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Vol. 68, No. 6, June 2006

 

Bullet

 

Table of Contents

 

RESEARCH

 

Electronics for LabView Based Piezoresistive Microcantilever Sensor System

 

A simple, low-cost electronic interface suitable for use with piezoresistive microcantilever-based sensors was developed. This interface uses the USB bus of any computer or laptop to communicate with the sensor via SPI commands. The primary user interface is LabView. This system was used with several “embedded” piezoresistive microcantilever sensing applications, including both liquid-phase and gas-phase sensing ...

 

Timothy L. Porter, William Delinger

Northern Arizona University, 

Department of Physics and Astronomy,

Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA

E-mail: tim.porter@nau.edu

 

 

Analysis of a Hybrid DC Comparator

 

The traditional controllable saturation reactor (CSR) consists of single toroidal core, DC (direct current) controlled loop (including DC controlled winding and DC biasing source) and AC (alternating current) excitation loop (including excitation winding and AC source). A detection winding and secondary winding are added up to the CSR configuration and form a hybrid DC comparator. The excitation current is asymmetric waveform when the CSR core is commonly stimulated by both AC and DC biasing sources, which just is the fundamental characteristic for the proposed comparator. Research shows the terminal voltage of the detection winding is asymmetric waveform when the secondary winding of the comparator is open and the CSR core is stimulated both by AC and DC biasing sources. Both theory analysis and experiment verify the feasibility of the differential RMS (root-mean-square) between positive and negative half waves of the terminal voltage from the detection winding fitting for the feedback variance to balance DC biasing magnetic potential and form a self-balancing comparator. The zero-flux technique that the primary ampere-turn is equal to the secondary is the function base for the comparator. The operation details of the comparator including the control characteristics both of open-loop and close loop, the satiability judgment criterion, static error property and test range are introduced. The experimental results testify to the truth of the principle of the proposed DC comparator ...

 

1Li Web, 2Mao Changing

1Naval University of Engineering and Hashing University of Science and Technology, China, E-mail: hustlwb@hotmail.com

2Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, E-mail: cxmao@263.net

 

 

Study of a Novel CT Used to Measure the Switch State Current of RSD

 

The measurement of the pulse switch state current of RSD (Reversely Switching Dynistor) device is crucial to transmit the energy efficiently with high stability and reliability. The novel CT (current transformer) centered on self-integrating Rogowski coil is proposed. The operation principle, methods for properly choosing electric parameters both of RSD-based pulse switch experimental loop and the self-integrating Rogowski coil are presented. The error characteristics of the CT instrumentation are analyzed. The prototype CT centered on the self-integrating Rogowski coil according to the proposed theory and methods are introduced. Experimental results acquired by the proposed CT system are given. Experimental results can verify the validity of the novel CT measurement system ...

 

1Li Web, 2Mao Changing, 2Lu Jiming

1Naval University of Engineering and Hashing University of Science and Technology, China, E-mail: hustlwb@hotmail.com

2Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, E-mail: cxmao@263.net

 

 

Simultaneous Temperature and Strain Sensing with Optical Fiber Bragg Gratings

 

A simple and low-cost fiber grating sensor system designed to simultaneously measure temperature and strain effects is presented. The sensor was constructed with a referenced fiber Bragg for temperature measurement and a pair of fiber Bragg gratings for both temperature and strain detection. Experimental results showed that measurement errors of 0.25 oand 6 µE for temperature and strain were achieved, respectively ...

 

Jaw-Luen Tang1 and Jian-Neng Wang2

1 Department of Physics, National Chung-Cheng University, Taiwan

E-mail: phyjlt@ccu.edu.tw

2 Natl. Yunlin Univ. of Sci. and Technol., Taiwan

E-mail: wangjn@yuntech.edu.tw

 

 

PRODUCT NEWS

 

Micronas Introduces New Low-Cost Hall Sensor Family

 

Freiburg, Germany - Micronas presented the new Hall sensor family HALВ® 2xy. The new sensors are designed for accurate contactless detection of positions and speed in automotive, industrial and consumer applications.

 

HAL 2xy family is low-priced, robust and highly accurate and has the potential to replace the micro-switch, says Peter Zimmermann, Market Manager Automotive at Micronas. Hall-effect sensors are immune to mechanical abrasion. They have a longer life-time because they are not prone to environmental contaminants such as vibration, shock, dirt, humidity and high temperatures. We have integrated protection features to allow these Hall sensors to function with unstable voltage supplies. Furthermore, they are extremely resistant to high-frequency electromagnetic fields and guarantee a high ESD resistance. The HAL 2xy offers reverse polarity and overvoltage protection for all pins ...

