MECHATRONIC

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
GROUP B2
TRANSDUCER

N
NAME
O
1. FAEZ BIN MOHMAD@FIKRI

ID NUMBER

MUHAMMAD SYAHMIE BIN

CHE SULIMAN
3. CHE ENGKU MOHD KHAIRI
BIN CHE ENGKU CHIK
4. AMIRUL ADLI BIN MARZUKI

17195

2.

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17294

17486
17318

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

ABSTRACT............................3
OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW...3-4
MATERIALS AND APPARATUS.............................4
PROCEDURE & DATA COLLECTION........................................................................5-7
RESULTS & DISCUSSION..8-9
CONCLUSION......9

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1.0 ABSTRACT
A transducer is a device that converts one form of energy to another form of energy. In relating
transducers to sensors, most transducers are related to sensors. There are two types of
transducers, namely input and output transducer. Input transducer which is also called as sensor
is used to convert physical quantity into proportional electric signal. Meanwhile, output
transducer converts an electrical signal to physical quantity that can be detected or use externally.
Different input transducers have different outputs such as voltage, current, resistance,
capacitance and temperature. In this experiment, we get acquainted to FACET computer-based
laboratory where the relationship between transducers installed in the circuit board are shown on
the computer. As an option, this circuit board can be interfaced with the 32-Bit Microprocessor
board to demonstrate the principles of data acquisition and microprocessor control of external
devices in process control and automation applications. In addition to that, we are comparing the
calculated theoretical properties with the actual performance of the transducers.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
1.
2.
3.
4.

To determine and recognize type of transducers as well as their inputs and outputs.
To basically understand the application of transducers in any mechatronic field 1.0
To learn how the transducer being used.
To analyze transducer fundamentals circuit board as well as recognizing all the symbols.

3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one to form to another. Common
examples include microphones, loudspeakers, thermometers, position and pressure sensors.
Usually a transducer converts a signal in one form of energy to a signal in another. A sensor is a
transducer whose purpose is to sense some characteristics of its environs. A sensor is used to
detect a parameter in one form and report it in another form of energy, often an electrical signal.
Transducers are widely used in measuring instruments.
Efficiency is an important consideration in any transducer. Transducer efficiency is defined as
the ratio of the power output in the desired form to the total power input. No transducer is 100%
efficient; some power is always lost in the conversion process in terms of heat.

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Some of the principles under which some transducers work are given in the table below;
TRANSDUCERS

IC Transducer
Thermistor
RTD
Thermocouple

Strain gauge

Capacitance sensor

Ultrasonic Transducer

Infrared Controller

DESCRIPTION

Measure temperature via integrated circuit with an

electrical output proportional to the temperature
A type of temperature sensor which its conductivity
varies exponentially with the temperature.
The resistance increases as the temperature increases
A type of temperature sensor consisting of two nonsimilar conductors which produces voltage upon heating
A Piezoresistive element that changes the resistance
when force is applied by reduction of cross-sectional
area.
To measure the change in capacitance where the
alternating voltage moves the charges that induces
alternating current.
For measuring distance where transmitter emits
ultrasonic pulse which will be received by receiver after
hitting nearby objects.
To send and receive digital codes using infrared lights
by the means of transmitter and receiver.

4.0 MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

During the experimental performance of the laboratory work, we used the following materials
and apparatus.

FACET Computer-based laboratory

Transducer fundamental circuit board
Electrsrical connect

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5.0 PROCEDURE AND DATA COLLECTION.

