QuantumX: The third generation of the DAQ revolution

HBK continues to set new trends in data acquisition with QuantumX. Following its tenth anniversary in 2018, the data acquisition system is now in its third generation. In this interview, measurement and testing technology expert Christof Salcher explains why QuantumX and its ruggedized variant SomatXR have been so successful.

With QuantumX, HBK revolutionized conventional solutions for data acquisition, test automation and analysis. With universal channels, the distributed system approach, high-precision digitization, parallel real time and unique openness, QuantumX and SomatXR have become the industry standard.

Salcher:

"We studied the individual workflows of our customers, looking for a way to boost efficiency. We wanted to bring about a paradigm change – away from the permanently installed tool and towards an efficient one with daily-changing setups.

The format of the new system should be small and portable, accessing as many applications as possible. It should be installed close to the sensor to ensure shorter cable lengths, giving high quality measurement results in distributed mode. Changing requirements would be resolved with built-in functionality. It should be possible to integrate any measurement and any sensor you want quickly.

To further optimize our customers’ workflow, we paired the resulting demand for universal inputs with TEDS technology, where an electronic data sheet in the sensor or plug, combined with universal channels, increases the efficiency of automatic channel setup by around 70%. Of course, QuantumX was intended to be a reference point in terms of accuracy and precision and in no way inferior to the globally established MGCplus.

Another factor of course was the growing demand for higher dynamics. Machinery was becoming more dynamic and electrified. The signal bandwidths and sample rates should therefore fully encompass the vibroacoustic range, allow rotational analysis and be able to handle transient jobs with adequate resolution.

It was already apparent at the time that more and more measurement and testing tasks needed to run automatically and in combination with simulation models (today called ‘digital twin’) so that typical field and mobile test and measurement tasks would become reproducible and repeatable in a lab, or on a bench. Therefore, we needed to offer real-time integration into the emerging Ethernet-based fieldbuses, which, in 2008, were unique. However, in parallel with automation, measurement specialists, taking care of the test specimens, wanted to analyse their data whereas the test bench operator took care of the bench and its safety. And that is how the modular QuantumX came about, module by module, from one application to the next, always investigating the latest technical possibilities and their respective benefits for the user."

Salcher:

"In 2015, during the second stage of the device evolution– the so called B platform – we added some essential components to the modules, such as Precision Time Protocol (PTP) or IEEE1588:2008 for time synchronization of multiple devices in Ethernet-based networks. We also offered decimal sample rates as an alternative. We wanted to further improve our flagship MX840B and increase its functional scope and performance while lowering energy consumption. We introduced the most modern bridge amplifier in the world which has already overtaken the universal amplifier in numbers already.

And with our new high-performance data recorder CX22B-W we literally set new standards in mobile testing and recording where users keep on working with the same software on a standard PC, and which from day one offered maximum functionality and reliability.

The 'better Quantum' should also be mentioned. SomatXR is our ultra-rugged test and measurement system for use in harsh environmental testing but also increasingly on test benches

In retrospective, this second stage was a very important harmonizing step, and came just at the right time. The main benefit of PTP and decimal sample rates is for synchronizing measuring devices from HBK or other manufacturers, with high precision and a time resolution in the sub-microsecond range. This simplifies the integration and analysis of measured data – all measurement points can be assigned at the same time and in a best-case scenario there is only a single data set."

The QuantumX CX27C module is the first member of the QuantumX family to have a very powerful and low-energy System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture. This new platform allows customers to integrate rapidly recorded data into whatever digital bus they choose, namely EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet or new xCP-on-Ethernet.

The MX471C is the new flagship in CAN/CAN FD communication and allows you to acquire signals from modern vehicle buses synchronously, freely scalable to x-amount of ports, allowing xCP-on-CANFD signals to be acquired directly from selected ECUs. It also serves as a gateway from all analog acquired signals to CAN or CAN FD busses.

As a result, we were able to increase the modules’ performance by a factor of 12. Of course, the module is compatible with all modules of the QuantumX family since 2008.

In parallel, we also established QuantumX in the upcoming electrifying powertrains of the world with high performance batteries or fuel cells, inverters and electric drives with MX809B measuring temperature with any thermocouple or cell voltage with an isolation up to 2400 V, and MX403B measuring voltage and current directly at a battery.

Now the product series covers all engineering domains and work in hundreds of applications."

Salcher:

"From the very beginning, we have emphasized that we want to offer an open eco-system and encouraged integration on all levels. We actively approached possible partners and encouraged integration into a wide range of different software packages or real-time systesms. This includes programs such as LabVIEW/NXG, Visual Studio .NET, DIAdem, CANape, DASYlab, InNova, IPEmotion, jBeam, mlab and many others. Our commitment was and still is to offer the most efficient and comprehensive solution with our own software, but not to place any obstacles in the way of customers if they have already chosen another software package. But, of course, the best workflow comes with our own very successful software, catman, with over 16,000 licenses currently running. The penetration rate of catmanAP or Enterprise in systems with a high number of channels has grown enormously and is currently at 90% of all sold systems, which confirms our commitment."