ISO/FDIS 6487

• Abstract:

  ISO 6487:2015 gives requirements and recommendations for measurement techniques involving the instrumentation used in impact tests carried out on road vehicles. Its requirements are aimed at facilitating comparisons between results obtained by different testing laboratories, while its recommendations will assist such laboratories in meeting those requirements. It is applicable to instrumentation including that used in the impact testing of vehicle subassemblies. It does not include optical methods which are the subject of ISO 8721.

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 43.020 - Road vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 36 - Safety and impact testing
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 22/SC 36/WG 3 - Instrumentation
• Current Stage: 5020 - FDIS ballot initiated: 2 months. Proof sent to secretariat
• Start Date: 12-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 12-Aug-2026

• Revises: ISO 6487:2015 - Road vehicles — Measurement techniques in impact tests — Instrumentation
• Effective Date: 18-Nov-2023
• Revises: ISO 6487:2015/Amd 1:2017 - Road vehicles — Measurement techniques in impact tests — Instrumentation — Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 18-Nov-2023

Overview

ISO/FDIS 6487:2026, titled "Road vehicles - Measurement techniques in impact tests - Instrumentation”, is an international standard developed by ISO to specify the requirements and recommendations for instrumentation used in impact tests on road vehicles. Its key objective is to ensure consistency and reliability in crash test data across different laboratories and testing environments by standardizing measurement techniques. By harmonizing with other major standards, such as SAE J211-1, ISO/FDIS 6487 facilitates accurate comparison of crash test results, supports regulatory compliance, and enhances automotive safety engineering.

The standard is applicable to a wide range of instrumentation, including those used in testing of vehicle subassemblies, but specifically excludes optical measurement methods, which are covered by ISO 8721.

Key Topics

ISO/FDIS 6487 addresses numerous critical elements of measurement techniques in vehicle impact testing, focusing on the entire measurement chain:

• Performance Requirements: Sets comprehensive criteria for calibration, frequency response (Channel Frequency Class, CFC), amplitude characteristics (Channel Amplitude Class, CAC), phase delay, time resolution, and environmental impacts on instrumentation.
• Calibration Protocols: Details annual calibration requirements and traceability to national or international standards, including the handling of calibration uncertainties.
• Data Channel Specification: Standardizes the definition and choice of data channels, covering transducers, filters, and data acquisition systems to ensure clarity and interchangeability.
• Environmental Considerations: Outlines methods for testing and mitigating effects from electromagnetic fields, radio frequency interference, and temperature variations during impact tests.
• Temperature Measurement: Specifies accurate temperature monitoring for anthropomorphic test devices (crash test dummies, ATDs) to avoid response variability.
• Harmonization with SAE J211-1: Aligns with recognized industry standards for crash instrumentation, easing integration and comparison of results on an international level.

Applications

The practical value of ISO/FDIS 6487 lies in its wide adoption by professionals in automotive safety and crash testing:

• Crash Test Facilities: Ensures standardized measurement protocols, making test data comparable across global laboratories.
• Automotive Manufacturers: Supports reliable safety assessment and regulatory compliance by providing verifiable test results.
• Certification and Regulatory Bodies: Facilitates independent evaluation and audit of crash test processes through clearly defined instrumentation requirements.
• R&D and Test Engineering: Guides the selection, calibration, and deployment of transducers, data acquisition systems, and signal processing for robust impact test data.
• Component Suppliers and Subassembly Testing: Enables consistent instrumentation procedures for parts and system-level tests, crucial for supplier qualification and product development.
• Crash Test Dummy (ATD) Testing: Incorporates rigorous temperature and mechanical measurement protocols to validate dummy performance in impact scenarios.

Related Standards

Professionals implementing ISO/FDIS 6487 often reference related standards for comprehensive impact test measurement:

• ISO 8721 – Road vehicles - Measurement techniques in impact tests - Optical instrumentation (covering optical methods not included in ISO/FDIS 6487)
• ISO 2041 – Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring - Vocabulary (provides essential terminology)
• ISO 3784 – Measurement of impact velocity in collision tests
• ISO 4130 – Three-dimensional reference system and fiducial marks - Definitions
• ISO/TS 17242 and ISO/TS 21476 – Procedures for calibration of particular transducer types
• ISO 21612 – Road vehicles - Multi-axis load cell crosstalk determination
• SAE J211-1 and SAE J2570 – Instrumentation for impact test; Performance specifications for ATD transducers

By following ISO/FDIS 6487 and its related standards, organizations ensure globally recognized, reproducible, and high-quality vehicle crash test data, advancing automotive safety and innovation.

FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 22/SC 36
Road vehicles — Measurement
Secretariat: AFNOR
techniques in impact tests —
Voting begins on:
Instrumentation
2026-08-12
Véhicules routiers — Techniques de mesurage lors des essais de
Voting terminates on:
chocs — Instrumentation
2026-10-07
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
Reference number
FINAL DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/TC 22/SC 36
Road vehicles — Measurement
Secretariat: AFNOR
techniques in impact tests —
Voting begins on:
Instrumentation
Véhicules routiers — Techniques de mesurage lors des essais de
Voting terminates on:
chocs — Instrumentation
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT,
WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION OF ANY
RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING DOCUMENTATION.
© ISO 2026
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO­
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES, DRAFT
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
TO BECOME STAN DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE
MADE IN NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Performance requirements . . 3
4.1 Channel frequency class (CFC) specifications and performance requirements .3
4.2 Phase delay time of a data channel .5
4.3 Time and resolution .5
4.3.1 Time base .5
4.3.2 Relative time delay .6
4.3.3 Sampling rate.6
4.3.4 Resolution .6
4.4 Transducer transverse sensitivity ratio of a rectilinear transducer .6
4.5 Calibration .6
4.5.1 General .6
4.5.2 Accuracy of reference equipment for calibration .6
4.5.3 Calibration procedures and uncertainties .6
4.5.4 Calibration of frequency response .8
4.6 Environmental effects .8
4.7 Choice and designation of data channel .8
4.8 Choice of reference coordinate system .9
4.9 Impact velocity measurement .9
4.10 ATD temperature measurement .9
Annex A (informative) Example of Butterworth four-pole phaseless digital filter(including
initial conditions treatment) algorithm .10
Annex B (informative) Recommendations for measurement testing .13
Bibliography .15

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 36, Safety
and impact testing.
This seventh edition cancels and replaces the sixth edition (ISO 6487:2015), which has been technically
revised. It also incorporates the Amendment ISO 6487:2015/Amd 1:2017.
The main changes are as follows:
— added calibration requirements for crash test dummy transducers;
— revised calibration requirements for some transducers;
— added calibration requirements for current and humidity transducers;
— added necessary normative references;
— harmonization with SAE J211-1.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document is the result of a willingness to harmonize the previous edition, ISO 6487:2015 and SAE J211-
1. It presents a series of performance requirements concerning the whole measurement sequence of impact
shocks.
The aim of this document is to provide the measurement techniques used in crash tests to provide a basis
for comparison between tests resulting from different sources. The aim is also to establish the equivalence
of performance for various types of transducers. To achieve such a goal, throughout knowledge of the
objective measurement and its environment is required. It is not necessarily constrained by the technology
of manufacture of transducer or their designs, but is undoubtedly related to changing conditions during an
impact test.
These requirements cannot be altered by the user and all are obligatory for any agency conducting tests
according to this document. However, the method of demonstrating compliance with them is flexible and
can be adapted to suit the needs of the particular equipment used by a testing agency.
This approach affects the interpretation of requirements. For example, there is a requirement to calibrate
within the working range of the channel, i.e. between F and F /2,5. This cannot be interpreted literally,
L H
as low-frequency calibration of accelerometers requires large displacement inputs beyond the capacity of
virtually any laboratory.
It is not intended that each requirement be taken as necessitating proof by a single test. Rather, it is intended
that any agency proposing to conduct tests according to this document guarantees that if a particular test
can be and were to be carried out, then their equipment would meet the requirements. This proof would be
based on reasonable deductions from existing data such as the results of partial tests.
On the basis of studies carried out by technical experts, no significant difference has been identified between
the characteristics of the load transducer when using static as opposed to dynamic calibration methods. This
document helps to define the dynamic calibration method for force and moment data channels in accordance
with the current knowledge base and studies available.
The temperature of the anthropomorphic test device (ATD) used in a collision test needs to be monitored
to confirm that it has been used within the acceptable temperature range prescribed for the whole ATD or
body segment. The objective is to prevent temperature from being a variable that will influence the ATD
response. The actual ATD temperature can be influenced by various factors including ambient air, high-
speed photography lighting, sunshine, heat dissipation from transducers, and ATD in-board data acquisition
systems. In order to respond to these objectives, this document specifies the performance requirements for
the ATD temperature measurement.
This document defines the requirements of an impact test for which the measurement uncertainties can
only be partially calculated.
This document enables users of impact test results to call up a set of relevant instrumentation requirements
by merely referring to this document. The relevant test agency then has the primary responsibility for
ensuring that the requirements of this document are met by their instrumentation system. The evidence on
which they have based this proof assessment will be available to the user upon request. In this way, fixed
requirements guaranteeing the suitability of the instrumentation for impact testing can be combined with
flexible methods of demonstrating compliance with those requirements.

v
FINAL DRAFT International Standard ISO/FDIS 6487:2026(en)
Road vehicles — Measurement techniques in impact tests —
Instrumentation
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements and recommendations for measurement techniques involving the
instrumentation used in impact tests carried out on road vehicles. Its requirements are aimed at facilitating
comparisons between results obtained by different testing laboratories, while its recommendations assist
these laboratories in meeting those requirements.
This document is applicable to instrumentation including that used in the impact testing of vehicle
subassemblies. It does not include optical methods which are defined in ISO 8721.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2041, Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring — Vocabulary
ISO 3784, Road vehicles — Measurement of impact velocity in collision tests
ISO 4130, Road vehicles — Three-dimensional reference system and fiducial marks — Definitions
ISO/TS 17242, Quasi-static calibration procedure for belt force transducers
ISO/TS 21476, Road vehicles — Displacement calibration method of IR-TRACC devices
ISO 21612, Road vehicles — Crosstalk determination for multi-axis load cell
SAE J211-1, Instrumentation for impact test — Part 1: Electronic instrumentation
SAE J2570, Performance specifications for anthropomorphic test device transducers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 2041 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
data channel
all instrumentation from and including a single transducer or multiple transducers whose outputs are
combined as specified, to and including any analysis procedures that can alter frequency or amplitude
content of data
3.2
transducer
first device in a data channel (3.1) used to convert a physical quantity to be measured into a second quantity
(such as an electrical voltage) which can be processed by the remainder of the channel
3.3
channel amplitude class
CAC
designation for a data channel (3.1) that meets certain amplitude characteristics
Note 1 to entry: The CAC number is numerically equal to the upper limit of the measurement range which is equivalent
to data channel full scale.
Note 2 to entry: The amplitude characteristics are specified in 4.1 and 4.3.4
3.4
channel frequency class
CFC
frequency class designated by a number indicating that the channel frequency response lies within certain
limits
Note 1 to entry: CFC XXX defines the frequency class with XXX = Frequency, F , in Hz.
H
3.5
calibration value
mean value measured and read during calibration of a data channel (3.1)
3.6
sensitivity
ratio of the output signal (in equivalent physical units) to the input signal (physical excitation) when an
excitation is applied to the transducer (3.2)
Note 1 to entry: For active transducers with an output signal dependent on the supply voltage, the unit of sensitivity
and inverse sensitivity can be "kN/(mV/V)" or "(mV/V)/kN". For active transducers whose signal is not dependent on
the supply voltage, the unit of sensitivity and inverse sensitivity can be "kN/V" or "V/kN". For ATD converters, see SAE
J2570.
3.7
sensitivity coefficient
slope of the straight line representing the best fit to the calibration values (3.5) determined by the method of
least squares within the channel amplitude class (CAC) (3.3)
Note 1 to entry: Specific sensors such as belt force transducers, torque transducers and multi-axial force transducers
or nonlinear displacement transducers can require a specific calibration procedure. Displacement calibration method
of IR-TRACC devices shall be in accordance with ISO/TS 21476, and belt force transducers shall be in accordance with
ISO/TS 17242.
3.8
calibration factor of a data channel
arithmetic mean of the sensitivity coefficients (3.7) evaluated over frequencies evenly spaced on a logarithmic
scale between F and F /2,5
L H
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2 and Figure 3.
3.9
non-linearity
ratio of the maximum difference (D ) between the calibration value (3.5) and the value read from the best
max
approximation of calibration values (3.5) expressed as a percentage of the channel amplitude class (CAC) (3.3)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1 and 4.5.4.

