On-Line Computer Acquisition of Data from a Shocktube Experiment*.

Abstract

A computer data acquisition system was developed for a shocktube experiment. Shockwave velocity was measured by coimting cycles from a 10-MHz crystal oscillator as the Shockwave passed between fixed sensors on the shocktube. Three interval counts so obtained were transmitted to a Supernova computer under program control at the end of the experiment. During an experiment an IR emission signal from the shockfront was detected, amplified, digitized, and sent to the computer through a data channel port. IR measurement timing was controlled by the acquisition system. The system allows measurement of points to higher accuracy and precision than previous oscilloscope techniques, reduces manual labor and human transcribing errors, and makes additional data processing easier.