MicroStrain 2.4 GHz Wireless Sensing System

Introduction

The MicroStrain Wireless Sensing System is a wireless data acquisition system capable of simultaneous, high-speed data acquisition from multiple wireless strain gauges, accelerometers, temperature, and millivolt level inputs.

The Wireless Sensing System includes the V-Link® wireless voltage node, SG-Link® wireless strain node, SG-Link® OEM wireless module, TC-Link® wireless thermocouple node, G-Link® wireless accelerometer node, USB Base Station, Analog Base Station, Serial Base Station, software and Software Development Kit(SDK).

Applications

Structural monitoring, smart structures and smart materials

Vibration and acoustic noise testing

Assembly line testing with "smart packaging"

Sports performance and sports medicine analysis

Distributed security and machine health monitoring networks

How it works

MicroStrain has developed "frequency agile" sensor transceiver nodes and base stations, which can use a wide range of RF communications frequencies through software configuration. This technique, termed frequency division multiplexing access (FDMA), allows multiple wireless sensing nodes to communicate simultaneously without RF interference between them.

Test and measurement applications often require the combination of wireless strain measurement systems to be used alongside hard-wired sensors, all connected to an existing analog data acquisition system. In order to easily support these applications, MicroStrain has developed an analog output base station that collects analog data from multi-channel sensor nodes and then reconstructs the analog waveforms on the base station's outputs.

To facilitate the use of wireless strain gauges, MicroStrain has developed a PC based software package for Windows machines. In addition, a Strain Wizard® plug-in for the software supports wireless automatic offset balancing, wireless gain adjustment, and wireless shunt calibration. The Strain Wizard® is important for stress analysis because it allows the end user to convert from bits to physical units of strain.

Node Specifications

SG-Link® , SG-Link® OEM , G-Link® , V-Link® , TC-Link®

Common Specifications

(excluding TC-Link®)

Temperature sensor

-40˚C to 70˚C range, accuracy 2˚C (at 25˚C)

Analog to Digital (A/D) Converter

Successive approximation type, 12 bit resolution

Data Storage Capacity

2 megabytes (approximately 1,000,000 data points)

Data Logging Mode

Log up to 1,000,000 data points (from 100 to 65,500 samples or continuous) at 32 Hz to 2048 Hz

Sensor Event Driven Trigger

Commence datalogging when threshold exceeded

Real-time Streaming Mode

Transmit real time data from node to PC - rate depends on number of active channels: 1 channel - 4 KHz, 2 channels - 2 KHz, 3 channels - 1.33 KHz, 4 channels - 1 KHz, 5 channels - 800 Hz, 6 channels - 666 Hz, 7 channels - 570 Hz, 8 channels - 500 Hz

Low Duty-cycle Mode

Supports multiple nodes on single RF channel

Synchronization Between Nodes

Datalogging 4 sec 50 ppm, LDC mode time stamped at PC

Sample Rate Stability

25 ppm for sample rates > 1 Hz, 10% for sample rates < 1 Hz

Radio Frequency (RF) Transceiver Carrier

2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum, license free worldwide (2.405 to 2.480 GHz) - 16 channels, radiated power 0 dBm (1mW)

RF Data Packet Standard

IEEE 802.15.4, open communication architecture

RF Data Downloading

8 minutes to download full memory

Range for Bi-directional RF Link

70 m line-of-sight, up to 300 m with optional high gain antenna

Internal Li-Ion Battery

3.7 volt lithium ion rechargeable battery
Customer may supply external power from 3.2 to 9 volts

Operating Temperature

-20˚C to +60˚C with standard battery
-40˚C to +85˚C for electronics only

Enclosure Material

ABS plastic (except SG-Link® OEM)

Software

Node Commander® Windows XP/Vista compatible

Compatible Base Stations

USB, RS-232, Analog, WSDA™

Patents Pending

General Documentation

FAQ's

Wireless FAQ's

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How To Order

For individual components, additional system configurations, or quantity discounts, please contact sales@microstrain.com or call 802-862-6629.

Lead Time

Standard Lead Time for shipping is one week. In the event that longer lead times are anticipated, MicroStrain® will contact the buyer. Credit cards are billed on the date the order is shipped.