DTS SLICE MICRO User manual

© Diversified Technical Systems, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
SLICE User’s Manual
Version 1.0i
July 2017

SLICE User’s Manual July 2017
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Table of Contents
1. Contacting Technical Support .....................................................................................4
2. SLICE Overview........................................................................................................5
2.1. SLICE MICRO and SLICE NANO ............................................................................5
2.2. SLICE Modular Concept .......................................................................................5
2.3. SLICE Basic Hardware Components ......................................................................7
2.3.1. Base+ SLICE ..............................................................................................7
2.3.2. Bridge SLICE ..............................................................................................9
2.3.3. IEPE SLICE .................................................................................................9
2.3.4. ACCEL SLICE ............................................................................................ 10
2.3.5. ARS PRO SLICE ......................................................................................... 10
2.3.6. Battery SLICE ........................................................................................... 10
2.3.7. Stack Extender ......................................................................................... 11
2.3.8. End-of-Chain (EOC) Terminal...................................................................... 11
2.3.9. SLICE Distributor....................................................................................... 12
2.3.10. SLICE USB Interface .................................................................................. 12
2.3.11. SLICE Ethernet Interface ............................................................................ 13
2.3.12. SLICE MICRO and NANO Connectors ............................................................ 14
2.4. Batteries ......................................................................................................... 14
2.4.1. 9.6 V Rechargeable NiMH Batteries .............................................................. 14
2.4.2. 11.1 V Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer Batteries ............................................ 15
2.5. SLICE Software ................................................................................................ 15
3. Mounting and Connecting SLICE Hardware.................................................................16
3.1. General Connection Guidelines ...........................................................................16
3.2. Guidelines for High Shock and Vibration Testing ................................................... 16
3.3. SLICE Connectors and Cables ............................................................................17
3.3.1. SLICE Connectors...................................................................................... 17
3.3.2. SLICE Cables ............................................................................................ 18
3.4. Power Requirements ......................................................................................... 19
3.5. Using the End-of-Chain (EOC) Terminal............................................................... 20
3.6. Using the SLICE USB Interface ........................................................................... 21
3.7. Using the SLICE Ethernet Interface..................................................................... 22
3.8. Using the SLICE Distributor ...............................................................................23
4. Sensor ID and Supported Sensor Types..................................................................... 24
4.1. Sensor ID ........................................................................................................ 24
4.2. Supported Sensor Types.................................................................................... 25
5. Software................................................................................................................ 26
5.1. Basic Requirements .......................................................................................... 26
5.2. Data Collection Concepts ................................................................................... 26
5.2.1. Standalone Operation ................................................................................ 26
5.2.2. Data Collection Modes................................................................................ 26
5.2.2.1. Circular Buffer Mode..............................................................................26
5.2.2.2. Recorder Mode ..................................................................................... 26
5.2.2.3. Hybrid Recorder Mode ........................................................................... 26
5.2.2.4. Continuous Recorder Mode .....................................................................27
5.2.3. Multiple-Event Modes ................................................................................. 27
5.2.4. Auto-Arm Data Collection ...........................................................................27
6. Powering Up SLICE ................................................................................................. 28
6.1. Status (STS) LED ............................................................................................. 28
6.2. Power (PWR) LED ............................................................................................. 29

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Appendix A: SLICE Technical & Mechanical Specifications ................................................ 30
Appendix B: End-of-Chain (EOC) Terminal ..................................................................... 36
Appendix C: SLICE USB Interface ................................................................................. 37
Appendix D: SLICE Ethernet Interface...........................................................................39
Appendix E: SLICE Grounding Recommendations ........................................................... 41
Appendix F: SLICE Bridge Sensor Connections ............................................................... 47
Appendix G: SLICEWare XML File Format ...................................................................... 56
Appendix H: SLICEWare Binary File Format ................................................................... 60
Appendix I: Declaration of CE Conformity ......................................................................64

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1. Contacting Technical Support
SLICE systems are designed to be reliable and simple to operate. Should you need
assistance, DTS has support engineers worldwide with extensive product knowledge and
crash test experience to help via telephone, e-mail or on-site visits.
The best way to contact a DTS support engineer is to submit a request through the DTS Help
Center web portal (support.dtsweb.com). You must be registered
(support.dtsweb.com/registration) to submit a request (https://support.dtsweb.com/hc/en-
us/requests/new). Registration also enables access to additional self-help resources and
non-public support information.

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2. SLICE Overview
SLICE is an ultra-small, low-power, high-shock-rated data acquisition system. SLICE is a
standalone system with microprocessor, memory, sensor excitation and signal conditioning
with options for built-in battery and internal sensors. Systems from 3 to hundreds of
channels can be built-up in 3 channel increments.
2.1. SLICE MICRO and SLICE NANO
SLICE comes in two sizes:
•SLICE MICRO (42 x 42 mm)
•SLICE NANO (26 x 31 mm)
They have the exact same function and circuit boards inside. SLICE MICRO has built-
in connectors; SLICE NANO has wires with connectors.
2.2. SLICE Modular Concept
Modular system –Plug multiple SLICEs onto Base+ SLICE to make a Stack
•Each SLICE “Stack” can accommodate 8 sensor input SLICES. Each Bridge
SLICE has 3 analog input channels. You may want multiple “Stacks” if more
channels are needed or placement in different locations makes sense for your
application.
•Each SLICE “Stack” consists of 1 Base+ SLICE and up to 8 additional sensor
input SLICEs.
26 mm
31 mm
42 mm
42 mm
SLICE NANO
SLICE MICRO

