ELX 216 : MEASUREMENT AND INSTRUMENTATION
Class Schedule: Saturday : 1.00pm 4.00pm
Lecture Plan
COVER PAGE.doc TIMETABLE
Introduction
What is in your mind?
Can it be
Measurement process of estimating or determining the value of a quantity such as length, mass, volume and etc. When you can measure what you are speaking about and express them in numbers, you know something about it and when you cannot measure it or where you cannot express in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind. It may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in your thought advanced to the stage of science . -Lord Kelvin-
Purpose of Measurement
To present the observer with a numerical value corresponding to the variable being measured.
Figure 1: Measurement Process Block Diagram
Importance of measurement process
Situation 1 Measuring device in buying fruits and vegetables. The scale use are in high accuracy condition. The inaccuracy on measurement process will leads to financial losses. Situation 2 Temperature reading in the house or room. The thermostats reading are accurate. If not the temperature will be to high or too low, leading to inconvenience and discomfort. Situation 3 Paying the utility bills according to the amount stated in the bills assuming that the electricity meter and water meter is measuring accurately. Any variation on reading again will lead to financial loss.
Importance of measurement process
Situation 4 A pharmacist preparing a medication is reliant on the accuracy of his scales to make sure he includes the correct amount of ingredient in the medication.
Situation 5 Manufacturing of integrated circuit and photo-masks that require high degree of accuracy. Certain chemical reactions require high accuracy in the measurement and control of temperature.
Accuracy is importance
Accuracy of statements is one of the first elements of truth; inaccuracy is a near kin to falsehood -Tyron Edwards-
Let see
Measureable Variables
Applications of Measurement System
1) Regulating Trade - having common standard and measure it to an appropriate level of accuracy. use standard measurement system (metric, imperial and SI) free movements of goods across international boundaries. avoid unfair and not worth transaction (ex: barter trade)
2) Knowledge seeking and problem solving - enhance knowledge about various system and understand how different variables interact (ex: 5g of salt mixed with 100ml of water)
3) Monitoring Function - to inform or acknowledge the values of a critical variables for necessary action to be taken (ex: timer for a microwave oven)
1),2) and 3) involving human being interaction (manual measurement).
Automatic feedback control system - in closed loop operation, the measurement system becomes part of automatic FB system and obviates the need of human intervention (automatic measurement). (ex: level measurement system that measure the water level in the tank and open a valve to fill up the tank whenever the level drop below the preset value.)
Elements of Measurement System
Each complete measurement system consists of four elements. This elements can be in one item or could be separated as an individual element.
General Structure of Measurement System
Sensor
Element that gives an output that is proportional to the input applied to it. The input format is depends on the variables to be measured. (temperature, speed, pH level, motion etc) The output from the sensor is normally in electrical format for the ease of next process. Ex: thermometer, optical encoder, motion sensor LDR, NTC Can our eyes become a sensor?
Signal Conditioning Element (SCE)
Also known as variables conversion element Sometimes the output variable of the sensor is unsuitable or inconvenient format, SCE is used to convert it to a suitable format. Ex: 1) The change of in resistance of a strain guage cannot be directly measured, deflection types of bridge circuit is used to convert it to a suitable voltage level. 2) Amplifier is used to amplify a very weak signal such as biomedical signal. Any other examples? Combination of sensor with SCE is called transducers
Signal Processing Element (SPE)
Component used to improve the quality of the signal. Ex: 1) Filter the unwanted frequency from the main frequency (noise)
Combination of transducers with SPE is called transmitter
Data Presentation Element (DPE)
Used display, recording and analysis approach (D/R/A) . As the output of the measurement system. The data can be used as: 1) fed back to the automatic feedback system 2) the data can be display on the industrial display (7-segment display, LCD), recorded on a hard-disc and it can be analyzed to understand the trends and draw the conclusion.
Both can be used simultaneously where the data can be fed to the automatic control system and display it at the same time.
In class exercise 1:
Situation: A person using a thermometer to measure his body temperature. With reference to Figure 1, draw the proper measurement block diagram to represent this situation.
Example of Measurement System
Figure A : Temperature Measurement System
Figure B : Speed Measurement System
Types of Measurement System
Gauge System and Measurement System Gauge System - Used to check whether the variable is within a certain level. No mathematical is involve and not interested in finding the exact value. If the product passes through the gauge means that it is within the range. Ex : Check the gap between escalator steps. Check the depth of a elbow joint Measurement System Exact amount of value is well define.
Active and Passive Measurement System Passive system not having a power supply - not able to do any processing on the signal Ex: thermometer Active System power source required - signal can be amplify and can be enhance. Ex: Ultrasonic range detector Null and Deflection Measurement System Null System - The control variables is change until it is balanced with the variables being measured Ex: Balanced weighing scales Deflection System the value of the variable to be measured is shown immediately on the scales. Ex: Home weighing scales.
Analog and Digital Measurement System Analog System the output shown in analog form Digital System - the output is shown in digital form
Indicating Measurement system measurement system with signal output Indicating system - The system only capable on providing an indication as an output Signal Output System the output provide a significant value Manually and Automatic Measurement System Manually Measurement System involving human intervention Automatic Measurement System no human intervention Smart and Non Smart Measurement System Smart Measurement System having the onboard intelligence (microprocessor) that able to store and process the data.
Contact and Contactless Measurement System Contact Measurement System the measurement can be done when there is a contact with the variable being measured Contactless Measurement System Variable can be measured at a distance. Direct and Indirect Measurement System Direct Measurement System Variables can be measure directly Indirect Measurement System Measuring others device and derive the required variables.
In class exercise 2
Analyze the ultrasonic range meter and justify the types of measurement system that it is falling in according to each types of measurement classification.
In Class Exercise 2 answer
Measurement (actual value produce) Active (contains on board power supply) Deflection (value is given immediately) Digital (output is display in digital format) Signal (provide significant value) Manual ( human need to point and press) Smart (on board intelligent) Contactless ( no contact with variables being measured) Direct (no other measurement needed)
In Class Exercise 3
A physicians use sphygometer to measure patients blood pressure. This compromise a cuff that placed around patient arm, a stethoscope to listen to turbulence of the blood flow and a glass tube filled with mercury on a scale to show the pressure reading. Classified this system based on the various types of measurement system.
Performance characteristics of a measurement system
Divided into 2 ; static characteristics and dynamic characteristics. Static Characteristics apply when the input of the system is not changing with time. Dynamic characteristics apply to time changing nature of the input signal and how the system response to it
