Friday, April 25, 2025 · 0 min read
OBSIDIAN Wins SAE Tech Briefs Product of the Year Award
Dewesoft is pleased to announce that SAE Tech Briefs magazine readers have voted OBSIDIAN® the Product of the Year for 2024. Tech Briefs (formerly NASA Tech Briefs) is a technology magazine owned by SAE International, highlighting engineering innovations and product breakthroughs across the aerospace, automotive, defense, and electronics sectors. It is a trusted resource for engineers and technical professionals, offering concise, application-focused content on the latest advancements in design, materials, and embedded systems.
OBSIDIAN is a breakthrough DAQ (data acquisition) instrument that combines the best features of a high-end DAQ system, a long-term datalogger, a real-time EtherCAT data server, and a signal conditioning front end.
Traditional high-speed DAQ systems are typically used for minutes or hours at a time. Most DAQ instruments or software are based on the Windows operating system, which is not designed for long-term stability. However, numerous applications require the measurement system to operate for weeks, months, or even years. Accordingly, OBSIDIAN is built on a low-power ARM processor running an open-source LINUX® operating system and DewesoftRT DAQ software. This architecture allows OBSIDIAN to operate for extended periods without intervention. It can be remotely monitored and controlled via the DewesoftM app on iOS or Android devices, or by computers running DewesoftX software.
According to Dewesoft founder and president, Dr. Jure Knez,
OBSIDIAN is a game changer in the history of Dewesoft devices. It is the first embedded system we ever built. To achieve this, we had to start from scratch, using new building blocks. The primary advantage of Dewesoft X software is that our customers can upgrade the software and receive new functionality at no charge. OBSIDIAN is the same in the embedded world. It is our next shining star.
Rugged and waterproof OBSIDIAN models
Long-term recording applications often require a rugged instrument, so OBSIDIAN is CNC machined from a solid aluminum block. The R8 model features liquid and dust protection to IP50 and operates within a temperature range of -10 to 50°C (14 to 122°F).
The R8w model is liquid and dust-proof up to IP67 and operates in extreme temperatures from -40 to 85°C (-40 to +185 °F). Built for harsh environments, it can withstand shocks of up to 75 G and meets MIL-810F standards for vibration resistance. It also features integrated Wi-Fi and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver.
OBSIDIAN R12 is a 19” rack-mountable and has liquid and dust protection to IP30. Designed for laboratory applications, it operates within a temperature range of -10 to 50°C (14 to 122°F).
High-end multi-channel signal conditioning modules
Data loggers for long-term recording typically lack high-end signal conditioning, but OBSIDIAN has completely changed that. Plug-in multi-channel modules handle virtually every signal and sensor type, including voltage, current, IEPE (vibration, sound), temperature (thermocouples, RTDs), resistance, strain, stress, and pressure (bridge sensors, strain gauges), with sample rates of up to 20 kS/s per channel. Modules with 4, 6, 8, and even 16 input channels provide supply voltage to sensors that require it. The synchronized recording of digital signals, counters/encoders, and CAN and CAN-FD data is also supported. OBSIDIAN R8 and R8w have eight module slots, while OBSIDIAN R12 has 12 slots.
CAN, CAN FD, and GNSS recording
OBSIDIAN can also record data from automotive CAN BUS and CAN FD buses. The CAN implementation supports J1939 protocol, triggering from CAN data, and more. CAN FD is a newer standard that operates at much higher speeds. For mobile applications such as fleet monitoring, Dewesoft offers GNSS/GPS interfaces that enable OBSIDIAN to record position data, including latitude, longitude, elevation, and more, anywhere in the world.
Modern data interface support
EtherCAT is a recognized industry standard for real-time control applications, and OBSIDIAN has dual EtherCAT ports that can be used simultaneously. In external master mode, the primary EtherCAT bus facilitates high-speed, buffered data acquisition directly to an external computer. Meanwhile, the secondary bus sends real-time data to third-party control systems, including Beckhoff, Clemessy Syclone, MTS FlexTest, Acontis, and other EtherCAT masters.
