Data Acquisition (DAQ) systems

Over the last 15 years, WinSoft has designed and built complex Data Acquisition (DAQ) Systems.

During 2008 WinSoft was selected by NASA to deliver 5 DAQ systems (valued at $1M) for the support of a Structural Strength Branch which provides a mobile, self-contained structural strength test data acquisition system.

The challenge
Design a system that would measure hundreds of signals while providing a modular software and hardware test environment.  All testers need to function as a huge Data Acquisition System (DAS) which collects real time data during Structural Stress Test of the space shuttle components. The tester needs to be designed in such a way that it would support the layout and shape of legacy I/O panel with over 300 circular connectors.

The solution
WinSoft used a combination of NI hardware and WinSoft custom design PCB for Calibration and Synchronization. The PCB was housed inside a NI SCXI-1181K, Module Components Kit.

The DAS main components are:

  • PXI-1050 PXI/SCXI split chassis 8 PXI 4 SCXI
  • SCXI-1001 12 Slot Chassis US 120 VAC
  • PXI-8105 Dual Core 2.0 GHz Embedded Controller with MicroSoft XP
  • PXI-6289 A to D
  • PXI-4071 Voltmeter
  • SCXI-1520  8 Channel Strain/Bridge Module
  • SCXI-1502  32 Channel TC amplifier - Section 5(g) for further details
  • SCXI-1126  8 Channel Isolated Freq Input Module
  • SCXI-1349 End of multi-chassis chain adapter
  • SCXI-1346 Multi-chassis adapter
  • TC-2095 32 Channel TC connector
  • SCXI-1305 BNC Terminal Block

Real Time, FPGA & PID DAQ System

The Real Time, FPGA and PID Data Acquisition Test System can be tailored around your needs; One of the latest configurations delivered, monitors up to 320 temperature sensors of various types, provide real-time control of up to 96 heaters based on any of those temperature readings, display and store (into SQL database) all acquired temperature sensor, heater, and control loop status information, and perform self-test and validation functions. 

The Tester is built around National Instruments hardware and software. The system is comprised of a Real-Time PXI terminal for data acquisition and control, and a host PC for data storage and display. The system takes advantage of an R Series Intelligent DAQ module along with LabVIEW FPGA to provide individual PWM control of heater power.  LabVIEW Real-Time is used along with a PID Toolkit to implement the heater control algorithm.

Several PXI multiplexer modules route the sensor inputs to a PXI DMM module in order to provide high-speed acquisition of all the various sensor types.  M Series Multifunction DAQ modules were used to provide additional measurement and control functions.  By utilizing National Instruments hardware along with LabVIEW, WinSoft was able to deliver a high-channel-count system that fits in a compact space.

For NI based Test Systems and DAQ or DAS please refer to National Instruments website

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