DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS FOR AUDIO-FREQUENCY, MECHANICAL-TESTING APPLICATIONS — RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 2001 —

Abstract

The objective of any data acquisition system is to make accurate measurements of physical phenomena. Many of the phenomena to be characterized contain data that is in the audio-frequency range between 0 and 50,000 Hertz. Examples include structural vibration, wind-tunnel measurements, turbine engines and acoustics in air and water. These tests often require a large number of channels and may be very expensive. In some cases, there may be only one opportunity to acquire the data. This paper describes a testing/measurement philosophy and the use of advances in available hardware/software systems to implement the requirements. Primary emphasis is on robustness (assurance that critical data is properly recorded), measurement/characterization of unexpected results (generated by accidents or unexpected behavior), and test safety (for both the test article and the facility). Finally, a data acquisition system that encompasses the features discussed is described.