EUROPEAN TEST AND TELEMETRY CONFERENCE (ETTC) 2024 (Booth #2-423) – NUREMBERG, GERMANY – June 11, 2024 – Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today introduced the Axon™ Pico (AXP/ADC/401) 8-channel ADC data acquisition unit (DAU), the latest addition to its expansive range of data acquisition systems designed for use in demanding flight test programs. Flight test engineers seek to reduce their FTI system’s wire weight and complexity while easing the installation process. They also want to leverage distributed architectures that enable remote data acquisition from hard-to-reach places on the test platform, while also being able to acquire accurate data in locations that experience extreme shock and vibration. The Axon Pico, Curtiss-Wright’s first DAU to support Power over Ethernet (PoE), helps address all of these challenging requirements.
This size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimized Axon Pico DAU is designed to be as small as possible without compromising key features. It significantly reduces wiring weight and complexity, enables the remote capture of critical data and supports daisy-chain connectivity to other Axon Picos without requiring a switch. Axon Picos connect to each other using IEEE 1588 PTP system synchronization. Even better, the high-performance unit delivers data throughput rated at 50 ksps per channel (max.) on each of its 8 analog input channels, while providing support for all typical FTI analog sensor types. This flexible analog-to-data converter FTI module is ideal for use in demanding flight test programs, such as Missile and EVTOL testing.
“We believe the Axon Pico is the FTI industry’s first miniature standalone analog data acquisition unit with support for Power over Ethernet and daisy-chain connectivity,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “Our Axon data acquisition systems for critical flight test applications provide flight test engineers with high-speed, flexible solutions for demanding FTI programs. With the introduction of the Axon Pico, we further demonstrate our commitment to delivering the most comprehensive FTI product range available.”
The Axon Pico supports a programmable input range of ±2.4 mV to ±10V and delivers high accuracy up to 0.02% FSR (typical). The DAU supports full-bridge, half-bridge, differential ended, single ended, RTD, thermocouple, ICP, and AC coupled measurements, with both voltage and current excitation. Data is packetized directly out of the unit, eliminating the need for a separate chassis. Each unit features two ports that carry both 100BASE-TX Ethernet and power over CAT5 (or better) cable.
About the Axon Product Family
The Axon product family is the most advanced airborne data acquisition system available today, offering low SWaP with the best feature set, data acquisition, and thermal performance on the market. The Axon product family builds on Curtiss-Wright’s heritage as the leading supplier of rugged, reliable data acquisition for aerospace applications.
Axon’s future-proof design, using a high-speed serial backplane (1 Gbps dedicated link per module), ensures future high data rates are supported. Its optimized SWaP design enables an Axon module to be located in tight spaces and operate reliably without requiring bulky heatsinks. Axon modules can be hosted in ultra-miniature "Axonite" housings and located remotely, separated from the chassis by up to 10 meters. Locating data acquisition closer to the sensors can significantly decrease the installation time and cost of the instrumentation while simultaneously reducing wiring weight. Axonites can also save significant system costs in larger installations by minimizing the number of DAUs required in remote locations and eliminating the need for extra chassis controllers and power supplies.
Axon AXN family modules are optimized for use with Curtiss-Wright Acra KAM-500 network-based DAUs and DAS Studio software.
The Axon Pico (AXP/ADC/401) product sheet is available for download here.
For additional information about Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions products, please visit www.curtisswrightds.com, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) @CurtissWrightDS.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Power, Process and Industrial markets. We leverage a workforce of approximately 8,600 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
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John Wranovics
Director of Public Relations
John Wranovics has over thirty years of experience in managing media relations and the promotion of high technology products. He has been with Curtiss-Wright since 2003. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
