DSA takes high-accuracy vibration measurement

National Instruments has unveiled a new portable bus-powered dynamic signal acquisition (DSA) module and a suite of vibration sensors designed for making high-accuracy vibration measurements required for noise, vibration and harshness and machine condition monitoring applications.

The NI USB-4431 DSA module acquires data at rates from 1KSps to 102.4KSps, which makes it possible to obtain a wide measurement bandwidth. The combination of the USB-4431 and the new vibration sensors, which include three accelerometers, a triaxial accelerometer and an impact hammer, gives engineers and scientists a complete stimulus response system from a single vendor for seamless product integration.

Measurements from integrated electronics piezoelectric (IEPE) sensors are made by the five-channel USB-4431 DSA module. It consists of four 24bit simultaneously sampled analog input channels and one 24bit analog output channel, ideal for stimulus response test systems. The USB-4431 can also be used for frequency response audio tests and suspension shaker tests. Also, the module delivers 100dB of dynamic range and incorporates software-selectable IEPE signal conditioning for accelerometers and microphones.

The suite's accelerometers are compatible with all NI DSA devices. They have low-impedance output signals that allow for accurate signal transmission over long cables, and their small form factor makes them easy to include in a wide variety of monitoring and test systems. The triaxial accelerometer characterizes the acceleration of an object or device being measured in all three dimensions with a single sensor to minimize cabling at the source.

The sensor suite also features a modal analysis impact hammer, a device that delivers effective measurements of stimulus signals. With this highly flexible impact hammer, it is possible to measure the stimulus force for a wide range of frequencies and magnitudes required for proper object characterization.