High-channel-count test configurations can create complications throughout a test program due to the sheer number of inputs. At best, the setup process is time-consuming. Errors like misidentified sensors or incorrect sensor data could lead to larger issues like test failures or incorrect measurements.
Vibration Research recognizes that an easy high-channel-count configuration is not only helpful but imperative for efficient testing. The following tips for VibrationVIEW input configuration support a quick and accurate setup and easy sensor identification.
Hardware Configuration
The following video walks through hardware setup in VibrationVIEW.
Notably, after your I/O units are configured in the software, the Identify button in the hardware configuration will become active. Select Identify, and the unit’s status light on the front panel will alternate between red and green. You can also use this button to rename the I/O unit, which will appear in reports.
Input Configuration
To configure inputs in VibrationVIEW, select the Inputs button or press Ctrl + I.
Input configuration dialog.
The Inputs dialog has three column options: full, custom, and compact. High-channel setups will likely necessitate a full or custom layout. A more detailed configuration can help prevent sensor misidentification.
Input names are carried through to graphs and other screen displays.
You can select consecutive rows by pressing and holding the Shift key. To make global changes to a selection, right-click the cell with the target value and select Copy. You can copy a text value or a checkmark. Select the rows to which you want to apply the change, right-click into the corresponding column, and select Paste.
VibrationVIEW includes a sensor database where engineers can save their laboratory’s sensors for quick recall. Use the Database Save and Database Lookup buttons to save/look up sensors. Vibration Research recommends using sensors with TEDS when possible, for easy, error-free configuration.
Transducer selection dialog from database.
Tip: For manual entry, use VibrationVIEW’s copy/paste capability to enter sensor information from the manufacturer’s digital data sheet.
Similarly to the sensor database, the Load/Save Configuration options allow engineers to enter an input configuration once and re-load it for every instance of the same test.
You can save an input configuration to a test profile to bypass this step in the future. In the test settings dialog under the Channels tab, select the “Load this Input Configuration with the test” checkbox. The selected configuration will load any time you open the test profile.
Additional Input Configuration Options
The Position column notes the sensor’s mounting location.
The DUT/Sensor Axis columns indicate the direction of motion or measurement of the test item/sensor. These indicators make it easier to troubleshoot setup issues, compare responses between axes, and reproduce the test.
The Tags column groups data for simplified analysis and reporting.
Test Configuration
Control channels are configured in the test settings under the Channels tab. You can define individual notches or aborts in the Sine and Random test modes under Channel Notch and Channel Abort. Press the PgUp/PgDn keys to scroll in increments of 8 channels; press and hold for fast scroll.
Channel settings in the Sine software module.
While a test is running, the engineer has the option of using Big Display, which displays input frequency, amplitude, or other test parameters in a large and highly visible font.
Math & Virtual Channels
Math traces add the result of a math function to a graph as a trace. The Math function is a free-entry field that builds a trace using existing input data.
High-channel Applications
- Display the difference or ratio between sensors
- Combine channels without modifying the test setup
- Convert units or apply scaling to normalize data
Virtual channels create a custom input channel from a math function. Engineers can reference existing input data to create a new channel as part of a control solution.
Graphing
To select consecutive channels for a graph, right-click and use the fill/clear to first/last options.
Similar to the input configuration, you can save a graph layout or view for future use. Select File > Save Graph Layout/View.
Reporting
VibrationVIEW generates reports using mail-merge-type processing. It reads a template, substitutes the keywords for data values and graphs, and writes the resulting data to an output file. Engineers can customize and save report templates.
VibrationVIEW’s Report Builder includes custom report parameters for the input configuration, including mode, coupling, and accelerometer power. You can copy input-specific report parameters from the Input Configuration dialog or from the Report Parameters dialog.
The multi-line, multi-column parameter format saves you time with data entry, particularly when running high-channel-count tests. It outputs the same parameter for multiple channels, each on a new line. Engineers also have the option to output columns of data side-by-side using the same variable string.
- Add the shortcut * after the variable to generate a row for each active channel
- Add the shortcut| to indicate a column break
For example, {DOCVARIABLE ChName*|Ch*|ibrms*} creates a three-column layout of the channel name, RMS, and in-band RMS for all active channels.
Example report template with multi-line code.