A renowned U.S. engineering development center ranks among the world’s most advanced large-scale flight simulation test centers. It operates dozens of aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, crewed space environment simulators, arc heaters, ballistic ranges, and other specialized facilities. Many of these test facilities deliver unmatched performance among sites across the United States.

The customer needed to conduct turbine engine performance tests under high-altitude conditions. Temperature, pressure and condensation fluctuated throughout testing, with most data acquired from accelerometers and pressure transducers. This imposed stringent requirements on the test instrumentation. The customer required detection equipment with a rugged enclosure, support for high-speed, multi-channel data acquisition, and simplified wiring to boost pre-test preparation efficiency. Furthermore, to accommodate future system expansion, the data acquisition hardware and software must feature high compatibility and scalability.

VTI Instruments delivered a complete solution tailored to the user’s requirements. It fully meets test demands, offers flexible and user-friendly operation, facilitates later maintenance, and provides excellent cost performance.

**Data Acquisition Hardware (Laboratory): EMX-4250**

16-channel intelligent PXIe DSA digitizer

Sampling rate: 204.8 kSa/s

Uses BNC terminal blocks for easy connectivity

Supports IEPE signal conditioning and TEDS

24-bit ADC with wide dynamic range and high data resolution

**Data Acquisition Hardware (Test Cell): RX0124**

24-channel data acquisition unit for bridge measurements

Operating temperature range: -20℃ ~ 60℃

IP66 protection rating against liquids and moisture

24-bit ADC with a data throughput up to 128 kSa/s

**Data Synchronization: EMX-2500**

The EMX-2500 adopts the PTP IEEE-1588-2008 standard clock source. It enables synchronization across multiple chassis and instruments and applies timestamps to data. It synchronizes low-speed and high-speed data acquisition, as well as ruggedized and non-ruggedized data acquisition systems.

Within this solution, the EMX-4250 and RX0124 achieve acquisition synchronization to build a widely distributed data acquisition system. Test instruments can be deployed close to the test stand to maximize signal integrity.

**Data Acquisition & Control Software: DS Software**

Supports dynamic data acquisition, processing and storage

Powerful graphical interface for data analysis, offering multiple real-time data displays including time domain, frequency spectrum, order tracking and more

Features an interactive configuration editor to set parameters for data acquisition and processing

Placing test instruments closer to the unit under test helps improve test reliability and stability while simplifying system architecture. However, this poses challenges for the instruments, which must withstand harsher environments. Particularly in wind tunnel and engine tests, equipment endures vibration, dust, oil contamination, and uncontrolled on-site temperatures. To address such test requirements, VTI has developed a series of rugged field data acquisition instruments. The RX series provides solutions for voltage, thermocouple, dynamic strain, IEPE and charge-mode vibration measurements.

Rugged VTI RX-series instruments operate under the most extreme environmental conditions without compromising measurement accuracy and performance. For instance, the RX0424 carries an IP66 rating, reliably protecting against dust ingress, leakage, humidity and water jets. It can operate in nearly any environment, especially when paired with robust military-grade connectors. In addition, its compact and lightweight design eliminates the need for cooling fans; heat conduction alone extends its operating temperature range from -20°C to +60°C.

Users can deploy multiple units around the device under test to minimize analog cabling and noise errors. Shorter, easier-to-manage sensor cables reduce equipment installation and maintenance time. Data synchronization via the industry-standard IEEE-1588 synchronization and timestamping method enhances system reliability and flexibility.

With decades of profound experience in the test and measurement industry, VTI Instruments specializes in developing precision data acquisition and switching instruments. It serves multiple critical sectors including aerospace & defense, automotive & transportation, communications, commercial industries, power & energy, and semiconductors. VTI delivers stable and reliable test solutions for harsh industrial test environments, supporting customers in high-precision data acquisition, signal switching and experimental testing to underpin research trials and R&D validation of industrial products.

For more product specifications or application solutions, please visit the official website of AMETEK VTI Division or contact us via the service hotline.