How to Use the AT-2040 Signal Simulator
The AT-2040 Signal Simulator lets you generate electrical vibration signals without physically shaking a sensor. Use it to verify analyzer channels, test monitoring systems, confirm scaling, train technicians, and troubleshoot field wiring or control-room equipment.
Signal types supported
- IEPE accelerometer simulation
- Charge accelerometer simulation
- Voltage accelerometer simulation
- Velocity sensor simulation
- Proximity probe simulation
- 4–20 mA transmitter simulation
Simulate the sensor output instead of shaking the sensor
In normal vibration calibration, the AT-2040 drives its internal shaker and compares a sensor under test to the internal reference accelerometer. In Signal Simulation mode, the AT-2040 acts more like a vibration-specific function generator.
Instead of producing physical motion, it outputs an electrical signal that represents what a sensor would produce at a selected vibration level and frequency. This is useful when testing analyzers, PLCs, protection systems, signal conditioners, and data acquisition equipment.
What simulation mode controls
Verify the measurement chain without mounting a sensor
Signal simulation is ideal when the goal is to check the electronics, channel scaling, display units, alarm logic, or data acquisition path rather than the mechanical sensor itself.
Analyzer channel checks
Send a known vibration signal into an analyzer and confirm the displayed reading and units.
Control system verification
Check PLC, SCADA, or protection system scaling using a repeatable simulated signal.
Technician training
Demonstrate how different sensor types and vibration levels appear on monitoring equipment.
Troubleshooting
Separate analyzer, wiring, and configuration problems from sensor or mounting problems.
Choose the correct simulator output
The output connection depends on the type of signal being simulated. Use the BNC simulator output for accelerometer style signals and the dedicated terminals for 4–20 mA or proximity probe simulation.
Sensor Simulator Output
Use the BNC simulator output for IEPE, charge, voltage, and velocity-style simulated sensor signals.
- IEPE accelerometer
- Charge accelerometer
- Voltage accelerometer
- Velocity sensor outputs
Proximity Probe Simulator
Use the proximity probe simulator output when simulating an eddy-current proximity probe or displacement probe signal.
- 0 to −24 V style output
- DC gap voltage with AC ripple
- Proximity probe channel verification
4–20 mA Simulator
Use the 4–20 mA simulator output to verify current-loop vibration transmitter inputs, PLC channels, or control system scaling.
- Current-loop output
- Full-scale vibration simulation
- PLC and SCADA verification
How to run a signal simulation
The simulator workflow is straightforward: connect the output, select the sensor type, enter sensitivity and setup values, then start the simulated signal.
Open Signal Simulation
From the main menu, select Signal Simulation.
Connect the output
Connect the AT-2040 simulator output to the analyzer, PLC, protection system, or signal conditioner.
Select sensor type
Use the Sensor Type button to choose the simulated sensor output.
Enter sensitivity
Enter the rated sensor sensitivity from the datasheet or the value you want the instrument to simulate.
Set amplitude and frequency
Use the knobs or touchscreen fields to set vibration level, frequency, units, and Peak or RMS mode.
Start the simulation
Press Start, verify the connected equipment reading, then press Stop when finished.
Common simulated sensor outputs
The AT-2040 can simulate several sensor families commonly used in vibration monitoring and machine protection systems.
| Sensor type | Simulated output | Typical sensitivity units | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEPE accelerometer | AC voltage with DC bias | mV/g, mV/m/s², V/g | Industrial accelerometer channel verification |
| Charge accelerometer | Charge output | pC/g, pC/m/s² | Charge amplifier and analyzer verification |
| Voltage accelerometer | Voltage output | mV/g, mV/m/s², V/g | Voltage-output sensor channel checks |
| Velocity sensor | AC voltage proportional to velocity | mV/IPS, mV/mm/s, V/IPS | Machine protection and velocity channel scaling |
| Proximity probe | DC gap voltage with AC ripple | mV/mil, mV/µm, V/mil | Shaft displacement and proximity monitor checks |
| 4–20 mA transmitter | Current loop | g/FS, IPS/FS, mm/s/FS, mil/FS | PLC, SCADA, and transmitter input checks |
Typical simulation examples
These examples show how the simulator can be used to test common vibration monitoring channels.
Simulate a 100 mV/g accelerometer
Select IEPE, enter 100 mV/g sensitivity, set the bias voltage if required, then output a known vibration level such as 1 g at 100 Hz. The analyzer should display the corresponding vibration reading.
