Plugin: Moog DAQ Server (GInsMoogDAQServer)

The Moog DAQ Server plugin facilitates the integration of a Moog Test Controller and a Q.series DAQ System through Ethernet, allowing simultaneous data logging to streamline post-test data correlation efforts.

Network Interface to the Moog Test Controller

The volume of physical test data generated during a component or full-scale structural test program is rapidly increasing. To streamline post-test data correlation efforts, test systems must be tightly integrated. With the Moog DAQ Server plugin, you can connect a Moog Test Controller and a Q.series DAQ System using an Ethernet communication protocol, enabling simultaneous data logging of both controller and measurement data.

For optimal functionality, ensure that the Q.series DAQ System, Moog Test Controller, and the workstation(s) running the software are all within the same network range. Time synchronization is essential, and the Q.series DAQ System should be synchronized with the Moog Test Controller using NTP (Q.series Classic or Q.series X) or PTPv2 (Q.series X only).

GI.bench provides access to Moog variables for graphical display and data logging, working seamlessly with DAQ variables. Additionally, the Moog Test Controller can command the Q.series DAQ System to perform various logging tasks, such as starting/stopping continuous logging, triggering emergency logging, and peak-valley logging.


Moog Test Controller

Minimum system requirements

The minimum system requirements for this plugin are:

• Q.station 101 or Q.station X
• PC with MS Windows 10 or later

Plugin installation

• Download the correct plugin version that matches the controller firmware version from the Gantner public download area.
• For installation instructions please refer to the page: installing a plugin.

Moog DAQ Server plugin configuration

Plugin configuration software

The plugin is equipped with a dedicated configuration software known as the Moog Plugin Configuration Tool. This tool offers a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to assist in configuring the plugin according to your requirements. The Moog Plugin Configuration Tool is an executable file (GInsMoogDAQConfigurator.exe) that can be executed from any location on your Windows PC.

Configuring the Moog DAQ Server plugin

1. Launch the Moog Plugin Configuration Tool. To establish a connection with the plugin on the controller, input the IP Address of your controller. Set the Plugin Port to 1201 [1]. Click on the Connect button [2].
   
   
   
   Connection to the plugin is successful when the status message ‘Moog plugin found and connected’ appears in the status pane.

2. In the Connection tab, set the Moog IP address and the Moog Port number, then click Connect. This action establishes the plugin's connection to the Moog Test Controller.

   👉 The default Moog port number is 5963. The Moog Test Controller supports up to 5 DAQ server interfaces, each with a unique port number. Always refer to the Moog software for the exact port number.

   Connection to the Moog Test Controller is successful when the 'Connected To' indicator in the Info section turns green.
   
   

3. In the Channels tab, initiate the retrieval of the available channel set from the Moog Test Controller by clicking on Get Configuration [3]. Choose the specific channels [4] that you intend to record.
   
   👉 To guarantee the retrieval of the most up-to-date variable names, make sure that the Moog Test Controller is set to Online mode before initiating the configuration retrieval process.
   
   
   
   💡 Use the filter option to efficiently select a subset of signals, such as all 'ForceA' channels, for instance.
   
4. Proceed by choosing the additional parameters for the plugin [5] and then click on Set Recording [6]. This action will initiate the data stream to the Q.station controller, and the Status pane will present a confirmation message specifying the number of channels included in the data stream.
   
   

• Add ‘DebugTimestamp’ Variable: This option includes a variable in the data stream, which signifies the time difference (in nanoseconds) between two consecutive data frames originating from the Moog Test Controller.
• Add ‘Synctime Diff’ Variable: This option introduces a variable into the data stream, which signifies the time difference (in seconds) between the last received timestamp from the Moog Test Controller and the current timestamp of the Gantner controller.
• Add ‘CommandChannel’ Variable: This option adds eight command variables into the data stream. These variables are shown as virtual digital inputs (normally open), enabling the initiation of actions on the Gantner DAQ system from the Moog Test Controller. Users can define these actions as needed. Below is an example table illustrating typical actions that can be configured on the Gantner DAQ system 

• Sync Alarm: The plugin consistently monitors the time difference between the Q.station controller and the Moog Test Controller. In case of any synchronization discrepancies, a warning message appears in the configuration tool, and DAS digital input 6 (bit 5) on the Moog Test Controller is set to 1.
• Threshold [ms]: The limit value for the time synchronization difference (SyncTime Diff variable) is in milliseconds.
• Persistence [ms]: The duration, in milliseconds, for which the time synchronization difference (SyncTime Diff variable) must exceed the threshold value before the alarm action is activated.
• Moog Sample Rate: The sample rate (Hz) at which the data stream is refreshed by the Moog Test Controller. To ensure the correct operation of the data stream, this setting must align with the update rate of the Moog Test Controller.

Adding the Moog data stream to a GI.bench project

1. Launch GI.bench and either generate a new project or open an existing one. If opting for a new project, ensure to save it before proceeding to the next step.

1. In the Moog Plugin Configuration Tool, navigate to the GI.bench tab and click on Set.

   A 'Finished!' message will be displayed in the Status pane, along with a message indicating the channel count for the data stream.
   
   

2. Switch back to GI.bench, choose the Project (highlighted in blue in bleow figure), and press the shortcut key Ctrl+R. This action will append an extra data stream named 'moog' to the GI.bench project.
   
   
   
   💡In case the Gantner measurement data and the Moog control channels need to be logged into one data file, both data streams must be merged using the Merged datastream functionality in GI.bench.