Instrumentation and Design

The instrumentation and design group is involved in developing mechanical, electronic, and microprocessor based systems. In addition to designing and manufacturing specialized equipment needed to support research initiatives at both the Davidson Laboratory and Stevens Institute of Technology, contracts have been negotiated with other organizations including:

• Department of Defense (DOD)
• Department of Transportation (DOT)
• New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
• E. J. Brooks
• Block Drug Company
• Samsung

The Davidson Laboratory electronics shop provides complete instrumentation support for the full spectrum of the lab's experimental studies as well as maintenance and repair facilities for all of the electronic equipment used for laboratory and field studies.

Complete instrumentation setups can be designed and constructed in-house with minimal lead time requirements. Our custom-designed systems can be as simple as a few lights attached to a model or as complex as a multi-axis servo controller utilizing PC based digital signal processing. Special capabilities include:

• Installation of bonded resistance strain gages for force measurement
• Motor Control Systems from tine stepper motors to large industrial machinery
• SMT prototyping and repair capabilities
• Remote control systems using RF or infrared techniques

The electronics shop also provides equipment and support for video and still photography systems including high speed underwater photographic systems designed for our towing tank studies.

Personnel on the staff hold FCC radio operator's licenses and New Jersey master electrical contractor's licenses.