DigiControl
The AMTI DigiControl
instrument is an Ethernet enabled digital PID controller. DigiControl
has 8 independent PID control channels. Each channel drives a +-10 volt analog
output pin. DigiControl has 6 strain gage bridge
input channels, and 9 high level analog input channels which may be software
selected to provide feedback for the PID control loops. The instrument also has
8 slow speed analog inputs for non control measurements. Each PID channel
includes a point by point arbitrary waveform generator which can be used for
repetitive motion (or force) generation.
The DigiControl
instrument interconnects with a PC through a thin-net Ethernet interconnection.
The Ethernet interconnection provides both the data and control interface.
During operation thirty nine channels of data are returned to the PC, these
include: 6 strain gage bridge signals, 9 high level analog input signals, 8
waveform signals from the internal waveform generator, 8 PID control channel
signals and 8 low speed analog input signals.
The PID loop gains, control parameters and
waveform data as well as basic operating commands are down loaded from the PC.
AMTI's NetControl
software provides a convenient turn-key interface for the DigiControl
instrument .
DigiControl is an ideal PID controller for motion control for mechanical
testing and simulation. It's 0 to 30 Hz bandwidth and 8 channel wide capacity make it highly suitable for multi degree of freedom
applications in biomechanics, automotive testing and aircraft and component test
rigs.
Feedback signals may be derived from DigiControl's internal strain gage amplifiers to provide
force feed back modes of operation or from high level analog inputs connected
to potentiometers or LVDTs for displacement feedback.
A total of 15 strain gage and analog inputs are available for measurement and
control. An additional eight channels of slow speed analog inputs are available
for monitoring temperatures and other non control type inputs.
Standard form PID implementation
Tuning parameters, Kp, Ti and Td, are software adjustable
Real time on screen data
display with NetControl software
Six channels of strain
gage input with anti-aliasing filters
Nine channels of high
level analog input with anti-aliasing filters
Software selectable
feedback mapping
Eight channels of slow
speed analog input
Digital arbitrary
waveform generator
Thirty Hz arbitrary monotonic
or repetitive waveform generation
|
Item |
Specification |
Comment/condition |
|
User interface |
|
|
|
All parameters |
Software controlled |
Ethernet interface |
|
Input channels |
|
|
|
Strain gage bridge |
6 channels |
2000 samples/sec |
|
Analog (+-10volt) |
9 channels |
2000 samples/sec |
|
Analog (+-10volt) |
8 channels |
200 samples/sec |
|
Digital |
4 channels |
ttl level |
|
Analog outputs |
|
|
|
Channels |
8 channels |
PID controlled |
|
Drive |
+-10 volts |
1 kOhm
load |
|
Digital outputs |
|
|
|
Channels |
4 channels |
ttl level |
|
Ethernet outputs |
|
|
|
Strain gage |
6 channels |
16 bit |
|
Analog (high speed) |
9 channels |
16 bit |
|
Analog (low speed) |
8 channels |
16 bit |
|
Internal waveforms |
8 channels |
16 bit |
|
PID drive signals |
8 channels |
16 bit |
|
A/D conversion |
|
|
|
Resolution |
16 bit |
1 lsb
linearity |
|
Data rate(1) |
32000 |
samples per second |
|
Strain gage inputs |
|
|
|
Gain range |
1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 |
.02% linearity |
|
Excitation range |
0 to 10 volts |
1/16th volt increments |
|
Bridge offset |
Software controlled |
|
|
Input protection |
4000 volt ESD
protection |
|
|
Analog inputs |
|
|
|
Gain |
0.4 |
Fixed |
|
Input span |
+-10volts |
|
|
Input protection |
4000 volt ESD
protection |
|
|
Anti-aliasing filters |
|
|
|
Frequency |
400 |
Hz |
|
PID Loop |
|
|
|
Modes |
Open, closed loop |
software selectable |
|
Update rate |
2000 |
Hz |
|
Frequency range |
0-30 |
Hz |
|
Implementation |
Kp, Ti and Td |
Standard form |
|
Waveform generator |
|
|
|
Modes |
Repetitive, single
cycle |
|
|
Points |
256 points |
per channel |
|
Interpolation |
Linear |
|
|
Power supply |
|
|
|
Type |
External power brick |
110, 220 volt : 50, 60
Hz |
|
Physical package |
|
|
|
Dimensions |
1.75" x 17.0"
x 12.5" |
H x W x L |
|
Weight |
13 lb |
|
|
Ethernet interface |
|
|
|
Type |
10 Mbs
Ethernet |
|
|
Protocol |
UDP Protocol |
|
|
Cable |
Thinnet (RG-50) |
BNC Connector |
|
Max length |
500 feet |
|
|
Throughput |
upto 64000 s/sec |
PC may limit |
|
|
|
|