USB module measures sound, vibration

Sound and vibration measurements are integral parts of any environmental test. To get measurements, you can use the DT9837 four-channel USB data-acquisition module from Data Translation. The module uses a dedicated delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for each of its four channels, and it has a 1-MHz tachometer input that you can use to measure frequency and period and to synchronize the analog inputs. It also contains an analog output channel that you can use to track any of the analog inputs. A read-back channel from the analog output lets you correlate all signals with the input stream, the output stream, and the tachometer.

Each analog input channel has an integrated electronics piezoelectric (IEPE) signal conditioner, which uses a 4-mA current source. Maximum sample rate is 52.7 ksamples/s. An external trigger lets you trigger a measurement on analog voltages from 0.2 V to 9.8 V. Analog input range is ±10 V.

The board is compatible with Data Translation’s DT-Open Layers for Microsoft .NET as well as the company’s Measure Foundry and quickDAQ software. In addition, it works with 32-bit Windows drivers, LabView, and Matlab. The DT9837 is available in a packaged version and in an OEM version for integrating to larger equipment.

Price: $1795. Data Translation, www.datatranslation.com.