Experiment 4

Part A: Linearization of Output of a Wheatstone Bridge

The output of a Wheatstone bridge with a single sensor element is inherently non-linear. A
feedback scheme shown in the figure below can be used to provide an output that changes
linearly with the variation in sensing resistance.

In such a feedback scheme, the final output

is given by:
AVR kx 
vo 
4  2  A kx 

In the equation above,

A = Gain of the INA
VR = Reference voltage
β = Feedback factor
kx = Quantity being sensed
k = Transformation constant of the sensor

From the equation, it can be seen that setting Aβ = 2 will ensure that the final output is linear
with respect to the variation kx of the sensing element.
Build the circuit shown above ensuring the following:
1. Set VR = 1 V.
2. Use the INA of gain A = 11 that you have built in the previous lab session.
3. Choose R > 10Rp for the summing amplifier SA.
4. Choose suitable R0 based on the potentiometer that you have chosen as the sensor
element. The value of R0 should be such that kx can vary from –1 to +1.
5. Use a DMM to measure the final output vo.
Follow the procedure below to perform the experiment:
1. Set the value of β such that Aβ = 2.
2. Using the same value of β obtained above, vary kx from –1 to +1 in steps of 0.2 and
record the output obtained in each step.
3. Plot the values obtained using software such as MS Excel and obtain the equation for
the best straight line fit using the Chart options.
4. Compute the deviation of reading from the best straight line fit to get the non-linearity
error and express this error as a percentage of full scale.
 Part B: Study of linearity of load cell in a weighing machine

The Wheatstone Bridge can have one strain ga gauge in an arm or four strain gauges in all,all
placed in either tension or compression
compression. Part A experiment is the linearization of bridge when
we place one strain gaugege whose resistance varies with load.. In case of single point load cell,
all arms are placed with strain ga gauges. Two are placed in tension and other two in
compression when load is applied. Hence two will show inc increasing
reasing resistance and other will
have decreasing resistance as shown in figure.. This Bridge will give linear output by itself
and hence linearization is not required.
Part B experiment is to study the concept of linearity in this load cell. A weighing machine
which has an inbuilt load cell is used. The output terminals ls of the load cell and the ground
pins are brought out of weighing machine to do the experiment. The inside circuitry of the
weighing machine is not disturbed in order to perform comparison with our results.

Build the circuit shown above with the following conditions:

1. Connect the outputs of the weighing machine to INA inputs and short ground pin to
common ground. (The kitchen
itchen weighing machine provided is Model SF 400 which
can weigh from 2g to 7000g)
7000g).
2. Use the INA designed above with RG as potentiometer to vary the gain.
gain
3. Choose some appropriate test loads to perform the experiment. It is good to have 5
loads of equal weights to study linear
linearity.
4. Use a DMM to measure the final output Vo.
Steps to perform the experiment:
1. Place one of the load on the weighing machine and set the gain of INA by varying RG
such that the output Vo is few hundreds of mV ( because the output of load cell is few
mV only)
2. Turn on weighing machine with no load placed. Under no load,Vo has to be zero.
Measure the output Vo and correct output offset of INA.
3. Place loads in increments and measure Vo.
4. Plot the curve Vo vs weight. Observe the linearity of the curve.
5. Adjust the gain of INA in order to have similar relation of Vo with the value observed
in display of the weighing machine.