 

Anja Maria Hastenrath

Managing Director 

embedded PR , Zugspitzstr, 10 

81541 Munich, Germany 

Tel.: +49 89 69 76 06 10, fax +49 89 69 76 06 13

E-mail: ah@embedded-pr.de

Hall sensors

 

 

Foil Gage Pressure Sensor

 

IRVINE, CA – Sensor System Solutions, Inc. announced the Model 7400 Pressure Sensor for OEM applications in refrigerant handling and recovery. The unit can also be utilized in exercise equipment, mining, natural gas production, compressors, lubrication systems, waste water treatment, medical equipment as well as in hydraulic and fluid power systems. The construction consists of a stainless steel diaphragm element with a metal foil strain gauge. It features a sensor that is isolated from the measured media and is available in six (100, 300, 500, 1,000, 3,000, and 5,000 psi) pressure ranges.

The Model 7400 offers an excellent price/performance ratio for pressure measurement applications in harsh environments (-400 F to +1760 F). It is equipped with a ¼-18 NPTM thread and can be customized to suit OEM requirements ...

 

Roger Sullivan

Sensor System Solutions, Inc.

VP Sales & Marketing

Tel.: (949) 855-6688 ext. 118

E-mail: sales1@corp3s.com

Pressure sensor 7400

 

Triaxial Force Sensors Ideal for Aerospace Vibration Testing

 

Depew, NY, USA - The 261A Series Triaxial Force Link Sensors from the Force/Torque Division of PCB Piezotronics, Inc. simultaneously measure dynamic and quasi-static forces in three orthogonal directions (X, Y, and Z-axes). The sensors are used during vibration testing of aerospace structures to match the mechanical impedance of shaker inputs and may be used to force limit the shaker controller to prevent damage to expensive structures. Other applications include cutting tool monitoring, biomechanics feedback, and automobile chassis dynamics.

 

Series 261A comes preloaded between two plates, with a four-screw mounting pattern to allow easy installation and feature full-scale measuring ranges from 500 lb to 4,000 lb (2.2 kN to 18 kN) in the X and Y directions, and from 1,000 lb to 10,000 lb (4.5 kN to 45 kN) in the Z direction. Single axis models are also available ...

   Transparant

Bob Metz

Technical Sales Specialist

Force/Torque Division

3425 Walden Avenue

Depew, NY 14043-2495 USA

Tel.:(888) 684-0004 ext. 2683, fax: (716) 684-8877

E-mail: bmetz@pcb.com

Force sensor 261A

 

 

Rugged Hermetically Sealed DC-LVDT Position Sensors Operate in Corrosive Environments

 

Pennsauken, NJ - Macro Sensors offers a family of rugged hermetically sealed sensors for general industrial use. Enclosed in a heavy wall, stainless steel housing, the HSE/HSER 750 Series of ¾” diameter DC-operated LVDTs are impervious to dirt, water, steam and other corrosive elements. Units are ideal for use in hydraulic cylinder positioning, valve position sensing, automatic assembly equipment and other industrial applications with hostile conditions.

 

Incorporating built-in electronics, both the HSE/HSER 750 Series 750 sensors provide the desirable features of an AC-LVDT, such as frictionless operation and dynamic response, with the added convenience and simplicity of DC input and pre-calibrated DC output. Units operate in conjunction with PLCs, digital indicators, A/D converters, computer-based data processors and QC data collection systems ...

   

Ed Herceg,

U.S. Route 130 North, Bldg. 22,

Pennsauken, NJ 08110-1541

Tel: 856-662-8000

Fax: 856-317-1005

E-mail: eeh@macrosensors.com

DC-LVDT Position Sensors

 

 

Liquid-Level Sensors Now Used in Railroad Fuel Management Systems

 

CARY, N.C. - MTS Systems Corp. Sensors Division's liquid-level sensors are now being used by railroads to improve the efficiency of fuel management systems. The sensors replace outdated manual gauge- and fuel flow-reading processes that cost railroads time, money and personnel. The new automated fuel management systems provide railroads the ability to better manage fuel inventories and reduce labor demands.

 

MTS’s magnetostrictive level gauges provide many of the features required by automated fuel systems.  The sensors consist of a flexible stainless steel pipe and electronics contained in an explosion-proof head.  The pipe acts as a protective sheath for the magnetostrictive waveguide that runs the length of the pipe ...

  

Adrian Totten,

MTS

Marketing & Sales Manager

Tel.: 919-677-2332

E-mail: adrian.totten@mts.com

Train

 

 

High Performance GPS Navigation with MLX90609 Gyroscope

 

Ieper - Belgium – 1 June 2006 - Melexis enters the market for accurate GPS (Global Position System) position sensing with its angular rate sensor (gyroscope). The MLX90609-N2 will enhance the accuracy of GPS instruments in situations where satellite reception is lost, for example in tunnels, between tall buildings and mountainous terrain. The Melexis MLX90609-N2 gyroscope, based upon a thick SOI (Silicon on Insulator) high performance MEMS (Micro-Electronic Mechanical Systems) technology, enables the realization of very compact, high accuracy and cost-effective GPS systems with dead reckoning capabilities ...

