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SIGnal Workbench

Flexible, programmable signal conditioning and fault insertion solutions

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What is SIGnal Workbench?

Concurrent’s family of SIGnal Workbench products provides flexible, programmable signal conditioning solutions for a wide range of automotive, aerospace and data acquisition applications. SIGnal Workbench is ideal for hardware-inthe-loop test stands and dynamic data processing and monitoring systems for engines and rotating machinery.

SIGnal Workbench is a complete solution that can provide everything needed for high-cycle testing: realtime computer system, data acquisition I/O cards, programmable signal conditioning, cabling and powerful GUI test software for data acquisition control, management, display and post-test analysis. Together with Concurrent’s SIMulation Workbench modeling software, SIGnal Workbench offers a powerful solution for ECU and other subsystem testing that require fault insertion. SIGnal Workbench’s programmable signal conditioning hardware is available separately with a control API for real-time applications that require analog input conditioning.

A Signal Workbench system

Non-Programmable Signal Conditioning Modules

The SIGnal Workbench non-programmable signal conditioning (NPSC) line of low cost-per-channel signal conditioners is designed for automotive, aerospace and general purpose industrial applications. Low power modules support sixteen channels. High power modules support eight channels. The modules can be DIN rail mounted for small channel count systems or installed in a compatible 3U 21-slot DIN chassis. Optionally, up to four NPSC modules can be installed in a 1U rack mount chassis via special quotation.

Many applications do not require fault insertion and utilize dedicated conditioning requirements for each channel that are rarely changed. The non-programmable conditioners save the expense of a chassis controller and backplane as well as the software products that are required for programmable conditioners. The NPSC modules are configured using jumpers to set gain or voltage level parameters per channel.

Catalog

The CQ9500TR-08 Conditioning Module features 32 galvanically isolated transformer channels and is intended to interface to AC signal applications requiring isolation such as LVDT, RVDT, synchro and resolver position sensors and simulators. For simulation applications, the module is intended to support eight excitation input channels and 16 output channels providing for eight dual output feedback channels; Va/Vb or sin/cos. The signal path is reversed for position sensing applications. All external channels are differential. The input channels can reference a common ground in order to function with single ended analog I/O channels. The outputs can be connected together to work in two, three or four wire configurations.

The signal conditioner can be used as a 32-channel input, 32-channel output, or any combination of inputs and outputs up to 32. The default configuration for the transformer signal conditioner is 16 input channels and 16 output channels. This configuration will support 16 2-wire LVDT channels.

Features:

  • ±20V differential input (low side inputs can be tied together for single ended operation)
  • ±20V differential output
  • 10k Ohm impedance on the primary and secondary
  • Jumper selectable center tap on the primary and secondary windings
  • Galvanic isolation between inputs and outputs and individual channels
  • Transformer coil taps for doubling or halving input or output voltages
  • Bypassable filter capacitors to eliminate DC offset
  • 16 transformers can be bypassed for 8 input and output channels for direct / DC values or offset are desired
  • Operating Temperature: -20C° to 85C°
  • Frequency Response: + 2.0 dB, at 300 Hz to 100K Hz (1 KHz Ref.)
  • Max power at 300Hz
  • Pri-Sec Hipot test (Pri-Sec): 1000 VRMS for 1 sec
  • External power supply not required.
  • DIN mount. Includes 6′ cable.

The Discrete Output Signal Conditioner takes a 0/3.3 volt or 0/5 volt single-ended logic input and outputs up to 0 / 40V or ±22 from common low/high power rails. The jumper selectable power rails provide a selection of +5V, +15V, -15V, GND from the default power supply. High-level external power rails V-A, V-B and low level external power rails G-A, G-B can be selected from additional power sources. V-A, V-B, G-A and G-B are isolated from signal and logic ground.

Features:

  • 16 output channels
  • Digital Input: 3.3 to 5 volts
  • Maximum output: 0V/40V or -20V/+20V (40V maximum swing)
  • Four available on-board output rails to select: GND, +5V, +15V and -15V
  • Four external output rails to select: V-A, V-B, G-A, and G-B
  • Up to 1 MHz switching speed
  • Outputs are rated at up to 64mA per channel.
  • SI8640 isolators are utilized between inputs and outputs to improve noise immunity and protect input from possible transients.
  • 0 to 100% duty cycle allows for high speed switching without sacrificing steady state stability.
  • Optional stackable expansion board adds 2 analog or discrete signals per channel selectable at output. Analog signals can be any voltage within the device limits of 0 to 40V or ±22

Prerequisite: 5V and +/- 15V power supply (CX-NPSC-PWR1)

The High power discrete output signal conditioner uses an isolated gate driver with 2 outputs to switch high side and low side power MOSFETS resulting in a high power, push pull output which is capable of sourcing or sinking voltages of up to 60V. The push pull configuration allows for switching speeds of up to 200kHz which high speed compared to most 60V capable devices. The high power discrete output signal conditioner is able to source or sink up to 1A continuous current with appropriately sized heat sinking options. The jumper selectable power rails provide a selection of +5V, +15V, -15V, GND from the default power supply. High level external power rails V-A, V-B and low level external power rails G-A, G-B can be selected from additional power sources. V-A, V-B, G-A and G-B are isolated from signal and logic ground.

