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UNIT I INTRODUCTION
Basics of Measurement – Classification of errors – Error analysis – Static and
dynamic characteristics of transducers – Performance measures of sensors –
Classification of sensors – Sensor calibration techniques – Sensor Output Signal
Types.
A measurement is made by comparing the unknown quantity with a predefined
standard.
PART -A
1. What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
Accuracy is the closeness to true value whereas precision is the closeness amongst the
readings. Precision is the degree of closeness with which a given value may be
repeatedly measured.
2. Define sensitivity.
The sensitivity of a sensor is defined as the ratio between a change in the output value
and the change in the input value that causes that output change.
3. Compare threshold and resolution.
Threshold is the amount of measurement change required before a measuring
instrument reacts to a change in measurement output or produces a specified result.
The resolution indicates the smallest detectable increment of the input quantity
4. List out the parameters on which sensor classified?
● Transduction principles using physical or chemical effects
● Primary input quantity
● Material and technology (Image sensor, Motion detectors & Biosensors)
● Application (Industrial process control & automation & Non industrial use -
Automobiles, Medical products, Aircraft & Consumer electronics)
● Property (Flow, Temperature, Pressure & Acceleration)
5. Describe the significance of measurements.
Measurements are generally made
● To understand an event or an operation
● To monitor an event or an operation
● To control an event or an operation
● To collect data for future analysis and
● To validate an engineering design
6. List out the different methods of measurement.
Direct comparison method: In direct comparison method the unknown quantity is
compared directly with a primary or secondary standard.
For example, the primary standard for voltage is a saturated weston cell. If the
unknown voltage is compared with this cell then the method of measurement is
termed as direct comparison method.
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Indirect comparison method: In indirect comparison method the unknown quantity
is compared with a standard or a meter which is compared and checked with a
primary or secondary standard which are kept at National lab periodically.
For example, an unknown voltage is measured using a voltmeter which is periodically
calibrated with primary or secondary standards.
Based on the principle of operation
● Deflection method - Unknown quantity causes a deflection on a calibrated
scale.
● Null balance method - Unknown quantity is balanced by the application of
another effect so as to maintain the deflection caused by the difference
between the effects, at zero.
7. Draw the functional block diagram of a measurement system
8. Define the following terms in the context of normal frequency distribution of
data
i)mean value : Average value of the readings
ii)Deviation Deviation is the departure of a given reading from the arithmetic mean
of a group of readings.
iii) Median: Median is also used to indicate the most probable value of the
measured quantity when a set of readings are taken.
iv) Mode is the value which occurs most frequently in a set of observations and
around which other items of the set cluster densely
9. Define i) Sensors ii) Actuators iii) Transducers
a. Sensors: a device converts the physical or non-physical signal which is to be
measured into an electrical signal which can be processed or transmitted
electronically.
b. Transducer: A transducer is a device which converts a non electrical quantity
to be measured into a proportional electrical signal (easy to process and
transmit)
(or)
The input for most instrumentation system is nonelectrical. Normally this is
converted into an electrical signal by a device called a transducer.
10. Define active transducer and passive transducer with an examples
On the basics of power supply transducers classified into
Passive transducers are those that need to be excited by electrical supply in order to
recognize their response to the measurand. Ex: Strain gauge
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Active transducers: Active transducers do not require any external sources of supply
for their operation.
Ex: Piezoelectric transducer, Photovoltaic transducer & Thermocouple ( Itself acts as
source of emf)
11. List out the static characteristics of transducers
● Static sensitivity
● Linearity
● Precision/ accuracy
● Threshold
● Resolution
● Hysteresis
● Range and span
● Input impedance and loading effect
12. Identify what are the types of errors?
● Gross error
● Systematic errors
o Instrumental errors
o Environmental error
o Static error
● Random error
13. What are the output signals of sensors?
● Analog voltage
● PWM
● Serial digital
14. Write on Classification of sensors
● according to the measurand
● according to application fields
● according to a port model
● according to the conversion principle according to the energy domain of the
measurand
● According to thermodynamic considerations.
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