Measured
Medium
Measured
Primary
sensing
element
Variable
conversion
element
Variable
manipulation
element
Data
presentation ,record,
transmission element
Functional elements
of Measurement Systems
Ⅰ. Functional Elements
PRIMARY
SENSING
ELEMENT
Basic components in a measurement system are shown below:
It is also important to mention that a power supply is an
important element for the entire system.
Amplification and Conditioning
Complete measurement system
Instrumentation is the science and
technology of complete measurement
systems with which physical quantities are
measured so as to obtain data which can
be transmitted to recording and display
devices.
Transducers -The primary sensing
element
The primary sensing elementis that which first receives
energy from the measured medium and produces an
output depending in some way on the measured quantity
(“measurand").
It is important to note that an instrument always extracts
some energy from the measured medium. T
The measured quantity is always disturbed by the act of
measurement, which makes a perfect measurement
theoretically impossible. Good instruments are designed to
minimize this effect, but it is always present to some
degree.
Transducers
A.Definition
“Any of varies substances or devices that convert input energy of
one form into output energy of another.”
i.e. : mechanical energy mechanical energy
Ex: Linear Motion Rotational Motion
Measurement System
Conversion
The variable-conversion element
The output signal of the primary sensing element is
some physical variable, such as displacement or
voltage.
For the instrument to perform the desired function.
it mavbe necessary to convert this variable to
another more suitable 'suitable while preserving
the information content of the original signal.
An element that performs such a function is called
a variable-conversion element.
Not every instrument includes a variable-
conversion element, but some require several.
The “elements" are functional elements, not
physical elements,
Conversion of resistance to voltage or
current change
Use a bridge circuit
Signal Conditioning /Processing
The output of a transducer may have to be
altered to make it suitable for
transmission
display
recording
The variable-manipulation element
An instrument may require that a signal represented by
some physical variable be manipulated in some way.
Manipulation --a change in numerical value according to
some definite rule but a preservation of the physical nature
of the variable.
Thus an electronic amplifier accepts a small voltage signal
as input and produces an output signal that is also a
voltage but is some constant times the input. An element
that performs such a function is called a variable-
manipulation element,
A variable-manipulation element does net
necessarily ,follow a variable-conversion element, but may
precede it, appear elsewhere in the chain, or not appear at
all.
Processes involved
Signal level
change -amplification
or reduction
Linearization
Conversion of a
change in resistance to
a variation in voltage or
current
Filtering
Impedance matching
A/D conversion
Signal conditioning
“Signal Conditioning” is the manipulation of the
output of a sensor, probe, or transducer to
perform one or more of these functions:
•Amplification
•Attenuation
•Filtering
•Linearization
•Signal conversion
Signal Conditioning
Attenuation and Amplification
Signal Conditioning
To minimize input resolution error (quantization error), the input to the A/D
converter should utilize the full range of the A/D converter (e.g. +/-10 volts).
If our input signal is in the range of +/-10 mV (a microphone signal), we
would want to increase this signal to bring it into the range of our A/D…
(amplification)
If our input is in the range of +/-100 V (power line signal), we would
want to decrease this signal to bring it into the range of our A/D…
(attentuation)
Signal Conditioning
There are several ways that a signal can be
attenuated. We’ll talk about one of those tomorrow.
For a signal to be amplified, there needs to be an
active source of power placed in the circuit.
Such an active source might be an operational amplifier
(Op Amp).
The data-transmission element
When the functional elements of an instrument are
actually physically separated, it becomes necessary
to transmit the data from one to another.
An element performing this function is called a data-
transmission element.
It may be as simple as a shaft and bearing assembly
or as complicated as a telemetry system for
transmitting signals from satellites to ground
equipment by radio
The data-presentation element.
If the information about the measured quantity is to be
communicated to ahuman being for monitoring, control, or analysis
purposes, it must be put into a form recognizable by one of the
human senses.
The element that performs this “translation" function -data-
presentation element.
This function includes the simple indication of a pointer moving over
a scale and the recording of a pen moving over a chart,
Indication and recording also may be performed in discrete
increments (rather than smoothly),
While the majority of instruments communicate with people through
the visual sense, the use of other senses such as hearing and touch
is certainly conceivable.
Display Systems
Analogue meter
◦Simplest system -pointer and scale.
◦Use for at a glance readings
◦Use for monitoring limits -use colours
◦Use for tuning to maximum or minimum preset limits.
◦Cheaper than digital -but less so all the time as
electronics become cheaper.
◦The input signal may need to be amplified or reduced
to give a direct reading
◦Can follow the direction of changes easily
Display Systems
Digital meter
Best when numerical value required
Compare the use of a vernier calliper with a similar
device with a digital display.
Don't assume that resolution = accuracy
The input signal may need to be amplified or reduced
to give a direct reading
Note: Analogue and digital direct reading meters are
suitable only for signals varying in times > 0.1s -why?
Display and Recording Data
Decided by the purpose of the measurement.
If the measurement is used by the operator to check
if the value is within specified bounds, a simple
visual display is required.
If the measurement is to enable a value to be set at
a specified value, a digital display is best.
Display and Recording Data
For 100% inspection of components on a production
line, data may be
printed on printer
displayed on a VDU
stored in a computer
plotted on a plotter
recorded by a computer in data files.
Measurement Systems
Data recording
The data recording
Although data storage in the form of pen/ink
recording is often employed, some applications
require a distinct data storage/playback function
which can easily re-create the stored data upon
command.
The magnetic tape recorder/reproducer is the
classical example here. However, many recent
instruments digitize the electric signals and store
them in a computer like digital memory.
Data Recording
Chart recorder -plots a signal against time
Various types
pen and paper
pressure stylus and pressure sensitive paper
UV recorder ultra-violet light deflected by mirror onto
light sensitive paper.
Fibre optic recorders -fibre optics direct light from a
fluorescent screen onto light sensitive paper.