초록 ▼

An adaptable method and apparatus for calibrating and conditioning sensor output to conform to a desired transfer function is provided. In one form, the invention allows use of a sensor system having nonlinear output characteristics when measuring a physical quantity and provides a response which va

An adaptable method and apparatus for calibrating and conditioning sensor output to conform to a desired transfer function is provided. In one form, the invention allows use of a sensor system having nonlinear output characteristics when measuring a physical quantity and provides a response which varies linearly to changes in the physical quantity. In the calibration phase, a look-up table is built based on inputs from the sensor system and a reference transducer which behaves in the desired fashion to changes in the physical quantity. In the operation phase, the sensor system measures the unknown physical quantity and enters the look-up table to determine a corresponding reference value. Thus, the present invention adapts a sensor system to an application without restrictive considerations to individualized operating performance of the sensor system or environment of the application.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for conditioning the output characteristics of a sensor to conform to a desired transfer function, where the normal output of the sensor in measuring a physical quantity of interest deviates from the desired transfer function, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the physical quantity in

A method for conditioning the output characteristics of a sensor to conform to a desired transfer function, where the normal output of the sensor in measuring a physical quantity of interest deviates from the desired transfer function, comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the physical quantity in a first condition with a reference transducer having the desired transfer function; (b) measuring the physical quantity in the first condition with the sensor; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) with the physical quantity in a plurality of different conditions; (d) building a changeable look-up table with the plurality of measurements of steps (a)-(c), where for each condition a sensor measurement corresponds to a reference transducer measurement conforming to the desired transfer function; (e) measuring the physical quantity in an unknown condition using the sensor; (f) conditioning the sensor measurement of step (e) to obtain an output conforming to the desired transfer function by adjusting the sensor output by providing real time feedback signals to obtain an adjusted sensor output and including the substeps determining a corresponding reference transducer measurement using the adjusted sensor output from the look-up table, and outputting the reference transducer measurement from the look-up table.