Technical note | Characterisation of DST Delay Trigger Units

Abstract

This paper reports on tests conducted to validate the accuracy of Defence Science and Technology Group, Maritime Division’s Delay Trigger Units (DTUs). The DTUs are designed to generate voltage signals to activate (trigger) external devices, such as firing units, high speed video, and data acquisition equipment in a predetermined and precise time sequence to permit the capture of data from transient events. To ensure the validity of the data obtained, the accuracy of the DTUs was evaluated against design specifications. The tests show that the DTUs met the specified requirements for the delay and rise times of the trigger signals from both the transistor to transistor logic (TTL) output signal and the 100 volt capacitor discharge output signal.

Executive Summary

This paper reports on tests conducted to validate the accuracy of Defence Science and Technology Group’s Maritime Division Delay Trigger Units (DTUs) against specified design requirements. The DTUs are required to generate voltage signals to activate (trigger) acquisition and imaging systems in a predetermined and accurate time sequence before initiating an event, such as an explosive charge detonation. An accurate time sequence ensures that valid data is captured and subsequent data analysis allows the determination of a time zero datum and hence the arrival times of a shock response at the specific point of interest within or around a structure or in the free field.

The evaluation of the DTU against the design specifications has shown that the DTUs met the design requirements. This includes conforming to the operational requirements in terms of the delay and rise times of the trigger signals for the transistor to transistor logic (TTL) output signals, and for 100 volt capacitor discharge output signals.

The DTUs will be used in experiments to capture data associated with assessing the response of structures, equipment and human systems to dynamic loading conditions to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF).