Enhanced Firmware and Hardware Features Set Higher Standards for Predictive Monitoring

During the past year, Monnit has experienced a little more take than give from the component supply chain, like many manufacturers. However, our customers and we have come out on top in most cases. A compelling case in point is our new version of the ALTA^® Advanced Vibration Meter. A key component of the original version of our award-winning Internet of Things (IoT) device is no longer available, so we quickly pivoted and upgraded it with new hardware and firmware.

The Advanced Vibration Meter monitors vibration, frequency, duty cycle, crest factor, and temperature to help you predict the maintenance and optimize the performance of machinery, equipment, and structures. The meter measures vibration in user-configurable acceleration, velocity, or displacement settings.

Of course, Monnit will support the Advanced Vibration Meter’s original version—whether in use or on order—and Monnit will continue to sell its inventory.

The Advanced Vibration Meter’s new version expands upon the original features. New enhancements to the ALTA Advanced Vibration Meter will deliver more accurate measurements with less noise. These and other upgrades to the accelerometer will help it meet evolving vibration monitoring requirements as machinery and technologies advance.

Better Signal Accuracy Compensation & Less Noise

In engineering speak, the meter’s features now offer accuracy compensation for signals greater than the sample rate/4. For example, if measuring a vibration level of 9807 mm/s^2 (1 G) using a sample rate of 800 Hz, the Advanced Vibration Meter will read much closer to the 9807 mm/s^2 level across the 200 to 400 Hz frequency range than the previous meter version. The upgraded meter offers greater accuracy across the measurable range of vibration frequencies.

In addition to improved accuracy, the enhanced Advanced Vibration Meter has reduced its root mean square (RMS) noise compared to its original version. Other significant upgrades include:

Added Lower Vibration Amplitude Ranges

This new version of the Advanced Vibration Meter features vibration amplitude ranges of 2 G, 4 G, and 8 G and a Max Range Setting of 16 G. The 2 G range mode offers better, more granular resolution at low vibration levels. Now, dealing with tiny vibration fluctuations, you’ll have a better chance of identifying and measuring that due to the improved resolution. There’s no longer a setting for 32 G because we found customers don’t generally need this high setting.

Improved Crest Factor Range

We’ve increased the range of this measurement to 0 to 3.95 versus the 1.41 to 3.95 vibration Crest Factor Range in the previous version. This range improvement provides the following advantage:

• It helps determine if clipping (when vibration exceeds the max G range setting) is occurring. This is indicated by a crest factor below 1.41.

Two More Data Mode Settings

The meter now has Max, Average, and Most Recent Data Modes. Previously, it had only Most Recent, meaning you would only get a data point that occurred right before the last Heartbeat. The additional Max and Average Data Modes:

• Make it much easier to assess the system or apparatus you’re monitoring for initial setup and configuration.
• They are essential and instrumental for baseline setup and monitoring. With the Max Data Mode, you can see how high the vibration gets when assessing a new system or machine to set a baseline.
• Then after this test period and knowing the Max reading, you’ll understand when vibration is becoming a problem you need to handle.
• The Average Data Mode option lets you know vibrational changes over time based on the measurement interval and the sensor’s Heartbeat.
• Average Data Mode can also be useful when assessing systems with frequently changing vibration levels.

Two More Power Mode Settings

These additional power mode options can help you balance improved accuracy with power savings. The previous version of the Advanced Vibration Meter only ran in High Performance Power Mode, which made the meter accurate with less noise. As you seek to improve power efficiency, signal noise will slightly increase with two more Power Modes—Medium and Low. A little more noise is the tradeoff, but you’ll get more life from the meter’s battery using Low and Medium Power Modes.

More Control Over Bandwidth

The original version of the Advanced Vibration Meter didn’t allow you to change the frequency bandwidth above approximately one-third of the sample rate. You can now set the bandwidth as high as half the sample rate with the Frequency Range setting, and the meter will ignore frequencies outside this range.

Check out the enterprise and industrial versions of the ALTA Advanced Vibration Meter and review the updated specifications in the data sheet.