RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

STRAIN GAGE AS USB INTERFACE

- MODEL 9205 USB INTERFACE SENSOR

Submitted to: Prof.K.Govardhan, A1 slot. Submitted by: Yashwanth Agrawal, 10bec0464

INTRODUCTION:
If any development in measurement techniques or in electronics is made, we can observe that the physical phenomenon or the principle behind the development remains the same but what changes is: Ease in usage/making measurements Providing a wider range of applications Causing less damage(if any chances) Should be efficient

Out of all the above mentioned points, the last one is of more importance. So, here is a report on the recent development made in the measurement technique of the strain gage. Strain gage finds applications in many fields. With todays emphasis on product liability and energy efficiency, designs must not only be lighter and stronger, but also more thoroughly tested than before. This places new importance on the subject of experimental stress analysis and the techniques for measuring strain. . Examining the evolution of computer technology in mankind, people came with a thought that why cant be there a mechanism by which strain gage can be directly accessed through a computer. This led to a new development Strain gage as USB interface. It is named Model 9205 USB sensor interface. The model 9205 USB sensor interface is intended for acquisition and processing of sensor signals. It is a user- configurable, single channel device or optionally a multi channel device housed in a desktop unit. The device is configures via USB port.The model 9205 USB sensor interface is idelly suited to measuring mechaincal variables such as force, torque, pressure, acceleration, displacement and angle. It makes acquisition and processing of strain gage, potentiometric and standard signals straight foraward. The advantageous point is the device itself generates a stable and precise sensor supply voltage.The ccalibbration and configuration data is saved in an EEPROM to prevent data loss in the event of power failure.

PREPARATION:
In this topic, we will study about how the initial preparations are done to make the device ready for usage. 1. For installation, the device can be fixed in place using standard screw-clips or cable ties.

2. For protection, the line unit of the device has IP65 degree of protection. This means that the device is protected against ingress of water and ingress of solid bodies of diameter greater than equal to 12.5mm. 3. Regarding ambient temperature, the permitted ambient temperature for the device using operation is 0 to 50 degree Celsius. The device can be stored at temperatures between -10 to +70 degree Celsius. So, the device must be used in particular ambient temperatures. 4. PCB for the device needs some terminal assignments when the device is to be used for the first time. That information would be given at the end of this report. 5. Software installation, since the model 9205 is a USB interface there should be a software installation for the device to work in. There are some system requirements for this device to operate with its USB port. Some of them are: Processor: minimum recommended, Pentium 2.0GHz Graphics: min. VGA 800*600, min. 256 colors Memory: min. 64 MB RAM (Win 2000, Win XP) Operating systems: Windows 200x, Windows XP, Vista So, the software must be installed in our systems. See to that the system matches all the requirements specified by the manufacturer. 6. There is an option for multi channel version, which provides a graphical display facility for up to eight model 9205 USB interfaces in parallel. Now, the interface is ready for usage as all the preparations are done.

INITIAL OPERATION:
Internal signal processing is done as a part of the initial operation. The A/D convertor amplifies and converts the signals according to design and type of the connected sensor. The A/D convertor digitizes all incoming signals with a resolution of 16 bits. The analog multiplexer and A/D convertors are controlled by the micro processor present inside. In order to increase the measurement accuracy in this case, the user can select to use averaging as part of signal conditioning. Supply voltage: The device takes it supply voltage from the USB pot of the connected PC or USB hub. In multi channel version, power is supplied from external power supply unit included in the package. To avoid unnecessary noise on the supply voltage line of the single channel devices, it is recommended to use a external voltage supply for sensors with high current consumption. The maximum amount of power consumption in this device is 0.2VA. As said above, the device offers a wide range of applications compared to normal strain gage. Some of them are as follows:

Create device configurations offline and online Create and reload back-ups of device configurations Print device configurations Perform teach-in of sensor signals View measurement in graphical displays Make general settings Conveniently archive measurement reports Export into excel sheet files

Once the device is found as connected it can be interfaced very easily. All we have to enter is device name, serial number of the particular device connected, software version of it, calibration date is updated whenever a new data is transferred to the device. Averaging if necessary is done (which prevents the high noise components as mentioned earlier in this report). You can also set the decimal value up to which the measurement is to be done. They generally range from 0 to 4 places. You have to set the Units for the respective measurements which are to be done.

