EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

LAB 1
DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT

1.0 Objective
.1 To observe the inductive displacement sensor characteristic.
.2 To observe the capacitive displacement sensor characteristic.

Introduction
In the sphere of electrical instrumentation, a distinction is made between analog and
digital measuring techniques. An analog technique is when a display method is used that
shows the value continuously. A digital technique is one where the measured variable is
detected in a quantized form with a discrete minimum resolution. Frequent
characteristics of digital methods are a numerical procedure or a coded enumeration of
the measured values. Familiar examples of these two differing techniques are the speed
sensors (speedometers) or distance measuring devices (odometers) in cars.
To measure variables, appropriate sensors are required to provide an analog or
digital electrical signal. The nature of the signal can be changed from one kind to
another by means of analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converters.
Displacement sensors are suitable for measuring distance, length, position. Analog
versions are mainly used as passive resistance sensors with potentiometers (e.g. with
face-plate or helical structures) or in combination with strain gauges. They may also be
manufactured as inductive sensors.

Figure 1.1 : Inductive immersion armature measuring system for oil-based hydraulics
For industrial measurement of displacement sensors are very often used in spite
of the modern trend towards digitalization. This is always the case when continuous
resolution is essential or when transitions in the signal need to be continuous rather than
occurring in steps, for example. Usually such sensors operate without contact using
optical, inductive or magnetic measurement techniques. The inductive and magnetic

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

systems are usually enormously superior to optical systems in terms of robustness and
resistance to dirt.
In industry the trends are leading increasingly towards digital processing of
measurements. This means that either a measuring system that intrinsically provides a
digital signal must be used or an analog-to-digital converter is needed to simply convert
analog signals into digital form.
The group of analog sensors, including sine and cosine potentiometers,
continues to play a key role alongside purely digital methods since it is easy to digitalize
the signals from them.
Digital displacement converters include incremental sensors that, although they
may be built on the basis of resistive or inductive sensors, may also involve
electrodynamics and electro-optical devices. Quantizing the sensor can be a means of
generating a discontinuous or discrete signal from the initial analog signal. Each of the
elements, i.e. quantized displacement unit, produces a pulse that can be input to a
counter. The counter status represents the measured displacement. These two steps,
quantization and counter display characterize the incremental method as a digital sensor
technique.

Figure 1.2 : a) b) Speed and angle transducer c) d) e) Analog systems with

characteristic
f) Digital systems with logic analyser trace
a) Fine-wire rotary voltage divider
b) Curved disc
d) Toothed disc with passive inductive (left) or active electrodynamics measuring
technique (right).
e) Perforated or slotted disc with photo-electric measuring technique
a) Angle of rotation

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Laboratory Module

The disadvantage of the simple technique is obvious. Since each individual value
is dependent on the previous one, any faulty reading means that all subsequent results
are erroneous. In the event of a power failure the current measured value is lost entirely.
A relative technique of this kind does, however, have the advantage that its zero point
can easily be set to be at any point.
For example, in order to detect the direction of motion using positional methods,
incremental methods require two sensors separated by half of one quantization unit, the
signals from which can then be evaluated by a logical network before being fed to an
up/down counter. It is not sufficient to detect the static signal from each track of the
pattern and to link them together, but the edges where the signal changes (e.g. lightdark transitions of elements) must also be detected. This requires quite a complicated
circuit.
Further refinements such as reference marks on a third track of the quantized
pattern, enable an immediate and well-defined usage of the counter after a power failure.
With special opto-electronic systems errors can even be detected by means of external
disturbance pulses or by the loss of certain pattern markings. (Moir strip technique).
Electro-optical methods have become widespread due their lack of wearing
components being entirely contact less and due to their relative lack of susceptibility to
to electrical interference. There are versions where the light passes right through the
components (transmission) or others where light is reflected (reflection). This applies to
both incremental and absolute sensors.
Absolute sensors
For sensors detecting absolute displacement, the entire measuring range needs
to be divided into discrete, numbered, quantized regions - as for all digital methods. In
contrast to incremental methods, these quantized regions are not simply counted by are
all provided with unique markings, e.g. by means of distinct quantized codes of a ruler.
These markings and thus each position correspond to a distinct and fixed numeric value.
The practical display of these numbers is achieved by means of suitable coding.
Absolute displacement and angle sensors are thus called decoded displacement
sensors (encoders).
Typical applications include digital displacement sensors used for numerically controlled
tools (NC or CNC). Incremental systems currently cover about 80% of this market.

