| |
|
Application Centre
The following application notes are designed as examples only, to demonstrate the functionality of ChronoLogic’s USB-inSync™ products. Due to the user-friendly, distributed and highly customisable nature of USB/PC-based instrumentation solutions, users can configure ChronoLogic’s products in an unlimited number of ways to meet their specific requirements.
|
| |
 |
| |
Application #1 - Synchronously measure distributed inputs and outputs using a virtual/synthetic instrument
Customer Requirement:
We want to introduce mechanical disturbance in an aircraft wing and measure the phase and timing of the resulting vibrations accurately.
Wiring all the transducers back to a central acquisition point would introduce an uncertainty in the timing of the measurement, due to cable propagation delay (as much as 100 nanoseconds for a distance of 20m), as well as noise and signal loss due to the distance. Using separate acquisition units mounted close to the transducers removes the propagation delay, but introduces the problem of synchronizing the acquisition units.
ChronoLogic Solution:
Use ChronoLogic USB-inSync™ modules for the data acquisition and the introduction of mechanical disturbance. The data acquisition (“DAQ2500X”) and triggering (“Legato-UTD”) modules can be mounted close to the transducers, and patented USB-inSync™ technology allows all stimulus and trigger signals to be synchronized across the entire test setup and the data will be time-stamped and acquired synchronously. By using a ChronoLogic “Maestro Master Hub” the user can synchronize all modules to within ±2 nanoseconds regardless of their location. In addition, any trigger signals provided by the ChronoLogic modules can be time referenced to the acquired data. All inputs and outputs can be configured using ChronoLogic’s Control Center software (supplied free with all ChronoLogic modules).
The result is synchronous test data that allows the test engineer to cross-reference the introduction of mechanical disturbance with the resulting vibrations in the aircraft wing.
click diagram thumbnail to view larger
top
|
| |
|
| |
Application #2 – Synchronously detect signals over a widely distributed area
Customer Requirement:
We need to detect and timestamp pulses using multiple sensors in a widely distributed configuration. The timing of the pulses needs to be accurate to 10 ns.
ChronoLogic Solution:
Use ChronoLogic “Legato-UTD” modules together with “Sonda Signal Conditioning Units”. Using Sonda units on the Legato inputs/outputs extends the range of the setup to a radius of 100m while still maintaining accuracy to the nanosecond level, and maintaining signal quality and low noise.
Using ChronoLogic’s Control Center software (supplied free with all ChronoLogic modules), configure the Legato to detect pulses from multiple sensors on the device under test (D.U.T.). Use the Legato to measure the cable propagation time between the Legato and the Sonda units (due to the different cable lengths). This cable delay will then be compensated for as the Legato detects and timestamps the pulses from the multiple sensors. The Sonda units provide a number of advantages in this setup, as they regenerate the signal, provide noise immunity via differential signaling and also isolation if required.
This results in synchronous measurement of the widely distributed input pulses using a test setup that can be easily re-configured and customised, and provides high signal quality and low noise.
click diagram thumbnail to view larger
top
|
| |
|
| |
Application #3: Synchronously trigger & monitor multiple lasers
Customer Requirement:
We have a pump/probe laser experiment and want to trigger multiple laser pulses to combine in a vacuum chamber and monitor the system synchronously. The lasers are located in several laboratories adjacent to the main interaction chamber and need to be synchronized to a few nanoseconds accuracy.
ChronoLogic Solution:
Using a ChronoLogic “Maestro GS-22 Master Hub”, distribute ChronoLogic “Legato-UTD” devices in each laboratory and configure them (using ChronoLogic’s Control Center Software, supplied free with all ChronoLogic modules) to synchronously control the various lasers. The Maestro Master Hub ensures that all USB-inSync™ modules are synchronized to within ±2 nanoseconds regardless of their location. ChronoLogic Legato devices are also used to gate detectors synchronously with the laser sources to reduce noise while the ChronoLogic “DAQ-2500X” synchronously records data.
The result is a cost-effective, user friendly, and customisable test setup that synchronously triggers and monitors the laser experiment across a multi-laboratory, distributed environment.
click diagram thumbnail to view larger
top
|
| |
|
| |
Application #4 (Proposed): Synchronize sensors & equipment across a ship (GPS / IRIG Time code software in development)
Customer Requirement:
A military ship needs to have IRIG (Inter-Range Instrumentation Group) timing code signals distributed around the vessel to ensure that sensors and equipment are synchronized.
ChronoLogic Solution:
Use a GPS receiver attached to a ChronoLogic “Maestro GS-22 Master Hub” to lock the USB-inSync™ time base to GPS time. Use “Legato-UTD” devices and “Sonda Signal Conditioning Units” to distributed IRIG time codes across hundreds of metres of Cat5 or Cat6 wiring. The Legato device generates IRIG codes in its outputs and has the ability to measure and compensate for cable propagation delay around the ship. In this way, IRIG time codes arrive at each Sonda unit (connected to sensors and equipment) at exactly the right GPS referred time regardless of the length of cables used around the ship.
The result is deterministic distribution of IRIG timing signals across cables of various lengths (up to 100m) around a military vessel, ensuring the synchronization of equipment and sensors.
click diagram thumbnail to view larger
top
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
