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Fast and Synchronous Measurements
High performance for mobile measurement applications

Fast and Synchronous Measurement with EtherCAT®

The EtherCAT® measurement technology from CSM offers the highest measurement performance: e.g. for multi-channel applications with more than 1,000 strain gauges - / acceleration transducers and applications with measurement data rates of up to 1 MHz per channel. Manufacturers of measurement devices have to cope with continually increasing requirements. Thus, measurement devices have to acquire and process increasingly large amounts of data. The proven CAN measurement technology is hereby often pushed to its limits. This is why the EtherCAT® field bus is setting new standards regarding bandwidth, maximum number of channels and synchronicity of measurement signals.

Acquisition of Highly Dynamic Processes

With regard to the optimisation of current and future generations of engines, their auxiliary systems and electric drive systems, the EtherCAT®-based measurement modules from CSM for example, enable a dynamic signal acquisition and the analysis of transients and pulses. These effects arise among others during the switching of high-current actuators, such as are used for electric power steering systems and steering aids. Insofar as all channels are thereby synchronously acquired, the phase relationship between voltage and current can additionally be detected in a high time resolution, in the case of complex loads.

EtherCAT®-based measurement modules are particularly suitable for measurements in the field of electromobility, since they offer the required data rates and high synchronicity.

The EtherCAT® measurement devices from CSM can be used directly with EtherCAT Master Software, as it is increasingly common on test benches.

The Vector-CSM measurement system with the data acquisition software vMeasure exp is a complete solution from one source. Via the protocol converter XCP-Gateway, the CSM CAN-based measurement devices can also be implemented.

Vehicles driving at night
Acquire dynamic processes precisely - in road tests and on the test bench.

Distributed Strain Gauge Measurements

Cranes on a construction site at night
With EtherCAT, widely distributed measurement points can be acquired synchronously at large measuring objects.

Measurement setups on large construction machinery and construction cranes with many strain gauge sensors often overwhelm the capabilities of the CAN bus in terms of bandwidth, number of points of measurement and cable lengths. EtherCAT® measurement modules from CSM enable the acquisition of more than 1,000 distributed points of measurement. The modules thereby support measurement data rates from 1 Hz up to 20 kHz per channel. In addition, extensive measurement networks can be set up, with distances of up to 100 m between individual measurement modules. This enables the synchronous acquisition of corresponding strains at widely separated points of measurement.

EtherCAT® goes mobile

With a high data transfer rate of 100 Mbit/s, EtherCAT® provides the necessary bandwidth for measurement tasks with many channels or extremely high data rates. Thanks to the Distributed Clocks method supported by the EtherCAT® standard, the synchronous acquisition of all points of measurement in a setup is possible (synchronization better than 1 µs). This is particularly important in the case of fast signals and high measurement data rates, because a value measured at the wrong time, can provide an incorrect measurement result.

CSM adopted all advantages of the proven CAN MiniModule series for its EtherCAT® measurement modules. This includes the compact design, the ruggedness and the protection class IP67. Combined with an operating temperature range from -40 °C to +125 °C, these features allow the mounting of EtherCAT® measurement modules in the engine compartment in the same manner as with CAN measurement modules. Thanks to the open standard interface and the proven ease of handling, EtherCAT® measurement modules can be quickly configured and integrated into various kinds of measurement chains.

Digger at night
Ready for measurement applications in any environment - even in demanding use.

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