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Wednesday, May 24, 2023 · 0 min read

DewesoftX 2021.6 Released - Simplified SIRIUS XHS Handling, New Time ODS, Updates to Modal Test, Order Tracking, and XCP Master Modules

We are pleased to announce the release of DewesoftX 2021.6. This new version greatly simplifies the interaction with Dewesoft’s flagship product, the SIRIUS-XHS. It also introduces a brand new Time ODS module for animating structures and brings significant improvements to the existing modules: Modal test, Order tracking, and XCP master.

As always, the DewesoftX 2021.6 is a FREE update for all existing Dewesoft users. You can download the latest version from our Download Center.

SIRIUS-XHS auto-discovery over Ethernet

With the new discovery module, SIRIUS XHS devices are now automatically detected in DewesoftX even when connected via Ethernet. As can be seen below, when an XHS device is connected directly to the PC’s network port, Dewesoft will automatically recognize and add it to the device list.

Automatic detection of a SIRIUS-XHS

Alternatively, when the XHS device is connected through an Ethernet switch, it will still be recognized, but you will need to manually select it from the list of all available network devices.

List of visible XHS devices on the network and their statuses

For the auto-discovery to function properly, please make sure you use the latest firmware version from the download center (0.16.02000002.01030304 or newer) and that Dewesoft has been added to Windows’s firewall exceptions during installation.

Time ODS - animate deflections from time channels

Time ODS (Operational Deflection Shape) can be a valuable tool for inspecting critical deflections on operating structures since they can make it difficult to perform proper experimental modal testing with applied external forces. Examples of operational test conditions can be measurements of continuous signals from running engines, or transient signals from earthquakes, explosions, drop-tests, etc.

The new, free-of-charge, Time ODS module in DewesoftX makes it easy to animate the overall vibration characteristics of structures over time. Using an intuitive setup, time-domain channels are linked to the geometry by Node IDs, and the animation is set to show either the acceleration, velocity, or displacement values, with optional filtering of signals.

Definition of vibration channels, DOF information, and the output quantity in the Time ODS module

Time ODS animations work both in Measure and Analyze modes. In the latter, the playback speed can be adjusted to optimize the ODS analysis, and the animation can be exported into an external video file.

Example of animated (up-scaled) deflections of measured time data, acquired on a bridge

Modal geometry editor in the channel setup

The modal geometry the editor was previously only accessible from the measure and analyze screens via the Modal geometry widget, now it is also available directly from the Modal test and Time ODS setup screens. 

The geometry defined in the setups can easily be accessed from the Modal geometry widget via a single dropdown. It is fully linked back to the math setup regarding any modifications done during measurement. This means that the same geometry can now be shown on any number of widgets, over any number of displays. 

Selecting different models on the modal geometry widget

Having the geometry linked by default on pre-defined displays of Modal test and Time ODS modules significantly simplifies the process of setting up such tests.

Overload indication updates

Tracking unwanted signal levels has never been easier inside DewesoftX. An individual indication in the channel selector now clearly shows whether any channel has reached a warning, critical, or overload level.

Each status can be cleared individually by right-clicking on the channel where you have determined that the notification is no longer relevant. Alternatively, all statuses can be cleared at the same time using a dedicated notification button on the top.

Synchronization between overload indications

To unify things further, statuses on the overload indicator widget are now completely in-sync with the top bar as well as the channel selector. In analysis, you can choose between displaying the limit statuses only at the current position or within the whole data file.

XCP master upgrade

The XCP master module has received a major overhaul, supporting the 1.4 version of the standard. This opens the door for high-speed applications with sample rates of 2 MS/s or higher while being perfectly synchronized using PTP.

The user interface has been redesigned for ease of use, providing a high-level overview of all connected devices while separating the channel configuration into tabs. The XCP master will now automatically establish a connection with all defined slaves and also notify you in case of conflicts, such as an invalid configuration or a disconnection.

Interaction with XCP slaves via the DSGrid

A2l files that include references to other definition files (A2L or AML) are now properly parsed and can be used without manual adjustments. In addition, discrete channel value definitions are read directly from A2l files.

Order tracking updates

The increasing importance of e-mobility and a gradual transition to mass adoption of electric powertrain technologies presents a new measurement challenge: the extraction and analysis of undesired vibration arising from the usage of pulse-width modulation technologies in inverters.

To address this, Dewesoft has joined forces with EOMYS, one of the world’s leading consultancy companies specialized in multiphysics design optimization of electrical systems. Together we have developed a dedicated order-tracking analysis functionality for the analysis of harmonics based on both variable and fixed carrier frequencies.

Extraction of harmonics (vibration, sound, current) based on the switching frequency

The Order Tracking module now supports RPM tracking directly from a sound or vibration signal. This allows the use of order tracking without any tacho signal altogether or the ability to recalculate data in case the tacho in use fails during the measurement itself. The extraction is based on the defined dominant harmonics and the signal-tracking functionality is easily configured in a dedicated setup section.

Setup of signal tracking for RPM extraction without a tachometer

Other

DewesoftX 2021.6 is a free upgrade for all Dewesoft customers and is compatible with all Dewesoft data acquisition systems. You can download it from our download center, where you will also find a changelog listing all the minor improvements and bug fixes. Additional information about specific features in this release is also available on Dewesoft’s customer support portal.