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cronos-flex

CRONOS-flex

Modular, spatially distributable measurement system
With the imc CRONOSflex, we offer a modular system, which gives you an unprecedented degree of flexibility in the setup of your measurement system. The system requires no rack or frame. Both base unit and the measurement modules (amplifiers or conditioners) have independent housings: by a robust Click Mechanism, they can easily be either connected directly to one another or alternatively spatially distributed over a standard network cable. A distance of up to 100m between individual modules is possible.

SKU: CRONOS-flex Tags: , , , ,

Product Description

The imc CRONOSflex covers the entire frequency range of physical test and measurement requirements by providing up to 2 MSamples/s with channel rates up to 100 kSamples/s. Measurement modules are available for every common type of signal and sensor.

Features

  • Flexible modularity through frameless expansion
  • With the Click Mechanism, modules are physically and electronically connected
  • Ideal for frequently changing measurement tasks – distributed or centrally located
  • Simultaneous recording of analog, digital, and vehicle bus data
  • Up to 2,000 kS/s per system and up to 100 kS/s per channel
  • Supports nearly every signal and sensor type
  • Synchronous acquisition from one up to thousands of channels
  • Integrated real time analysis
  • Ready to go configuration and operation software imc STUDIO included

Distributed configuration

While directly clicking modules to a base unit allows an imc CRONOSflex system to be built-to-order by the user, this is not the only option when connecting modules to the base unit. A special feature of imc CRONOSflex is the ability to distribute modules remotely, creating a spatially distributed system.

Synchronous connection of the satellite module(s) is easily accomplished using standard Ethernet cables (RJ45, CAT5) and connecting them in a change topology. The remote modules may be individual, or clicked together in satellite blocks, with the support of any number of satellite blocks. This allows the imc CRONOSflex Modules to be placed close the sensor, significantly reducing cabling and electromagnetic signal interference. With up to 100 m between any two imc CRONOSflex Modules, distributed and hybrid centralized/distributed system topologies really open up the possibilities for in-vehicle test and measurement, test bench testing, and any other space or distance challenged testing environment. And thanks to Power over EtherCAT, single distributed modules can be powered directly by the base system, for the unparalleled convenience of single cable connectivity.

For even more distribution possibilities, an external GPS time synchronization allows decentralized system setups to be created with two or more synchronized base units—even if they are separated by hundreds of miles.

Alternative Use in EtherCAT Networks

The flex-modules can also be used without an imc CRONOSflex base unit in an existing EtherCAT bus system. In this case, the modules are treated as slave nodes and controlled by the bus master (EtherCAT master). All modules are connected and controllable via CoE (CANopen-over-EtherCAT) and FoE (File Access-over-Ethernet). Thus, a universal application is guaranteed. With the ability to store multiple configurations, the operational protocol effort is reduced considerably.

Networking and power supply

Both the base unit, and each flex module, have their own power supply input for 10-50 V DC, as well as two RJ45 network connectors (IN/OUT) for wiring of the EtherCAT bus system. In addition, all components are equipped with a rugged connector that provides a direct mechanical coupling of modules (imc click-mechanism) to take over the supply and bus links. Thus, several modules can be directly clicked together and powered by a single DC source.

Power over EtherCAT

In distributed system setups, remotely installed imc CRONOSflex modules can be powered via the EtherCAT network cable (CAT5) that is used to connect the system bus. With this Power-over EtherCAT operation an additional power supply cable or separate power connection for individual modules is not required. This is especially useful for measuring modules that are inaccessible or remotely mounted. Depending on module type, even multiple modules can be conveniently operated with remote power—up to the usual power limits of Power-over-EtherCAT.

imc CRONOSflex: Connectivity of the base units

With the imc CRONOSflex series, imc is offering a modular system that gives you an unprecedented level of flexibility when it comes to the compilation of your measurement system.

The system doesn’t require a rack of frame, because both the base unit, as well as addtional flex moudles (amplifiers and conditioners), have separte, clickable housings.