Key
1 input signal
2 output signal
NOTE Non-linearity = Dmax/CAC * 100.
Figure 1 — Non-linearity
3.10
transverse sensitivity ratio of a rectilinear transducer
ratio of the transverse sensitivity of a rectilinear transducer (3.10) to its sensitivity along its sensitive axis
Note 1 to entry: The transverse sensitivity of a rectilinear transducer is usually a function of the nominal direction of
the axis chosen.
3.11
phase delay time of a data channel
time equal to the phase delay, expressed in radians, of sinusoidal signal divided by the angular frequency of
that signal and expressed in radians per second
3.12
environment
aggregate at a given moment of all external conditions and influences to which the data channel (3.1) is
subject
3.13
full scale
maximum usable linear range of a data channel
Note 1 to entry: for ATD transducers, refer to SAE J2570.
3.14
anthropomorphic test device
ATD
crash test dummy
4 Performance requirements
4.1 Channel frequency class (CFC) specifications and performance requirements
The absolute value of the non-linearity of a data channel at any frequency (except if data channel is calibrated
against only one point) in the channel frequency class (CFC) shall be less than or equal to 2,5 % of the value
of the CAC over the whole measurement range.
In general, a sufficient number of measurements shall be carried out to ensure the linearity in the range of
interest, i.e. between F and F .
L H
The characteristic frequencies response of a data channel shall lie within the limiting curves and coordinates
given in Table 1 and Figure 2 for CFC 1 000 and CFC 600. For CFC 20, CFC 60 and CF
...

ISO/DISFDIS 6487:2026(en)
ISO/TC 22/SC36/WG 3SC 36
Secretariat: AFNOR
Date: 2026-01-1207-29
Road vehicles — Measurement techniques in impact tests —
Instrumentation
Véhicules routiers — Techniques de mesurage lors des essais de chocs — Instrumentation
FDIS stage
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
EmailE-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents
Foreword . iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Performance requirements . 4
4.1 Channel frequency class (CFC) specifications and performance requirements . 4
4.2 Phase delay time of a data channel . 6
4.3 Time and resolution . 6
4.4 Transducer transverse sensitivity ratio of a rectilinear transducer . 7
4.5 Calibration . 7
4.6 Environmental effects . 9
4.7 Choice and designation of data channel . 9
4.8 Choice of reference coordinate system . 10
4.9 Impact velocity measurement . 10
4.10 ATD temperature measurement . 10
Annex A (informative) Example of Butterworth four-pole phaseless digital filter(including
initial conditions treatment) algorithm . 11
Annex B (informative) Recommendations for measurement testing . 15
Bibliography . 17

