Vibration Research’s PSD averaging calculation provides the smoothest control lines in the industry. It allows companies to run highly accurate vibration tests in a condensed period, ensuring that the product is tested for just the right amount of time. Random add-on software (VR9210).
Download Demo All Software ModulesTesting facilities in industries such as aerospace often test high-value equipment at extremely high levels of random vibration for a brief period. The goal is to run a realistic test that will identify any reliability issues without damaging the equipment.
Ideally, the test engineers want to see a smooth control trace on the power spectral density (PSD) that remains within an established tolerance range. However, short-duration random vibration tests typically have very tight tolerances (+/- 1.5dB). The statistics of averaging FFT power values limit the possibility that all lines will be within tolerance in a short timeframe.
Instant Degrees of Freedom® (iDOF) calculations are a statistically valid way to provide smooth lines and an in-tolerance PSD in a brief testing period.
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Time constraints and the statistical nature of PSD calculation make it difficult to create a clear PSD that accurately reflects test results in a short duration. Popular methods to address this challenge hide the true test response of a device under test (DUT).
However, there is a statistically valid approach to quickly creating an accurate PSD. At each change in the test level, iDOF reduces the variance of the PSD estimate and exposes any lines out of tolerance without masking resonances.
With iDOF, a test engineer can verify that the control PSD is maintained within tolerance and decide how the test affects the DUT. Most importantly, the engineer can stop the test before the energy from a resonance inflicts damage on the DUT.
Vibration test technicians and lab managers appreciate the “perfect world scenario” that iDOF offers. It is an innovation the vibration control industry has needed for some time. As the innovators in vibration control, Vibration Research listened and responded to customer needs.
With iDOF, your PSD plots will:
Test engineers can expect to quickly see a smooth line except when real-life resonances and vibration patterns dictate that a raggedness should appear. They can abort the test before any potential product damage occurs.
Too often, software force fits a smooth line by running the test at a low level (below demand), taking the averaged PSD, and multiplying it by a factor to bring it to full level. This method is invalid because it falsely assumes that the behaviors of a product at a high level mimic that of a low level. This vibration testing protocol is unfortunately common and is why high-value products are over- and under-tested.
Harness the exactness, efficiencies, and peace of mind that iDOF offers to vibration control engineers.
Control errors are visible much sooner with iDOF than with traditional averaging. For example, the iDOF algorithm can process ten frames of data to produce a PSD estimate comparable to traditional averaging with 100 frames. This processing time enables fast detection of changing responses such as shifting resonances without using long averaging times: a critical capability for short-duration tests.
Aerospace vibration testing requires adequate test severities and consistent, repeatable results. Vibration Research offers many aerospace testing solutions, including short-duration random tests, high-channel-count control, shock response spectrum, and more.
Aerospace Testing