Instrumentation: Dynamic

characteristics
 Characteristics
• The ways in which an element responds to
sudden input changes are termed its dynamic
characteristics, are summarised using a
transfer function G(s)

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 First-order elements
• A good example is a temperature sensor with
an electrical output signal, e.g. a
thermocouple or thermistor
• Linear 1st ODE

• The transfer function based on the Laplace

transform of the differential equation provides
a convenient framework for studying the
dynamics of multi-element systems
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 Laplace transform
• The Laplace transform f(s) of a time-varying function
is defined by

• Laplace transform of thermocouple eq

• where ΔT(0−) is the temperature deviation at initial

conditions prior to t = 0. ΔT(0−) = 0

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• this means the transfer function of the output
signal is simply the product of the element
transfer function and the transfer function of
the input signal

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 Second-order elements
• The element below converts a force input F
into a displacement output x, is a good
example of a second-order element

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Identification of element dynamics
• To identify the TF G(s) of an element, standard
input signals should be used
• Commonly used standard signals are step and
sine wave.

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 1st O element Step response
• Response to unit step

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 2nd O element Step response
• Response to unit step, critical damping ξ=1, find for
under and
over damping

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 1st &2nd O element sine response
• Do that as assignment
• Study Dynamic errors in measurement
systems and techniques to compensate for
them

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 Techniques for dynamic
compensation
• the most obvious method of improving
dynamic response is that of inherent design
• Another possible method is that of open-loop
dynamic compensation
• Another method is to incorporate the element
to be compensated into a closed loop system
with high-gain negative feedback

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