A cornerstone of Industry 4.0 applications, the OPC UA protocol allows OBSIDIAN to provide data in real-time to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and even mobile clients, enabling seamless integration across a wide range of industrial applications.
Through the XCP protocol, OBSIDIAN can deliver data in real-time to ECU calibration software, such as ETAS INCA or Vector CANape, with minimal latency. This ensures that data is processed quickly and efficiently, which is ideal for tasks requiring precision and speed.
OBSIDIAN can also send data via the CAN BUS to ECUs and other automotive and applications clients.
Redundant power supplies and EtherCAT ports
Designed for mission-critical applications, OBSIDIAN includes redundant power supplies with automatic fail-over and dual EtherCAT ports. Real-time analog output control allows the system to handle mission-critical applications as a robust, reliable, and highly redundant measurement system. Its ARM processor-based architecture results in very low power consumption.
Onboard and cloud data storage
Data is stored continuously on 4 GB internal memory and/or a removable SD card (up to 1 TB) or even larger HDD and SSD drives connected via the standard USB-C interface. In addition to local storage, data can be transferred to real-time controllers, cloud servers, and Industry 4.0 clients using standard data interfaces, such as EtherCAT®, OPC UA, XCP, and CAN bus.
Remote and wireless control
WIFI and 5G networks can be used to configure and monitor OBSIDIAN systems remotely anywhere in the world. OBSIDIAN can be set up, controlled, and externally monitored via a wired or wireless Windows computer or the included smartphone app, DewesoftM.
Long-term recording applications
OBSIDIAN is utilized in numerous applications, including the long-term monitoring of power grids, energy consumption, and the integrity of oil and gas pipelines. It is also ideal for monitoring railway systems, car and truck fleets, durability and road load testing, public transportation, structural monitoring of bridges and roads, machinery performance, production processes, seismic studies, climatic testing, and predictive maintenance.
PTP v2 synchronization
OBSIDIAN® devices can also be connected via the Ethernet network through the available GLAN ports. Multiple OBSIDIAN® devices or other LAN-enabled Dewesoft DAQ devices can be interconnected using standard Ethernet cables and/or our DS-LAN network switches and synchronized via PTP v2.
Learn more about PTP v2:
Onboard/online data processing and math
Mathematics can be processed in real-time by DewesoftRT, including math capabilities, such as online calculations, simple math formulas, statistics, and fatigue analysis. More functions and capabilities are being added continuously. DewesoftRT can be upgraded by users freely from the Dewesoft website.
DewesoftM control and monitoring app
DewesoftM is a cutting-edge mobile application tailored for streamlined data acquisition and analysis. Compatible with Android and Apple smartphones and tablet devices, it provides users with a user-friendly interface to collect, visualize, and interpret data on the go. It works perfectly in both field and lab measurement applications. Today, DewesoftM is compatible with OBSIDIAN R8, R8w, and R12 data acquisition systems and data loggers. In the future, additional Dewesoft instruments will be supported, including SIRIUS X, SIRIUS XHS, and IOLITE X.
DewesoftM can be downloaded for free from the app stores for both iOS and Android devices, including phones and tablets.
openDAQ® compliant
openDAQ is a Software Development Kit (SDK) created by joint venture partners Dewesoft and HBK. It establishes a common framework for DAQ instruments to communicate with each other and host computer systems. It’s cross-platform, language-independent, and open-source, allowing for maximum ease of integration with compliant devices across a wide range of operating systems and software environments. Both HBK and Dewesoft have already released openDAQ-compliant instruments, with more to follow. Other members have joined the alliance, including Michigan Scientific Corporation, Intrepid Control Systems, CrySound (acoustic measurement instruments), and several others.
OBSIDIAN will be fully compliant with the openDAQ SDK by mid-2025.
Expandable
OBSIDIAN systems can be expanded by adding additional devices from the Dewesoft ecosystem, including SIRIUS, KRYPTON, and IOLITE. All instruments are synchronized and can be used as an integrated system. OBSIDIAN opens a new world of applications. Its combination of advanced analog and digital recording capabilities, along with interfaces built on a rugged, low-power embedded device that can run for extended periods, makes it a unique test and measurement instrument.
More information about OBSIDIAN:
