCs only offer AC performance.
The NI PXIe-4330 bridge input module can perform quarter, half and full bridge-based measurements with automatic synchronization features. The included driver software ensures tight synchronization across multiple modules and chassis with inter-channel skews as low as 5 ppb. The 8-channel bridge input module can scale to a 136-channel system in a single chassis and thousands of channels when synchronizing across multiple chassis. The high-accuracy, simultaneity and synchronization features make the NI PXIe-4330 module ideal for high-channel-count structural test applications, such as wind tunnels, bridge monitoring and crash tests.
With the NI PXIe-4353 thermocouple module, engineers can measure temperatures with 0.30 degrees C accuracy on 32 channels. The isothermal terminal block minimizes error with a unique design that optimizes thermal conductivity, making it possible for the nearby cold-junction compensation (CJC) thermistors to accurately measure at the thermocouple junctions. The 32-channel thermocouple module can scale to a 544-channel system in a single chassis and thousands of channels when synchronizing across multiple chassis. The increased accuracy and scalable platform make the NI PXIe-4353 module well-suited for precision measurements from a single channel to large systems for applications such as fuel cell testing and monitoring thermal chambers.
The NI PXIe-4300 high-voltage isolated analog input module is the first analog input module from National Instruments that can measure up to 300 V with simultaneous sampling. With a 16-bit ADC per channel and a 250 kS/s per channel sampling rate, the NI PXIe-4300 module can stream 4 MB/s per module and 68 MB/s in a single chassis. This 8-channel analog input module can scale to a 136-channel system in a single chassis and thousands of channels when synchronizing across multiple chassis. The ability to measure 300 V with CAT II channel-to-channel isolation makes the NI PXIe-4300 module ideal for automotive testing, such as fuel cell and battery tests.
The new SC Express modules include NI-DAQmx driver software and support for multi-device tasks, a new feature of NI-DAQmx that helps engineers easily synchronize multiple modules. The same code that acquires data from one module can synchronize up to 17 modules in a chassis. The modules work with a variety of NI hardware including NI X Series, dynamic signal acquisition (DSA) and NI SCXI products, and more than 1,500 types of I/O available on the PXI platform. The new modules also integrate with NI software including NI LabVIEW and the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, NI-Sync and NI DIAdem.
Model 4400 Series Disposable Medical Temperature Probes for Continuous Patient Monitoring
May 27, 2010 by kremington
Filed under Data Acquisition, Meters & Testers, Sensing, Test Equipment
Measurement Specialties introduces the 4400 Series family of disposable medical temperature probes for continuous patient monitoring applications. These sterile, single-use temperature probes are available in multiple styles, each individually packaged in a sterile pouch with a 3-year shelf-life. FDA registered and CE/MDD marked for global sales, the 4400 Series include multi-language instructions for use and product labeling. They are for many patient monitoring applications including esophageal temperature measurement (4491, 4492), rectal temperature monitoring (4491, 4492), skin temperature monitoring (4499 with “tempheart”), esophageal temperature and monitoring heart sounds (4412, 4418, 4424) and urinary drainage and bladder temperature (4464, 4466, 4468) and more.
Molex style connector system is standard. A reusable adaptor cable (4940) provides connection to instruments utilizing ϔ phone plugs. All models feature 400-series nominal resistance response curve. The model 4400 is interchangeable +/- 0.1°C, 25°C to 45°C per EN 12470. Probe lengths vary from 15.6 inches (395 mm) to 36 inches (914 mm) with diameters from 3 mm 8 mm.
