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U.S. Department of Energy
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A low-cost infrared telemetry system for kilohertz-bandwidth data acquisition

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6907739

A telemetry system is described that transmits data from three 8-kHz analog inputs by means of an infrared-optical-digital communications channel. This system is used to acquire accelerometer data on a rocket sled during its 300-m flight. An optical communications channel at 950 nm is used to send digitally encoded analog signals from the sled to a fixed receiver. The signal is recorded and decoded by a computer. The transmitter includes a differential amplifier and low-pass filter for each input channel. Excitation for piezoresistive accelerometers is also provided. Each input channel is sampled and digitized at a 16-kHz rate. The transmitter is built on a single printed-circuit card measuring 7.5 cm by 23 cm, weighing less than 450 g including batteries. This system can be used on tests involving destruction of the transmitter because of its low cost. 7 figs.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOD
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
6907739
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-90-1434; CONF-9003149--2; ON: DE90010616
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English