LANXI data analyser survives unusually harsh test regime

Built to conduct noise and vibration tests in demanding environments, such as aircraft and vehicle cabins, LANXI data acquisition hardware has a tough magnesium casing, which enables it to endure being driven over several times by a Corvette (not recommended), proving the new model can survive rough handling and remain operational.

Bruel & Kjaer created LANXI using specifications set by customers, which included the product's need for toughness and portability. Unlike most currently available analysers, which tend to be bulky, LANXI'S magnesium case weighs just 600g and the slim module can easily fit inside a laptop bag, allowing users to carry it as hand luggage when travelling overseas for field work.

LANXI can also withstand temperatures ranging from -10 to 50degC and is silent during operation (which is useful when measuring sound), as it has self-cooling vents instead of fans.

As the tests for which a data analyser is typically used can vary, depending on the type of interior being analyse, the multi-channel LANXI is useful, as the one item of hardware can perform a range of tests, from simple two channels, such as resonance tests of wind turbine blades, to multi-channel tests with several large rack systems used for advanced noise source identification.

It also simplifies the testing of larger vehicles, such as aircraft, ships and trains. Any number of the individual modules can be placed around interior cabins, allowing analysis to be carried out in one go, unlike older systems that require multiple tests to be carried out with a single unit that is continuously moved to different areas. LANXI can also be used for analysing buildings and other large structures, such as bridges or wind turbines.

Power-over-Ethernet

Operating on a 'plug and play' concept, the system uses Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or is plugged into a mains socket and makes use of one LAN cable. The same LAN cable not only transfers the data to a laptop and provides power using PoE but also synchronises measurements between multiple, distributed A/D clocks using IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) synchronisation. Using a single cable for data transfer, power and synchronisation reduces complexity and cost when testing large structures.

Using distributed LANXI modules reduces costs associated with standard analogue cables. For example, standard Category 5 LAN cable is over 200 times less expensive than an equivalent length of six multi-conductor microphone cables. Similarly, savings of over 100 times can be achieved by using LAN cables in place of BNC or triaxial accelerometer cables. Besides the cost savings, reducing the length of analogue cabling versus digital, LAN cabling reduces the system's susceptibility to noise.

LAN-XI's modules are can be adapted for different microphones, probes and other accessories the user may need, by changing the front end connectors, which can be unclipped.

PULSE analysis platform

Since its release, PULSE has provided a stable and continually evolving analysis platform, allowing customers to implement staged upgrades, rather than changing to an entirely new system each time new developments become available. To date, more than 9500 PULSE systems have been sold globally for use primarily within the automotive, aerospace and telecommunication industries for research and development.

The PULSE LANXI system is on sale now in the UK and Ireland. For more product information, please contact: [email protected] or visit www.bksv.co.uk.

Bruel & Kjaer UK is also running a free Sound & Vibration Workshop on 12 November 2008, aimed at anyone involved with automotive, mechanical or general industrial engineering industries. This practical, demo-orientated workshop is made up of three sessions: Advanced Acoustics; In-vehicle Automotive SQ with NVH Simulator; and Analysis Techniques with PULSE. For more information visit www.bksv.co.uk/default.asp?ID=3540.