Spectra-node ‘Precision’ Data Acquisition from Systems

 

·       Precision 16 bit measurement

·       In-built transducer conditioning

·       Comprehensive strain gauge support

·       Comprehensive thermocouple support

·       Sophisticated autocalibration process

·       High electrical noise immunity

·       ETHERNET network connectivity

·       Spectra-net application software

·       File Transfer and DDE links to spreadsheets

 

 

 

 

Overview

 

The ‘precision’ variant of Spectra-node shares many common components with its industrial counterpart, but is configured with our extensive range of Spectra-ms measurement and general I/O modules to provide a flexible and comprehensive solution to many of today’s test and research data acquisition requirements. It is widely used in those applications where the primary requirement is to energise, condition and measure different transducer types reliably and accurately.

 

The system is equipped with an embedded processor module with Ethernet connectivity to allow the connection of multiple PC hosts to one or more Spectra-nodes.  For most test and research applications Spectra-net software provides the ideal means for users to set up and control the measurement process, however DLL’s and LabVIEW VI’s are available for bespoke application development.

 

Spectra-node offers precision measurement

 

Spectra-node ‘precision’ is commonly used for precision measurement of transducers such as strain gauges and thermocouples that by their very nature develop low level signals which can often be effected by extraneous mains related or other electrical noise.

 

The system is highly capable of reducing the effects of electrical noise by virtue of a number of key design features. The system uses a floating measurement system together with a 16 bit ultra high resolution ADC, while Intercole’s Digital Signal Integration and Mains Tracking techniques minimise the effects of incoming noise. In addition a sophisticated on-board calibration processes ensure stable and accurate measurement performance with respect to temperature and time.

 

Transducer Conditioning

 

Comprehensive in-built facilities are available for the management and conditioning of many transducer types.

 

For resistive transducers, constant current pulsed energising overcomes losses in interconnection cables and heat dissipation within the transducer. For strain gauges in particular this energising technique allows bridge configurations to be hardware balanced, conditioned and measured with the utmost accuracy and reliability.

 

For thermocouples, a special isothermal  termination module provides facilities for junction compensation while minimising errors due to temperature gradients

 

In addition, resistance thermometers, pressure, load, displacement, voltage, current and frequency data can also be acquired by Spectra-node.