Vehicle Testing

Data Acquisition for Vehicle Testing

Vehicle Testing

Campbell Scientific's vehicle data acquisition systems (VDAS) are used by vehicle manufacturers worldwide. Our systems feature versatility, portability, and reliability. These three qualities allow you to configure systems that meets your exact needs, take them anywhere you need measurements, and get accurate, consistent data, even in extreme environments. From scorching summers to frigid winters, wind tunnels to abusive test tracks, our data acquisition systems provide accurate, timely, and reliable data.

System Benefits

  1. Rugged design allows systems to withstand vibration, shock, and temperature extremes.
  2. Nearly every commercially available sensor can be used in our systems.
  3. Systems are calibrated against NIST standards.
  4. Communication options include direct wire to PC or laptop and many wireless possibilities.
  5. On-board statistical and mathematical capabilities provide data reduction on-site.
  6. Internal preset gain ranges eliminate the need for costly external signal conditioning while allowing excellent measurement resolution.
  7. Multiple systems are available with varying channel counts, sampling rates, and physical sizes.
  8. Multiplexers and other peripherals are available for expanding systems.
  9. Systems are durable—many are still in use after 15 years.

Data Acquisition

We offer a full line of data acquisition systems. Scan rates can be programmed from every few hours to 100,000 times per second, depending on the system model. Measurement types, processing algorithms, and recording intervals are also programmable. Our systems can also store data transmitted from the vehicle's on-board computer via CANbus, allowing time-synchronized storage of vehicle computer data with the data acquisition system's independently measured data.

On-board instruction sets contain programmed algorithms that process measurements and output results in the desired units of measure. For example, data can be displayed as rainflow or level crossing histograms. These rainflow and level crossing algorithms allow processing for extended periods of time, not just a limited number of cycles. Our instruction sets also allow unattended measurement and control decisions based on time or conditional events.

Sensors

Because our VDAS are compatible with almost every commercially available sensor, our systems give you the freedom to use the sensors that best meet your application. Most sensors connect directly to our data loggers, eliminating costly external signal conditioning. Channel types include analog (single-ended and differential), pulse count, switched excitation, continuous analog output, anti-aliasing filter, and digital I/O.

Typical sensors used with our systems include: thermocouples, pressure transducers, pulse pickups, flow transducers, potentiometers, strain gages, load cells, digital switches, accelerometers, LVDTs, and tilt sensors. Our configurable data loggers, the CR9000X-series and CR9000-series, allow you to choose modules with the channel types that best fit your application. The number and type of channels on most of our VDAS are expandable using multiplexers and other measurement peripherals.

Data Retrieval

On-site communications interfaces for retrieving, storing, and displaying data include direct connection to a PC or laptop, PC cards, storage modules, and a data logger keyboard/display. A heads-up-display is also available for data display when driving a vehicle. Telecommunication options include short-haul, telephone (landline, cellular, and voice-synthesized), radio frequency, multidrop, and satellite.

Software

Our PC-based support software simplifies the entire data acquisition process, from programming to data retrieval to data display and analysis. Robust error-checking ensures data integrity. We can even help you post your data to the Internet. PC9000 is a full-featured package that is included with the CR9000X systems. PC9000 is also compatible with our CR9000 and CR5000 data loggers, although the software is purchased separately.

PC9000 features include:

  1. Easy-to-use Program Generator with step-by-step programming assistance.
  2. Real-time data display tools, such as histograms (rainflow & level crossing), virtual meters, virtual oscilloscopes, X-Y plotters, FFTs, and alarm listings.
  3. Historical display of data in time series, rainflow, level crossing, and FFT formats.
  4. Manual and scheduled data collection in multiple data formats.

Testing Possibilities

Our data acquisition systems have been instrumental in testing the following:

General Testing

  • Chassis monitoring
  • Road noise
  • Vehicle speed
  • Steering
  • Air bag
  • Distance traveled
  • Humidity
  • Hot and cold soaks
  • Wind tunnel
  • Altitude
  • Geographic location

Fuel Systems

  • Line pressure
  • Tank pressure
  • Temperature
  • Flow

Climate Control

  • Ambient air temperature
  • Supply air temperature
  • Solar radiation
  • Fan speed
  • Interior temperature
  • Time to comfort
  • A/C on and off
  • Refrigerant pressures

Suspension

  • Strut pressure
  • Spring force
  • Travel
  • Mounting point stress
  • Deflection

Brake Testing

  • Line pressure
  • Pedal pressure/travel
  • Line/pad temperature
  • ABS

Engine Monitoring

  • Oil pressure
  • Oil temperature
  • Water pressure
  • Water temperature
  • Fuel injector timing
  • Crank position
  • RPM
  • Noise level
  • Heat detection
  • Catalytic converter
  • Cooling fan speed
  • Manifold pressure
  • Manifold temperature
  • Exhaust gas temperature