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Chapter 4
Static Characteristics
(Revision 6.0, 25/3/2009)
1. Introduction
Understanding the performance characteristics of a measurement system is
very critical to the process of selection, and to understanding how they
operate.
Performance characteristics can be divided into static characteristics
and dynamic characteristics. Static characteristics apply when the input is not
changing with time. Dynamic characteristics relate to the time changing
nature of the input signal and how the measurement system responds to it.
This Chapter examines the static characteristics. The next Chapter
examines the dynamic characteristics.
2. Static Characteristics
The following is a discussion of the static characteristics of a measurement
instrument ([1] and [2]). Not all of them will apply in all cases and for all
instruments, but they are listed for completeness. Some or all of those will be
found on the data sheets of measuring instruments and also for sensors and
transducers.
Note that these characteristics are only valid when the environmental
conditions stated in the datasheets are accurate.
1
There are two different approaches in defining accuracy. Accuracy is sometimes defined as
freedom from all errors (systematic or random). The other approach (that is adopted in this
book) is to define the accuracy as the freedom from systematic errors, whereby precision is
the freedom from random errors. This is supported by the fact that datasheets for
measurement system usually separate the figures for accuracy from the figures for precision,
quoting each item with a separate percentage number. This implies that the random error
caused by precision has not been included in the accuracy figure, and that the accuracy
figure only accounts for the systematic errors such as linearity and environmental effects
among others.
Example 1
Four measurement systems were used to measure the true value of a
variable. Comment on the results shown below.
True
value
Solution
2
Another term that is used in everyday language is ‘consistent’. A student that arrives 5
minutes late to a lecture every time is ‘consistent’, although he/she is late. This is similar to
the concept of precision in measurement systems.
Precision/Repeatability/Reproducibility
Both repeatability and reproducibility are part of the precision of a
measurement system. Repeatability refers to the situation where the
same results are obtained a number of times under the same
conditions, using the same instruments and the same observer.
Reproducibility refers to the situation where the same results are
obtained but using different instruments or with a different observer.
An example on the above is given here. A scientist carries out
an experiment in his/her laboratory and repeats it under the same
conditions a number of times getting the same results, showing it is
repeatable. However if he/she announces the results of his/her
experiment and other scientists do the same experiment and get the
same results we say it is reproducible3.
Example 2
A voltmeter is used to read a voltage that is known to be 5.00 V. If it
gives the following 10 readings [5.03, 4.97, 5.00, 4.99, 5.02, 4.98, 5.03,
5.02, 5.01, 4.97], then comment on the accuracy and precision of this
device.
Solution
The voltmeter has high accuracy as the average of the readings is 5.00
V. It also has high precision as the deviations from the mean are very
small (0.03 V maximum).■
Example 3
A voltmeter is used to read a voltage that is known to be 4.00 V. If it
gives the following 4 readings [5.2, 5.2, 5.2, 5.2], then comment on the
accuracy and the precision of this device.
Solution
The voltmeter has low accuracy and high precision.■
3
The ‘cold fusion’ experiment is a typical example of a process that could not be reproduced.
It was announced on March 23, 1989, by Pons and Fleischmann of the University of Utah, but
no one to date has been able to reproduce the same results.
Example 4
A measurement system has an input range of 0 to 5 V. Calculate the
resolution error both as a voltage and as a percentage of full scale
deflection if the signal is represented internally using:
a) 8 bits.
b) 16 bits.
Solution
The resolution of the 8 bit system is equal to 1/(28)=0.39%
In absolute terms this is equal to: 0.39%x5 V= 19.5 mV.
4. Range and span [1]: The range of an instrument defines the minimum
and maximum values of a quantity that the instrument is designed to
measure, and can be applied to both the input as well as the output of
the measurement system. The range does not necessarily start at zero
(e.g., thermometer that is used to measure body temperature might
range from 30 ºC to 42 ºC). Span is the maximum variation in the input
or output.
Δq(t )
gradient). The unit of sensitivity is , and it is not necessarily
Δp(t )
dimensionless unless p(t) and q(t) have the same units.
qo(t)
Sensitivity is the
slope of the line
qi(t)
Figure 2: The sensitivity is the slope of the straight line relationship between the input
and output.
Original line
Change in
zero drift
qi(t)
In some cases two different variables might cause the zero drift and the
sensitivity drift (i.e., one external disturbance variable causes a change
in the zero drift while another causes a change in the sensitivity drift).
A different terminology is sometimes used to describe the
external disturbing variables ([1] and [5]). The external variable that is
causing a change in the sensitivity drift is called a modifying input (or
variable). The external variable that causes the change in the zero
drift is called the interfering input (or variable). Note that the
modifying and interfering variables have become external variables
because they are not an intentional part of the measurement process.
