imc ARGUSfit-BASE W-LAN Base Unit Data Acquisition System

imc ARGUSfit – fast, compact and modular measurement systems

imc ARGUSfit is a compact modular system that allows the user to flexibly assemble fast data acquisition systems (DAQ). Both the base unit and the flexibly combinable measuring modules have independent housings which are connected by a "click" mechanism (no tools required) to form a DAQ system. This modularity includes not only measurement amplifiers but also interface modules such as for CAN bus.

imc ARGUSfit covers the entire frequency range of physical measurement applications with a aggregate sampling rate of up to 5 MS/s and channel rates of up to 500 kSample/s, depending on the module type. Various such measurement modules for common signals and sensors are available and more will be released in the future.

In addition, interface modules can be added to integrate common field and vehicle buses such as CAN FD into the data acquisition and to exchange measurement data via these communication standards.

The system achieves particular flexibility by extending modularity even to decentralized topologies. The internal ARGUS high-speed system bus can be converted to fiber optic cables by means of a media converter extension module in order to integrate spatially distributed module blocks.

imc ARGUSfit also provides complete integration of the imc CANSASfit module series for slower channels, e.g. for temperature measurement: while fast imc ARGUSfit modules are docked to the bottom (right side) of the
imc ARGUS base (high-speed system bus), imc CANSASfit modules can be clicked onto the top (left side). Such CANSASfit modules (CANFT) are likewise internally connected with power and CAN bus and are fully supported and integrated by the software as a uniform system. Finally, CANFT modules can even be installed in distributed topologies and connected via CAN-cable to the CANSAS-Interface of the base unit, provided on a dedicated LEMO.0B terminal.

The resulting DAQ system is networked by Ethernet and configured via a connected PC. In measurement mode, the PC can then serve as a sink for recorded data (continuous "streaming").
In stand-alone operating mode, the PC is not even required and the measurement data can also be stored on removable microSD flash memory. Live measurement data can already be pre-processed or evaluated by onboard realtime analyses (imc Online FAMOS). This applies to stand-alone mode, too. Typical analysis functionalities and applications include limit value monitoring, min./max. statistics, digital filters, spectral analysis, order analysis, classification and much more.

Multiple DAQ systems of the imc ARGUSfit series as well as other imc data logger and measurement systems can be interconnected via Ethernet. This allows to operate very large and multi-channel setups in which different imc device series work together uniformly and fully synchronized. The Ethernet interface can then be used for communication and data exchange as well as for absolute time synchronization of the entire system (via NTP).

At a glance:

• Very compact, high-performance data acquisition system (DAQ)
• Particularly flexible: modular system without mainframe
• Click mechanism: connects modules electrically and mechanically
• Modularity for both analog amplifiers and digital interface modules
• Decentralized installations supported via fiber optic cable for high-speed system bus
• imc ARGUSfit amplifiers for almost any physical sensor and signal type
• Up to 5 MS/s aggregate system sampling rate
• High channel data rates (and bandwidths), up to 500 kS/s at 24-bit resolution, depending on the module type
• Multiple individual channel sampling rates
• Integrated real-time analysis through built-in imc Online FAMOS
• Full integration of imc CANSASfit
• Combination with all imc system families and synchronous acquisition of thousands of channels
• Comfortable operation with uniform and modern imc STUDIO software for all imc systems.

imc ARGUSfit: Modules and the system

imc ARGUSfit complete DAQ systems are built around a base unit and can be composed of a number of imc ARGUSfit amplifier and interface modules (bottom/right), imc CANSASfit modules (top/left). In addition to the mechanical connection, the click connectors provide a backbone for power supply, data transfer via system bus or CAN bus, trigger, synchronization and fully integrated operation.

For expansion to decentralized distributed topologies, the system bus can be converted to fiber optic cables by means of a clickable fiber converter module. Furthermore, additional imc CANSASfit modules can also be connected via an additional CAN bus cable.

A battery buffered UPS module is available to compensate short term power failures such as with automotive applications that need to include the startup process (cold-cranking) or start-stop functions in the measurements.

imc Online FAMOS

imc Online FAMOS is a powerful extension included in every imc ARGUSfit DAQ system as a standard without any additional license required. It offers a variety of real-time functions for pre-processing and signal analysis. The mathematical analysis functions are executed on the signal analysis platform integrated in the measurement device. This means that analysis results are available immediately and also independently of the PC. Such
pre-processing can also yield significant data reduction and thus reduce the amount of data to be exchanged between the DAQ system and the PC. The results are available in imc STUDIO as virtual channels.

Software minimum requirements

Operation of the imc ARGUSfit system requires operating software of the following group: imc STUDIO 2023 R3. Operation of the variant with internal WiFi adaptor: ARGFT-BASE-WLAN requires operating software of the following group: imc STUDIO 2025 R2. 

imc ARGUSfit-BASE W-LAN Datasheet