This three day course, based on the 690-page Sensor Technology Handbook, published by Elsevier in 2005 and edited by the instructor, is designed for engineers, technicians and managers who want to increase their knowledge of sensors and signal conditioning. It balances breadth and depth in a practical presentation for those who design sensor systems and work with sensors of all types. Each topic includes technology fundamentals, selection criteria, applicable standards, interfacing and system designs & discussion of future developments.

1. Professional Development Short Course On:
Instrumentation for Test & Measurement
Instructor:
Jon Wilson
ATI Course Schedule: http://www.ATIcourses.com/schedule.htm
http://www.aticourses.com/Instrumentation_For_Test_Measurement.htm
ATI's Instrumentation for Test & Measurement:

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3. Instrumentation for Test &
Measurement
Based on
the
Sensor Technology Handbook

4. •
A sample of the 572 slides
in the course

5. The Course
• Based on the “Sensor Technology Handbook”
edited by Jon Wilson, published by
Newnes/Elsevier, copyright 2005, 691 pages
plus CD.
• Some slides contain figure numbers. They
refer to the book figures.
• This course covers only the highlights of the
book.
• For discount order form, contact instructor.

6. Performance Characteristics
• Transfer Function
– Curve of Output/Input
• Sensitivity
– Slope of Transfer Function
• Span or Dynamic Range
– Usable Range of Inputs
• Accuracy or Uncertainty
– Largest Expected Error
• Hysteresis
– Output Difference, Increasing & Decreasing

7. Performance Characteristics (2)
• Nonlinearity (Linearity)
– Deviation of Transfer Function From Straight Line
• Noise
– Extraneous Output Added to Signal
• Resolution
– Minimum Detectable Signal Fluctuation
• Related to Noise Spectrum
• Bandwidth & Frequency Response
– Usable Frequency Range & Variation of Sensitivity

8. Some Sensor Characteristics

9. Smart Sensors

10. The Measurement
• Expected Amplitude Range
• Expected Frequency Range
• Expected Environment
• Economic Constraints
• Installation Constraints
• Available Instrumentation

11. The Data Sheet
• Filtering the Data Sheet
• What is Pertinent?
• Interpreting the Data Sheet
• Getting Clarification
– Literature
– Experts & Consultants
– Manufacturers

12. System Considerations
• Sensor Characteristics
• Interconnections
• Signal Conditioner Characteristics
• Data Acquisition Characteristics
• Readout Characteristics
• Data Validation
• Analysis and Interpretation

13. Instrument Selection
• Sensor Environment
• Sensor Performance Characteristics
• Sensor Electrical Characteristics
• Sensor Size and Weight
• Sensor Mounting
• Cable Environment
• Cable Performance Characteristics
• Cable Mechanical Characteristics

14. Instrument Selection (2)
• Power Supply Environment
• Power Supply Performance
• Power Supply Size and Weight
• Amplifier Environment
• Amplifier Performance
• Amplifier Size and Weight

15. Quantifiable Measurements
• REQUIRE:
• What is the Measurand?
• What is the Environment?
• What Uncertainty (Accuracy) is Required?
• Whole System Calibrated & Traceable?
• Appropriate Sensor is Necessary, But Not
Sufficient.

16. Sensor Resistances

17. Bridge Configurations

18. Minimizing Offset Errors

19. Noise Sources

20. DC Errors

21. ADC Types
ADC’S FOR SIGNAL CONDITIONING
Successive Approximation
• Resolutions to 16-bits
• Minimal Throughput Delay Time
• Used in Multiplexed Data Acquisition Systems
Sigma-Delta
• Resolutions to 24-bits
• Excellent Differential Linearity
• Internal Digital Filter, Excellent AC Line Rejection
• Long Throughput Delay Time
• Difficult to Multiplex Inputs Due to Digital Filter Settling Time
High Speed Architectures:
• Flash Converter
• Subranging or Pipelined

22. PE Amplifier Circuit

23. CCD Arrays

24. Technology Fundamentals
• Piezoelectric
• “Crystal” type
• Self-generating
• Piezoelectric materials
– Natural (monocrystalline)
– Piezoceramic (polycrystalline)

25. IEPE Sensor System

26. MEMS PR Construction

27. MEMS VC Accelerometer

28. Selection Process
• Frequency range?
• Sensitivity or amplitude range?
• Environment, especially temperature?
• Size and mass restraints?
• Mounting configuration?
• Consult manufacturer’s application engineers?

