Test and Measurement Tips

8-bit Microcontroller With 128 KB Flash Memory In 28-Pin Package

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:33:34 +0000

Microchip Technology Inc. announced the PIC18F47J13-the industry’s first 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) to feature 128 KB Flash program memory in a 28-pin package. Also available in a 44-pin package, the PIC18F47J13 MCU features XLP technology for eXtreme Low Power consumption and mTouch(TM) capability for implementing capacitive touch sensing user interfaces. Additionally, an on-chip 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) delivers the accuracy required for many advanced sensor, instrumentation and measurement applications.

Many of today’s applications must consume very little power to extend battery life and reduce electricity demands. The PIC18F47J13 MCU’s combination of high memory density and low power in small-footprint packages keeps power budgets and bill-of-material costs low. These features enable low-power, battery-controlled applications such as security systems, irrigation systems, remote controls, video-game controllers, wireless sensor networks and portable medical devices.

The PIC18F47J13 MCU is supported by the PIC18 Explorer Board (part # DM183032, $99.99) and PIC18F47J13 Plug-In Module (part # MA180030, $25). Additionally, designers can use Microchip’s complete suite of standard development tools with the new MCUs, including the user-friendly and free MPLAB® IDE and corresponding suite of emulators, programmers and development boards, along with the MPLAB C or HI-TECH C® compiler for PIC18 MCUs.

www.microchip.com

Signal Level Meter for CATV Signal Measurement

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:28:50 +0000

GAO Instrumentsrolled out its super signal level meter used in the CATV industry. This super level meter measures and displays the amplitude at a specific frequency or any carrier defined by the user. This super signal level meter tests analogue channels, digital channels (QAM) and FM channels efficiently and effectively. It also performs C/N measurement, voltmeter functions, spectrum analysis, auto testing, data logging and return path measurements.

This super signal level meter, model A0500003, operates within a broad frequency range of 45MHz to 870MHz or 5MHz to 870MHz. The peak-hold level measurement function in the LEVEL and SPECTRUM modes enables the meter to detect the occasional disturbance. The meter features a compact size, automatic timing measurements and quick charging. It is an ideal and invaluable tool for CATV signal testing.

www.gaoinstruments.com

Instrument Measures Flow Rate Of Electrically Conductive Liquids

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:49:51 +0000

Krohne will announce its innovative compact flow solution for full or open channel pipe featuring both the Tidalflux 4300 and Waterflux 3070 from Krohne’s tried and true line of electromagnetic flow meters.

The new Tidalflux 4300 is used to measure the volumetric flow rate of electrically conductive liquids in partially filled pipelines, which offers unsurpassed accuracy for wastewater measurement. The Tidalflux 4300 is combined with a capacitive flow-level measuring system, built into the wall of the measuring tube, providing accurate flow measurements in partially filled pipelines, with levels between 10 and 100% of the pipe cross-section. Its precise factory calibration ensures a level of measurement accuracy never before possible in partially filled pipelines. Featuring excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, the flowmeter’s steady display of measured values is achieved regardless of rough product surfaces and distorted flow profiles. Tidalflux 4300 provides a measuring error of <1% of the measured value, ensuring exact measurements with a low time constant even in cases of wave motion and heavy contamination.

For line sizes 1 to 24 inch, the Waterflux 3070’s 15 year battery life makes it ideally suited as an alternative to mechanical water meters where no power is available. The device also has the option of a GSM module for remote transmission of measurement data and status information. The Waterflux 3070 offers the user several unique benefits. Thanks to extremely short inlet and outlet installation requirements, the Waterflux 3070 can be installed in very narrow wells and chambers. As a magnetic-inductive meter it is highly accurate and stable, while also featuring a lower pressure drop than comparable mechanical water meters. For large diameters, the Waterflux3070 has a significant price advantage compared to the lifetime cost of mechanical meters which often require filters and rectifiers as well as significantly more maintenance and cleaning.

www.krohne.com

T1 BER Tester Performs At Rates From 50b/s to 2048kb/s

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:19:26 +0000

GAO Comm has announced the release of its newly developed T1 BER tester which is an invaluable tool for routine maintenance, repair and operation monitoring for communication systems. This T1 BER Tester incorporates a special remote monitoring function, which enables the user to perform convenient real time monitoring through its software running in Windows environment.

This T1 BER tester performs 2M online monitoring and error code testing at rates from 50b/s to 2048kb/s. It supported interfaces include G.703, V.24/RS232, V.35, V.36/RS449, X.21, EIA – 530/530A and RS485/RS422. The tester capabilities include E1/T1 BER testing, NX64K BER testing, histogram analysis, E1 jitter measurement, pulse mask measurement, and ITU-T G.821, G.826, M.2100 measurement. It features propagation delay and error injection/ alarm generation. This T1 BER tester can view received data/FAS/MFAS words and send frame words including Sa bit. It is equipped with a large back lit LCD screen and stores test results and configurations into its 256kb RAM memory. Its firmware is upgradable via RS232 interface.

www.gaocomm.com

Battery & System Tester Incorporates Thermal Printer

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:11:20 +0000

Clore Automotive introduces Model No. BA327, a digital battery and system tester with integrated printer, from SOLAR. This model offers a complete testing solution for 6 and 12 Volt batteries and 12 and 24 Volt charging systems. Compatible with a wide variety of battery types, it features easy, intuitive operation with quick, accurate assessment of battery condition and starting and charging system performance.

