Digilent OpenLogger Kit - Review

Table of contents

RoadTest: Digilent OpenLogger Kit

Author: tfagrell

Creation date:

Evaluation Type: Test Equipment

Did you receive all parts the manufacturer stated would be included in the package?: True

What other parts do you consider comparable to this product?: Dataq Instruments USB Data Acquisition Starter Kits are the most similar offerings in the commercial realm. The prices are competitive when considering the number of channels and expandability offered by linking other devices.

What were the biggest problems encountered?: Software, although well developed and reliable, does not have the most intuitive interface.

Detailed Review:

Introduction

 

The Digilent Openlogger MZ is a portable data acquisition system capable of running in a standalone configuration with no computer attached. The full specifications can be found on their website here "Specifications" .

 

Here are the basics:

  • Eight analog data logging channels with 16 bits @ 500kS/s and 50kHz bandwidth
  • 500kS/s maximum and 50 Samples/s minimum sample rate
  • One-channel function generator with 10-bit resolution and 2MS/s
  • Two-channel power supply at ± 4V and 50mA per channel
  • Eight digital I/O channels
  • USB or wireless connection
  • Data streamed via USB/WiFI or logged to SD
  • USB or externally powered

 

For this Road Test Review I approached from the perspective of someone that uses data acquisition systems every day. I wanted to benchmark the Openlogger against a commercially available data acquisition system, specifically in a vehicle test application. In this case my setup was very simple, the two most common sensors used for vehicle brake testing (a high resolution GPS for vehicle speed and a decelerometer to measure vehicle deceleration). I instrumented my personal vehicle for this testing.

 

Test Setup

 

Digilent Openlogger MZ

    Analog Channel 1 - Decelerometer

    Analog Channel 2 - Race Technology Speedbox High Resolution GPS connected via analog output

    Sampling Rate - 100Hz

 

Commercially Available Data Acquisition

     Analog Channel 1 - Decelerometer

     Pulse Channel 1 - Race Technology Speedbox High Resolution GPS connected via pulse output

     Sampling Rate - 100Hz

 

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Figure 1 - Instrumentation Setup

 

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Figure 2 - Instrumentation Setup

 

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Figure 3 - Connected Sensors

 

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Figure 4 - Roof Mounted GPS Antenna

 

Test Plan

 

The following stops were conducted with both data acquisition systems running in parallel. The one issue I have with the Openlogger was that there was no option to trigger logging by a source other than the button on the Waveform Live screen. There is an option to start logging upon startup but for my application this was not needed. Adding an option to commence logging by an external switch (perhaps to a digital I/O channel) would be beneficial.

 

1 Constant decel stop from 50 mph on asphalt (constant decel was targeted with no ABS, stop is done from steady state speed to zero)

1 Constant decel stop from 40 mph on asphalt (constant decel was targeted with no ABS, stop is done from steady state speed to zero)

2 Transition stops at 20 mph from concrete to gravel (stop was a "panic" stop commencing on concrete while transitioning to gravel, this gives us some ABS activation, you will see an acceleration then a hard stop)

 

 

Results

 

The results from the stops are shown below. "OL" indicates the Openlogger data and "VM" indicates the commercial data acquisition system.

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Figure 5 - 40 mph Stop

 

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Figure 6 - 50 mph Stop

 

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Figure 7 - Transition Stop 1

 

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Figure 8 - Transition Stop 2

 

Conclusions

 

The purpose of my review was to evaluate the data logging capability and accuracy of the Openlogger MX in comparison to a commercially available (and much more expensive) data acquisition system. I did not explore every capability this DAQ had to offer. My review covers the analog logging capability, most sensors will be outputting an analog signal anyway so I think this covers many users intent when purchasing this unit. To say the least I am impressed with this system. As you can clearly see from the graphs above, the data collected from each system is almost indistinguishable from each other. Any offset can be attributed to a small calibration error and the fact that two different decelerometers were used side by side. Statistically the differences are insignificant. All in all the Openlogger can hold its own against other, higher end loggers. For the price this is a great data logger, for under $200 this is a definite win.

 

Pros and Cons Quick List

 

Pros

-Many different sampling rates all the way up to 50kHz (although most of us have no need to sample past 1kHz)

-Screw terminal adapter is easy to use

-Flywires are also easy to use, following the pinout from the online documentation

-Realtime view as data is being logged, great for instant feedback

-Exporting data to CSV from Waveforms Live is easy once you set up the graph configuration

-Onboard 5V pins for power supply

-Calibration can be done to convert your voltages to any unit

 

Cons

-Although I understand why there is no 10V pin, so many sensors use 10V excitation, this would be very nice to see

-Software is not very intuitive, not hard but takes some getting used to

-Setting the sensitivity calibration is done by manually by entering a formula and offset. An integrated option to do a simple two-point linear calibration would aid in setting up sensors

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