Linking Analog Geotechnical Monitoring Instruments to a Digital Data Acquisition System

Geotechnical monitoring instruments are increasingly used by civil engineers to monitor dams, tunnels, bridges, and other large structures and civil projects, both during the initial construction phase and on an ongoing basis for control and management purposes as required in the longer term.

Monitoring these projects, structures, and installations by interpreting and making use of the data gathered by geotechnical monitoring instruments like the SMART range from MDT (SMART MPBX, SMART Cable, and SMART Contractometers) plays an important role in ensuring the safety, structural integrity, and long-term viability of these developments.

Geotechnical monitoring instruments, like those mentioned above, are at their most useful when integrated as part of an overall monitoring and management system like the industry-leading Loadsensing LS-G6.

Of course, the data produced by SMART instruments is still essentially in analog form, while the LS-G6 is an advanced, digital system. This is where the SMART Link-485 fits in, as it serves as a bridge between these two types of technology (analog and digital).

The SMART Link-485 takes the analog signal from SMART instruments (MPBX, Cable, or Contractometer), and converts it into a 16-bit RS-485 digital data stream that can be read and used by digital data acquisition systems like the Loadsensing LS-G6.

The SMART Link-485 will also automatically gather specification information (e.g. the instrument type and length, the number of anchors and where they are located, transducer length, and initial readings – if configured) from each SMART instrument by interrogating the SMART-ID that is contained within each of these instruments.

Click here to find out more about the MDT SMART Link-485.