SOLUTION SHEET

SprayExplorer PDA system
Computer controlled particle size and velocity
measurement solution

High performance PDA system for challenging measurement applications
PDA (Particle Dynamics Analyzer) – also known as PDPA (Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer)
and PDI (Phase Doppler Interferometer) – is a well-established technique for thesimultaneous measurement of particle size and velocity. The SprayExplorer PDA solution
represents the latest advance in PDA technology. The result is a high performancecomputer controlled system for particle size and velocity measurement applications.

Key benefits• Wide measurement range – velocity up to supersonic and size down to microns• Transmitter with powerful, software controlled and factory aligned laser• Receiving probe includes internal detectors for minimum signal loss
• Computer controlled mask/slit selection to match size range & particle density conditions• Built-in camera and LED illumination for optimal alignment• State-of-art signal processor to handle the most demanding applications• Advanced, flexible, and feature rich software platform with a user-friendly interface• Automatic phase calibration for accurate size measurementsThe SprayExplorer PDA system
The SprayExplorer PDA system is a complete solution designed to meet themost challenging particle size and velocity measurement applications. Thesolution is based on the SprayExplorer receiver probe, FlowExplorer orFiberFlow transmiting optics, a powerful all-in-one signal processor (BSAP800), and the comprehensive BSA Flow software.
The system can be configured for 1, 2 or 3 velocity component measurements, and integrated with a 1D, 2D, or 3D traversing units for spatialmapping.
Existing LDA/ PDA transmitting optics can be upgraded with SprayExplorer
receivers, BSA P600/800 processors, and software to take advantage ofthe latest innovations and improved performance.
Options include advanced synchronization, analog inputs, velocity/particle
size monitoring, independent processor control and more, offering flexibility to customize the solution to unique measurement requirements.
The system can be configured for 1D, 2D, or 3D velocity measurements, andintegrated with a 1D, 2D, or 3D traversing units for spatial mapping.
SprayExplorer PDA system – basic
setup for 1D and 2D solutions. Also
available as 3D solution.

The SprayExplorer PDA system can also be configured with fiber-based transmission optics from the FiberFlow range.
SprayExplorer PDA system – setup
with fiber-based transmission (2D).
Also available as 1D and 3D solution.

Existing LDA/PDA transmitting optics can be upgraded with SprayExplorer
receivers, BSA P600/800 processors, and software to take advantage of thelatest innovations and improved performance. Various options are available
for advanced synchronization, analog inputs, velocity/particle size monitoring,
independent processor control, and more allowing additional flexibility tocustomize the solution to meet unique measurement requirements.

Transmitting Optics
FlowExplorer – turn-key, compact and calibrated laser transmitter
The FlowExplorer is a compact, turn-key LDA/PDA transmitter which uses
diode or DPSS lasers available with a range of laser power from 35 mW to
500 mW for each component. All FlowExplorer systems are factory alignedand calibrated. Standard front lenses are available from 150 mm to >1000
mm to match the velocity and size range as well as test facility dimensions.

The FlowExplorer DPSS transmitter –compact, powerful and factory-aligned.

FiberFlow - fiber optic transmitter equipped with DPSS or fiber lasers
The SprayExplorer PDA system can also be configured using FiberFlow lasertransmitters and probe.
The FiberFlow laser transmitter is easy to align, compact and powerful.
Several transmitter probe sizes are available with a wide range of front lenses
and optional beam expanders to match the required velocity and size range.
Beam steering and variable beam spacing options are available for maximum
flexibility. Factory aligned probes are provided with calibration certificates.
Page 2FiberFlow laser transmitter + 112 mm
diameter probe.

Receiving optics
SprayExplorer PDA receiver
The SprayExplorer PDA receiver is designed to enhance particle size andvelocity measurements in a wide range of applications while simplifying thesetup and use. To this end, the SprayExpwlorer PDA receiver includes a large
aperture front lens, software controlled selection of masks and spatial filters,
together with integrated photodetectors supporting particle size and up to 3
velocity components. Optimal alignment of the SprayExplorer PDA receiver iseasy thanks to a built-in camera and illumination system. The high resolution
camera is focused on the slit which is illuminated by an LED allowing the user
to easily find the ideal focus and position of the measurement volume during
alignment. The camera image is streamed to the computer for real-time
feedback during the alignment procedure.

Software-controlled SprayExplorer
PDA receiver.

The size range is defined by a mask in the receiver. The software controls
the size range by switching between 3 masks. The PDA technique requiresthat only one particle at a time is present in the measurement volume.
Dense sprays thus require small measurement volumes. The size of themeasurement volume is controlled by a spatial filter, either a slit or a pinhole,in the receiver. The software controls the measurement volume size byswitching between 3 slits and a pinhole.
You can pre-program the mask and slit/pinhole combinations for different
conditions as the measurement point is traversed through various regions ofthe spray.

