Big bandwidth for acquisition front end

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 28, 2003

Orchestra, 01dB-Stell's new multichannel front-end for its dBFA analysis software, is now available from AcSoft for large-scale and/or distributed acquisition and analysis projects.

Orchestra, 01dB-Stell's new multichannel front-end for its dBFA analysis software, is now available from AcSoft for large-scale and/or distributed acquisition and analysis projects.

Orchestra is based on two important developments which provide an unmatched combination of channel and bandwidth capability, networkability and scaleability.

First, it is built up from a system of bolt-together modules which is unique in the sound and vibration marketplace.

With no mainframe, it is exceptionally light and compact, and offers low-cost entry.

Secondly, Orchestra uses Firewire communications technology for networkable acquisition and fast data transfer to a PC.

As a result Orchestra handles data acquisition and real-time analysis simultaneously, and can be built into a distributed system streaming data at 26Mbit/s from measurement blocks up to 100m apart.

The Orchestra system comprises a Firewire communications module, a choice of input modules, and output/functional modules.

Each input module has four channels, and each Firewire interface connects up to six input modules to a PC, with a maximum system configuration of 192 channels.

Input modules provide signal conditioning for a wide variety of transducers - direct, IEPE, charge, microphone, strain gauge, thermocouple, tacho pulse, FV convertor and CAN - and flexible triggering options.

Functional modules provide analogue outputs and a function generator.