29. Interfacing and Designs

30. Overview

31. Biosensor characteristics
• Sensitivity
• Selectivity
• Range
• Response time
• Reproducibility
• Detection limit
• Life time
• Stability

32. Transduction Mechanisms
• Amperometry
• Potentiometry
• Photometry
• PE materials
• Conductimetric
• Thermometric
• Enzyme thermistor
• FET transducer

33. Biosensor configurations

34. Mass Spectrometer Schematic

35. Mass Spectrometer

36. Inductive Sensors
• “Eddy current sensors”
• Require conductive targets
• Not affected by gap material
• Sensitive to target material
• Nanometer resolutions
• > 80 kHz
• Minimum target thickness requirement

37. Selecting and Specifying
• Physical configuration
• Output, Range
• Offset, Standoff
• Sensitivity, Linearity, Resolution
• Bandwidth
• Thermal errors
• Accuracy

38. Comparing Capacitive and Inductive
Sensors

39. Latest Developments
• Little change in sensors
• Advances in electronics
• Miniaturization
• Embedded electronics
• Digital interface

40. Inductive Sensor (LVDT)

41. Hall Effect Sensor

42. 10. Flow and Level Sensors
Mass, volume, laminar, turbulent flow.
Hydrostatic, ultrasonic, RF capacitance,
magnetostrictive, microwave level.

43. Methods for Measuring Flow
• Thermal anemometers
• Differential pressure
• Vortex shedding
• Positive displacement
• Turbine-based
• Mass (Coriolis)
• Electromagnetic
• Ultrasonic
• Laser

44. 11. Force, Load & Weight Sensors
Piezoelectric & Strain Gage

45. Load Cell

46. 12. Humidity Sensors
Capacitive, resistive & thermal
conductivity

47. Selecting and Specifying
• Accuracy, Repeatability, Interchangeability
• Stability, Condensation recovery
• Contamination resistance, Size & packaging
• Cost effectiveness, replacement cost
• Calibration
• Complexity of signal conditioning

48. Interfacing and Design
• Output affected by temperature & RH
• Temperature compensation required for best
accuracy
• Industrial grade sensors incorporate RTD on
the ceramic substrate
• RHIC output depends on supply voltage, RH
and temperature

49. Photosensors
• Quantum detectors convert photons to
electrons
• Thermal detectors absorb radiant energy and
measure temperature change

50. IR Detector Spectral Responses

51. 16. Pressure Sensors
Gauge
Absolute
Differential

52. Many technologies
• Silicon strain gages (Piezoresistive)
• Variable reluctance
• Variable capacitance
• Fiber optic
• Piezoelectric
• (Every company that makes any kind of sensor
makes pressure sensors)

53. Types of pressure measurement
• Gauge
• Differential
• Absolute
• Vacuum gauge
• All are actually differential, with different
references

54. Latest & Future
• Miniaturization
• Higher temperatures
• Sensor identification
– Smart sensors (IEEE1541)
– SAW tag
• Wireless

55. 20. Temperature Sensors

56. Basic types
• Contact: the sensor is in contact with the
medium or object being measured
• Non-contact: interprets the radiant energy of
a heat source in the form of infrared radiation
– Useful on non-reflective solids and liquids
– Not useful with gases because of their
transparency

57. 21. Nanotechnology-Enabled
Sensors
Smaller than small; atomic level

58. More possibilities
• Increasing integration of materials, devices
and systems
• “nanotech takes the complexity out of the
system and puts it into the material”
• Single molecule detection
• Nanotech data storage 10^12 bits/sq. in.
• High volume production of tiny, low-power
smart sensors

59. Nano-array of Cantilevers &
Electronics

60. Introduction to Wireless Sensor
Networks
• Increase reliability of data gathering
• Reduce deployment costs
• Minimize long term maintenance costs
• Reduce cabling and connector costs
• Ideal system is networked and scalable
– Low power, smart, programmable, fast data rate,
reliable, accurate, stable
• Integrated sensor, electronics, communication

61. Industrial Application

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Instrumentation for Test & Measurement
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