Modern automotive testing programmes involve increasing numbers of sensors, generating ever-larger quantities of data, and raising the requirements for data acquisition and analysis. Two new technologies have been developed by Kistler, designed to improve consistency and efficiency in the measurement chain.
The first technology, a data acquisition (DAQ) software named KiStudio VT, enables several Kistler DAQ systems to be connected, for over 500 measurement channels in a single test. All connected sensors can be integrated and configured via software, and data recording can be visualised in real time.
Users can also perform calculations, use filters, and set triggers. Kistler says that more than 1,000 signals per system are possible when recording via CAN and CAN FD. Data acquisition is synchronised across all devices via precision time protocol (PTP).
On the hardware side, Kistler has launched the KiDAQ universal data acquisition system, which has been expanded to include additional modules for vehicle applications. The KiDAQ controllers in the 5552A series have four CAN or CAN FD interfaces, making them suitable for data acquisition in vehicle testing. The modular architecture enables users to flexibly adapt test setups for vehicle dynamics testing, long-term load studies, or other applications.
A typical setup for vehicle durability testing can include different sensors for recording force, acceleration, positions and temperatures – for example, wheel-force transducers, piezo force sensors, accelerometers, potentiometers, and thermocouples. All these sensors, supplemented by customer-specific solutions or third-party products, can be seamlessly connected to the KiDAQ universal data acquisition system.
With KiStudio VT, all connected systems can be configured, monitored and synchronised. The DAQ software also supports the acquisition of CAN and CAN FD signals via the new KiDAQ module 5552A, meaning that even extensive data streams can be processed. Other Kistler systems such as KiRoad Wireless, KiTorq DS and Correvit can also be connected. Analogue and digital channels can be visualised, recorded and analysed in parallel, with post-processing carried out with the connected jBEAM analysis software.
