Simcenter Testing Solutions Simcenter SCADAS XS: Everything you need to know!

Simcenter SCADAS XS: Everything you need to know!

The Simcenter SCADAS XS (formerly LMS SCADAS XS) is a handheld data acquisition system (Figure 1).

It is capable of acquiring dynamic data simultaneously at 50,000 samples per second on up to 12 dynamic channels. There is a built-in battery which allows autonomous operation, or data can be acquired with a host PC.

 

Figure 1: SCADAS XS is a portable, hand-held data acquisition system.

This Simcenter SCADAS XS article covers:

1. Features
2. Included Accessories
3. Options
4. Modes of Operation
5. Recorder Conversion software
6. Application Cases
7. Reference Material

Read on to learn all about the SCADAS XS!

Features

The SCADAS XS has the following inputs (Figure 2) and features:

Figure 2: Inputs of SCADAS XS.
 

Inputs

• 12 or 6 Channels: Voltage/ICP, up to 50 kHz sampling per channel, supports Transducer Electronic Data Sheets (TEDS)
• Headset Input: Dedicated input for binaural headset, in addition to the 12 or 6 voltage/ICP channels
• GPS: Can track speed (+/- 0.1 kph) and location (5 updates/second)
• SPDIF: Sony Phillips Digital Interface for digital audio from binaural head or similar
• CAN-bus: Controller Area Network (CAN) interface to read digital bus of embedded sensors in modern vehicle, both classical CAN and CAN FD (flexible data rate)
• TACHO channels: Two analog tachometer inputs that can accept up to 40,000 pulses per second

Interfaces

• MicroSD Card: Holds data and test setup templates for standalone acquisition
• Internal Battery: Depending on number of channels active, up to 6 hours of battery only operation
• Micro USB: Used to charge battery and for data transfer
• Ethernet: For daisychaining multiple SCADAS XS units together through a powered Ethernet hub
• Wi-Fi: Used with Tablet for remote control operation, or used to transfer data wirelessly from MicroSD card to host PC

Size and Weight

• Dimensions: 0.8 x 4.5 x 6.7 inches (23 x 114 x 170 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 1 lb (0.5 kg)

A multi-pin LEMO connection is used in the dynamic voltage/ICP channels of the SCADAS XS. Each multi-pin LEMO connection accepts three voltage/ICP channels. A multi-pin LEMO connector to three BNC output breakout cable (Figure 3) is included for each input.

Figure 3: Lemo to three BNC breakout cable is included for each input.

While the BNC breakout cable is useful for microphones or uniaxial accelerometers, there is a single cable option available for triaxial accelerometers. Several accelerometer manufacturers make a single cable (with multiple wires inside) that allow all three channels of a triaxial accelerometer to be plugged into the LEMO connector of the SCADAS XS in one connection (Figure 4).

Figure 4: ‘Quick Connect’ cable for triaxial accelerometer.This can help reduce wiring mistakes by a factor 3!

Included Accessories

With a Simcenter SCADAS XS, several items are included (Figure 5):

Figure 5: SCADAS XS delivered items.

Delivered items include:

• Two USB power adaptors
• Two USB to Micro USB power and data cables
• MicroSD card
• GPS Antenna
• Android Tablet
• 4 pin LEMO to pin serial adaptor for CAN-bus
• 4 pin LEMO to 2 BNC breakout cable for tachometers
• A 7 pin LEMO to 3 BNC breakout cable for each voltage/ICP input
• SPDIF to XLR adaptor cable for digital audio
• Soft carrying case
• Data Conversion software

Binaural Headset

Siemens makes a binaural headset (Figure 6) that plugs into a separate dedicated port on the SCADAS XS.


Direct YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Qkgk0Kspv-4 (Recommend headset to listen)


This headset has microphones positioned at both ears to make binaural recordings. Acquired data can also be listened to through the headset.

Figure 6: SCADAS XS binaural headset with recording microphones.
 

The product code for the headset is SCx-ABH04. Specifications are attached at end of article.

6 or 12 Voltage/ICP Channels

Users can decide between a 6 or 12 voltage/ICP channel version of the SCADAS XS. All other channels (GPS, CAN-bus, etc.) are included in both versions.

