Versatile Data Acquisition for Automotive Component Testing
Ohio Pen/10273650

CLEVELAND - OhioPen -- dataTaker DT80 Accommodates More Than 20 Measurements

The OEM manufacturer of automotive components conducted a long-term reliability test on its latest device. Data was collected from multiple vehicles across the US to study component performance in various conditions. Three key concerns were identified during requirements definition:

1. Overall power consumption was significant–the logger only needed to collect data while the vehicle was running, but it had to be continuously powered to quickly respond on startup. Therefore, the idle power consumption needed to be very low to eliminate the possibility of discharging the vehicle battery if it was parked for a long time
2. Since the vehicles were dispersed throughout remote locations across the country, manual data retrieval was impractical, so the manufacturer wanted to implement a periodic automated data upload via a cellular connection.
3. The data logging system needed to be as unobtrusive as possible, since these test vehicles were currently being driven by end users. It had to be small enough to fit in an enclosure that could be "hidden" in the trunk.

Installation

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After careful evaluation, the dataTaker DT80 data logger with CEM20 expansion module was chosen for the test project. This low-power device offers 5 flexible input channels and multiple measurement options for accurate vehicle data collection.

Usage

The data loggers were powered by connecting the battery to the main power input and the ignition signal to one of the digital inputs. A schedule triggered by the key turning on or off was then created to control the main data collection schedules within the loggers.

To simplify data retrieval, each datalogger was paired with a Microhard LTE Cube cellular modem that could be connected directly to the Ethernet port of the data logger. Power for the modem was sent through the programmable relay channel of the DT80. A timed schedule was created to trigger the data upload at a specific time each day. Once activated, this schedule would close the relay to power up the modem, wait for the modem to register, establish its connection to the cellular network, send the data via the DT80s' built-in FTP server, and then power down the modem when done, again to minimize power consumption.

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Benefits

The compact, fiberglass-encased DT80 dataloggers were seamlessly installed in vehicle trunks, measuring physical and electrical parameters with low power consumption. Over 18 months, they showed high reliability and effectively recovered any missing data, with one hardware failure due to a collision.

For further information on the dataTaker DT80 Intelligent Universal Input Data Logger, automotive component testing, or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS Data Logger Application Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit us at https://www.dataloggerinc.com.