Microprocessor-based controller for actuators in structural testing

A dedicated microprocessor-based controller was developed for low-speed multichannel structural testing. The controller was designed to be mounted on the actuator and for remote calibration, tuning, and programming. It includes electronics for signal conditioning and servoloop control, programmable waveform generation, and data acquisition, as well as handshake lines for synchronous operation with other actuators. Computer-controller communication is through a serial daisy-chained interface that permits multiactuator programming through a single communication port on the host computer system.