SIGNAL

CONDITIONING

&
PC-Based Data Acquisition
DEFINITION
Signal conditioning is the operation performed on
the signal to convert them to a form suitable for
interfacing with other elements in the process
control.
Analog Signal Conditioning System (block
diagram)









Transducers
Bridge
Caliberation
& zeroing
N/W
Ampli
fier
Filter

FUNDAMENTAL SIGNAL CONDITIONING
Signal Conditioning involves:
Signal-level and bias changes (Amplification)
Linearization
Conversions
Digital Interface
Filtering and impedance matching
Concept of loading
Attenuation
Isolation
SIGNAL-LEVEL AND BIAS CHANGES
The method to adjust the level
(magnitude) and bias (zero value) of
voltage signal
For example

0.2 V-0.6 V 0 V-5 V





0.2V-0.6 V 0 V- 0.4 V 0 -5V

Signal
Conditioning
Circuit
Zero shift Amplification
LINEARIZATION
Often, the characteristic
of a sensor is nonlinear
Special circuit were
devised to linearize
signals
Modern approach is to
use computer software to
linearize
CONVERSION
The circuit to covert one form of signal or physical
values into the other form
Resistance to voltage
Typical conversion is to convert resistance or
voltage to 4 to 20 mA and convert back to voltage
at the receiving end
Thus, voltage-to-current and current-to-voltage
circuits are essential
DIGITAL INTERFACE
The use of computer is process control requires the
conversion of analog to digital signal
ADC
DAC

FILTERING
Some signals input are spurious (contain more than
1 frequency)
It is necessary to filter the frequency matched with
the devices
The electric line frequency is 50 Hz
The transient of motor is kHz
Example
Highpass, lowpass, bandpass filter
IMPEDANCE MATCHING
Connecting the sensors or process control element
with different impedance causes signal reflection
The network or circuit to match impedance thus to
reduce signal reflection
CONCEPT OF LOADING
When the sensor or circuit is connected to load, this will
introduce the uncertainty in the measurement (amplitude of
voltage)

Rx
RL Vx
Sensor
Vy
The output voltage is calculated using voltage division as





Output voltage is reduced by the voltage drop
To reduce the uncertainty,
1
L
y x
L x
x
x
L x
R
V V
R R
R
V
R R
| |
=
|
+
\ .
| |
=
|
+
\ .
L x
R R >
SIGNAL CONDITIONING: PASSIVE ELEMENT
Signal conditioning circuit with element R, L, and C
are
Divider circuits
Bridge circuits
RC filter

DIVIDER CIRCUITS
Useful to convert resistance into voltage

The voltage of the divider is given as
2
1 2
D s
R
V V
R R
=
+
1 2
supply voltage
, divider resistors
s
V
R R
=
=
Vs
VD
R1
R2
CONT..
It is important to consider the following issues
1. The variation of V
D
with either R
1
or R
2
is nonlinear
2. The effective output impedance of the divider is the
parallel combination of R1 and R2.
3. The current flows to both R
1
and R
2
. The power
rating of both resistors should be considered
BRIDGE CIRCUIT
Bridge circuits are used to convert impedance
variations into voltage variations.
Application of bridge circuits is in precise static
measurement of an impedance.
Wheatstone bridge is represented below

The potential difference V between points
A and B is simply


A B
V V V A =
Where
3
1 3
A
R
V V
R R
=
+
4
2 4
B
R
V V
R R
=
+
Bridge supply voltage V =
The voltage difference between A and B is



The equation above can be reduced to


At particular combination of resistance values, the
voltage difference is zero
3 4
1 3 2 4
VR VR
V
R R R R
A =
+ +
( )( )
3 2 1 4
1 3 2 4
R R R R
V V
R R R R

A =
+ +
3 2 1 4
R R R R =