Example 5
A scale that converts mass to a linear displacement is calibrated in an
environment at a temperature of 21 ºC and has the following
deflection/load transfer characteristic:
Solution
0.022 − 0.02
SDC = = 0.143 × 10 −3 mm ⋅ kg −1 ⋅ K −1 ■
35 − 21
In general, assuming that the input is p(t) and the output is q(t), and
denoting the interfering variable as int(t) and the modifying variable as
mod(t), the units of the zero drift coefficient and the sensitivity drift
coefficients can be expressed as follows:
Ideal linear
characteristic
qo(t)
Maximum non-
linearity Non-linear
characteristic
qi(t)
Most simple measurement systems will not take the non-linearity into
effect and will use a straight line to express the output signal. This
causes a non-linearity effect. Three types of straight line construction
methods are used (Figure 5):
b. Best Fit Straight Line method: A line is drawn such that the
maximum deviation of the curve from the straight line is
minimised.
BFSL
Non-linear
relationship EPL
Output
variable (qo)
Input
variable (qi)
Decreasing
input
qo(t)
Maximum
hysteresis Increasing
input
qi(t)
qo(t)
qi(t)
Dead zone
Example 6
Refer to attachment 1 that shows the datasheet for a flow transmitter that is
used to measure the flow of a liquid. Note that the datasheet covers four
models (U701, U702, U705, and U706). Examine the data-sheet in relation to
model U701 and find as many performance characteristics as possible and
state their values and units if appropriate.
You need to ensure that you have answered the following questions.
Solution
Note that the U701 unit has been specified, so you must look under that
column only. The following are the answers to the specific questions above:
Example 7
An optical (laser) transducer is to be used to measure the range of an object.
The 2-page-datasheet of the transducer is shown at the end of this Chapter
(Attachment 3). Assuming that the model to be selected is P254B, answer
the following:
Solution
The following are the parameters/characteristics as extracted from the
datasheet:
References
[1] “Principles of Measurement Systems”, John P. Bentley, Fourth Edition,
Pearson Prentice Hall 2005.
[2] “Measurement & Instrumentation Principles”, Alan S. Morris, Elsevier,
2001.
[3] “Elements of Electronics Instrumentation and Measurement”, Joseph J.
Carr, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, 1996.
[4] “An introduction to Electrical Instrumentation and Measurement
Systems”, B.A. Gregory, (ELBS Edition) McMillan Press Ltd., Second
edition, 1981.
[5] “Measurement Systems: Application and Design”, Ernest O. Doebelin,
Fifth Edition, McGraw Hill International Edition.
[6] “A course in Mechanical Measurements and Instrumentation”, A.K.
Sawhney, Dhanpat Rai & Sons.
Problems
1. A voltmeter uses 10 bits to express, store and display the measured
voltage. Calculate its resolution as a percentage of the full scale.
2. The steady state (i.e., static) input output relationship for a measurement
system was arrived at experimentally by calibration and the results are as
shown in the table below.
output (V)
input (V)
increasing input decreasing input
0 0.00 0.00
1 0.99 1.01
2 1.97 2.03
3 2.94 3.06
4 3.90 4.10
5 4.85 5.15
6 5.90 6.10
7 6.94 7.06
8 7.97 8.03
9 8.99 9.01
10 10.00 10.00
Load (kg) 0 5 10 15 20
Deflection (mm) 0.0 13.1 26.2 39.3 52.4
Load (kg) 0 5 10 15 20
Deflection (mm) 0.0 14.7 29.4 44.1 58.8
Ignore any non-linearity and assume a straight line relationship between the
input and output at both temperatures (i.e., 20 ºC and 30 ºC).
0.0 kg 4 mm deflection
70 kg 32 mm deflection
7. Repeat the last problem for the same scale given the following:
Advanced Problems
8. The three page datasheet for a pressure transducer is shown at the end of
this Chapter (Model 355 Flush Diaphragm Pressure Transducer) in
Attachment 2. Based on the information found in the datasheet, answer the
following questions: (part d is related to calibration that will be discussed in
Chapter 9).
a) If the model selected has a range from 0-5000 psi (pounds per
square inch), calculate the zero drift coefficient, and express its
value in SI units.
b) What is the accuracy of the sensor? What are the three
sources/reasons for this figure of accuracy?
c) What are the available output formats for the signal?
d) Under the section of ‘special Calibration’ option 9a, the datasheet
says: “10 points (5 up/ 5 down) 20% increments @ 20º C”.
Explain what this means and how the calibration would be done in
practice based on this statement.
10. A force transmitter is used to measure the force in newtons (N) and
produces a voltage output in volts (V) proportional to the input force. The
relationship between the input and output is shown in the table below. If we
know that temperature is interfering variable and supply voltage is the
modifying variable, calculate the zero drift coefficient and the zero drift
coefficients.