The SoMat EBRG Bridge Layer offers 16 simultaneously sampled low-level differential analog inputs through independent connectors. An extremely versatile layer; the EBRG layer works with both amplified and unamplified transducers including: strain gauges, accelerometers, pressure transducers, load cells, and other general analog signals. The EBRG provides excellent strain gage conditioning with support for quarter-, half- and full-bridge configurations. Automatic balancing and gain settings as well as software selectable sample rates, excitation, and digital filtering; simplify the set-up of a strain channel. There are several calibration options including defined value, external and multipoint calibrations as well as shunt calibrations with embedded software tools. The EBRG also provides four shunt calibration resistors per channel with software selectable shunt direction for either upscale (-Sig to -Ex) or downscale (-Sig to +Ex) calibrations.

The EBRG may be ordered with an optional analog output function. Outputs are filtered analog output signals that can be used in the creation of time-domain lab durability tests. When setting up the laboratory simulation, bring the SoMat eDAQ system into the lab with the component or vehicle. This practice is highly recommended, as it ensures that all of the transducer instrumentation and properties are identical for the lab simulation as they were for the field data collection. Instead of being recorded, the analog out signals are sent as time series data for the test rig to analyze. The controller can then develop drive files that are played into the test rig reproducing exact field dynamics in the lab. Each output channel is associated with the corresponding (like-numbered) input channel on the EBRG board. Calibration files, directly compatible with popular simulation software, that scale the analog outputs to engineering units are provided. The maximum analog output voltage is ±10 volts. Each of the 16 analog channels contain a three-pole Butterworth filter which attenuates frequencies above 25 KHz. These filters smooth out the stair-steps created by the channel’s digital to analog converter.