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Example SLICE set-up with multiple Stacks:
•SLICE Stacks are mounted to the device under test and chained together.
•The End-of-Chain Terminal can be connected to a trigger, battery, or other
devices.
•The beginning of the chain is connected to the SLICE Interface Device, SLICE
Ethernet Interface, SLICE USB Interface or directly to the PC. PC can be
disconnected after arming for standalone operation.
•Up to 4 SLICE Stacks can be in any one chain.
•SLICE Distributor (not shown) allows for up to 4 SLICE chains for hundreds of
channel in one set-up.
SLICE BRIDGE
modules
Up to (8) per “Stack”
SLICE BASE module
(1) per “Stack”
SLICE NANO
Stack SLICE MICRO
Stack
SLICE
Interface
Device
PC provides
USB control
Manyoptions:
•Battery
•Trigger input
•Monitor status
•Up to 4 Stacks
Device Under Test
Example:Crash dummy, aircraft wing, vehicle chassis,
industrial machinery, bridge structure, etc.

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2.3. SLICE Basic Hardware Components
Below are the basic components of a SLICE system. You will have some subset of
these depending on your application or what was ordered.
The table below provides an overview of the types of SLICE modules available. Some
modules are only available in the MICRO or NANO version.
SLICE Module
Description
MICRO
NANO
Base+ SLICE
One needed for each SLICE Stack
Yes
Yes
Bridge SLICE
3 channels of piezo-resistive and voltage
sensor inputs.
Yes
Yes
IEPE SLICE
3 channels of piezo-electric sensor inputs
Yes
Yes
Accel SLICE
Bridge SLICE with integrated 3-axis
accelerometer
Yes
No
ARS SLICE
Bridge SLICE with integrated 3-axis Angular
Rate Sensor
Yes
No
Stack Battery
2-cell LiPo battery connected to bottom of
Base+ SLICE
No
Yes
2.3.1. Base+ SLICE
See Appendix A for detailed specifications. See the DTS Support site for
information on how to update firmware.
You must have at least one Base+ SLICE for any SLICE system. The Base+
SLICE is at the bottom of the SLICE Stack and has these components:
•Microprocessor
•16 GB flash data memory standard (15 GB available for data storage)
•USB hub
•Power conditioning
•Control signals
A Base+ SLICE MICRO is shown below.
Note: For original Base SLICE specifications, see Version 1.0g of this manual.
SLICE Bus
Up to PC
SLICE Bus
Down to next
Base+ SLICE
Connector to
Bridge SLICE or
other SLICE
input module

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# of
Channels*
Maximum Sampling Rate
(per channel)
3
500,000 samples per second (sps)
6
400,000 sps
9
300,000 sps
12
200,000 sps
15
200,000 sps
18
200,000 sps
21
200,000 sps
24
200,000 sps
* All channels are recorded even if they are not programmed.
How to Calculate Maximum Storage Times
With 15 GB available for data storage, there are a total of 7.5 G samples
available in each Base+ SLICE (1 sample = 2 bytes).
To determine the maximum recording time, divide the number of samples by the
product of the sampling rate and the number of available channels in the Stack.
7,500,000,000
= # of seconds
Sampling rate (sps) X # of channels in Stack
Example 1: 10,000 sps using a 9-channel SLICE Stack
7,500,000,000
= 83,333 sec (23 hours)
10,000 X9
Example 2: 100,000 sps using a 6-channel SLICE Stack
7,500,000,000
= 12,500 sec (3.47 hours)
100,000 X6
Since the recording capacity of a SLICE system is very large, try to limit
sampling rates and durations to the minimum necessary to avoid large and
cumbersome data files. Large files take longer to download and may also be
time-consuming to post-process or difficult to share with colleagues. Use of the
Region of Interest (ROI) download can save a great deal of time if implemented
properly.

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2.3.2. Bridge SLICE
See Appendix A for detailed specifications.
Up to 8 Bridge SLICEs can be stacked on top of the Base+ SLICE. Each Bridge
SLICE has these components:
•3 channels of analog input
•Sensor excitation
•Software adjustable gain, anti-alias filters, offset, and shunt check
•TEDS sensor ID
A Bridge SLICE MICRO is shown below.
2.3.3. IEPE SLICE
See Appendix A for detailed specifications.
Features:
•3 input channels
•One 2.2 mA constant-current source per channel at up to 24 V
•Software adjustable gain, anti-alias filters and offset
•TEDS sensor ID
An IEPE SLICE MICRO is shown below.
Sensor input
channels
Connector to
next SLICE
input module
Connector to
next SLICE
input module
Sensor input
channels

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2.3.4. ACCEL SLICE
The ACCEL SLICE has Bridge SLICE electronics with the addition of a built-in 3-
axis accelerometer. The following specifications apply:
•Options from 25 to 500 g
•DC response
2.3.5. ARS PRO SLICE
The ARS SLICE has Bridge SLICE electronics with the addition of a built-in 3-axis
angular rate sensor. The following specifications apply:
•Uses DTS ARS PRO (see http://dtsweb.com/products/dtsars.php)
•Options from 300 to 8000 deg/sec
•DC response
2.3.6. Battery SLICE
The Battery SLICE is connected to the bottom of the Base+ SLICE. It is only
available in the SLICE NANO version. The Battery SLICE is only a back-up
battery in case main power is lost. Specifications:
•2-cell LiPo design, with charging directly from Base+ SLICE
•Only 3.5 mm thick
Accel and ARS
SLICEs can be
positioned in any
order in a SLICE
MICRO Stack
ARS SLICE
ACCEL SLICE