Datastick Systems: First Upgrade of PDA-Based VSA-1212 Vibration Spectrum Analyzer -- Improved Performance for Predictive Maintenance and Troubleshooting.

CAMPBELL, Calif. -- Datastick Software Upgrades for Both Its PDA and Desktop PC Software Programs Provide Enhanced Display of High Frequencies and Faster Operation During Vibration Collection and Analysis

Datastick Systems, Inc., shipped performance upgrades of both software components of its PDA-based VSA-1212 Vibration Spectrum Analyzer for predictive and condition-based maintenance, announced Michael Scandling, Vice President of Marketing, from the company's headquarters in Silicon Valley today.

The new version 1.2 of Datastick(R) Spectrum software for the PDA provides a maximum frequency of 10,000 Hz with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum displays of 400, 800, and 1600 lines. FFTs are now calculated up to three times faster than before, and time-domain waveforms are now displayed at resolutions up to 3200 points.

"Datastick Spectrum's upgrade improves the display of higher frequencies -- the frequencies that most often indicate faults in rolling-element bearings. This is crucially important in troubleshooting and diagnosing machine health problems quickly to prevent costly breakdowns, especially of mission-critical equipment," said Mr. Scandling. "We are sending free upgrades to all our customers."

In addition to hardware that attaches to the Palm OS(R) PDA, and Datastick Spectrum software for Palm OS handheld computers, the VSA-1212 system includes companion desktop PC software: Datastick Reporting System(TM) for VSA for Windows(R)-compatible PCs.

With Datastick Reporting System for VSA version 1.2, users can now magnify the display of any time span or frequency span and can automatically detect spectrum peaks within any selected span.

"This magnification feature enhances visualization because it exceeds the zooming capability of DRS's underlying Microsoft(R) Excel(R) software," said Mr. Scandlng. "DRS is popular with customers, who tell us that they like being able to exchange data files freely with anyone who has Excel."

The Datastick VSA-1212 Vibration Spectrum Analyzer system is made up of four major components: the VSA-1212 hardware module, which snaps onto the back of a Palm OS PDA; Datastick Spectrum software for the PDA; Excel-based Datastick Reporting System for VSA software for Windows PCs; and a Palm OS PDA. The system is designed to use any standard off-the-shelf ICP(R)-type industrial accelerometer; the sensor plugs into the VSA-1212 module.

Datastick Spectrum puts all the vital waveform or FFT spectral information on one screen on the PDA. Data can be shown in terms of acceleration, velocity, or displacement. Versatile cursor-point tools enable precise zooming and numerical readout of any data point. They can also show the relationship between any two data points. An "Add Note" feature allows the user to attach written observations to individual waveform or spectrum captures.

After the data is captured on the PDA, the user exports it to a Windows-compatible PC by pushing a button on the PDA's recharging cradle. Once the data is on the PC, it is easily imported into Datastick Reporting System software for analysis using waveform and spectrum graphics, and comparison using stacked spectra and waterfall graphs as well as numerical tables. Because Datastick Reporting System is based on Microsoft Excel, files and graphs can be read by anyone who has Excel.

"Datastick's open desktop software expands the use of vibration analysis to customers who are not vibration experts, since they can easily email data files to any consultant they choose," said Penny F. Melrose, CEO. "And our PDA-based technology makes it easy to begin collecting measurements with minimal training."

Up to 22 MB of recorded waveform and spectrum data can be stored in the Palm OS Garmin(R) iQue(R) 3200 or 3600 PDA -- data from more than 700 inspection checkpoints -- before exporting the data to the PC. There are six selectable FFT windowing options and a broad selection of maximum frequency options. An optional ruggedized case protects the system in rough industrial environments.

Handhelds supported include: Palm(R) Tungsten(TM) T, T2, T3, C, Palm m-500 series, Garmin iQue 3200, and Garmin iQue 3600.

Datastick Systems, Inc., develops cost-effective handheld test and measurement software and hardware for a broad range of industrial, environmental, commercial, research, and scientific markets. Datastick developed the first general-purpose data acquisition hardware and software system for the Palm platform. Contact Datastick Systems, Inc., at 51 East Campbell Ave., Ste. 150, Campbell, CA 95008, Phone [phone], Email [e-mail], Web www.datastick.com.

Datastick is a registered trademark and Datastick Reporting System is a trademark of Datastick Systems, Inc. Palm, Palm OS, Palm Powered, and Tungsten are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. Microsoft and Excel are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Garmin and iQue are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. ICP is a registered trademark of PCB Group, Inc., Depew, New York.