A low-cost infrared telemetry system for kilohertz-bandwidth data acquisition
Michael D Holder · University of North Texas Digital Library (University of North Texas) · 1990
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.