Satellite test system for INPE passes factory acceptance test

DENMARK, NOVEMBER 2011

Brüel & Kjær has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of a data acquisition and vibration test system for INPE, Brazil.

INPE – or The National Institute for Space Research – is a civilian research centre for aerospace activities within the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology.

The new system is for performing mechanical satellite qualification and acceptance testing, where vibration, shock and acoustic fatigue testing is used to simulate the environment experienced during satellite launch.

The Brüel & Kjær system comprises a complete suite of test applications for data recording, acoustic fatigue testing, and vibration testing, including transient, random, and swept-sine test types.



Data recording is performed with a Brüel & Kjær LAN-XI data acquisition system. This COTS, rack-mounted data acquisition system can be moved around the test-bay together with the satellite, to assist in performing different tests. This allows the use of short analogue cabling between satellite and data acquisition system, and allows sensors to be left on the satellite between tests, drastically reducing setup time.

Data acquisition is controlled via remote LAN-based workstations, where simultaneous real-time level and FFT/CPB/Time monitoring can be performed on all channels during recording.

A distributed system architecture allows different users access to the diverse tasks required to drive and observe the various aspects of satellite testing. Local real-time monitoring is performed in the high-bay area, data acquisition and post-processing in the acquisition and post-processing room, remote monitoring in the shaker control room, and data viewing and reporting in a dedicated client room.

The analysis system integrates Brüel & Kjær’s PULSE Labshop Recorder and FFT/CPB analyzer, PULSE Reflex Shock Response Analysis, PULSE Reflex Data Viewer and PULSE Data Manager (PDM).

The complete test workflow is organised from one customized, workflow-oriented user-interface. From pre-planning, through setup of PULSE, calibration of sensors, recording of data, post processing of data, visualisation and comparison of analysed data, to reporting and database archiving.

The Brüel & Kjær satellite test system cements a long-lasting Brüel & Kjær /INPE relationship. Brüel & Kjær’s LDS electrodynamic shakers have been providing INPE with satellite vibration test capabilities since the 1980s. Adding the Brüel & Kjær data acquisition and analysis system provides INPE with a complete state-of-the-art satellite qualification and acceptance test system.

About INPE

The National Institute for Space Research (Portuguese: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais; INPE, www.inpe.br) is a research unit of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology. INPE is the civilian research centre for aerospace activities. INPE’s Integration and Tests Laboratory (LIT) includes highly specialised acoustic, vibration and shock test facilities for evaluating the vibration behaviour, fatigue strength and structural integrity of satellites, sub-systems and components.