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PDAS-3 Portable Data Acquisition System - $1250

picture of PDAS-3 picture of PDAS-3


The Industrologic PDAS-3 was chosen by the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Aviation Systems Test/Air Delivery Division, by ECIII, Inc., the Army's data acquisition contractor, and by Para-Flite, Inc., the parachute manufacturer, to test the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM) Advanced Tactical Parachute System (ATPS).


Description

The PDAS-3 Portable Data Acquisition System is a ruggedized, self-contained microcontroller based data logger originally designed for parachute air drop testing, and having numerous other applications where a rugged and portable data logger is required. It provides 8 channels of 12 bit resolution 0-5 volt DC analog input, as well as a logic level switch input for event monitoring, and can be set up to record data in a variety of ways. After recording, it can transmit ASCII text data or binary data to a computer for analysis with a variety of programs.

Features

The unit contains 2 megabytes of non-volatile memory for storage of setup parameters that control how the unit performs during the next data collection run, and for data from up to eight A/D channels and one logic level signal for 2 minutes at 1000 HZ.

PDAS-3 is enclosed in a rugged aluminum case, approximately 6" by 4.25" by 3", and has guarded controls that protect against accidental activation. For portable self-contained operation it is powered by eight Ni-Cad (rechargeable) batteries, which can be charged with 12 volts DC regulated or unregulated through a common power connector on the unit. It can also be operated at a fixed location from a regulated 12 volt DC supply.

Operation

Analog and event inputs are available on a 15-pin female "D" connector, as well as multiple voltage outputs for powering external gauges and their signal conditioning circuits. For troubleshooting and monitoring purposes, a function is available that will continuously display the analog input voltages and the status of the event switch input. Recording is started and stopped with a protected pushbutton switch, or by a remote activation "PinSwitch" operated with a 1/8th inch plastic coated cable pin parallels the event switch input, and can be also used to start the unit's recording before signaling events.

Downloading and Viewing Data

For connection to a computer for downloading of data after logging, a standard 9-pin female "D" connector is used, with a pin-out compatible with IBM PC equivalent computers. After data collection the data can be transmitted to a computer as either "space delimited" ASCII text, suitable for importing into a variety of programs such as data analysis programs and spreadsheets, or as binary data as a space saving measure.

Included with the PDAS-3 unit is software that runs on IBM PC equivalent computers that can conveniently download the data stored in a PDAS-3 unit and graph the voltages for quick verification of collected data. This software includes special graphing functions specific to parachute riser force data collection.

Data Collection Setup Features

PDAS-3 stores various operational parameters that control how the unit performs on its next data collection run. These parameters can be viewed and changed by connecting the PDAS-3 unit to a computer running a simple terminal program. It displays its own menu of functions, provides commands to change parameters, prompts the user for commands, and even offers a "help" screen for the commands.

The following operational parameters can be specified before data collection begins:

  • Number of channels from 1 to 8.
  • Sample rate in various increments from 1 to 1000 HZ for 8 channels, 1 to 2000 HZ for 6 channels, and 1 to 5000 HZ for 2 channels.
  • Secondary (different) sample rate that can be switched to after a specified delay
  • Option to asynchronously record the serial data stream from the serial port at a selected baud rate.
  • Number of seconds delay from the time the "Start Record" switch is activated
    (or the Remote Activation Pin is pulled) until recording begins.
  • Number of seconds to record data (record time limit)
  • Identification Number (can be used as file name during download).
  • General purpose text string up to 64 characters.
  • 8 text strings up to 16 characters to identify the individual channels.


The PDAS-3 is shipped with the following items:

  • Reference manual
  • Download/Graphing software
  • RS-232 cable for connection to IBM PC compatible serial port
  • DB15M solder cup connector/shell to mate with signal connector
  • Wall-block power supply

Options

Extra PinSwitch cables are available for $4.

An internal software upgrade to the PDAS-3 unit to include the latest features is available for $50.

A complete refurbishment of a PDAS-3 unit is available for $325, which includes disassembly, cleaning, replacement of the NiCad battery pack, replacement of the non-volatile memory chip (which contains an internal lithium battery to retain data), any internal software upgrades since manufactured, reassembly, and testing. This refurbishment will return the PDAS-3 to its original condition electronically and re-establish the warranty to one year. If a PDAS-3 that is older than 5 years exhibits non-volatile memory loss after being turned off, the memory chip could be at the end of its life cycle. (The manufacturer of the memory chip guarantees data retention for 5 years, but this could be much longer.)





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