Curtiss-Wright Corp., Defense Solutions Div. added to its Axon line of data-acquisition units (DAUs) for aerospace applications with the introduction of its Axon Pico AXP/ADC/401 eight-channel analog-data-capture (ADC) DAU, which targets flight test instrumentation (FTI).
Designed for reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP), the Axon Pico DAU (see image above) achieves impressive functionality within a small package size. It supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) for advanced testing in harsh environments.
The analog-to-data converter FTI module is well-suited for FTI programs, such as missile and electrical vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) aircraft testing. Multiple Axon Pico DAUs can be interconnected by IEEE 1588 PTP system synchronization. The Axon Pico DAU provides data throughput to 50 ksamples/s per channel on each of its eight analog input channels and provides support for all typical FTI sensors.
Brian Perry, senior vice-president, and general manager of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, admitted, “We believe the Axon Pico is the FTI industry’s first miniature standalone analog data-acquisition unit with support for Power over Ethernet and daisy-chain connectivity.”
He added, “Our Axon data-acquisition systems for critical flight test applications provide flight test engineers with high-speed, flexible solutions for demanding FTI programs. With the introduction of the Axon Pico, we further demonstrate our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive FTI product range available.”
The Axon Pico DAU operates from ±2.4 mV to ±10 V DC with 0.02% typical FSR accuracy. It supports full-bridge, half-bridge, differential-ended, single-ended, RTD, thermocouple, ICP, and AC-coupled measurements, with both voltage and current excitation. Each unit features two ports that carry both 100BASE-TX Ethernet and power over CAT5 cable. Modules in the Axon AXN family are optimized for use with the company’s Acra KAM-500 network-based DAUs and DAS Studio software.