There are two parts involved in this Laboratory experiment. In activity number 1, the basic
fundamental operations of transducers are experimented and we are expected to learn the
fundamental operation of transducer devices. It involves only the measurement of basic
transducer parameters on the transducer fundamentals circuit board. In activity number 2, we are
required to get familiar with the transducer and auxiliary circuit blocks on the circuit board. It is
carried out by demonstrating typical transducer circuits including theirs application in practical
situations.
In the experimental performance, the procedures to be followed are listed below
Experiment - Part 1
1. The shunt on the temperature header was placed on the IC transducer circuit block in the
40c position. A two-post connector was inserted in the oven enable position.
2. The voltage across R1 was recorded, VR1.
3. The current out of the IC transducer, It was calculated.
4. The meter connections were removed and the meter to read ohm was set.
5. The thermistor resistance, RRTD was recorded at 40c.
6. In the IC transducer circuit block, the temperature shunt was moved to the 45c position
to increase the oven temperature.
7. The thermistor resistance on the meter was observed for several seconds.
8. The temperature shunt was returned to the 40c position.
9. The ohmmeter leads was removed from the thermistor circuit block and was connected
them across the RTD.
10. The ovens led was observed and was allowed to complete several cycles to make sure the
oven temperature has returned to 40c.
11. The RTD resistance, RRTD at 40c was recorded before the oven turned off.
12. The ohmmeter was connected across the transducer.
13. The knob was fully turned both counterclockwise (CCW) and clockwise (CW) and the
strain gauge resistance, RCCW and RCW was measured.
14. A two-post connector was inserted in the block enable position. The block enables
connection supplies power to the circuit block.
15. Oscilloscope CH1 was connected to out and the probe was grounded to the GND jack.
16. The scope controls was adjusted to view a square wave output from the capacitance
sensor circuit block.
17. A two-post connector was inserted in the block enable position of the ultrasonic
transducers circuit block.
18. The CH1 oscilloscope probe was connected to the left pin of the transmitter. The scope
probe was grounded to the GND jack.
19. CH 1 was set for 2 V/div and the sweep to 1ms/div.
20. The two-post connector was removed from ultrasonic transducers circuit block and it was
inserted into the block enable position of the infrared controller circuit block.
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21. The data LEDs in the receiver section was observed.

22. The dip switches in the transmitter section was set to 0000 (all switches down) and the
XMT button was pressed.
23. The dip switches was set to 1111 (all switches up) and the XMT button was pressed.
24. A finger was placed on the circuit board at a point between the infrared led and the light
sensor.
25. The block enable two-post connector was removed from the infrared controller circuit
block.
Experiment Part 2

Figure 1: Transducer Fundamentals Circuit Board

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A two-post connector was placed in the OVEN ENABLE position of the IC TRANSDUCER
circuit block. A shunt was placed in the 40C position of the TEMP header.
The leads were connected to OUT (+) and GND (-).
The OVEN ON LED was observed until it is up to desired temperature.
The output voltage, VO at 40C was measured.
The two-post connector and TEMP shunt was placed in place
2 two-post connectors were inserted in the THERMISTOR circuit block.
The (+) lead was connected to +OUT and (-) lead to OUT.
The CAL pot was adjusted for a voltmeter reading of 50 mV.
The two-post connectors were removed from the THERMISTOR circuit block.
A two-post connector was inserted in the RTD circuit block.
The voltmeter leads were connected to OUT (+) and GND (-).
The CAL pot is adjusted for a 50 mV on the voltmeter.
The TEMP shunt was moved in the IC TRANSDUCER circuit block to 45C.
The OVEN ON LED was allowed to complete several cycles to make sure the oven is at
45C.
The output voltage, VO at 45C was measured.
The meter connection was removed from the RTD circuit block. A patch lead was connected
from the OUT jack in the RTD circuit block to the +IN jack in the INSTRUMENTATION
AMPLIFIER, IA circuit block.
A patch lead was connected from IN to GND in the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER,
IA circuit block.
The amplifier gain was set to 100 on the DIP switch.
The meter leads was connected to IA OUT (+) and GND (-) in the INSTRUMENTATION
AMPLIFIER, IA circuit block.

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The voltage, VO at IA OUT was measured.