  

Rik Moens

Transportstraat 1

3980 Tessenderlo, Belgium

Tel.: +32 (0) 12 67 20 02, fax: +32 (0) 12 67 20 03

E-mail: rik@inputint.com

GPS navigation system

 

 

Multi-Channel Transimpedance Amplifier Prepares Low Noise and Highly Sensitive Signal

 

The new MTI04CS/CQ signal amplifier from MAZeT GmbH has 4 channels integrated on one chip, enabling signal preparation for three-range colour sensors (including reference diode) in one component. This ability to set the transimpedance of the MTI04CS/CQ at 8 different levels gives the customer a wide area in which to accommodate all application requirements. Programming is carried out via three inputs and takes effect for all channels simultaneously, raising amplification settings to 8 levels in contrast to first generation equipment.

 

In order to activate various different photo diodes, it is possible to adapt the compensation of the transimpedance amplifier digitally in two stages (5pF and 80 pF) to the input capacity of those photo diodes. Input sensitivity is 4 times higher than that of first generation equipment. The lowest current measurement range is 25 nA. Its ability to convert photo currents to the set nA range makes the MTI04SC/CQ ideally suitable for use even with the smallest sensor signals.

 

The integrated power-down mode enables the MTI04CS/CQ to switch to energy-saving mode. If the MTI04CS/CQ does not need to be used for a short time, bias current consumption can be reduced to 8 µA. The operating temperature range runs from -40°C to +125°C. These characteristics provide new usage opportunities for the signal amplifier, such as use in battery-operated measurement and control units ...

  

Diane Weidemann

Marketing Services

MAZeT GmbH

Tel.: +49 3641 2809-39, fax: +49 3641 2809-12

E-mail: weide@MAZeT.de

Transimpedance Amplifier MTI04CS

 

 

Microbridge Technologies Launches Standard-Product Dual Rejustors in SOIC8 Configuration

 

Montreal, Quebec (Canada) - Setting the industry standard for analog compensation, Microbridge Technologies Corp., a privately held technology company, announced the availability of standard-product Rejustors in SOIC8 packages.

 

The Microbridge Rejustor is the world's first electrically-programmable resistor used to solve analog compensation problems in the analog domain. Rejustors are analog resistors, user-programmed to a fixed resistance with high precision and stability. These units can be adjusted hundreds of times and always maintain the last adjusted state even when placed in storage for extended periods. After trimming, these passive devices require no power to hold their value ...

  

Tom Riedl

VP Sales and Marketing

Microbridge Technologies Corp.

Tel: (781) 715-1273, fax: 1-888-Rejustor

E-mail: info@mbridgetech.com

Rejustor

 

 

Intelligent Digital Signal Conditioner Designed for Soil Testing

 

The CellMiteTM Quad AC/DC Intelligent Digital Signal Conditioner, Model 4336, with two LVDT channels and two strain gage channels is designed for soil test applications. CellView Multi-Unit Software runs the CellMite Quad. The CellMite Quad provides direct digital data input into the serial port of a standard PC. CellView also allows data logging to a disc.

To facilitate soil testing, the software allows a test to be divided into 8 segments, each of which can be run at different logging rates. The software was designed so that masses could be applied to the soil under test and the masses of soil movement could be monitored. The user can pause the test, change the masses, and resume the test with the same or with different logging rates. All logged data is Excel compatible ...

  

Jeannette Gouin

Electro Standards Laboratories

36 Western Industrial Drive

Cranston, RI 02921

Tel.: 401-943-1164, fax: 401-946-5790

E-mail: jeannett@lab.electrostandards.com

Intelligent Signal Conditioner 4336

 

 

New Differential Remote Charge Converters for Aerospace Applications

 

Depew, NY, USA - The Vibration Division of PCB® Piezotronics, Inc., introduces Series 495B10 differential remote charge converters, for use with differential charge output piezoelectric accelerometers. Differential sensors and signal conditioning electronics are widely used in flight test applications due to their common mode noise rejection, which greatly reduces noise in the measurement signal. These rugged, low noise units not only convert a transducer's differential high impedance charge input signal to a low impedance voltage output and supplies the normal acceleration output, but also supplies a separate integrated output for velocity.

 

Series 495B10 charge converters operate from 10 to 32 VDC power, over a temperature range of -13° F to +185° F (-25° C to +85° C) and are packaged in a lightweight aluminum housing. They are available in charge sensitivities of either 2 mV/pC or 10 mV/pC. In addition, the user can specify a low frequency roll off of 10, 15, 20 or 25 Hz. The input is a two-pin, 7/16 inch threaded connector and the output is a six-pin bayonet-style connector ...

  

Mark Amatuzzo

Vibration Division

3425 Walden Avenue

Depew, NY 14043-2495 USA

Tel.: (888) 684-0013 ext. 2706, fax: (716) 685-3886

E-mail: mamatuzzo@pcb.com

Charge converter 495B10

 


 

Bullet

 

Multisensor Data and Information Processing

(Special Issue, August 2005)

 

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