Description
The
newly-developed inspECT
Eddy Current board is designed for PC-based Eddy Current testing.
The inspECT, in
combination with suitable software, is a complete multi-frequency Eddy
Current instrument communicating with the control PC via Ethernet interface.
The modular design concept and
state-of-the-art digital electronics of the
inspECT
board (eurocard format, 100mm x 160mm) permits single-frequency or
multi-frequency, and single-channel or multi-channel operations
(channel-multiplexing) with a multitude of sensor and frequency channels.
A single
inspECT
board can multiplex up to 16 frequencies or 16 sensors.
By simply cascading multiple boards,
the inspECT
system expands to a multi-frequency/multi-channel (16-, 32-, or 64-channel)
system. The Ethernet interface
provides parameterization of the board and for data transfers to the PC.
This approach allows the transfer of
Eddy Current test data to the data acquisition/analysis PC over large
distances.
Technical Data
Digital
-
Dual DSP Core, SHARC for real-time data
processing, BLACKFIN for communication
-
Firmware flashing (updating) via Ethernet
-
8 Opto-decoupled real-time outputs and 8
Opto-decoupled real-time inputs
-
4 High-speed diagnostic outputs w/ LED
indicators
-
4 Diagnostic/Mode DIP switches
-
8 Multiplexer-trigger outputs to control the
sensor multiplexer
Analog
-
Dual-NCO
for test frequencies ranging from 100Hz to 10MHz
-
Sensor
driver (Ri = 50Ω), 2.2Vss at 50Ω
-
Sensor
input at 50Ω, alternative differential input at 1kΩ
-
10-50dB
HF gain with overload control
-
Demodulation and anti-aliasing filter
-
2 x 16-Bit Analog to Digital Converters, 200kHz
Sampling rate
Signal Processing
-
Maximum
of 25,000 samples in single-frequency mode (digital decimation
filter)
-
Maximum
of 4,000 samples in dual-frequency multiplexing mode
External Interface
-
100MBit full-duplex Ethernet interface for parameterization and
data transfer
-
UART for terminal outputs
-
3-axis position coordinate interface (optional differential
drivers)
Multiplexing
The inspECT
board is designed to permit 16-fold multiplexing, where 16 different
parameter sets are applied in a timed multiplexing mode.
By using an optional external
sensor multiplexer board, the 16 parameter sets can be applied to
different sensors. With 16
multiplexed channels, a sampling rate up to 700Hz can be achieved.
Multiple Boards
Following an efficient modular concept, the design of multi-channel
systems is straightforward.
A single
backplane houses up to four
inspECT
boards in synchronous mode; such backplanes can be cascaded to arrange
systems with 16
inspECT
boards and a maximum of 256 multiplexing channels.
Using special multi-core cables and active multiplexer front-ends, we
can achieve distances of over 40 meters (120 feet) between
inspECT device and
sensors.
System Integration
The
inspECT
system can be adapted to most different testing applications.
By customizing the firmware to
specific user requirements, complex testing tasks can be attained in
real-time, e.g. sorting of parts in free fall with 5ms response time.
The
inspECT
board is prepared to work in a standalone mode where the optional PC
or Laptop can be used for monitoring and/or setup.
Real-time inputs and outputs allow simple process integration.
Even when using non real-time
software for data processing, a time synchronous assignment of
external I/O’s to the measurement values is guaranteed, because the
I/O’s are sampled and transported with each Eddy Current data set.
Thus it is easy to achieve gate
and/or trigger functions.
The 3-axis encoder interface allows integration into an automatic testing
environment using scanning systems (manipulators).
Actual sensor positions are
saved for each sample.
Software Interface
The software drivers for the
inspECT system are
designed as a .NET control and can be easily integrated into custom
software.
As the hardware interface is an Ethernet connection,
porting the driver to other platforms is possible, in principle.
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