Digital Waveform-based System for AE Measurement for NDT

The goal of this project is to develop a multi-channel, real-time data acquisition, storage, and analysis system for acoustic emissions (AE). The proposed digital recorder will provide 12 independent channels of input with each channel supporting acquisition, storage, and processing of up to 20,000 AE events at a 10 MHz sampling rate. Our architectural approach will exploit the inherent parallel nature of multi-channel AE measurement and will emphasize modularity and scaleability. The storage interfaces will be designed to support future upgrades to higher density media (via SIMM and PCMCIA sockets), and the performance of the recorder will be enhanced via optional data/waveform compression hardware modules. A channel microprocessor will provide acquisition control and post-analysis of stored AE events (e.g., times-of-arrival, frequency content, etc.). With this fully parallel approach, the recorder will be able to gracefully scale up to meet high-end AE acquisition requirements and also will scale down for lower-end AE acquisition scenarios (e.g., fewer channels, lower sampling rates). Phase I will involve prototyping and testing a single channel: Phase II will result in a complete system.