Bustec is an industry-leading supplier of high-performance data-acquisition products used for missile and aircraft component testing.
The company’s products include measurement accuracy, data-throughput, and channel density. Computer-independent and open platform standards are used to ensure long-term use and preserve the capital investment of users.
Ethernet/LXI-based solutions for aircraft component testing
Bustec’s innovative solutions are based on the latest ethernet/LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) connectivity, which allows users to build extensive distributed systems. Our products are specially developed for use in a range of demanding operations, including missile and aircraft component testing, wind tunnel data acquisition, and vibration and acoustic applications.
We have successfully met the needs of clients in the airforce industry through our standardised data acquisition systems. Our design methods are focussed on accuracy and providing users with long-term support. We offer flexible and reliable long-term solutions with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), industry-standard tools and products.
Industry-leading measurement accuracy for airforce equipment
Measurement accuracy is the key advantage of Bustec products and the company is dedicated to achieving outstanding analogue performance. Our state-of-the-art calibration mechanism means our products are able to deliver up to 100x higher accuracy, achieving an overall measurement accuracy of 0.0012% per 50KM/s.
On-the-fly calibration is a key factor in data-acquisition systems. Whereas standard calibration procedures require external calibrators and can often be time-consuming and prone to errors, Bustec’s solution helps to save time and money, while also ensuring accuracy and reliability.
All Bustec data-acquisition units feature a programmable voltage reference and accurate voltages are delivered to each channel before each measurement. This enables Bustec systems to be calibrated within a second, regardless of the size or number of channels involved.
Synchronisation of data acquisition devices
Synchronisation is another key factor of an effective data-acquisition system. The introduction of standard IEEE1588 has enabled Bustec’s ethernet/LXI solutions to achieve synchronisation of 20 nanoseconds, even in very largely distributed systems with more than 1km distances between measuring devices.
This standard of synchronisation accuracy gives Bustec’s products a significant advantage over other data-acquisition systems on the market as it means that even the most demanding of measurement requirements can be fulfilled.
Channel density is another key advantage of the Bustec solutions. Users can build wide-ranging systems with thousands of channels with minimal space requirements, while also reducing costs.
Ethernet/LXI connectivity to build widely distributed defence systems
The biggest measurement error in a centralised data-acquisition system is due to the long sensor cables. Electromagnetic noise is picked up by these long sensor cables and deteriorates the signal-to-noise ratio drastically.
Newer systems tend to bring the measurement channels as close as possible to the sensors to minimise this noise error. In order to do this, it is mandatory to connect the different data-acquisition instruments via ethernet. Ethernet/LXI connectivity allows the user to build largely distributed systems, as well as helping to decrease cabling costs.
Bustec in the airforce industry
Bustec has supplied its measurement and control systems to clients in the airforce industry, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Honeywell, General Dynamics, EADS, Airbus, Eurocopter, Northrop Grumman, Augusta Westland, and Rolls-Royce.
Our data-acquisition systems cover a wide range of applications and are particularly suitable for the airforce industry. Bustec can provide a solution for users with a variety of physical parameters, such as strain, temperature, and pressure restrictions. The solutions can also act as control equipment as well as a measurement solution.
Bustec’s product portfolio also includes counter/timer, digital input/output and analogue output cards.