Location
Radisson Resort at the Port, Martinique Room
Start Date
3-5-2000 2:00 PM
Description
Multiple sensors are used to conduct measurements during every Space Shuttle flow. Often, these measurements have to be installed at locations where available space is minimal. Signal conditioners have a frequent need to be removed from service for calibration, typically, on an annual basis. The calibration must be performed in a shop with traceable test equipment, and can require several hours of manpower.
A low cost miniaturized Signal Conditioning Amplifier (SCA), based on the use of Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and IEEE 1451-compliant, will reduce the manpower required to set up new measurements and to replace or calibrate existing ones. The SCA is connected to a transducer attached to a Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS), which is read by the amplifier upon power up. The TEDS contains information required by the amplifier to configure itself to operate with a particular transducer. The signal conditioner is capable of performing continuous health checks and auto-calibration and significantly reduces operating and maintenance costs of a data acquisition system. The use of ASICs will also allow for the implementation of multichannel devices for additional reduction in space and power requirements.
Paper Session II-C - Low Cost Self-calibrating, Field Serviceable Signal Conditioning Amplifier
Radisson Resort at the Port, Martinique Room
Multiple sensors are used to conduct measurements during every Space Shuttle flow. Often, these measurements have to be installed at locations where available space is minimal. Signal conditioners have a frequent need to be removed from service for calibration, typically, on an annual basis. The calibration must be performed in a shop with traceable test equipment, and can require several hours of manpower.
A low cost miniaturized Signal Conditioning Amplifier (SCA), based on the use of Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and IEEE 1451-compliant, will reduce the manpower required to set up new measurements and to replace or calibrate existing ones. The SCA is connected to a transducer attached to a Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS), which is read by the amplifier upon power up. The TEDS contains information required by the amplifier to configure itself to operate with a particular transducer. The signal conditioner is capable of performing continuous health checks and auto-calibration and significantly reduces operating and maintenance costs of a data acquisition system. The use of ASICs will also allow for the implementation of multichannel devices for additional reduction in space and power requirements.