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of
ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights
in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a) patent(s)
which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not
represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 36, Safety
and impact testing.
This seventh edition cancels and replaces the sixth edition (ISO 6487:2015), which has been technically
revised. It also incorporates the Amendment(s) ISO 6487:2015/Amd 1:2017.
The main changes are as follows:
— — Addedadded calibration requirements for crash test dummy transducers;
— — Revisedrevised calibration requirements for some transducers;
— — Addedadded calibration requirements for current and humidity transducers;
— — Addedadded necessary normative references;
— — Harmonizationharmonization with SAE J211-1.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
This document is the result of a willingness to harmonize the previous edition, ISO 6487:2015 and SAE J211-
1. It presents a series of performance requirements concerning the whole measurement sequence of impact
shocks.
The aim of this document is to provide the measurement techniques used in crash tests to provide a basis for
comparison between tests resulting from different sources. The aim is also to establish the equivalence of
performance for various types of transducers. To achieve such a goal, throughout knowledge of the objective
measurement and its environment is required. It is not necessarily constrained by the technology of
manufacture of transducer or their designs, but is undoubtedly related to changing conditions during an
impact test.
These requirements cannot be altered by the user and all are obligatory for any agency conducting tests
according to this document. However, the method of demonstrating compliance with them is flexible and can
be adapted to suit the needs of the particular equipment used by a testing agency.
This approach affects the interpretation of requirements. For example, there is a requirement to calibrate
within the working range of the channel, i.e. between F and F /2,5. This cannot be interpreted literally, as
L H
low-frequency calibration of accelerometers requires large displacement inputs beyond the capacity of
virtually any laboratory.
It is not intended that each requirement be taken as necessitating proof by a single test. Rather, it is intended
that any agency proposing to conduct tests according to this document guarantees that if a particular test can
be and were to be carried out, then their equipment would meet the requirements. This proof would be based
on reasonable deductions from existing data such as the results of partial tests.
On the basis of studies carried out by technical experts, no significant difference has been identified between
the characteristics of the load transducer when using static as opposed to dynamic calibration methods. This
document helps to define the dynamic calibration method for force and moment data channels in accordance
with the current knowledge base and studies available.
The temperature of the anthropomorphic test device (ATD) used in a collision test needs to be monitored to
confirm that it has been used within the acceptable temperature range prescribed for the whole ATD or body
segment. The objective is to prevent temperature from being a variable that will influence the ATD response.
The actual ATD temperature can be influenced by various factors including ambient air, high-speed
photography lighting, sunshine, heat dissipation from transducers, and ATD in-board data acquisition
systems. In order to respond to these objectives, this document specifies the performance requirements for
the ATD temperature measurement.
This document defines the requirements of an impact test for which the measurement uncertainties can only
be partially calculated.
This document enables users of impact test results to call up a set of relevant instrumentation requirements
by merely referring to this document. The relevant test agency then has the primary responsibility for
ensuring that the requirements of this document are met by their instrumentation system. The evidence on
which they have based this proof assessment will be available to the user upon request. In this way, fixed
requirements guaranteeing the suitability of the instrumentation for impact testing can be combined with
flexible methods of demonstrating compliance with those requirements.
v
Road vehicles — Measurement techniques in impact tests —
Instrumentation
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements and recommendations for measurement techniques involving the
instrumentation used in impact tests carried out on road vehicles. Its requirements are aimed at facilitating
comparisons between results obtained by different testing laboratories, while its recommendations assist
these laboratories in meeting those requirements.
This document is applicable to instrumentation including that used in the impact testing of vehicle
subassemblies. It does not include optical methods which are defined in ISO 8721.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2041, Mechanical vibration, shock and condition monitoring — Vocabulary
ISO 3784, Road vehicles — Measurement of impact velocity in collision tests
ISO 4130, Road vehicles — Three-dimensional reference system and fiducial marks — Definitions
ISO/TS 17242, Quasi-static calibration procedure for belt force transducers
ISO/TS 21476, Road vehicles — Displacement calibration method of IR-TRACC devices
ISO 21612, Road vehicles — Crosstalk determination for multi-axis load cell
SAE J211-1, Instrumentation for impact test — Part 1: Electronic instrumentation
SAE J2570, Performance specifications for anthropomorphic test device transducers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions given in ISO 2041 and the following
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— — ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— — IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 3.1
data channel
Allall instrumentation from and including a single transducer or multiple transducers whose outputs are
combined as specified, to and including any analysis procedures that can alter frequency or amplitude content
of data.
3.2 3.2
transducer
first device in a data channel (3.1(3.1)) used to convert a physical quantity to be measured into a second
quantity (such as an electrical voltage) which can be processed by the remainder of the channel
3.3 3.3
channel amplitude class
CAC
designation for a data channel (3.1(3.1)) that meets certain amplitude characteristics
Note 1 to entry: The CAC number is numerically equal to the upper limit of the measurement range which is equivalent
to data channel full scale.
Note 2 to entry: The amplitude characteristics are specified in 4.14.1 and 4.3.44.3.4
3.4 3.4
channel frequency class
CFC
frequency class designated by a number indicating that the channel frequency response lies within certain
limits
Note 1 to entry: CFC XXX defines the frequency class with XXX = Frequency, FH, in Hz.
3.5 3.5
calibration value
mean value measured and read during calibration of a data channel (3.1(3.1))
3.6 3.6
sensitivity
ratio of the output signal (in equivalent physical units) to the input signal (physical excitation) when an
excitation is applied to the transducer (3.2(3.2))
Note 1 to entry: For active transducers with an output signal dependent on the supply voltage, the unit of sensitivity and
inverse sensitivity can be "kN/(mV/V)" or "(mV/V)/kN". For active transducers whose signal is not dependent on the
supply voltage, the unit of sensitivity and inverse sensitivity can be "kN/V" or "V/kN". For ATD converters, see SAE J2570.
3.7 3.7
sensitivity coefficient
slope of the straight line representing the best fit to the calibration values (3.5(3.5)) determined by the method
of least squares within the channel amplitude class (CAC) (3.3(3.3))
Note 1 to entry: Specific sensors such as belt force transducers, torque transducers and multi-axial force transducers or
nonlinear displacement transducers can require a specific calibration procedure. Displacement calibration method of IR-
TRACC devices shall be in accordance with ISO/TS 21476, and belt force transducers shall be in accordance with ISO/TS
17242.
3.8 3.8
calibration factor of a data channel
arithmetic mean of the sensitivity coefficients (3.7(3.7)) evaluated over frequencies evenly spaced on a
logarithmic scale between F and F /2.,5
L H
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2Figure 2 and Figure 3Figure 3.
3.9 3.9
non-linearity
ratio of the maximum difference (D ) between the calibration value (3.5(3.5)) and the value read from the
max
best approximation of calibration values (3.5(3.5)) expressed as a percentage of the channel amplitude class
(CAC) (3.3(3.3))
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1Figure 1 and 4.5.44.5.4.

