Programmable instrumentation is signal conditioning which is controlled only by a computer. The front panel controls are either not provided or can be "locked out" by the computer.

Programmable instrumentation is typically used in test installations which perform routine tasks for which a computer must have control over the instrumentation settings. If the instrumentation settings are fixed, standard instrumentation such as Micro Analog 2 can be used.

The computer usually needs to achieve both control over the instrument and to acquire the conditioned signals. In Fylde's programmable instrumentation the control uses the computers RS232C interface. The computer acquires the conditioned signals using the computer's data acquisition card.

Although separating the control from the data acquisition may seem awkward, it does provide "futureproofing" of the programmable instrumentation. In systems where the data acquisition system is built into the programmable instrumentation, Fylde believe that this prevents the user from taking advantage of the rapid pace of developments in data acquisition technology.

Integration of test software such as National Instruments LabView, Keithley's TestPoint, or HP's Vee with Fylde's programmable signal conditioning equipment is simple because the commands to control the instrument conform to the IEEE 488.2 standard. In addition Fylde provide software drivers for National Instruments' LabView.

Programmable systems are normally supplied as up to 16 signal conditioning modules in a rack mountable case with a single interface module (RS232C) at the left hand side as illustrated above.

The following signal conditioning modules are available.

• FE-759-TA : A single channel strain gauge amplifier with comprehensive programmable features.
• FE-729-TA : A dual channel strain gauge amplifier with a reduced set of features compared to the FE-759-TA.
• FE-768-PF : A programmable Low Pass, High Pass, or Band Pass 8 pole filter module.
• FE-859-TA : A programmable AC/DC transducer amplifier with both constant current and constant voltage transducer supplies.

Rear panels are fitted with input connectors and output connectors which are user specified since each system sub-rack is built to order. This allows users to specify the correct connector type for the computer's data acquisition system.

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