Analog Signal

Conditioning

By
Dr.P.K.Boruah, Prof.(rtd)
Dept. of Instr. & USIC,G.U.
Analog vs Digital
Signal
An Analog signal is any continuous
signal for which the time varying
feature (variable) of the signal is a
representation of some other time
varying quantity, i.e., analogous to
another time varying signal.

Digital signal uses discrete

(discontinuous) values.
Analog and Digital: How
they differ?

Analog signal
Why signal
conditioning?
Signal sources are weak
The signal produced by different
sources ( sensors,/transducerrs)
are subject to noise,interference and
unwanted pick up.
Techniques are required to remove
these.
Types of
Signals
DC,AC,PULSE
AC: Single ended &
Differential
PULSE: +ve going and
ve going
Data Acquisition System
Analog Signal
Signal Conditioner

ADC

Digital
Communication
Processing
Advantages of Analog
Processing
No computer, no A/D or D/A.
Better for high frequency
applications, when time available for
data conversion (A/D) or for
computations is too limited.
Simpler implementation as far as an
overall component count.
Less expensive overall
No need to impose certain standards
What is analog signal
conditioning?
The signal conditioning refers to the
methods employed to prepare the
raw signal derived from different
types of sensors so that they can be
successfully processed for
measurement and control
applications.
A signal processing
chain
Common Signal
Types
Single ended signal
 Differential
signal
 Main Parts of Analog Signal Conditioning

1. Level Changes
2. Linearizing
3. Filtering
4. Impedance matching
5. Signal Conversion
What is an Op-Amp? The
Inside
The actual count varies, but an Op-Amp contains
several Transistors, Resistors, and a few
Capacitors and Diodes.
For simplicity, an Op-Amp is often depicted as
this:
 Level Changes
Opamps configurations

Inverting Amp Non

Inverting Amp

Buffer
Signal with Noise
Instrumentation Amplifier
High Impedance, High CMRR
Linear scales are
preferred

Linear Scale Nonlinear scale

 Linearizing

Provide an output
that varies linearly
with
some variable even if
the sensor output is
non
linear.
Special circuits are
required to linearize
signals.
Log
amplifier
 Filter
Basic filter types
 Passive filters

Low Pass R.F. High

Pass
 Active filter
1st Order Low Pass 1st Order High
Pass
 Advanced filters
Butterworth

Plot of the gain of Butterworth low-pass filters of orders

1 through 5, with. The slope is 20ndB/dec
 Chebysev Type II

Chebysev The frequency response of a fifth-

order type II Chebyshev low-pass filter
with
The Notch filter
Opamp as filter
Frequency Response
2nd Order Filter
 Impedance
matching
Max power
transfer
 An example of
matching
Source and load impedances match
cable
impedance
 Signal conversion
Convert one form of signal or
physical values into the other form.
Typical conversion is to convert
resistance or voltage change into 4
to 20 mA current change and convert
back to voltage at the receiving end.
Sensor electronics:Some
common sensors
1.Thermistor

2.Thermocouple

3. Strain gauge
 Divider Circuit
Suitable for thermistor, RTD,LDR etc

Vs

R1
R2
VD Vs
VD R1 R2
R2
Vs supply voltage
R1 , R2 divider resistors
The variation of VD with either R1 or R2 is
linear
The effective output impedance of the
divider is the parallel combination of R1
and R2.
Thecurrent flows to both R1 and R2. The
power rating of both resistors should be
considered.
 Characteristics
The variation of VD with either R1 or
R2 is linear
Theeffective output impedance of
the divider is the parallel
combination of R1 and R2.
Thecurrent flows to both R1 and R2.
The power rating of both resistors
should be considered.
Wheatstone bridge
Advantages
1. It can be used as a resistance
sensor that eliminates the supply
voltage offset or changes.
2. The null still maintains
3. Good resolution
 Thermocouple
Sensor output depends on T1(cold jn)
T2(hot jn) and not T(Sensor temperature)
Imp. Needs cold junction compensation
Solution: Add a different temperature
sensor in the bridge circuit to cancel cold
jn temperature variation.
Strain gauge circuit: simplified
Linear and SM Power
supply

Linear Regulator Principle

Using IC regulator
 Assortment of 78xx
ICs
 SOURCES
Books:
1.Analog Signal Processing by R.Pallas-Areny &
J.G.Webster
2.Process control Instrument Technology by C.D.Johnson
3. Measurement Systems, Application and design by
E.O.Doebelin & D.N.Manik
Websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/
http://electronicdesign.com/communications/
Thank You