Processor
Burst Spectrum Analyzer (BSA) – fast and powerful all-in-one processor
The SprayExplorer PDA solution includes the new third generation BurstSpectrum Analyzer (BSA) signal processor. The BSA P600 and P800 use thelatest developments in digital signal processing technology which makes
our PDA system the fastest and most powerful ever.
The BSA P800 processor handles high velocities and large velocity fluctuations
thanks to its maximum input frequency of 200 MHz and maximum bandwidthof 160 MHz. For high velocity dense sprays, continuous ink jet printing, andother applications with very high data (particle arrival) rates, the BSA canhandle date rates up to 100 kHz continuously and peak rates of 1 MHz
Since the signals are analyzed by hardware/firmware inside the processor,
the SprayExplorer PDA solution can provide real-time measurements, andthe user can monitor Doppler bursts, spectra, size and velocity data, datarate, validation rate and other information on-line and in real time.

Real time display of signals, data rate,valiation rate.

PDA systems require an accurate measurement of the phase differencesof light signals detected from different perspectives, which are then used
to provide the particle size measurements. Therefore, calibration of theelectronics is required to find and store the phase delays before dataacquisition. This process is handled automatically by the BSA processor
whenever required.
The BSA processor includes an automatic overload protection feature forthe photomultipliers (PM’s). This protection quickly reduces the high voltage
to the PM’s when too much light is detected which prevents damage andextends the lifetime of these sensitive components. Please refer to separate
data sheet for further details on the BSA processor.

Page 3

The Dantec Dynamics BSA Flow Softwareis the most flexible and comprehensive
analyzing software for PDA measurements.

Data Analysis
The most flexible and comprehensive software for PDA measurements
The hardware of SprayExplorer PDA solution is managed by the Windows 10-based BSA Flow
Software which also acquires, post processes, and presents data with extensive graphical features.
Measurement results can be displayed on-line during acquisition in several formats such as
Histograms, 2D/3D plots, Lists (individual result statistics), and a signal monitor to verify themeasurement quality.
BSA Flow Software includes an automatic report function to help you quickly organize and export theresults. The user defines the plots and statistics to be included in the report in a PDF or html formats.
Please refer to separate data sheet for further details on the BSA Flow Software.

Specifications
Level		

Category		

Specification

System		

Velocity range 		

From -350 m/s to 2,000 m/s (depending on optics configuration)		

Particle size range		

From 1 um to 1 mm		

Data rate			> 100 kHz continuous to 1 MHz for short duration

Receiver
Receiver 													Lens options (focal length)

SprayExplorer PDA receiver: Built-in PMs and Optics color
separators to match transmitters, alignment camera andLED; Software controlled slits & masks; 5m cable
240 mm, 310 mm, 500 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm

Transmitter
Transmitter		Optics 				FlowExplorer transmitter (Diode or DPSS lasers)
FiberFlow laser transmitters and probe		Laser wavelength							561, 532 and 660 nm (FlowExplorer and FiberFlow)
532, 546 and 520 nm (FiberFlow)		Laser power							FlowExplorer DPSS: Up to 500 mW for each laser
FiberFlow: 1 W for each laser		Lens options												150 mm, 300 mm, 500 mm, 750 mm (FlowExplorer DPSS).
240 mm, 310 mm, 500 mm, 800 mm, 1000 mm(FiberFlow 112 mm diameter probe)

Processor

Max. Bandwidth		

5 MHz (BSA P100) / 80 MHz (BSA P600) / 160 MHz (BSA P800)		

Max. Frequency		

92,5 MHz (BSA P100) 120 MHz (BSA P600) / 200 MHz (BSA P800)		

Min. transit time		

<1.344 µs (BSA P100) / < 42 ns (BSA P600) / < 84 ns (BSA P800)		

Burst processing		

12 bit FFT with zero padding and curve fitting		Data outputs		Frequency: 32 bit / Phase: 32 bit / Time stamp: 64 bit /					Transit time: 32 bit		Options			Synchronization / Analog input / BSA processor driver/					Velocity-Particle Size Monitor
Data AnalysisBSA Flow Software		
Includes user-defined data analysis sequences, traverse grid					generation, statistical criteria for stopping the acquisition,					automatic report and calculation tool		

Add-on: 			
Advanced Graphics		

Includes profile plots with confidence interval, vector plots,
contour plots, 2D plots, and more		

Add-on: Particle Sizing

Enables PDA measurement, data analysis and result presentation

Solution Sheet 0495_v4 . Subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2021
Dantec Dynamics. All Rights Reserved. www.dantecdynamics.com