July 20, 2012 — Aerotech’s Sensor Fusion is a 3U data acquisition device integrated with the company’s Automation 3200 (A3200) motion controller to provide precise time alignment of motion and data acquisition functions. Integrating the data acquisition into the motion control platform keeps costs lower, with quick and easy configuration and setup for shorter development time, according to Aerotech.

Also read: You make MEMS. Should you make sensor fusion software?

Sensor Fusion accepts up to four SF cards. Data collection is synchronized across all cards so there is never a need to align data after collection. Data collection, configuration, and analysis are done using the A3200’s extensive set of software tools, so there is no additional software required.

SF cards are available for digital input and output, analog input and output, encoder input, and PSO output. Each card can be used in the Sensor Fusion, in any configuration. Both high-power digital output cards and high-resolution analog output cards are offered. With no parameters to manage and no difficult setup to go through, switching cards from one system to another is easy. Breakout blocks make accessing each of the inputs and outputs simple, while the use of standard D-connectors on each card allows users to make their cables from common parts.

Setup, data recording, and data playback can be done through .NET, C, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Aerotech’s own AeroBasic programming language. All inputs and outputs can be managed graphically through our I/O Manager utility that is part of the Motion Composer in the A3200 software suite. By managing data acquisition directly from the same library or interface used to program motion control, there is less time spent managing separate environments. Once data is collected it can be graphed in the Digital Scope or exported to other data manipulation packages. Sensor Fusion connects to the A3200 Motion Network via Firewire and can be run with or without any A3200 motion control devices.

Sensor Fusion has all of the position synchronized output (PSO) functionality from our standard motion controller product lines. Single, double, and triple PSO are available. Coupling data playback with Aerotech’s traditional PSO functionality allows users to control up to 96 digital outputs or 48 analog outputs for precision control of multiple devices from one positioning system.

Sensor Fusion is available in three different mounting configurations – desktop, rack mount and panel mount. The desktop version is standard and comes with integrated side handles and non-skid feet. The rack-mount version is designed for any standard 3U rack. Both the rack- and panel-mount relocate the power input to the proper side of the machine for the configuration. These flexible configurations allow you to easily move Sensor Fusion from one system to the next or fix permanently in a console or system weldment.

Learn more at www.aerotech.com.

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