The instrumentation amplifier output, IA OUT was measured.
All connections were removed from the RTD and INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER
The TEMP shunt in the IC TRANSDUCER circuit block was returned to the 40C position.
Patch leads were connected from +OUT and OUT in the THERMOCOUPLE circuit block
to IN and +IN (respectively) in the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER, IA circuit block.
The voltmeter leads to IA OUT (+) and GND (-) in the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER
The REF pot was adjusted for an amplifier output of -204 mV. The amplifier gain was set to
100 on the DIP switch.
The (+) meter lead was moved to AMP OUT in the THERMOCOUPLE circuit block.
A pitch lead was connected from IA OUT in the INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER, IA
circuit block to AMP IN in the THERMOCOUPLE circuit block.
The CAL pot was adjusted for a reading of 5.0V at AMP OUT.
All connections were removed from the RTD, INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER, IA and
IC TRANSDUCER circuit blocks.
The knob was adjusted on the fixture until the beam is in straight position.
A two-post connector was inserted in the STRAIN GAUGE circuit block.
The voltmeter leads were connected to AMP OUT (+) and GND (-).
The adjustment tools the TRANSDUCER FUNDAMENTALS circuit boards were used to
rotate the ZERO potentiometer for a voltmeter reading of 0 50 mV.
The two-post connector and the meter leads were removed from the STRAIN GAUGE
The BLOCK ENABLE two-post connector in the CAPACITANCE sensor circuit block.
The oscilloscope CH 1 probe was connected to OUT and the probe is grounded to GND.
The scope controls were adjusted to view a square wave output signal.
All connections were removed from the CAPACITANCE SENSOR circuit block.
A BLOCK ENABLE two-post connector was inserted in the INFRARED CONTROLLER
The oscilloscope CH 1 probe was connected to the DECODER IN jack in the RECEUVER
section. The probe was grounded to the GND jack.
CH was set from 1 to 5 V/DIV, dc coupled. The sweep was set for 0.2 ms/DIV
The DIP switch code was set to 0000 (all switches down).
The oscilloscope was observed as the XMT button was pressed several times.
The DIP switch code was set to 1111 (all switches up).
The two-post connector and scope connections were removed from the INFRARED
CONTROLLER circuit block.

6.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

When carrying out the experiment and following the instruction given in the procedures, we have
done some calculations regarding the theoretical formulas and considering the experimental
values that we obtain in both experiments. The summary of the results is shown in the table
below:
Integrated Circuit ( IC ) voltage across , V R 1
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310 mV

T h ermistor resistance at 40 C , RTH

5400

Current out of IC transducer , I T

310 A

Strain gauge resistance clockwise direction , R CW

118

Strain gauge resistance couter clockwise direction , RCCW

119

RTD resistance at 400 C , R RTD

1130

Expected output voltage at 40 C , V 0

5V

Measured output voltage at 400 C , V 0

5.1V

0.075 V

Measured output voltage at 45 C , V 0

Expected output voltage at IA OUT , V IAOUT

7.5 V

Measured IA OUT

7.5 V

By observing the values from the table above, we realize that some of the properties obtained are
in-line with the theoretical value. However, for others, there is deviation based on the values
shown by FACET. The results are analyzed as below;
For

V0

0
@ 40 C

, theoretical value:

V 0=( T 30 ) x 0.5

= (40-30) x 0.5
=5V

For

V0

0
@ 40 C

, experimental value:

V0

= 5.1 V.

The difference is the error obtained. i.e., Error = 0.1.

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Hence, the percentage error can be calculated by the following formula;

100 =2
|5.15
5 |

Error=

For IA OUT, theoretical value:

V IA OUT

= 7.5 V

For IA OUT, experimental value:

V IA OUT

= 7.5 V, hence, there is no error, i.e., Error=0

The errors in the results occur because the accuracy of the transducers could be affected by
numerous factors. Some of the possible reasons include the following:

The ammeter and voltmeter sensitivity is too high; hence, a very slight change in
environment causes the reading to change as well.
The error might occur due to the FACET transducer fundamentals circuit board
being old and in use for a long time which might not been maintained or properly
serviced.
There is also too large temperature difference between the room and the transducers.
0
Hence longer time is required for the oven to heat it to 40 C

0
or 45 C .

Some possibilities of Human error where the temperature reading is taken before it
stabilizes.

7.0 CONCLUSION
The experiment was conducted based on the procedure listed as in the software, step by step
.Transducer is a device usually electrical or electronic that converts one type of energy to
another. During the course of this experiment, we carry out basic operation of the FACET with
the help of a program that is computerized. In addition to that, the transducer fundamentals
circuit board that we used in the experiment is also analyzed fully so as to identify the forms of
transducers represented by symbols and the methods of their manipulation. We also made some
observations to note down the function of each transducer which are subjected to various input.
Hence we successfully achieved the objectives mentioned above as a requirement for this
experiment.

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