HGL supplied a 128-channel acquisition system with embedded analysis and storage features for use with the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Initially, this system consisted of a single 128-channel acquisition unit and a single 4-screen HawkEye display system. After eighteen months of operation, the system was upgraded to 4 32-channel acquisition units and 4 distributed HawkEye units to provide increased real-time safety monitoring.

The main benefit introduced by this system was the ability to analyse the acquired data overnight, prior to the following day's acquisition. This allowed the project team to modify the test plan if necessary based on the measured dynamic characteristics in between back-to-back testing days. In some cases the users were able to analyse data from one part of the test run whilst acquisition was still continuing, and the second half of the test plan was modified as a result, all without interrupting acquisition.

A second system has been installed more recently in another test cell at the same facility. The main benefit introduced by this system was the introduction of real-time monitoring for safety monitoring purposes as well as for display. By splitting the acquisition across multiple units, increased processing power was made available for real-time updates of 20 Hz and alarm-based monitoring on all acquired channels.

These two systems have between them acquired over 30 terabytes of good-quality data, all of which has been analysed in both the USA and the UK. Over 20 terabytes of data have been transferred by tape alone and imported into a Hercules data storage facility in the UK with very little manpower involved.

HGL supplied a 128-channel acquisition and real-time safety monitoring system for use in testing the F136 engine for the JSF program at Cincinnati, Ohio. This system consists of 4 32-channel acquisition units and 6 HawkEye real-time display units configured for two engineers to monitor three screens each. An overall control screen shows a summary view of alarm conditions which have occurred during the run, describing the peak amplitude observed, which mode was triggered, the engine running speed at which the peak occurred, and the duration for which the signal was above the alarm threshold.

More recently, two of the four acquisition units were transferred to an outdoor test facility at Peebles, Ohio. The remaining equipment at Cincinnati continued to operate as a 64-channel system, whilst additional real-time display units were supplied by HGL to complete the second 64-channel system at Peebles. The two 64-channel systems continued to operate for several months until the test program came to an end and the acquisition units were recombined back into a 128-channel system.

In order to assist in the analysis of the acquired data on the Cincinnati test, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) link was installed between USA and UK sites to permit vibration analysts in the UK Bristol to analyse and interrogate data sets recorded and stored in the USA. This remote data analysis and viewing capability provides almost instant access to processed data files separated from the users by 4000 miles as though they were stored locally.

An industrial gas turbine manufacturer has two sites in the UK. These two sites, separated physically by 2 kilometres, are linked by a corporate network link across which the total data transfer rate is limited by the customer's corporate IT department.

HGL was able to provide a data reduction system for analysing data originally recorded on Sony SIR 1000 tapes. The software for the system incorporates client-server techniques to minimise the data transfer rate required on the corporate network.

More recently, the customer's development test department has been upgrading its test cell systems with HGL equipment. An initial system of 32 channels at up to 200 kHz sample rate per channel has been followed by an 8-channel system at up to 2.5 MHz per channel for pyrometry measurements.

The development test equipment now consists of four 32-channel systems which can be used individually on small tests or may be combined to form an integrated system for larger tests. 

The production test beds are also in the process of upgrading their acquisition systems, and have also chosen to standardise on HGL products.

HGL supplied a 96-channel acquisition system, based on three 32-channel acquisition units, to a major European aero engine manufacturer for use on engine tests across Europe. The system has been used around Europe as part of the TP400 engine development test program, amongst others.

The system has been specified so that it can also function as three separate 32-channel systems operating independently, each with its own real-time safety monitoring capability.

Most recently, the system has been combined with a 64-channel system (again consisting of two 32-channel units), to function as a 160-channel mobile system.