ATHENA Ultrasound Generator
The ATHENA Ultrasound Generator – versatile and flexible
Due to its versatility, the ATHENA ultrasound generator is the ideal device for developing and testing a wide range of ultrasound systems. Because of its wide power and frequency range, it should not be missing in any ultrasound laboratory.
The main features of the ATHENA Ultrasound Generator are:
- Characterisation and operation of arbitrary ultrasonic systems
- Resonance / anti-resonance control, fixed frequency operation, frequency response measurement (sweep), …
- Frequency range 10 – 250 kHz
- Maximum output power 250 W or 1,000 W (depending on configuration)
- Full process control by recording and displaying measurement data during operation
- Operation via user interface in an Internet browser (independent of the operating system)
Tailored to your needs
The ATHENA Ultrasound Generator is customisable. We develop the hardware and software in-house. This provides a wide range of options for extensions and customised solutions based on our modular design concept. We are happy to fulfil your wishes. Examples of expansion options are:
- Additional measuring channels, e.g. for connecting a laser vibrometer or temperature sensor
- Monitor outputs for the internally measured current and voltage signals
- Trigger input for starting operation via an analogue input signal
- Utilisation of the generator as a power amplifier (without internal controller)
- Clocked operating mode
- Implementation of customised control algorithms
- Expandable by software updates
Characterisation of ultrasonic systems
The ATHENA Ultrasound Generator offers the possibility of comprehensively characterising ultrasonic systems by frequency response measurements (frequency sweep). The automatic system identification is used, among other things, to parameterise the resonance controller. This makes it possible to put arbitrary ultrasonic system into operation within only a few minutes („plug & play“).
- Measurement of frequency responses (admittance) in amplitude and phase
- Measurement from low to high frequency or vice versa (sweep up / sweep down)
- Measurements at different voltage amplitudes up to several 100 V
- Simultaneous measurement of additional signals (e.g. velocity, temperature)
- Calculation of substitute parameters in the range of the resonance to be analysed at the touch of a button
Process-accompanying measurement data acquisition
Thanks to the graphical processing of the measurement data in the user interface during operation („measurement data monitor“), you always have an overview of the status of the ultrasonic system in operation. Adjustments and interventions can be made during operation without having to restart the system. In this way, you can collect important operating data for your ultrasonic system, find optimum operating points and limits or analyse load reactions in detail.
- Process-accompanying acquisition and visualisation of measurement data
- Full control over your ultrasonic system at all times
- System behaviour during operation with automatic resonance tracking & amplitude control
- Adjustment of parameters (e.g. target amplitude) during operation
- Clear visualisation of the most important measurement data in the measurement data monitor (current, voltage, power, velocity amplitude, phase, …)
- Option to save the measurement data set and current operating parameters for documentation or further analysis
The ATHENA Control Electronics for ultrasonic systems
The ATHENA Control Electronics for ultrasonic systems can be regarded as the little brother of the ATHENA Ultrasound Generator. The control electronics deliberately dispense with the power electronics (no amplifier and transformer installed) so that you can use your own hardware (e.g. amplifier). As in the ATHENA Ultrasound Generator, the current and voltage of the looped-through signal are measured internally and analysed by the controller card.
- Characterisation and operation of arbitrary ultrasonic systems
- Resonance / anti-resonance control, fixed frequency operation, frequency response measurement (sweep), …
- Frequency range 10 – 250 kHz
- Full process control by recording and displaying measurement data during operation
- Operation via the user interface in the Internet browser (independent of the operating system)