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NOVA Tech

Inside NOVA SCIENTIA, the division NOVA Tech focuses its activities on the optoelectronics components. 
NOVA Tech has full control on the design, development and production of the Photonic Control Units (PCUs).
By concatenating multiple sensing elements, it is possible to monitor the structure in a multi-D space-time environment. We can track in real time the structure deformations together with other significant parameters such as temperature or pressure.

Photonic Control Unit
The PCU is the FSI interrogator. PCUs are highly configurable based on customer inputs and specific requirements, the most important parameters are customizable:

- Number of parallel measurement channels
- Number of sensors per channel
- Sensor bandwidth (from 1 Hz to 1 MHz, independently of the number of sensors)
- Data acquisition interface
- Mechanical tests and environmental certifications
- Communication ports (USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi)

PCU - FSI Interrogator

Key Features
  • 205 kHz Sampling Frequency
  • 20 nε Resolution
  • 80 Sensing Segments
  • 10 mm - 20 m Spatial Resolution
The Photonic Control Unit (PCU) GEN I is the first commercial interrogator for dynamic measurement of FSI sensors (Fiber Segment Interferometry). This interferometric instrument offers high resolution or deformation and temperature measurements over discrete and distributed sensing lengths. The ultra-high sampling frequency allows for acoustic, vibration and modal analysis. Compatible with 3D shape sensors.
Download the PCU GEN I datasheet

Specification

Measurement system
 
Number of Optical Channels 4
Number of Measurement Segments per Channel 20
Compatible Sensors Nova FSI sensors
Minimum Segment Length 10 mm
Maximum Segment Length  20 m
Maximum Distance between PCU and 1st Segment km range
Maximum Sampling Frequency 205 kHz
Strain Range 10 000 µε
Resolution 20 nε*
Data Output (Ethernet) .csv (other formats on demand)
Mechanical, Environmental and Electrical
 
Dimensions 398 x 370 x 86 mm
Operating Temperature Range 0 to 50 °C
Storage Temperature Range -20 to +70 °C
Maximum Humidity 10 to 95 % non-condensing
Comms Interface Nova Analytica Application Software
Data Connector RJ45 Ethernet
Data Logging Nova Analytica Application Software
Power Connector Neutrik 12 V or Mains Adapter 12 V
Optical Connector FC/APC
Input Voltage 12 V (ripple specification: 120 mV p-p)
Power Consumption 150 W
EMC Certification (CE marking) CE/UKCA
*Elongation resolution of 2 nm on a 100 mm segment under constant load. Resolution is intended as the signal standard deviation.