ibaPDA-Multistation is an extension of the ibaPDA functionality that enables sample-accurate, synchronuous measurement and recording across multiple ibaPDA computers. ibaPDA-Multistation is specifically designed for applications where the number of required measurement channels exceeds the capacity of a single system, or where spatially distributed but time-aligned measurements are required.

Typical applications include high-speed measurements with iba cards (e.g., ibaFOB) or interfaces with high sampling rates (e.g., IEC 61850-9-2) in energy transmission systems, large industrial plants, or geographically distributed installations that must be analyzed as a single, coherent system. If there are not enough slots or resources, additional ibaPDA computers can be installed and the inputs distributed across multiple systems. Methods such as NTP, PTP, DCF77, and others are supported for synchronization and time stamp sources.

The multistation operation ensures that all participating ibaPDA systems acquire and record the signals absolutely synchronously with a synchronization accuracy of less than one sample. Central trigger management enables the exchange of trigger events between systems in a multistation network and controls data recording synchronously.

The trigger signals are transmitted with high accuracy, so that a trigger on one ibaPDA system can simultaneously start or stop recording on all other ibaPDA systems. The duration of pre-trigger and post-trigger can be freely configured.

This function is particularly useful for geographically distributed, technically connected plants, such as energy transmission systems, enabling the detection of interactions and subsequent events.

During analysis in ibaAnalyzer, the data appears as if all signals were recorded by a single system. Wiring effort is reduced, as signals required by multiple ibaPDA systems need to be connected only once.