The 8-channel Dash 8XeR rack mount data acquisition system by Astro-Med, Inc. can simultaneously capture 8 analog channels at a sample rate of 200kHz and 4 scope channels at a sample rate of 5 MHz per channel, for a total of 12 channels of data acquisition.

The Dash 8XeR mounts in a standard rack and is ideally suited for fixed or mobile test stands. The Dash 8XeR features a 15" color monitor for intuitive touch-screen control and real-time data viewing and analysis. Other features include high speed Ethernet (10/100/1000 BaseT) interface for command, control, and high speed connection to a PC for system setup and ultra fast data upload/review. An on-board DVD burner gives a user immediate access to data for post-test analysis.

Compatibility with a wide range of USB devices for high speed data transfer is achieved through the USB 2.0 port. Windows-based AstroVIEW X software allows data to be uploaded to a PC for review and analysis. The user can import data to popular spreadsheet and analysis programs including Excel, FlexPro, DADiSP and MathCAD with a simple conversion command.

The unit is ideally suited for applications in the aerospace, automotive, electric utility, telecommunications, pulp and paper, metals manufacturing, steel mills, medical, and other industrial, scientific, and educational fields.

Modular inputs allow each channel to be configured independently for isolated high voltage (up to 600 VRMS), thermocouple, RTDs, pressure transducers and load cells and other inputs, eliminating the need for external signal conditioning. Signals up to 40 kHz can be recorded with an A/D resolution up to 16-bit depending on the module, ideal for ultra-precise recording.

Scaling for each channel can be customized by choosing output range, offset, filtering and units for each channel.

The versatile digital signal processing of the Dash 8XeR provides a wide variety of filtering capabilities, including low pass, high pass, band pass, band stop and RMS filtering.

The math feature of the Dash 8XeR also provides powerful FFT analysis of data captured on the hard drive, with features such as windowing functions and selectable window sizes. The Dash 8XeR allows historical data to be viewed without interrupting real-time acquisition, ideal for viewing data during a long-term capture.

On-screen cursors provide timing and amplitude information and permit instantaneous measurements. An optional high resolution, chart printer is available for the Dash 8XeR. The printer – which can print data in real-time or from memory – turns the Dash 8XeR into a powerful data acquisition and recording system.

More information about the Dash 8XeR can be obtained from the Astro-Med, Inc., Test and Measurement Product Group, Astro-Med Industrial Park, W. Warwick RI 02893. Phone Toll-Free 877-867-9783, e-mail mtgroup@astromed.com , or visit our website at www.astro-med.com/tmindex.html.