Testing is quick and easy and allows the operator to perform either a battery test, system test or both from the home screen. The tester walks through the test sequence, prompting for key pieces of information and guiding the operator from one step to the next. It will test 6 and 12 Volt batteries with an operating range of 40-2000 CCA and will provide an analysis of 12 and 24 Volt starting and charging systems. The BA327 is compatible with many different types of batteries, including Conventional, Maintenance Free, AGM, Gel Cell, and Marine Starting Deep Cycle batteries.

Its integrated printer provides easy service documentation, printing out clear and accurate readings in just seconds. The printer uses standard thermal paper that is readily available at any office supply store. In addition, the printing stage can be easily bypassed if a printout is not necessary. The tester features a counter to track the number of battery and system tests performed so shops can track tester usage.

The tester assigns a unique code for each battery test performed for warranty or service documentation. It also incorporates a number of features that improve convenience during testing, including reverse polarity protection, extra-long cable leads reaching 10′ and a rugged case for safe, secure storage.

www.cloreautomotive.com

Scanner System Integrates Multiple Point Measurement Data

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:49:28 +0000

BinMaster® Level Controls introduced the MVL multiple scanner system that integrates multiple point measurement data from two 3DLevelScanners to cover a very wide surface area and provide better inventory accuracy for large vessels than any other level measurement device. Designed specifically for the challenges of very large bins, the BinMaster MVL system displays a visual representation of the material surface that shows high and low points in the bin such as cone up, cone down, sidewall buildup or bridging. Reports generated by the 3D software provide data such as volume as a percentage, in bushels, or cubic feet or meters; maximum, minimum and average levels or distances to product; weight in US tons, pounds or metric tons; and historical logs of bin measurements.

An MVL system consists of two model MVL 3DLevelScanners, a controller that aggregates the data, 3D Vision software to be loaded onto a PC, and a 3DLinkPro modem for remote access to the scanners. The BinMaster MVL system works by integrating the measurement data from two scanners mounted on the top of the vessel in locations optimized to most effectively cover the entire surface area of the material. Generally, one scanner is mounted near the center and the other eight to ten feet from the outer perimeter. The scanners take multiple measurements of the material surface using dust-penetrating, acoustic-based technology. A controller then combines the data from the two scanners and generates a single merged visual representation of the topography of the material and displays the image on a PC loaded with the 3D Vision software that can be viewed as real-time 3D images or historic 3D image movies.

www.binmaster.com

Wireless Air Quality Measurement Tool Uses Infrared For Accuracy

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:08:25 +0000

The Eltek GD47 is a self contained transmitter for air quality measurements. It collects temperature, humidity and CO2 measurements and sends them wirelessly to a receiver for storage, display and alarming. The GD47 has an LCD to provide local real-time display of measured values. It uses a self calibration NDIR (infrared) sensor for accurate CO2 measurements in the range of 0-5000 ppm. The GD47 is powered by an external 12V supply with an internal NiMH back-up battery that can provide up to 100 hours of operation. The GD47 is one of more than two dozen models of transmitters with versions for temperature, humidity, voltage, current, state/pulse, light and air pressure.

Measured data is transmitted via a proprietary wireless link to one of several receivers:

o RX250AL – Wireless receiver with local storage for up to 250,000 readings and alarm output

o RC250 – Wireless receiver with serial data output for connection to a computer

o WSR – Wireless receiver with analog output

Depending on the transmitter frequency and environment, the typical wireless range can be several hundred feet to almost a mile. Repeaters are available to extend the range.

www.dataloggerinc.com

PCM Channel Analyzer Features Multiple Operations

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:54:01 +0000

GAO Instruments has rolled out its PCM channel analyzer designed to measure PCM voice encoding or decoding characteristics. It is commonly used to analyze PCM devices, digital switches, carrier wave communication devices and VoIP devices. The portable PCM channel analyzer features touch operation, key-stroke operation, expanded mouse operation, flexible control modes and a convenient Windows style GUI. It also measures return loss, longitudinal conversion loss and longitudinal conversion transfer loss.

