Signal Conditioning

Process Instrumentation and Control

Lecture 1
What is Signal Conditioning
Signal Conditioning
Signal Conditioning
Why Signal Conditioning
Types of Signal Conditioning
• Amplification
• Attenuation
• Filtering
• Excitation
• Linearization
• Resistance to Voltage Conversion
• Current to Voltage Conversion
• Cold Junction Compensation
• Isolation
Types of Signal Conditioning
Process Adopted in Signal Conditioning
1. Protection:
The range of output signals form the transducer may be so high that it may damage the next unit or
element which needs to be protected.
Example: if the high voltage or current signals are fed to the microprocessor. it will get damaged .The
microprocessor is protected by
• Employing series of current limiting resistors. fuses to break if current is too high.
• Using a step down transformer
• Using voltage limiting circuits. Etc.
2. Getting right types of signals:
The output signals of a transducer is of analog type, it needs to be converted to D.C voltage or
current.
Example:
Example: The output signal of a microprocessor is of digital nature. it needs to be convened into
analog form to feed it to an actuator for process controlling
Process Adopted in Signal Conditioning
3. Getting correct level of signals:
The level of the output signal may be too small, this needs to be amplified for feeding it into an
analog to digital. It also difficult such I converter. It is also difficult to measure such low signals.
Example: Use of Amplifiers
4. Elimination of interferences:
Undesired signals or disturbances may be associated with the output signal, need to be
eliminated.
Example: Such interferences are limited by the use of signals
5. Manipulation of signals:
The output signals maybe nonlinear in nature, these need to be linearized and vice-versa.
Example: Non-linear signal from the thermocouple
Active and Passive Transducers
Active Transducer Passive Transducer

It is a kind of transducer whose interior parameters include

It is kind of transducer which generates output in form of capacitance, resistance, The smallest signals and
voltage or current, without any exterior power supply. inductance modified or change when it comes in contact
with any passive element.

Its working principle includes drawing energy from Its working principle includes drawing power from external
measured source. sources which results in a change in its physical properties.

It has its own power supply for its functioning. For its functioning, it requires an external power supply.

It has a much simpler design, unlike Passive Transducer. It has a design that is complex as compared to an Active
Transducer.

Smallest change in pressure that it can be detected in its It can detect small changes in output easily and more
output is very low, i.e it has a low resolution. accurately, i.e. it has a high resolution.

The output of active transducers depends on signal which The output of passive transducers depends on signal from
is used for measurement. the external power supply.

These kinds of transducers are also known as self- These are also known as externally powered transducers
generating transducers as they do not need any external
power source. as they need an external power supply to perform tasks.
DC Signal Conditioning