Data Acquisition System

Vishay Precision Group has announced that its Micro-Measurements brand has introduced a new data acquisition system featuring a scanner with eight software-configurable input channels with RJ-45 connectors. The System 8000 StrainSmart® Data Acquisition System can accept signals from strain gages or strain-gage-based transducers, thermocouples, or high-level voltage sensors. Strain gage channels support full-, half-, or quarter-bridge configurations, and offer built-in precision completion for 120 Ω, 350 Ω, and 1000 Ω bridges.

The System 8000 is intended for static and dynamic test and measurement applications. System scanners may operate independently, or up to 16 scanners can be used concurrently for a maximum of 128 channels. Each channel's data is processed in a modern 24-bit digital signal processor, and filtering is performed using finite impulse response (FIR) multi-stage filters. This provides excellent noise rejection, stability, and unsurpassed measurement accuracy. Sampling rates are 1000, 500, 200, 100, and 10 samples/second.

All channels in the system are sampled simultaneously. Each of the 24-bit analog-to-digital converters over-samples data at a rate of 128k samples/second and provides high-quality, low-noise data (without the need for signal averaging) at rates up to 1000 samples/second/channel.

The scanner communicates with a host PC running over an IEEE-802.3u 100Base-TX or an IEEE-802.3 10Base-T Ethernet network. Micro-Measurements StrainSmart software, available separately, is optimal for configuring, controlling, and acquiring data from the System 8000. The system also includes a Programmer's Reference Kit, which provides documentation, programming examples, and instrument drivers to assist with custom software development.

An optional system voltage calibration card gives users the ability to perform a system-level calibration of the entire measurement circuit without the need to return the System 8000 to the manufacturer or metrology lab. The card allows the system to be calibrated (gain and offset of each channel) under actual operating conditions, thereby minimizing errors due to environmental conditions.

The System 8000's scanner offers compact dimensions of 10.2 in. by 11 in. by 1.7 in. (260 mm by 280 mm by 44 mm). Its aluminum-alloy enclosure provides superior strength and durability, and minimizes RF emissions and susceptibility. A rack-mount kit is also available.