CALIBRATION OF STRAIN GAGE SENSORS:

This is the most important topic of this report. This part shows how the calibration is made for this device, so that it acts as a strain gage. The calibration procedure is used to define the relationship between electric measurement signal from the connected strain gage sensor (lower calibration value, upper calibration value) and the measurement that is to be displayed (lower scale value, upper scale value). It is a simple two point calibration procedure.

Terms: Rated load -> Upper scale value Zero signal -> Zero point, Zero signal with no assembly parts, lower calibration value Rated output -> output signal at rated load, sensitivity in preferential measurement direction, upper calibration value. Types of connection: The model 9205 USB sensor has been developed primarily for use with 350 ohm full bridge strain gages. 4-wire technology:

A measuring chain contains a number of components, each contributing to the overall measurement accuracy of the test setup. To avoid these accuracy problems, 4 wire circuit can be calibrated as a unit as the complete measuring chain.

CALIBRATION OF POTENTIOMETRIC DISPLACEMENT SENSORS:

This method involves two stage online teach in of sensor data to device, where two teach in states are applied sequentially. The first state is the lower scale value and the second one is upper scale value. Set the displacement sensor to the zero position (0.00mm), usually this is when the sliding shaft of the sensor is fully pushed in, but there may be slight differences in electrical and mechanical zero points. Steps to be followed:

1. Enter the lower scale value of the measurement range. The value of the voltage at input of the device appears in the field as lower calibration value. 2. Enter the upper scale value of the measurement range. Move the sliding shaft using a calibrated gage block to s=100mm to set the upper scale value. . The value of the voltage at input of the device appears in the field as lower calibration value. 3. These sensor parameters are transferred.

Sensor excitation voltage: The maximum sensor excitation voltage for the potentiometric displacement sensor is specified in test and calibration certificate. To enable practical measurements, choose excitation voltage to be 4 V. Connection:

CALIBRATION OF TRANSMITTERS OR SENSORS HAVING A STANDARD SIGNAL OUTPUT:

Connection:

The connector pin numbering for the sensor is given in test and calibration certificate.

The measurement signal from the transmitter to be connected, or the standard signal, must lie in the specified range of -5 to +5 volts.

MEASUREMENT MODE:
Display: The measurement curve is displayed in a line graph of measurement value plotted against time. A separate measurement curve is displayed for each measurement channel. The MIN and MAX values are also shown along with the curve. The measurement can be stopped or started using a trigger with a suitable stop or start condition. Using channel settings, the color and shape of the measurement curves and displayable symbols can also be specified. Selecting the measurement rate: There are two different acquisition modes for which you can select the measurement rate. They are: SOPM Speed optimized polling mode. For this mode, measurement rates of 0.1 to 1000 measurements per second are possible. SOSM Speed optimized streaming mode. For this mode, measurement rates of 20 to 2000 measurements per second are possible. Report: Reports are classified under two different types: Measurement report. Report for each separate device involved in the series of measurements. Group report. This includes each measurement report in series of measurements held.

As mentioned earlier in the report, the reports obtained can be exported into excel sheets using software techniques. Reports can also be printed.

TECHNICAL DATA:

CONCLUSION:
So, in this report about model 9205 USB sensor we have discussed how the initial preparations for the device are made, about initial operation, about the calibrations and the connections. The point which is to be noticed is depending on the connecting pin number the device acts as a strain gage, potentiometric displacement sensor and so on. We are also provided with graphical analysis and measurement reports without any manual work done. They are readily obtained using software installations. In this way, this device has got a wider range of applications. This development in the strain gage measurement system was made in the year 2007.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
I would like to thank my professor K.Govardhan sir, for giving me an opportunity to make a report on the recent developments in the measurement techniques employed in industries. I also thank for his cordial support for having this report done.

REFERENCES:
All the information regarding connections and circuit diagrams were referred from the manufacturer manual of the model 9205 USB sensor interface.

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