Simulate a proximity probe signal
Select the proximity probe simulator and output a DC gap-style signal with an AC vibration component. Use this to verify shaft displacement channels and monitor scaling.
Simulate a current-loop transmitter
Select the 4–20 mA simulator and set a vibration value as a percentage of full scale. Use this to verify PLC, SCADA, or control system current-loop input scaling.
IEPE, charge, and voltage sensor simulation
For accelerometer-style signals, connect the analyzer or signal conditioner to the AT-2040 BNC Sensor Simulator Output. Select the sensor type, enter the rated sensitivity, choose the vibration units, then start the signal.
This is useful for checking analyzer scaling before connecting a real accelerometer, confirming that the channel reads the correct units, or troubleshooting cables and signal conditioners.
Accelerometer setup checklist
- Use the BNC Sensor Simulator Output
- Select IEPE, charge, or voltage sensor type
- Enter the rated sensitivity
- Set bias voltage where applicable
- Set amplitude and frequency
- Confirm the analyzer reads the expected value
Simulate a velocity sensor output
Velocity simulation is useful when testing machinery protection systems, velocity monitoring channels, or older systems that expect a velocity pickup signal.
Select the velocity sensor type, enter the sensitivity in the correct units, and choose a vibration level in IPS or mm/s. The connected analyzer should display the expected velocity value.
Common velocity units
- mV/IPS
- mV/mm/s
- V/IPS
- IPS vibration output
- mm/s vibration output
Proximity probe and 4–20 mA simulation
Proximity probe and 4–20 mA simulation use dedicated output terminals instead of the BNC simulator output.
Proximity Probe Simulator
Use the Proximity Probe Output Simulator to generate a proximity-style voltage signal. This is useful for checking shaft displacement monitors, gap voltage response, and proximity probe channel scaling.
- 0 to −24 V style output
- Displacement-style signal
- Common scaling such as mV/mil
4–20 mA Sensor Output Simulator
Use the 4–20 mA Sensor Output Simulator to verify current-loop vibration transmitter inputs, PLC channels, and control system scaling.
- Current-loop output
- Full-scale vibration simulation
- Useful for PLC and SCADA systems
Expected current-loop output
For a linear 4–20 mA vibration transmitter, current output is normally proportional to the selected vibration value as a percentage of full scale.
Example
If a transmitter input is scaled for 0–10 g and the AT-2040 simulates 5 g, the expected current is:
4 mA + 16 mA × (5 g ÷ 10 g)
= 4 mA + 8 mA
= 12 mACheck the real scaling
Always confirm the receiving system’s full-scale range, units, RMS/Peak setting, and engineering-unit scaling. Current-loop channels are only meaningful when the configured full scale is known.
What to verify on the receiving equipment
The AT-2040 provides the known simulated signal. The receiving analyzer or control system should be checked for correct scaling, units, and response.
Correct units
Confirm the receiving device displays g, IPS, mm/s, mils, µm, or current-loop units correctly.
Correct amplitude
Verify that the displayed level matches the simulated vibration value.
Correct frequency
Check that the analyzer or monitoring system reads the selected frequency or RPM correctly.
Alarm behavior
Use known levels to confirm alert, alarm, shutdown, or trending behavior where applicable.
Signal simulation does not calibrate the physical sensor
Signal Simulation mode is used to test the electrical measurement chain. It does not test the mechanical response of a real sensor, sensor mounting, sensor mass loading, or frequency response of the transducer itself.
To calibrate a physical sensor, use the AT-2040 vibration output or automatic sensor test workflow with the sensor mounted to the shaker.
Common signal simulation issues
No reading on analyzer
Confirm the correct simulator output is connected, the receiving channel is enabled, and the sensor type selected on the AT-2040 matches the expected input type.
Wrong amplitude reading
Check sensitivity, sensitivity units, Peak/RMS mode, engineering units, and full-scale scaling on the receiving device.
Wrong current-loop value
Verify the 4–20 mA channel wiring, loop input configuration, and full-scale vibration range used by the receiving PLC or control system.
Agate Technology can help you set up the right AT-2040 simulator workflow.
Whether you need to test analyzer scaling, verify a 4–20 mA input, simulate a proximity probe signal, or train technicians on vibration measurement, the AT-2040 Signal Simulator provides a practical bench tool for the job.