Key
1 input signal
2 output signal
NOTE Non-linearity = Dmax/CAC * 100.
Figure 1 — Non-linearity
3.10
3.10
transverse sensitivity ratio of a rectilinear transducer
ratio of the transverse sensitivity of a rectilinear transducer (3.10(3.10)) to its sensitivity along its sensitive axis
Note 1 to entry: The transverse sensitivity of a rectilinear transducer is usually a function of the nominal direction of the
axis chosen.
3.11 3.11
phase delay time of a data channel
time equal to the phase delay, expressed in radians, of sinusoidal signal divided by the angular frequency of
that signal and expressed in radians per second
3.12 3.12
environment
aggregate at a given moment of all external conditions and influences to which the data channel (3.1(3.1)) is
subject
3.13 3.13
full scale
maximum usable linear range of a data channel
Note 1 to entry: for ATD transducers, refer to SAE J2570.
3.14 3.14
anthropomorphic test device
ATD
crash test dummy
4 Performance requirements
4.1 Channel frequency class (CFC) specifications and performance requirements
The absolute value of the non-linearity of a data channel at any frequency (except if data channel is calibrated
against only one point) in the channel frequency class (CFC) shall be less than or equal to 2.,5 % of the value
of the CAC over the whole measurement range.
In general, a sufficient number of measurements shall be carried out to ensure the linearity in the range of
interest, i.e. between F and F .
L H
The characteristic frequencies response of a data channel shall lie within the limiting curves and coordinates
given in Table 1Table 1 and Figure 2Figure 2 for CFC 10001 000 and CFC 600. For CFC 20, CFC 60 and CFC
180, the frequency response of a data channel shall lie within the limiting curves and coordinates given in
Table 2Table 2 and Figure 3Figure 3. The zero decibels line is defined by the calibration factor of a data
channel.
NOTE 1 For CFC 180, CFC 60 and CFC 20, the filtering algorithm given in Annex AAnnex A addresses this requirement.
NOTE 2 Quasi-static testing is not affected.
Table 1 — Logarithmic scales for CFC 1 000 and CFC 600
Attenuations Frequency
dB Hz
F Upper Lower CFC 600 CFC 1 000
Z
FL +0,5 −0,5 0,1 0,1
F +0,5 −1,0 600 1 000
H
FN +0,5 −4,0 1 000 1 650
2*F +0,5  1 200 2 000
H
FG  −30,0 2 119 3 496
F −40,0 -∞ 3 865 6 442
J
Key
X in Hertz
Y in dB
Figure 2 — Frequency response limits — CFC 1 000 and CFC 600
Table 2 — Logarithmic scales for CFC 20, CFC 60 and CFC 180
Attenuations Frequency
dB Hz
FZ Upper Lower CFC 20 CFC 60 CFC 180
F +0,5 −0,5 0,1 0,1 0,1
L
FH +0,5 −1,0 20 60 180
F −0,3 −1,8 25 75 225
C
FN −1,8 −3,8 33,3 100 300
F −5,2 −8,2 43,3 130 390
D
FE −9,2 −13,2 53,3 160 480
FG −40 −48,3 150,7 452 1 310
Key
X in Hertz
Y in dB
Figure 3 — Frequency response limits — CFC 20, CFC 60 and CFC 180
4.2 Phase delay time of a data channel
The phase delay time of a data channel between its input and output shall be determined. It shall not vary by
more than 1/(10 F ) s between 0.,03 F and F .
H H H
4.3 Time and resolution
4.3.1 Time base
Time reference system of data acquisition system (DAS) shall ensure that time base is a minimum of 0.,01 s
with an accuracy equal or better than 1 %.
4.3.2 Relative time delay
The relative time delay between the signals of two or more data channels, regardless of their frequency class,
shall not exceed 1 ms excluding phase delay
...