New Wireless Telemetry System For Strain Gauge Sensors

For years the demands placed on higher performance measurement systems have meant they are often less versatile than their predecessor. More sensors means more data is acquired over an increasing number of measurement channels and with these advances has come corresponding concerns regarding cable integrity and management. This places emphasis on the test technician who is well used to swapping between sensors and matching them with the cable of the right length and appropriate connector. Running cables across floors or through sensitive areas is at best inconvenient; with high performance cable products subject to mechanical damage throughout routine use. Considered the weak link of many a measurement system, they are often the first focus of attention whenever measurement errors do occur. For the best possible quality of signal, to avoid cable losses and measurement errors the strain gauge conditioning unit should be positioned as close to the measurement as possible. However in large buildings or structures, or where many channels of measurement are required, this is often not convenient. However a solution to these issues is only that if it solves these problems without slowing or degrading the existing flow of information, or reducing the ability to create new channels for data acquisition. Applied Measurements Ltd has launched the T24 radio telemetry system to connect to any strain gauge based sensor for the measurement of load, pressure, torque and displacement as well as standard 0-10V & 4-20mA sensors. This means customers are now able to connect wirelessly using low power radio techniques, which allows data to be collected over many channels simultaneously. The acquisition module uses a secure transmission network and provides live data over distances of up to 120m line-of-site and even further using external antennas. The range of products include: · T24-xA acquisition modules - Voltage / Current / milivolt input · T24-RM relay output modules - for limit or relay alarms · T24-HA handheld displays - for configuration, taring, summing etc · T24-PR1 printer modules - wireless thermal printer · T24-AO1 analogue output - 4-20mA / 0-10Vdc / ±5Vdc · T24-BSu USB base station - for data collection and configuration Each acquisition module can be used to supply data to several different output devices, or receive data from a multiple of acquisition modules. This inbuilt flexibility avoids dedicated components and means uses do not need to stock application specific modules. The data acquisition PCB’s have been miniaturised sufficiently, so that they can be mounted directly within the sensors themselves. This means if need be, the signal can be transmitted directly form the sensor (load cell, pressure transducer etc) with no external cabling. Some examples of wireless applications include the following (more information can be supplied on any of the examples given): · Automotive - Torque measurement · Civil Engineering - Monitoring of anchor loads · Construction - Monitoring of building foundations · Lifting & Handling - Crane load pins · Marine - Mooring ropes · Silo & Weighing Industry - Silo weighing · Theatre & Outside Events - Stage & rigging monitoring · Waste Management - Skip weighing · Alternative Energy - Wind turbines Approved for use by the FCC, ETSI and Industry Canada amongst others, the T24 system is based on a proprietary 804.15.4 chip and the range of wireless products co-exists with Bluetooth, Zigbee & WiFi devices without conflicts. The 2.4GHz band on which it operates is license free around the World and importantly, data being transmitted is secure as each of the radio modules use a unique 6-digit Hexadecimal key and interference is avoided through the use of a proprietary protocol. To set up the measurement a software toolkit is supplied as a free of charge downloadable file (Freeware). This provides the user with the means to v

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