Crystal Instruments Spider-81 / Spider-81B Vibration Test Controller
Crystal Instruments

Spider-81 / 81BSpider-81 / Spider-81B Vibration Test Controller

Embedded DSP runs control locally, 8 inputs scale to 512 channels, 160 dBFS input dynamic range, with standalone Black Box operation.

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Overview

The Spider-81 is a vibration test controller built on a DSP-centralized architecture. Traditional controllers rely on an external computer for real-time operation; the Spider-81 instead integrates time-synchronized Ethernet directly with embedded DSP, so control algorithms and data recording run locally inside the controller. This improves control performance, reliability and failure protection while allowing many channels without sacrificing performance. Ethernet carries only the user interface, so it does not affect control reliability; the controller can sit far from the host to reduce noise and interference, and one computer can monitor several controllers.

Each Spider-81 front-end offers 8 BNC analog inputs accepting charge, voltage, TEDS and IEPE signals, with single-ended or differential inputs, AC or DC coupling, a ±20 V range, 160 dBFS dynamic range, 24-bit A/D and up to 102.4 kHz sampling per channel; networked with Spider-80X front-ends it forms a 512-channel system. Each unit also provides 2 BNC analog outputs with 100 dB dynamic range, 24-bit D/A and ±10 V output, and channel phase match better than ±1.0 degree up to 20 kHz. Internal 4 GB flash stores configuration for up to 64 channels plus real-time analysis data, alongside an LCD status display and ten monitoring connections. The Spider-81 measures 440 x 66 x 330 mm at 4.8 kg; the Spider-81B measures 220 x 66 x 276 mm at 2.56 kg.

Units run connected to a computer or standalone in Black Box mode, and multiple controllers synchronize over IEEE 1588 to nanoseconds. Software spans Random, Sine-on-Random, Random-on-Random, Swept Sine, Resonance Search and Tracked Dwell, Multi-Sine, Sine Oscillator, Classical Shock, Transient Time History, SRS Synthesis, Transient Random, Earthquake Testing and Time Waveform Replication.

Specifications

Crystal Instruments Spider-81 / Spider-81B Vibration Test Controller — Specifications
Input range±20 V
Dynamic range160 dBFS
ADC resolution24 bit
DAC resolution24 bit
Storage4 GB flash
WeightSpider-81 4.8 kg / Spider-81B 2.56 kg
Interfaces100Base-T,RJ45

Full datasheet on request.

Key features

  • DSP-centralized architecture runs real-time control and recording locally without relying on a host PC
  • 8 BNC inputs accept charge, voltage, TEDS and IEPE with 160 dBFS input dynamic range
  • Networks with Spider-80X to scale to a 512-channel input system
  • Two ±10 V analog outputs per unit with 100 dB dynamic range and 24-bit D/A
  • Runs connected to a computer or standalone in Black Box mode
  • Nanosecond IEEE 1588 time synchronization across multiple controllers

Applications

  • Shock, vibration and acoustic measurement
  • High-channel-count structural vibration testing
  • Satellite and spacecraft component vibration testing
  • Military MIL-STD environmental testing
  • Electric vehicle battery pack vibration testing
  • Production-line vibration screening with standalone Black Box operation

Compare within series

ModelInput channelsDynamic rangeDAC resolutionStorage
Spider-81 / 81BCurrent —160 dBFS24 bit4 GB flash
Spider-80M 16 / 24 / 32 / 48 / 56160 dBFS24 bit—
Spider-101i ————

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INTERACTIVE / SIGNAL BASICS

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