Features:

  • 8 output channels
  • Output voltage up to 60V
  • Outputs are rated at up to 1A per channel with appropriate heat sinks.
  • Switches up to 200kHz
  • Output: 0V/60V or -30V/+30V
  • Four available on-board output rails to select: GND, +5V, +15V and -15V
  • Four external output rails to select: V-A, V-B, G-A, and G-B
  • 0 to 100% duty cycle
  • SI8640 isolators are utilized between inputs and outputs to improve noise immunity and protect input from possible transients

Prerequisite: 5V and +/- 15V power supply (CX-NPSC-PWR1)

The discrete input signal conditioner is a digital signal conditioning input board capable of converting a jumper configurable input voltage of 5V, 12V, 28V, or 60V into 5V logic level signal. Each of the 16 input channels can independently be configured for a 5V, 12V, 24/28V, or 60V input signal. Inputs are isolated from outputs providing protection and improved noise immunity. Each channel can be configured, via jumpers for either 5V logic level output, 15V output, or as a voltage sink capable of sinking a load of up to 30V, 15mA.

Features:

  • 16 input channels
  • Switching speeds of up to 2.5MHz.
  • Input voltage of 5V, 12V, 28V, or 60V
  • Output to 5V logic level signal
  • Input to output isolation
  • Channels can be utilized as 5V, 15V or Voltage sink Discrete Outputs, capable of sinking a load of up to 30V, 15mA.

Prerequisite: 5V and +/- 15V power supply (CX-NPSC-PWR1)

The analog output signal conditioner takes up to ±15V input and outputs up to 0 to 60V or ±30V. Jumper selectable gain options include gains of 1, 2, or 6. Each channel has jumper selectable configurations for inverting, noninverting, or differential outputs. Inputs can be single-ended or differential.

Features:

  • 16 output channels
  • Single ended or differential inputs
  • Jumper selection for inverted, non-inverted, or differential output
  • Up to ±15V input
  • Outputs Sink/Source up to 50mA per channel
  • 300kHz Bandwidth at unity gain, 50kHz full power bandwidth
  • Input can support analog or digital
  • Selectable output gain for up to 60V output

Prerequisite: 5V and +/- 15V power supply (CX-NPSC-PWR1)

The analog output signal conditioner takes up to ±60V input and has jumper selectable attenuations of 1, 2, or 6. Each channel has jumper selectable configurations for inverting, noninverting, or differential outputs. Inputs can be single-ended or differential.

Features:

  • 16 input channels
  • Single-ended or differential inputs
  • Jumper selection for inverted or non-inverted output
  • Up to ±60V input
  • Outputs Sink/Source up to 50mA per channel
  • Up to 300kHz Bandwidth
  • Input can support analog or digital
  • Jumper selectable attenuation of 1, 2, or 6

Prerequisite: 5V and +/- 15V power supply (CX-NPSC-PWR1)

Features

Fault Insertion Signal Conditioning For Automotive and Aerospace Testing

For automotive, aerospace and other test applications requiring fault insertion, Concurrent offers a standalone 4U rackmountable fault insertion signal conditioning chassis that contains all necessary power supplies and cooling provisions. Each chassis contains twenty 3U 220mm slots that can hold fault insertion and signal conditioning (FISC) cards . When a large number of FISC cards are required, special configurations can be provided using multiple 3U chassis stacked in a cabinet.

Concurrent offers a wide range of FIS cards that are designed for various automotive and aerospace custom test systems. Each card has either four or eight FIS signal lines, depending on the conditioning requirements for each card type. FIS cards include front mounted test points providing a breakout function for each signal. Concurrent engineers are available to deliver customized, rackmounted, test configurations to meet individual customer requirements.

Programmable Signal Conditioning for Data Acquisition

SIGnal Workbench features individually programmable signal conditioning modules that provide four channels of configurable transducer interface circuitry on a 3U eurocard. Mounted in a 4U chassis, each channel provides a programmable current voltage output source and a fault-protected programmable gain amplifier. Selecting the voltage source mode allows the module to be configured as a strain conditioner. All of the functionality required to condition signals from sensors that use 1⁄4, 1⁄2 or full bridge transducer configurations are supported in this mode.

SIGnal Workbench also offers 4U 4-channel thermocouple signal conditioning cards with type J and K miniature PCC connectors. Each connector has individually-monitored cold junction temperatures. Other thermocouple connector types are available upon request.

Real-Time Data Acquisition Platforms

SIGnal Workbench solutions are available with Concurrent iHawk multiprocessing platforms running the RedHawk Linux real-time operating system. SIGnal Workbench platforms are custom-configured to meet the needs of your test application. Storage, memory size and processor performance can be selected in accordance with test run durations and channel count requirements. RedHawk provides the fully deterministic performance needed in high-performance, time-critical test applications.

SIGnal Workbench systems feature one or more 32-channel, 24-bit Sigma-Delta analog input boards supporting a rate of 216 Ksamples per second per channel. Other simultaneous sampling PCI and PCIe analog input cards are also available. The iHawk computer system, signal conditioning chassis and cabling can be optionally mounted in a 14U or 34U rackmount cabinet.

Data Analysis and Monitoring Software

SIGnal Workbench solutions are available with APEX Turbine DS software. APEX-DS is a state-of-the-art, real-time, dynamic data acquisition and monitoring environment developed to meet the requirements of modern gas turbine R&D, engine production and engine overhaul test facilities. With APEX-DS, SIGnal Workbench is a complete turn-key solution for acquiring, storing and processing dynamic data signals.

The built-in real-time monitoring features of APEX-DS allow users to choose from any number of frequency domain and/or time domain engineering plots in real-time and plot vibration channels against performance parameters with no limit on number of plots and no performance impact. APEX-DS also offers remote monitoring. With this option, users have the ability to monitor test data on any number of real-time displays either at the test facility or a remote location.

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