Title :
A novel smart interface for voltage-generating sensors
Author :
Li, Xiujun ; Meijer, Gerard C M ; Schnitger, Erik J.
Author_Institution :
Fac. of Electr. Eng., Delft Univ. of Technol., Netherlands
fDate :
2/1/1998 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A novel low-cost smart interface for self-generating sensors, e.g., thermopiles and thermocouples, is presented. The proposed interface acts as an asynchronous converter for dc voltages employing a relaxation oscillator which output a period-modulated signal. A microcontroller is used to measure the output signal from the interface, to process data, and to output the measured sensor signal. The system provides an intrinsic A/D converter. Experimental results show that the interface is able to measure voltages in the range of 0 V to 5 V with an accuracy and resolution of ±64×10-6 and 20×10-6, respectively. The measurement time is less than 100 ms
Keywords :
intelligent sensors; relaxation oscillators; signal processing equipment; thermocouples; thermopiles; voltage measurement; 0 to 5 V; 100 ms; CMOS IC; asynchronous converter; dc voltages; intrinsic A/D converter; measured sensor signal; measurement time; microcontroller; output signal; period-modulated signal; relaxation oscillator; self-generating sensors; smart interface; smart sensor; thermocouples; thermopiles; voltage measurement; voltage-generating sensors; CMOS technology; Capacitors; Intelligent sensors; Microcontrollers; Oscillators; Signal processing; Switches; Switching circuits; Thermal sensors; Voltage measurement;
Journal_Title :
Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on
