DC Inc., highlights the Plex PCA-2000Plus, a portable combustion analysis and data acquisition system designed for UAV engine development in demanding field environments. The system combines high-speed measurement, CAN connectivity, GNSS and IMU integration, and comprehensive software with turnkey support.
DC Inc., has established relationships with leading US defense and unmanned systems programs and is actively developing those pathways. US-manufactured products and sole US distributor status support domestic procurement requirements across DoD purchasing vehicles.
Hardware, harnesses, charge amplifiers, sensor tooling, installation support, and ongoing application engineering, DC Inc., brings the complete turnkey solution, not just the device.
The System
The Plex PCA-2000Plus is a portable, field-deployable combustion analysis and data acquisition system for ICE and hybrid UAV engines. 250g, 100 x 100 x 39.55mm, IP67-rated precision billet aluminum enclosure. Complete system under 2 lbs, lightweight enough to go where no rack-mounted system can. Runs with 12-24V DC. Accepts 4, 8, or 16 high-speed analog channels at 200kHz per channel. Auto-records directly to device, auto-trigger, auto-log, no laptop required in the field.
Dual CAN 2.0B FD bi-directional, open CAN, direct ECU and pre-populated CAN channels for common engine management platforms. Custom CAN mapping for proprietary or defense-specific ECU architectures. Integrated GNSS, IMU, and barometric sensor, combustion data correlated with vehicle location, altitude, speed, and atmospheric conditions in every capture session.
Software
Plex V2 software, real-time cycle-by-cycle modern and vibrant graphical interface with pre-populated pull-down menus for graph building and channel plotting. Consistently recognized by engineers for clarity and ease of use in demonstration environments.
- Burn rate metrics, peak cylinder pressure, pressure rise rate, volumetric efficiency, IMEP, pre-ignition and misfire detection
- User-defined math channels and configurable analysis settings
- Real-time CAN data streaming alongside combustion channels
- Auto record/auto trigger/log to device
- GPS and IMU data correlated with combustion in real time
- Data export to CSV for downstream analysis
JP-8, Diesel, and 2-Stroke Calibration
DC Inc., has validated the PCA system on spark-ignited 2-stroke, compression-ignition 4-stroke diesel, gasoline, and JP-8 heavy fuel platforms in active field environments. Small displacement diesel engines running JP-8 with CAN-connected engine management have been tested in active defense program development work, capturing cylinder pressure, burn rate, and real-time ECU data simultaneously.
Altitude, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure all affect combustion tune differently across engine types and fuel types. The PCA captures the full combustion picture in real time regardless of engine architecture, giving calibration engineers the data to make the right call in the field. Validated in conditions most UAVs will never face, lab-grade results, field-ready equipment, no compromises.
The DC Inc Stack – Turnkey
DC Inc., supplies the complete system, the tooling, and the industry experience to commission it correctly. Hardware, harnesses, charge amplifiers, sensor machining tooling, and installation support from a team with decades of hands-on ICE development across motorsports and defense programs.
- Full Harness — Up to 16 high-speed inputs — sealed Autosport connectors, hi-pot tested
- Mini Harness — Up to 8 high-speed inputs — same quality, sized for tighter installations
- DC Inc Charge Amplifier (MLDC4R01) — 4-channel, CAN-configurable gain and bandwidth, 12V supply via DC Inc harness, 6,000 pC/bar preset — custom specs accepted. DC Inc sole supplier. (amp power 12V max 19V)
- Piezoelectric combustion sensors — M5x0.5 thread options ranging up to 600 bar matched to the DC Inc charge amplifier for a complete calibrated signal chain.
- Special UAV Piezoelectric combustion sensors M5x0.5 thread low cost, high value available targeting the 2 stroke and low rpm diesel market UAV market space, limited quantities available
- Sensor machining tooling — DC Inc provides the machining tooling and installation tools required for correct sensor installation.
