A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench

Small sounding rockets often carry scientific instruments to collect data in atmospheric environments. In the context of university-level education and research, their development offers students a hands-on, multidisciplinary platform to study propulsion, aerodynamics, electronic instrumentation, an...

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Main Authors: Nathan Andreani Netzel, Daniel Strufaldi Batista, Francisco Granziera Jr., Marcelo Carvalho Tosin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:HardwareX
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000641
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author Nathan Andreani Netzel
Daniel Strufaldi Batista
Francisco Granziera Jr.
Marcelo Carvalho Tosin
author_facet Nathan Andreani Netzel
Daniel Strufaldi Batista
Francisco Granziera Jr.
Marcelo Carvalho Tosin
author_sort Nathan Andreani Netzel
collection DOAJ
description Small sounding rockets often carry scientific instruments to collect data in atmospheric environments. In the context of university-level education and research, their development offers students a hands-on, multidisciplinary platform to study propulsion, aerodynamics, electronic instrumentation, and others. A critical component of sounding rocket experimentation involves engine testing and validation, which typically requires the design and implementation of a dedicated test bench. These test benches are essential for ensuring experimental safety and reliability while enabling the acquisition of accurate performance data. This work presents the design and implementation of a versatile, low-cost data acquisition (DAQ) system specifically developed for a small rocket engine test bench. The system can measure thrust and pressure by interfacing with load cell sensors and pressure transducers. The approach also prioritizes modularity, allowing future expansion or adaptation to different engine configurations. It also balances affordability and functionality compared to commercial DAQs by leveraging cost-effective hardware and software. Experimental testing has demonstrated the system’s ability to deliver accurate and reliable measurements, with noise levels comparable to those of commercial counterparts. These results indicate the system can enable students and researchers to conduct experiments effectively and ensure safety.
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issn 2468-0672
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publisher Elsevier
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series HardwareX
spelling doaj-art-10ca3f94ce9641a1a3e8719cfb9fd2642025-08-25T04:14:37ZengElsevierHardwareX2468-06722025-09-0123e0068610.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00686A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test benchNathan Andreani Netzel0Daniel Strufaldi Batista1Francisco Granziera Jr.2Marcelo Carvalho Tosin3Corresponding author.; State University of Londrina, Department of Electrical Engineering, Rod. Celso Garcia Cid– PR-445, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, BrazilState University of Londrina, Department of Electrical Engineering, Rod. Celso Garcia Cid– PR-445, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, BrazilState University of Londrina, Department of Electrical Engineering, Rod. Celso Garcia Cid– PR-445, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, BrazilState University of Londrina, Department of Electrical Engineering, Rod. Celso Garcia Cid– PR-445, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, BrazilSmall sounding rockets often carry scientific instruments to collect data in atmospheric environments. In the context of university-level education and research, their development offers students a hands-on, multidisciplinary platform to study propulsion, aerodynamics, electronic instrumentation, and others. A critical component of sounding rocket experimentation involves engine testing and validation, which typically requires the design and implementation of a dedicated test bench. These test benches are essential for ensuring experimental safety and reliability while enabling the acquisition of accurate performance data. This work presents the design and implementation of a versatile, low-cost data acquisition (DAQ) system specifically developed for a small rocket engine test bench. The system can measure thrust and pressure by interfacing with load cell sensors and pressure transducers. The approach also prioritizes modularity, allowing future expansion or adaptation to different engine configurations. It also balances affordability and functionality compared to commercial DAQs by leveraging cost-effective hardware and software. Experimental testing has demonstrated the system’s ability to deliver accurate and reliable measurements, with noise levels comparable to those of commercial counterparts. These results indicate the system can enable students and researchers to conduct experiments effectively and ensure safety.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000641Data acquisition system (DAQ)Rocket engineStatic firing testLoad cellPressure sensingSystem calibration
spellingShingle Nathan Andreani Netzel
Daniel Strufaldi Batista
Francisco Granziera Jr.
Marcelo Carvalho Tosin
A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
HardwareX
Data acquisition system (DAQ)
Rocket engine
Static firing test
Load cell
Pressure sensing
System calibration
title A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
title_full A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
title_fullStr A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
title_full_unstemmed A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
title_short A versatile low-cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
title_sort versatile low cost data acquisition system for small rocket engine test bench
topic Data acquisition system (DAQ)
Rocket engine
Static firing test
Load cell
Pressure sensing
System calibration
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468067225000641
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