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Precision Marine Telemetry at the Source
On a performance cruising or racing yacht, mechanical forces change in fractions of a second. High rig loads, hydraulic spikes, mast articulation, and spar dynamics dictate boat speed, structural safety, and maneuver execution.
To monitor these loads accurately, engineers and crews rely on Digital Signal Acquisition (DSA).
At IODE, DSA is the bridge between the physical world and onboard digital intelligence. It is the process of converting raw physical measurements into clean, calibrated, real-time digital CAN frames directly where the measurement occurs.
Why DSA Matters.
True Structural Protection: High-speed sampling catches microsecond load spikes on runners or halyard locks before mechanical damage occurs.
Deterministic Data: Riggers and tacticians make decisions based on noise-free, temperature-compensated digital data rather than drifting analog voltages.
Plug-and-Play Maintenance: Replacing or calibrating an individual line node does not require rewiring complex looms—simply connect to the CAN bus and verify telemetry centrally.
TL;DR - DSA by IODE
What is DSA?
Digital Signal Acquisition is the process of converting raw physical measurements (load, strain, pressure, motion) into calibrated digital CAN data right at the sensor.
Why at the Source?
Eliminating long analog cable runs removes electromagnetic noise interference (EMI) from winches and pumps, prevents signal drift, and sheds weight aloft.
The IODE Ecosystem:
High-precision multi-channel conversion - WINGjunction
Digital hydraulics - PRESSUREsense
Motion analysis - IMUsense
CAN routing, working as one unified digital network - UNIVERSALgateway / ISOLATIONgateway
The Core Principle
Traditional marine telemetry routes raw analog voltages (such as 0–30 mV strain bridge signals or 0–10 V outputs) over long cable runs through the mast or bilges back to a central instrument box.
In a marine environment, this legacy approach introduces significant vulnerabilities:
Signal Degradation: Sensitive millivolt signals lose fidelity over long cable distances.
Severe EMI Noise: High-current captive winches, hydraulic pumps, and inverters generate electromagnetic interference that distorts analog readings.
Cable Bulk: Dedicated analog runs clutter conduits and add unwanted weight.
Digital Signal Acquisition solves this by moving high-resolution conversion directly to the measurement site. By converting raw physical phenomena into digital data at the sensor, long-distance analog degradation is eliminated. Clean, digital data is then transmitted over the yacht’s robust CAN bus backbone with absolute data integrity.
How IODE Applies DSA
Our Digital Signal Acquisition lineup provides plug-and-play, high-precision acquisition hardware tailored to the extreme demands of grand-prix rigs and performance yachts
1. In-Line Strain & Load Capture: WINGsense & TRSsense
Measuring real-world loads on standing rigging, sheets, and runners requires ultra-fast sampling to capture dynamic peak loads.
High-Speed 1 kHz Sampling: Both WINGsense and TRSsense capture raw strain gauge signals at rates up to 1 kHz with 16-bit resolution and 0.2% Full Scale (FS) accuracy.
Compact In-Line Architecture: Designed to install directly into the measuring line, eliminating long analog tail wires and ensuring fast, noise-free load transmission over the CAN network.
2. High-Precision Analogue Conversion: WINGjunction 2 / 3 / 4
For rigs requiring centralized multi-channel signal acquisition:
Up to 24-Bit Precision: The WINGjunction series converts ±10 V, 0–30 mV, and 4–20 mA analogue inputs with lab-grade 24-bit resolution.
Engineered for Rigors Aloft: Housed in a CNC-machined IP67 aluminum enclosure, the module provides native CANopen support, automatic startup, and true plug-and-play installation inside spar cavities or wet deck lockers.
3. Calibrated Fluid Telemetry: PRESSUREsense
Hydraulic systems manage immense working pressures on vang, cunningham, outhaul, and backstay cylinders.
Direct Digital Pressure: PRESSUREsense replaces remote pressure transducers with a digitally calibrated sensor outputting directly onto the CAN bus.
Marine-Grade Diaphragm: Built with a rugged stainless-steel diaphragm compatible with oil, fuel, gas, and compressed air, ensuring long-term drift-free accuracy across extreme temperature cycles.
4. Dynamic Spar Motion: IMUsense
Understanding how the mast and boom interact in dynamic sea states is critical for sail trim and structural preservation.
Dual-Sensor Synchronisation: Installed on both the spar and the boom, IMUsense compares relative 3D motion, tilt, and rotational velocity in real time.
Smart Noise Filtering: Advanced onboard filtering removes mechanical engine and rig vibration noise, providing tacticians and automation systems with clean motion data during high-load tacks and gybes.
5. Multi-Bus Distribution: ISOLATIONgateway
Integrating specialised high-speed DSA networks with standard bridge instruments requires intelligent routing.
The ISOgateway enables seamless, transparent data bridging between multiple CAN bus systems, keeping high-frequency load traffic isolated while streaming essential values out to bridge MFDs and tactical sailing software.
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