CRFX-400

  • Type: CRFX-400 with optional CAN-Bus
  • Aggregate Sampling Rate: 400 kSps
  • Connectivity: Ethernet 100 MBit, EtherCat distributed, GPS, Display port, LEDs & Isolated SYNC signal
  • Data Storage: Compact Flash & storage on PC
  • Standalone capabilities: PC independent trigger functionality, self-start timer and PC-less operation
  • Synchronization & Clock: Master-Slave between imc systems, NTP, via external GPS signal, IRIG-B & DCF-77 signal and using intelligent trigger functions
  • Field Bus Extensions: CAN, LIN, FlexRay, MVB, ARINC, XCPoE & EtherCAT Slave (optional)
  • Multi-functional I/O Extension: Digital In/Out, pulse counter & analog out (optional)
  • Power Supply: DC input 10V to 50V, AC/DC Adapter(110 to 230 VAC), Data integrity upon power failure

CRFX-2000G

  • Type: CRFX-2000G with optional CAN-Bus and Multi-IO Board
  • Aggregate Sampling Rate: 2000 kSps
  • Connectivity: Ethernet 1 GBit, EtherCat distributed, GPS, Display port, LEDs & Isolated SYNC signal
  • Data Storage: CFast card, USB 2.0 host port (removable storage) & storage on PC
  • Standalone capabilities: PC independent trigger functionality, self-start timer and PC-less operation
  • Synchronization & Clock: Master-Slave between imc systems, NTP, via external GPS signal, IRIG-B & DCF-77 signal and using intelligent trigger functions
  • Field Bus Extensions: CAN, LIN, FlexRay, MVB, ARINC, XCPoE & EtherCAT Slave (optional)
  • Multi-functional I/O Extension: Digital In/Out, pulse counter & analog out (optional)
  • Power Supply: DC input 10V to 50V, AC/DC Adapter(110 to 230 VAC), Data integrity upon power failure

imc CRONOSflex: input modules

As part of the imc CRONOS family, the new imc CRONOSflex continues the tradition for supporting direct measurements of virtually any sensor available for mechanical, electromechanical, and mechatronic measurements. Multi-channel mixed signals, whether analog inputs, counters and incremental encoder inputs, or field bus based signals such as CAN-bus, GM LAN or LIN… you name it: imc CRONOSflex measures it.

Modular measurements

With up to 100kSps per channel, and now supporting up to 2 million samples per second throughput in each base unit, as well as having software configurable high precision signal conditioners and integrated sensor power supplies – the imc CRONOSflex can take on even the toughest data acquisition challenges, while performing at high precision under demanding environmental conditions.

The most striking feature of the imc CRONOSflex system is the imc Click Mechanism – you can add or remove signal-conditioned analog input channels from your imc CRONOSflex system in seconds by simply clicking a module on or off the stack. The module’s rigid case and automatic recognition by the imc STUDIO software provide the ultimate in flexible modularity. Alternatively, the imc CRONOSflex Modules may be distributed, connected with the base unit or other satellite blocks via standard Ethernet cable.

As with all imc data acquisition system inputs, the imc CRONOSflex Modules integrate signal conditioning, analog filtering, high precision 24-bit digitizers, and digital signal processing. As such, a variety of modules are available from imc—from the general purpose universal 8-channel UNI2-8 module (CRFX/UNI2-8), to more measurement specific modules.

Universal

  • UNI2-8, UNI4

Voltage | Current | Temperature

  • LV3-8, ISO2-8, ISOF-8, HISO-8, HV2-4U, HV2-2U2I

Strain Gauges

  • DCB2-8, DCBC2-8, B-8BC-8, BR2-4

Audio | Vibration

  • ICPU2-8, AUDIO2-4, AUDIO2-4-MIC, QI-4

Digital In | Digital Out | Audio Out

  • DI16-DO8-ENC4, DI8-DO8-ENC4-DAC4, HRENC-4, FRQ2-4, DI2-16, DI2-32, DI-16-HV (110V), DO-16-HC, DO-32-HC, DI2-16-DO-16-HC, DO-16-HC-DAC-8, DAC-8

Instrumentation Direct supply a range of data acquisition starter kits, dataq, hardware and free and direct data logging devices.

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