Feature

Kistler offers charge amplifier module for NI's CompactRIO

The new charge amplifier module allows a wide variety of force, pressure, torque and acceleration piezoelectric sensors to be used directly with National Instruments (NI) flexible CompactRIO platform without the use of external amplifiers.

22/09/2014 09:25:15

The charge signals from the sensors are directly digitised, using Delta-Sigma ADC, for processing by the FPGA and the real-time operating system. For the best possible resolution, four hardware measuring ranges have been implemented and innovations in the analogue front-end allow impressively low drift values.

One and four channel versions are available, both with 24-bit analogue-to-digital conversion up to 52.7kS/s per channel, providing direct integration into CompactRIO systems.

Configuration, control and operation, including reset/measure signal, range selection and data transfer, are programmed using the graphical programming tools LabVIEW, LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA. Example 'Virtual Instruments' are supplied as standard to facilitate quick integration into LabVIEW projects.

Wherever piezoelectric force, pressure, acceleration or torque signals need to be measured and processed in real-time, the new charge amplifier module in combination with NI's CompactRIO provides an easy to implement and use system. The rugged design means the system can be deployed in production environments, mobile data-acquisition applications and in the laboratory.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.