Bustec Data Acquisition Solutions for Missile, Aircraft and Cryogenic Testing Applications

Bustec provides high-performance data acquisition solutions for different applications in the aerospace market such as missile and rocket testing.

The company’s products are based on computer-independent and open-platform systems to enable long-term use and reduced capital investment. They also offer class-leading measurement accuracy, data throughput and channel density.

Data acquisition systems for aerospace testing facilities

Bustec’s solutions are based on ethernet / LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) technology. They are used in missile testing, wind tunnel data acquisition, acoustics, vibrations, and aircraft component applications. They are also employed in rocket and cryogenic test facilities.

Data acquisition systems are used to measure and control physical parameters such as strain, temperature and pressure.

State-of-the-art calibration mechanisms offer up to 100x more accuracy than alternative solutions, with a measurement precision of 0.0012% at 50KS/s.

On-the-fly calibration (OTFC) is a crucial element of data acquisition systems. Conventional procedures require external calibrators, which are connected step by step to all channels. This is a time-consuming procedure and increases error possibilities.

Bustec’s efficient solutions include a programmable voltage reference within each data acquisition unit. Accurate voltages are delivered internally to each channel. This way there is no need to disconnect the sensor cables from the channel inputs.

While large systems take at least one week to calibrate, Bustec solutions calibrates the whole data-acquisition system in less than one second, independent of the number of channels involved.

Distributed data acquisition systems

Bustec’s solutions offer high-channel density, which enables the user to cost-effectively build very large systems with thousands of channels and minimal space requirements.

Ethernet / LXI connectivity allows operators to build largely distributed systems. In a data acquisition unit, the biggest measurement error is caused by long sensor cables in centralised systems. Newer solutions bring measurement channels close to the sensors via Ethernet to minimise noise errors and cabling costs.

IEEE1588 synchronisation

Designed to reduce synchronisation issues and comply with demanding measurement requirements, Bustec’s data acquisition equipment is certified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1588 standards.

Synchronisation between channels is better than 100 nanoseconds even in largely distributed systems with distances exceeding 1km between measuring devices.

Bustec offers a wide range of data acquisition unit products, including counter / timer, digital input / output and analogue input / output cards. The data acquisition speed can vary between Hz and 10MHz.

About Bustec

For more than ten years, Bustec has exceeded customer needs in the aerospace industry. With a strong focus on accuracy and long-term support, the company delivers leading commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) tools, which provide companies with flexible and reliable data acquisition solutions.

Industry-leading aerospace entities using Bustec measurement and control systems include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Honeywell Space Systems, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), Nasa, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Blue Origin.