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

Figure 1.3 : Position sensing for machine control

a) Direct measurement of position b) Indirect measurement of position

Figure 1.4 : Incremental measurement of position

Figure 1.5 : Absolute measurement of position

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

3.0 Equipments
3.1 Inductive displacement sensor card SO4203-5U
3.2 Capacitive displacement sensor card SO4203-5W
4.0 Experiments
( A ) Experiments - Inductive displacement measurement
Determining the sensor characteristic
The following experiment will determine the static characteristic of the sensor. The coil core should begin at its
lower limit and moved in steps towards its upper limit with the output voltage uOut being measured via the
measuring circuit for each position x. The input voltage to the bridge is set using the Function generator virtual
instrument and the output is measured on the virtual instrument Voltmeter A. The following diagram shows the
appropriate measurement circuit.

Figure 1.6 : Inductive displacement circuit

diagram

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

4.1

Laboratory Module

Assemble the following experiment circuit

Figure 1.7 : Inductive displacement circuit

4.2

First open the function generator and set the following parameters
Function generator settings
Power
On
Signal form
Sine
Amplitude
100 %
Factor
1:1
Frequency
5 kHz

4.3

Now open Voltmeter A and set the following parameters

Settings for Voltmeter A
Operating mode
DC
Display
P
Measuring range
5V

4.3

Move the core of the coil to its lower limit and measure the corresponding
output voltage uOut.

4.4

Move the core upwards in steps of 2.5 scale divisions and measure the
output in each case.

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

(B)

Laboratory Module

4.5

Enter the pairs of values you obtain into the table 1.1.

4.6

Then plot it to Chart 1.1 to see the characteristic of the sensor.

Experiments - Capacitive displacement measurement II

Determining the sensor characteristic
The following experiment will determine the static characteristic of the sensor. The movable capacitor plates are
moved in steps starting from the lower limit to the upper limit. For each position x the corresponding output
voltage uOut is measured via the measurement circuit. Voltmeter A is used to measure the output voltage. The
following diagram shows the appropriate measurement circuit.

Figure1.8 : Capacitive displacement

diagram.
4.1

Assemble the following experiment circuit.

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

4.2

Laboratory Module

Open Voltmeter A and set the following parameters

Settings for Voltmeter A
Operating mode
DC
Display
AV
Measuring range
10 V

4.3 Move the capacitor plate to its lower limit and measure the corresponding output
voltage uOut.
4.4 Move the core upwards in steps of 5 scale divisions and measure the output voltage
on each occasion.
4.5 Enter the pairs of values into the table 1.2.
4.6 Plot the values into Chart 1.2 to see the characteristic of the sensor.

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

5.0

Laboratory Module

Results
Table 1.1
X
0.00
2.50
5.00
7.50
10.00
12.50
15.00
17.50
20.00
22.50
25.00
27.50
30.00
32.50
35.00
37.50
40.00

Chart 1.1

uOut ( V )

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

Table 1.2
X
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
45.00
50.00
55.00
60.00

Chart 1.2

uOut ( V )

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

6.0 Discussion
6.1

In Experiment ( A ), what is the gain of the measurement amplifier in volts

per scale division for a displacement in the middle of the range?

6.2

In Experiment ( B ), what is the shape of the characteristic? How do you

explain the results?

6.3

Explain the errors occur during the experiment.

7.0 Exercise
7.1

What are operating principles for inductive displacement measurement?

7.2

Name two transducers use the inductive principle and explain briefly
a) Name / type

EPT 352/4 ( Instrumentation System )

Laboratory Module

b) Operation
c) Advantages
7.3

What are operating principles for capacitive displacement measurement?

7.4

Name two transducers use the capacitive principle and explain briefly
a) Name / type
b) Operation
c) Advantages