OpenMDM in the Field of Acoustics
Generating test data is a costly process which requires considerable
effort and time. The increasing complexity of the car alone continues to
increase the amount and cross-linking of the resulting measurement
data, which leads to ever-increasing costs. Furthermore, modern
development methods require an immediate and widely distributed exchange
of measurement data together with a description of them. Even more
pressing is the question of how to store these valuable data so that
they may be used as effectively as possible.
A leading German car manufacturer realised that it was confronted with this problematic situation in the field of electronics/acoustics. As early as the development phase, sound systems are being put through their paces. The engineers test loudspeakers and amplifiers with special microphones, dummy heads and measuring units right up to measurements with so-called laser vibrometers which gather the surface vibrations occurring on the diaphragm of a loudspeaker.
In order to support the entire measurement process - from test planning right through execution and on to evaluation - Gigatronik introduced the openMDM measurement data management system, which is available through an OpenSource licence, into this specialist field.
OpenMDM is based on the ODS standard (Open Data Service), developed by ASAM e.V., which standardises the storage of the data, thereby simplifying data exchange both within and outside the company and between different applications. Over and above this, ODS also offers approaches to solutions in the storage of data which is standardised, centrally located and recoverable, and therefore able to be archived over long periods.
This means that, in this instance, openMDM is pursuing a generic approach. If, with pure ODS, each department still needs to generate a new applications model based on the basic model, openMDM even includes its own generic applications model based on the ODS NVH standard. Using templates, this simply has to be matched to the needs of the individual departments.
This is what happened in the sound laboratory of the leading German car manufacturer. Working in close collaboration with the department, the data model for the storage of both the descriptive data and the measurement data was defined and entered into the system by means of a simple administration interface. Even subsequent modifications or additions can be undertaken rapidly and transparently using the administration interface.
But openMDM offers even more. As an interface for the user, it also provides a client which is easily expandable by means of plug-ins. The principle underlying this client and its components is most easily understood as a type of building block system. Components such as “Search” or “Navigator” that are already available can be easily incorporated into the framework. In this way, it is possible to set up a simple functioning system in a very short time at little effort and expense.
Having set up a minimal system of this type for the sound laboratory of the leading German car manufacturer, Gigatronic discussed the special needs and adaptations of the system with the department’s management on the basis of the prototype. The following requirements were established:
From these requirements, a series of new components were created during the implementation phase and incorporated in the client. In this way, the client was adapted to suit the special circumstances of the department. It is also possible to reuse the programmed components in other departments with similar requirements, and any components created there can be incorporated into this system if required. This saves time and money.
The system created in this manner perfectly supports and optimises the way the department works. By using the test planning of openMDM, the measurement task has been defined precisely, such as information on the test object, the test equipment and the resulting load values. Using an interface file (XML), the measurement task with configuration settings is transferred to the HEAD recorder and the actual measurement process is started. After completion of the measurement process, the results are loaded into the openMDM system by an importer, where they are available for evaluation. The standardised storage enables the measurement data to be transferred to any connected evaluation software. Finally, following a request from the leading German
car manufacturer’s sound laboratory, HEAD Artemis and the HEAD DataPortal were connected.
Using the openMDM shopping basket, the measurements are transferred to the evaluation software which then loads the data independently using the openMDM API. The user is then in a position to analyse all recorded sound files. With the openMDM system, the department can finally make use of a valuable tool which
Thanks to the OpenSource licence, the generic data model and the building block principle, by reusing available components, it was possible
In order to support the entire measurement process - from test planning right through execution and on to evaluation - Gigatronik introduced the openMDM measurement data management system, which is available through an OpenSource licence, into this specialist field.
OpenMDM is based on the ODS standard (Open Data Service), developed by ASAM e.V., which standardises the storage of the data, thereby simplifying data exchange both within and outside the company and between different applications. Over and above this, ODS also offers approaches to solutions in the storage of data which is standardised, centrally located and recoverable, and therefore able to be archived over long periods.
This means that, in this instance, openMDM is pursuing a generic approach. If, with pure ODS, each department still needs to generate a new applications model based on the basic model, openMDM even includes its own generic applications model based on the ODS NVH standard. Using templates, this simply has to be matched to the needs of the individual departments.
This is what happened in the sound laboratory of the leading German car manufacturer. Working in close collaboration with the department, the data model for the storage of both the descriptive data and the measurement data was defined and entered into the system by means of a simple administration interface. Even subsequent modifications or additions can be undertaken rapidly and transparently using the administration interface.
But openMDM offers even more. As an interface for the user, it also provides a client which is easily expandable by means of plug-ins. The principle underlying this client and its components is most easily understood as a type of building block system. Components such as “Search” or “Navigator” that are already available can be easily incorporated into the framework. In this way, it is possible to set up a simple functioning system in a very short time at little effort and expense.
Having set up a minimal system of this type for the sound laboratory of the leading German car manufacturer, Gigatronic discussed the special needs and adaptations of the system with the department’s management on the basis of the prototype. The following requirements were established:
- a connection from the HEAD recorder to the application system (Test Planning)
- importing of measurements recorded by the HEAD Recorder
- importing of diagnostic files and of the software status conditions contained in them
- evaluation with Artemis HEAD Artemis
- evaluation with DataPortal HEAD DataPortal
- an audio player for playing the sound files
From these requirements, a series of new components were created during the implementation phase and incorporated in the client. In this way, the client was adapted to suit the special circumstances of the department. It is also possible to reuse the programmed components in other departments with similar requirements, and any components created there can be incorporated into this system if required. This saves time and money.
The system created in this manner perfectly supports and optimises the way the department works. By using the test planning of openMDM, the measurement task has been defined precisely, such as information on the test object, the test equipment and the resulting load values. Using an interface file (XML), the measurement task with configuration settings is transferred to the HEAD recorder and the actual measurement process is started. After completion of the measurement process, the results are loaded into the openMDM system by an importer, where they are available for evaluation. The standardised storage enables the measurement data to be transferred to any connected evaluation software. Finally, following a request from the leading German
car manufacturer’s sound laboratory, HEAD Artemis and the HEAD DataPortal were connected.
Using the openMDM shopping basket, the measurements are transferred to the evaluation software which then loads the data independently using the openMDM API. The user is then in a position to analyse all recorded sound files. With the openMDM system, the department can finally make use of a valuable tool which
- stores the data centrally,
- provides descriptive data to enable the data to be relocated,
- uses ODS standardised storage so that the measurement data can be exchanged and archived for long periods.
Thanks to the OpenSource licence, the generic data model and the building block principle, by reusing available components, it was possible
- in very close collaboration with the department and
- constant discussions over prototypes
GIGATRONIK Ingolstadt GmbH
info@gigatronik.com
www.gigatronik.com
Am Augraben 19
D-85080 Gaimersheim
Tel.: +49 8458 / 34 88-00
Fax.: Tel.: +49 8458 / 34 88-099
Your contact:
Stefan Holz
stefan.holz@gigatronik.com
About the company
GIGATRONIK is a specialised Engineering Partner in the field of automotive electronics and information technology, with the knowledge and know-how to realise visions in a competent way. We connect automotive electronics and information technology into carIT - the challenge for future solutions. Our solutions help to develop new products of our customers with pointed differentials.