GAO Instruments’ PCM channel analyzer, model 2038, incorporates an analog signal generator/receiver, a selective level meter, a BER tester, a ring generator/identifier, a dialer, a DC loop circuit (ICT, OGT), a balanced bridge and a reflecting bridge into a single instrument. It supports equal step sequence of frequency spots or customized spots where the number of spots is selectable. The high performance PCM channel analyzer stores up to 100 groups of data, compares the measured results with built-in standard ITU-T tolerance masks and evaluates whether the results passed or failed. Users can develop and design voice channel measurement/control systems under various conditions by using remote control via USB or Ethernet interface. Test results can be uploaded to a computer where they can be further viewed, analyzed, assembled, filed and printed via included Test Manager Pro software; the embedded software is upgradable online.

www.gaoinstruments.com

Pressure Measurement Tools In Railway Applications

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:35:49 +0000

Reliable pressure measurement is essential in railway vehicles – especially in the various brake systems. However, the monitoring of pressure is also relevant for other transportation applications such as pantographs, cooling systems of power units, air conditions or dampers. Due to the vibrations during the operation, the pressure measuring devices have to be extremely robust. Baumer offers a wide range of measuring instruments which meet the standards for railway applications and have been homologated by numerous railway vehicles manufacturers.

Challenges for Measuring Instruments in Railway Applications
In order to be approved for the use in railway vehicles, measurement devices have to fulfil all important standards for railway applications: DIN EN 50155 (for electronic equipment used on rolling stock), DIN EN 61373 (tests regarding shocks and vibrations), DIN EN 50121-3-2 (electromagnetic compatibility) as well as the fire and smoke preventions specifications NF F 16-101 and NF F 16-102. All of Baumer’s measuring instruments for railway applications are developed according to those standards. If developed especially for a certain manufacturer, the product design also considers customers’ specifications. The creation of a compliance matrix guarantees that the customers’ requirements are fulfilled during the product development. At the end of the first production run, the customer’s quality management carries out a First Article Inspection (FAI), which has to be successful in order to continue with the production. This type test includes a series of tests ensuring that the products meet the usual standards for railway applications as well as the customer-specific requirements. The test series include a voltage analysis, several pressure load cycles, the operation at high temperatures and tests with shocks and vibrations. The accuracy respectively the total error band is checked within a defined temperature range. During long-term tests, a certain number of sensors have to be operated at a high temperature for 10.000 hours.

With the EF6, Baumer has developed a pressure transmitter suitable especially for the severe conditions in transport applications. In order to achieve the homologation of different manufacturers of railway vehicles and suppliers, the sensor had to pass through numerous test series, for example for accuracy. In order to meet the standard EN 60770-1, the total error band must not be be higher than 0.5% in a temperature range between -20°C and 60°C, and 1% in a range between -40°C and 80°C. Other tests – some of them taking up to twelve months time – exam the robustness, long-term stability and thermal resistance, the degree of self-heating, overpressure stability, burst pressure and leak tightness.

Application Examples
The EF6 controls the brake system pressure of several high speed trains. It is especially suitable for railway applications in which the pressure sensors are submitted to many pressure cycles. This happens in hydraulic and pneumatic brake controls or in cooling circuits. The transmitter is also used in high voltage areas. In several types of locomotives, the EF6 controls the pressure of the pantograph (a device collecting electric current with up to 2.500 Ampere from overhead lines) on the power supply line. The output signal is transmitted to a microcontroller for the pressure regulation.

The EF6, protected by a stainless steel case, is available with a piezoresisitive or a capacitive ceramic sensor. The measuring range can be chosen individually according to customer needs between -1…100 mbar and 0…200 bar. The response time is less than 15ms. With a MTTF (mean time to failures) of 10 million hours, the EF6 has en excellent long-term stability. Due to its high reliability, the device can also be used in harsh transportation applications like tank and fire trucks or underground construction vehicles.

The pressure control in pantographs can also be carried out by the pressure gauge MEX3 with a Bourdon tube. It measures a pressure range between 0 and 250 bar with an accuracy class of 1.6. For heavy duty applications, Baumer offers the MEX3 in a particularly robust version, where the device made of stainless steel is mounted in an aluminium housing equipped with a polycarbonate window. In that reinforced version, the MEX3 controls the pressure in hydraulic parking brakes in trains.

The MFE series was also developed especially for railway applications. The pressure gauge is mainly used for on-board applications. Offered as simple or duplex gauge, each measuring channel can measure from 0…6 bar gauge up to 0…16 bar gauge. The measuring device is mounted in an aluminium case and available with 80, 100 or 150 mm diameter. Due to the dial illumination (internal or external), the visibility in the cab is excellent. The internal backlight works with a power supply from 24V to 130V (AC or DC). The MFE3 version with a two-coloured dial is used to control the brake or suspension systems of the bogies.

The pressure switch CPX was developed for a temperature range from
-40 °C up to 150 °C. The compact, cost-effective device is applied particularly in the cooling system of power control systems (thyristors) as well as in tramway braking systems. Its pressure range lies between 0 and 160 bar. The measuring instrument can be adapted to customers’ specifications, as it happened in a version for an increased operating voltage of up to 130V.

www.baumerprocess.com

USB DAQ Box Offers Galvanic Isolation Of Input Signals

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:38:41 +0000

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.