May 29, 2012, Santa Clara, California, USA – Crystal Instruments Corporation (CI) (www.go-ci.com) a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of high-reliability instrumentation and software for sound and vibration test, measurement, and control, has introduced its Spider-81, a highly modular, distributed, scalable vibration control system with centralized DSP architecture and simple operation via PC, Wi-Fi enabled PDA or iPad.
Unlike traditional controllers that rely heavily on an external PC for real-time operation, Spider-81 is the first controller to directly integrate time-synchronized Ethernet connectivity with an embedded DSP centralized architecture. Its patented dual A/D design makes Spider-81 the industry’s first vibration control system to achieve a true 130 dB input dynamic range. Each measurement channel can detect signals ranging from 6 µV to 20V, with a design that completely eliminates the need for the input range or gain settings found on traditional controllers. Spider-81 integrates an IEPE output, charge amplifier, AC/DC coupling, and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet capabilities per IEEE P1451.1 standards, facilitating its use within larger channel count applications. Its unique floating ground design significantly reduces potential EMI/ground loop interference during installation. The incorporation of safety routing allows for transducer failure detection within milliseconds, ensuring quick troubleshooting of measurement error sources. Built-in isolated digital I/O and RS-485 serial ports also allow for easy interface with other hardware. A ten-pin D-SUB connection allows for independent monitoring of analog signal on both inputs and outputs.
Spider-81 hardware includes voltage, charge, and IEPE transducer inputs, making it ideal for use with a variety of sensor types. The system’s internal flash memory stores test configuration data for control of up to hundreds of channels simultaneously with real-time analysis and recording. A bright LCD display allows for real-time data testing status, such as control RMS or sweeping frequency, to be instantly viewed. An internal battery backup system allows for continued controller functionality and data saving, in the event of a network or power loss, ensuring fail-safe operation.
The Spider-81 is built on IEEE 1588 time synchronization technology, allowing modules on the same network to be synchronized with up to 100 ns accuracy, for a guaranteed ±1° cross-channel phase match of up to 20 kHz. With such unique technology and high-speed Ethernet data transfer, network distributed components truly act as a single, integrated system. One PC can monitor and control multiple controllers over the network. The Spider-81 “Black Box” mode also allows it to operate without a PC, either according to a preset schedule, or from a variety of external devices, such a Wi-Fi enabled PDA or iPad. In addition, Spider-81 is fully compliant with industry standard ASAM-ODS data and file models. Since all control processing and data recording are executed locally inside the controller, network connection won’t affect controller data collection speed or integrity. With wireless network routers, the PC can easily connect to the Spider-81 via Wi-Fi. Ethernet connectivity also allows the Spider-81 to be physically located far from the host PC. This distributed structure greatly reduces system noise and electrical interference.
The highly rugged Spider-81 has successfully passed multiple strict environmental tests, including EMI, temperature, drop shock, sine and random vibration testing, ensuring its greater longevity and durability in harsh environments. For detailed technical specifications on Spider-81 or other product technologies available from Crystal Instruments, or to request an onsite product demo, visit www.go-ci.com.
