Sensors & Instrumentation

(EEAC008IU)

Characteristics of Sensors

Lecture 2
Dr. Huynh Tan Quoc
 Specifications
ADXL 335 (analog sensor)
General Characteristics
 Characteristics of Sensors

Interface

Range

Sensitivity

Calibration

Frequency Response
Accuracy

…
 Interface

 Analog: voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance,…

 Digital: I2C, SPI, UART,…
Amplitude

Amplitude
Time Time
(a) (b)

(a) Analog signals can have any amplitude value. (b) Digital signals have a limited
number of amplitude values.
 Range

 Give the highest and the lowest value of of the physical

quantity that sensor can measure.
 Beyond of this range, there is no sensing or no correct
response.

Range

Calibration curve example.

 Range
Amplitude

5 mV

(a) Dynamic
Time Range

-5 mV

Saturation
Amplitude

1V

(b)
Time

-1 V

Figure (a) An input signal which exceeds the dynamic range. (b) The resulting
amplified signal is saturated at 1 V.
 Sensitivity
ADXL 335 (analog sensor)
Sensitivity
 Sensitivity

Sensor Sensor
signal signal

Measurand Measurand
(a) (b)

Figure (a) A low-sensitivity sensor has low gain. (b) A high sensitivity sensor has
high gain.
 Sensitivity
(Accelerometer Digital sensor)
Calibration
 Calibration

Output Output

Input Input

(a) (b)

Figure (a) A linear system fits the equation y = mx + b. Note that all variables are
italic. (b) A nonlinear system does not fit a straight line.
Calibration
 Calibration

Output Output

Input Input
(a) (b)

Figure (a) The one-point calibration may miss nonlinearity. (b) The two-point
calibration may also miss nonlinearity.

Zero input should have zero output

For nonlinear systems, more than two points calibration is needed
 Calibration
Amplitude

(a)
Time

Amplitude

(b) Dc offset
Time

Figure (a) An input signal without dc offset. (b) An input signal with dc offset.
 Calibration
Specification Value
Input signal dynamic range ±5 mV
Dc offset voltage ±300 mV
Slew rate 320 mV/s
Frequency response 0.05 to 150 Hz
Input impedance at 10 Hz 2.5 M
Dc lead current 0.1 A
Return time after lead switch 1s
Overload voltage without damage 5000 V
Risk current at 120 V 10 A

Table Specification values for an electrocardiograph are agreed upon by a

committee.
 Calibration
ADXL 335 (Accelerometer analog sensor)
 Frequency Response
ADXL 335 (analog sensor)
 Frequency Response
Specification Value
Input signal dynamic range ±5 mV
Dc offset voltage ±300 mV
Slew rate 320 mV/s
Frequency response 0.05 to 150 Hz
Input impedance at 10 Hz 2.5 M
Dc lead current 0.1 A
Return time after lead switch 1s
Overload voltage without damage 5000 V
Risk current at 120 V 10 A

Specification values for an electrocardiograph are agreed upon by a committee.

 Frequency Response

1.0

Amplitude

0.1
0.05 Hz 150 Hz
Frequency

Figure Frequency response of the electrocardiograph.

 Accuracy

(a) (b)

Figure (a) Signals without noise are uncorrupted. (b) Interference superimposed
on signals causes error. Frequency filters can be used to reduce noise and
interference.
 Accuracy and Precision

(a) (b)

Figure Data points with (a) low accuracy and (b) high accuracy.

Accuracy: The difference between the true value and the measured
value divided by the true value.
 Accuracy and Precision

(a) (b)

Figure 1.16 Data points with (a) low precision and (b) high precision.

Precision: Same output from repeated measurements from the same

inputs