A simple signal conditioning scheme for inductive sensors

Signal conditioning of inductive sensors so as to obtain an output proportional to just the change in the inductance alone is fraught with problems. The large value of self inductance that is present in a sensor coil and the change in the inductance being a small fraction of this large inductance coupled with the winding resistance of the sensor coil make signal conditioning of such inductive sensors a challenge. This paper presents a simple analog front-end suitable for signal conditioning of inductive sensors. The proposed signal conditioning circuit provides an output linearly related to the change in inductance due to the measurand alone, masking the large value of self (offset) inductance present in inductive sensors as well as the appreciable winding resistance. A prototype of the proposed signal conditioning circuit was developed and tested in the laboratory. Test results validate the efficacy of the technique presented herein.