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The $2.5 Billion rover of NASA, Curiosity is all set to take the tiniest detail of the
planet Mars. The rover is designed to be highly precise in observing its ambient
conditions including atmospheric pressure and the gravitational force. For this
purpose, it’s Instrumental Control Unit or the ICU has been equipped with pressure
sensors. These sensors will help in detecting the Dust Devils that are a
characteristic of the planet and will also detail with the concentration of various
gases in the atmosphere at various points. Let’s have a look on what makes a
pressure sensor capable enough to perform such specific tasks and where else it
can be used.
A pressure sensor is a device which senses pressure and converts it into an analog
electric signal whose magnitude depends upon the pressure applied. Since they
convert pressure into an electrical signal, they are also termed as pressure
transducers.
1. Strain Gauge Type: These sensors are similar to a wheat stone bridge in
their working. In wheat stone bridge, the ratio of resistances of two adjacent arms
connected to one end of the battery should be equal to that of other two arms
connected to another end of battery. When the two ratios are equal, no output is
generated from the wheat stone bridge. In the case of a strain gauge, one arm of the
wheat stone bridge is connected to a diaphragm. The diaphragm compresses and
expands due to the pressure applied. This variation in the diaphragm causes the
output in the bridge to vary. A voltage would be generated proportional to every
deviation from the normal balanced condition, so every single compression or
expansion movement of the diaphragm will produce an output indicating a change
in pressure conditions. Since resistance change is the main cause for potential
difference, these sensors are also termed as piezo-resistive type of pressure sensors.
2. Capacitive Pressure Sensor: A capacitor has two metal plates and a
dielectric sandwiched between them. In capacitive pressure sensor, one of these
metal plates is permitted to move in and out so that the capacitance between them
changes due to varying distance between the plates. The movable plate is
connected to a diaphragm which senses the pressure and then expands or
compresses accordingly. The movement of the diaphragm would affect the
attached metal plate’s position and capacitance would vary.
These sensors, though much ineffective at high temperatures, are widely used at
ambient temperature range due to their linear output.
3. Piezoelectric Pressure Sensor: Piezoelectric crystals develop a potential
difference (i.e. voltage is induced across the surfaces) whenever they are subjected
to any mechanical pressure. These sensors have the crystal mounted on a
dielectric base so that there is no current leakage. Attached to the crystal is a
horizontal shaft to which a diaphragm is connected. Whenever the diaphragm
senses pressure, it pushes the shaft down which pressurizes the crystal and voltage
is produced.
Pressure Sensor Specifications
Since pressure sensors have diverse applications, it has certain specifications that
are adopted to make them work optimally in a given environment. A few of the
major configurations are listed as under:
1. Measuring Range: This defines the minimum and maximum pressure
between which the sensor is designed to operate without getting damaged. This
criterion is more essential for differential and gauge sensors as their measurements
are relative and if the reference pressure’s magnitude is beyond their range, they
will not work.
2. Operating Temperature: It is the range of temperature under which the
sensor works optimally. It is always required to make the sensor work in the
defined temperature range so that the output is consistent. In the ambient
conditions are extremely hot or cold, the sensors may not work properly. This is
applied specially in the case of electronic pressure sensors which are used in touch
screen computers and other devices.
3. Dimensions of the sensor: Based on the application, the size of the sensor
would vary according to the type of area where pressure needs to be sensed.
Hence, dimensions of the sensor are an important consideration while sensors
design. Usually, sensors which are small in size are preferred as they can be easily
installed at difficult places such as air filters.
4. Measurement Type: It is also important for the user to know which type of
pressure measurement is been made by the sensor: absolute, gauge or differential.
This is because different measurement techniques are followed by different
processing methods and hence the outputs will vary accordingly.
5. Accuracy: Differential pressure measurements are the best way to make a
sensor as accurate as possible. This is because the reference pressure is more under
the control of the user than the atmosphere which is the case in gauge pressure
measurement.
6. Repeatability: This can be defined as the ability of the sensor to produce the
same result when a specific amount of pressure is applied on it again and again.
Repeatability forms one of the most crucial specifications of a sensor. Since
sensors are range specific, the probability that they will be calibrated at the same
pressure is high, hence results should be reproduced by the sensor for the same
amount of pressure time and again.
7. Type of Output Generated: The electrical output generated by the sensor
can be of various types depending on its design and what the ultimate output
device is. Some known formats in which output is being generated are analog
voltage; analog current, digital signal (TTL), RS 232 interface and frequency shift
keying based HART protocol.
8. Response Time: This denotes the time spent between the inputs applied and
the output achieved. Pressure sensors are expected to have a small response time so
that instant outputs can be generated and in the case of quick pressure variations,
the system can respond swiftly too.
9. Offset Voltage: Offset voltage can be termed as the output voltage
generated when no input is applied. In the case of differential sensors, offset
voltages are generated when no reference pressure is there and in case of gauge
pressure, it is generated when ambient pressure is applied to the sensor. Offset
voltages are needed to reduce the error in the output and final outputs are
calculated after subtracting offset voltages from them.