Modes of Operation

The SCADAS XS supports different modes of operation:

• USB connected frontend with Simcenter Testlab on host PC
• Standalone controlled via Wi-fi from Tablet
• Standalone controlled via manual buttons

USB-Based Frontend with Simcenter Testlab

The SCADAS XS can be used in ‘frontend mode’ with a host PC. It is connected the host PC (with Simcenter Testlab software) over a single USB connection (Figure 7), which both powers the SCADAS XS and streams data from it. In this configuration, all data is stored and viewed on the PC.

Figure 7: In frontend mode, data is transferred via USB to host PC.

With Simcenter Testlab software on the PC, data acquisition like impact measurements, rotating machinery, and transient events can be used to acquire data. A large variety of analyses can be performed on this data from Modal Analysis, Operational Deflections Shapes, to Transfer Path Analysis.

Tablet with Simcenter Testlab Scope App software

The SCADAS XS can be controlled wirelessly from a tablet with Android based operating system. After installing the Simcenter Testlab Scope App software, acquisition can be setup, started, and stopped. This is done through built-in Wi-Fi on the SCADAS XS with a direct wireless connection to the tablet (Figure 8).

The tablet software capability includes test setup, data recording, data display, data replay, and export to Excel. Data in this mode is recorded to the onboard MicroSD card.

Figure 8: Wi-Fi enabled tablet can be used to start and stop acquisition, and view data. Data is stored on onboard MicroSD.

The wireless features allows an operator to walk around a test object with the tablet and see the data being collected, unencumbered by transducer cables (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Operator can walk around test object with Tablet unencumbered by wires.

The acquisition can also be started via the tablet with the Scope App. Once the acquisition is in progress, the Scope App can be closed while the acquisition continues (Figure 10).

Figure 10: User has option to continue acquisition when exiting Simcenter Testlab Scope App software.

This allows the measurement operator to not have to be with the test object at all times. For example, the engineer can remain on the ground while an experimental aircraft performs dangerous maneuvers. After the plane returns to ground, the engineer starts the Scope App and can reconnect to the acquisition in progress. The engineer can then stop the measurement, and review the data.

Data can also be processed using the Scope App. Analyses include spectrums, octaves, colormaps, loudness, orders, and more (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Colormaps are one type of analysis that can be done with Simcenter Testlab Scope App software.

Analysis results can either be exported to Excel, or recorded via screen capture.

Standalone

With a pre-defined acquisition template, users can press the record button on the SCADAS XS itself to start and stop the measurement to the onboard MicroSD card – no tablet or PC is necessary (Figure 12). This is the simplest mode of operation.

Figure 12: The SCADAS XS can be used completely alone, useful for rough environments or for casual users.

Complete standalone mode is helpful for untrained users. For example, a machine operator is hearing a strange noise from equipment on occasion. A microphone recording template can be loaded on the SCADAS XS and sent to the machine operator. When the noise is heard, the operator simply clicks the record button to capture it.

With a headset connected, they can press the “Replay” button to verify that the sound was captured. The data they can then be downloaded by an expert user for detailed analysis.

Data Conversion Software

Data collected in SCADAS XS standalone mode is not required to be analyzed by Siemens Simcenter software. A license-free data conversion software tool (Figure 13) is included with the SCADAS XS. Data acquired by the SCADAS can be exported to other file formats to be analyzed with non-Siemens tools.

Figure 13: Data Recorder Conversion software interface.Data can be batch converted to several other file formats, including RPCIII, Universal, Wave, SDF, etc.

 

Application Cases

The SCADAS XS can be used in many different data collection scenarios. A few application cases are listed below:

• Modal Impact Testing with SCADAS XS
• Measuring Rotating Machinery Dynamics with SCADAS XS
• Troubleshooting Printing Press Vibration at Agfa Graphics
• Measuring Transient Events with SCADAS XS

Reference Material

The following downloadable material is zip format:

• Simcenter SCADAS XS Brochure
• Simcenter SCADAS XS Quick Start
• Simcenter 3D Binaural Headset Specification
• Simcenter SCADAS Mobile and Recorder Hardware
• Simcenter SCADAS Hardware Cable Guide

 

Questions? Contact: peter.schaldenbrand@siemens.com