Data-logging platform handles harsh conditions

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 3, 2006

The Yokogawa MW100 is a scalable, high-performance data-acquisition and data-logging platform designed for operation under harsh operating conditions.

The Yokogawa MW100 is a scalable, high-performance data-acquisition and data-logging platform designed for both PC-controlled and stand-alone operation under harsh operating conditions.

Open Ethernet connectivity with web-based configuration and data monitoring functions allows the MW100 to handle a wide range of monitoring and historical logging functions.

Users can set up and control the unit, as well as observing real-time trends, with a web browser from any PC without the need for special software.

The MW100 uses a modular approach based on three main elements: the MW100 main module, MX Series input/output modules, and MX150 Series baseplate.

The main module acts as the data-acquisition engine, carrying out data storage and communications functions.

Up to six 10-channel I/O modules can be installed on a single base plate to give a total capacity of 60 channels from a single MW100 measuring system.

The system can be bench mounted as supplied or DIN rail mounted for rack or panel installations, and a 12-28V DC power-supply is available for in-vehicle testing.

The system will carry out measurements on ten channels in 10ms or on 60 channels in 100ms, with a shortest measurement interval of 10ms.

Different measurement intervals can be set for each module, and three different measurement intervals can be mixed in a single unit.

For long-term back-up, the system supports CompactFlash memory cards with up to 2Gbyte storage, providing about 10 days' storage with 60 channels at 100ms or three months' storage on 60 channels at 1s intervals.

A full range of input/output modules are available to handle all types of process inputs including temperature and strain as well as digital inputs.

In addition to their high-speed capabilities, these units feature high noise immunity and isolation voltages of up to 3700V RMS for 1min or 600V RMS or DC for continuous use.

Operating temperature range is from -20 to +60C.

The MW100 is equipped with built-in trigger functions.

Data recording can be started based on alarm values, time, external contact input or other parameters.

Once recording is started, it can be set to progress continuously or according to a specified data length.

When specifying a data length, a pretrigger can also be set.

A "data thinning" function allows portions of measured data to be omitted at regular intervals during measurement before data is recorded.

Using the trigger and data thinning functions together allows "coarse" recording of general data and "fine" recording of abnormal data.

The MW100 can be connected simultaneously to multiple PCs for monitoring or sharing of measured data via a password-protected log-in function.

When equipped with the /M1 maths option, the MW100 can acquire up to 300 channels of external data from additional MW100 units or from other devices such as PLCs using Modbus TCP communications, allowing a large data-acquisition system of up to 360 channels to be assembled.

The /M1 option also includes pulse-integration and broken-line chart output functions.