Editor’s choice How to trust your measurements
Piezoelectric transducer-based measurements are a mainstay within modern engineering – but how can you trust the measurements are correct?
SC4603 is a three-channel signal conditioner and transducer power supply making it ideal for multiple independent channels or with tri-axial accelerometers. The device has been designed to support systems built around integrated electronic piezoelectric (IEPE) transducers and can also work alongside piezoelectric type (PE) transducers when used with a remote charge converter. Powering IEPE sensors is seamlessly handled with a 4mA power
supply given to all connected transducers with a compliance voltage of 24V. The SC4603 was designed to support a host of available sensors and implements a clear and convenient control interface. Multiple gain stages are selectable alongside a 30KHz 2nd order low pass filter,
each can be independently controlled making this device a valuable tool in any engineer’s arsenal looking to design, build, or service an IEPE transducer system. Incredibly low signal distortion was a key technical criterion when
specifying this product. With less than one per cent harmonic distortion on all signals between 20Hz - 30KHz at input voltages within the range of 100mV to 10V pk, you can guarantee that true representations of any sensor outputs you choose will be faithfully monitored by this device. Each channel features a status LED which assists an engineer in making
sure their chosen transducer is accurately working at the correct bias point. It can indicate fault conditions instantaneously. Open and short circuit connections are always identified allowing users to evaluate their cables are operating correctly and transducers are working as specified. The low impedance outputs of the device are in series with a DC
blocking capacitor meaning bias voltages generated for correct transducer implementation will not affect measurements. The SC4603 has ultra-low noise, less than 20µV referenced to its input.
TesTing space communicaTions
The National School of Electronics, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Mathematics and Mechanics (ENSEIRB-MATMECA) at Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux (Bordeaux INP) has used a Tektronix RSA5000B spectrum analyser to prove its base station can communicate with orbiting nanosatellites. ENSEIRB-MATMECA prides
itself on being a public engineering school and trains engineers with strong scientific and technical skills and readies them to face major challenges in the digital world. The school conducted a series of experiments that used the LoRa Internet of Things (IoT) protocol to send and receive signals to and from a stratospheric balloon. The project leaders are
Anthony Ghiotto and Guillaume Ferré, both associate professors at Bordeaux INP ENSEIRB- MATMECA, and pursuing their
research at the IMS Research Centre. They comment, “The balloon project was designed to prove that our base station and protocol could communicate with the nanosatellites properly and that the signals were being received. This was important as we may need to reconfigure the satellite and bring data back down to Earth”. The Tektronix RSA5000
spectrum analyser was chosen for its ability to provide signals in real-time, allowing both associate professors and their students to discover the location of any issues and which flight direction would be affected. “Short time duration signals
couldn’t be measured with conventional spectrums,” says Ghiotto. “Conventional equipment could not be used to analyse such non-periodic signals. Tektronix equipment analyses the strengths of signals, which helps analyse the distance and check
the flight path of the balloon, which could then be correlated with GPS data – other equipment could not offer this.” The project team also used the
analyser to ensure the chosen frequency was free and there would be no interference from other signals that could compromise the project. The first balloon experiment
achieved signals over 200km, while, in theory, the signals can reach over 700km. An updated system is planned that will receive images in real-time. The
project team also plans to share information with schools to show pupils what they are doing and help with their studies of metrology. The first nanosatellite that the
school will communicate with was launched in early May 2021. “We are currently finishing our base station in readiness to communicate with it,” says Ghiotto, “And the Tektronix analyser will continue to be of great help in this.”
Tektronix
uk.tek.com With all channels referenced to the same signal ground multiple sensor
applications now have a serviceable solution to monitor and relay their signals to any data acquisitions system. Featuring standardised BNC sockets located neatly on the front panel, the
SC4603 is the perfect tool for factory, field, and bench measurement systems. Any system is only as good as its weakest link. So, whether you are
looking to implement a condition monitoring system or evaluate a new product for vibration sensitivity, the SC4603 is by far the most intuitive and robust product on the market and will soon become the cornerstone of your measurement set-up.
KDP Electronic Systems
www.kdpes.co.uk
12
September 2021 Instrumentation Monthly
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