A research group developing a novel inspection method requiring precise, isolated current measurements.
Design and develop a prototype system capable of measuring extremely low current values across more than 200 channels, with data transmission via Ethernet for further analysis.
The system needed to operate in a highly challenging environment. The sensor portion was required to function at several thousand volts within a vacuum, while still providing accurate low-current measurements on over 200 channels. The setup also had to ensure data integrity and isolation, while remaining cost-effective given the limited production volume.
Impact ES–Rhode Island worked directly with the client’s physicists to define the system requirements. To meet the measurement and communication needs, a DSP-based processing board was selected off the shelf to handle data acquisition and Ethernet transfer—minimizing development costs.
The processing board was mounted on custom electronics designed to provide fiber optic isolation from the high-voltage sensor measurement electronics. Engineers at Impact ES–Rhode Island identified an integrated circuit capable of highly precise, low-current measurements across all required channels. Special care was taken to mitigate environmental and thermal noise to ensure accurate readings.
