2.

Sensor Properties
2.0 Introduction

2.1 Static Properties

Sensitivity (Empfindlichkeit),
Sensitivity to influence effects (Empfindlichkeit auf
Einflussgren),
Resolution (Auflsung),
Reproducibility (Reproduzierbarkeit),
Linearity (Linearitt),
Hysteresis (Hysterese),
Drift,
Errors(Ausfall)

2.2 Dynamic Properties

Dead time (Totzeit)
Slow rate (Anstiegszeit)
Delay Time (Verschiebungszeit)
Settling Time (Einschwingzeit)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-1

2.0 Introduction

Application

Sensor

Sensor?
Which criterions
are important?

Special
Requirements

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

Principe
Typ
Packaging
.

P. 2-2

2.0 Introduction
Preselection of sensors
Application conditions: Temperature, Polluants, contacting
Efficiency, long time stability, .....
Geometrical dimensions, integrability
Sensor

Sc hnittstelle

T
Signalauswertung

Typical
values

P. 2-3

Resistance Thermometer

P. 2-4

Example of a Data Sheet of a Resistance Thermometer Pt 100

P. 2-5

Beispiel: Datenblatt eines Widerstandsthermometers (Pt100)

P. 2-6

Capacitive fill
level sensor

P. 2-7

Capacitive fill
level sensor

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

S. 2-8

2.1 Static Properties

Sensitivity
Sensitivity on influence factors
Resolution
Reproducibility
Linearity

Hysteresis
Drift

Failure
Precision

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-9

2.1 Static Properties

Sensitivity
Changes of the signal versus changes of the input

X a
E
MeasQ

Sensor
Output
Signal
Ausgangs-

Sensitive
empfindlich

signal

Xa

A high sensitivity is important!

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

Saturation
Sttigung

Messgre
Measured
Quantity

P. 2-10

2.1 Static Properties

Sensitivity: Example NTC-Resistance

R R0 e

1 1
b
T T0

dR
E
dT

b b
T0 T

R0 e e

b b
T0 T

b
b
R0 e e 2 2 R
T
T

b: Material Constant
R0: Resistance at the Temperature T0
1x106

dR/dt in

800x103

R in

600x103
400x10
200x10

-10000
-20000
-30000

better sensititvity

-40000

-50000
-60000
-50

50

100

150

200

T in C

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

-50

50

100

150

200

T in C

P. 2-11

2.1 Static Properties

Sensitivity and Accuracy
Output Signal y y
Ausgangssignal

Sensor1

Sensor2
Dy

Dx1

Dx2

Measured
Quantity
Messgre
x x

For a more sensistive sensor an observed change of the sensor signal Dy

corresponds to a smaller change Dx of the measured quantity
A measurement deviation at the output signal leads to a smaler deviation of the
measurement quantity
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-12

2.1 Static Properties

Sensitivity to Influence Factors
Sensitivity on modifying input

Sensorsignal
Sensor
Signal

Sensor signal changes depending

on variable which different to the
measurement quantity

Einflussgre
T:T:Influence
Factor

e. g. Influence of temperature on
- Changes of material properties
- Changes of activation energies
- Changes of transport mechanisms (Diffusion)

Messgre
Measured
Quantity

Cross Sensitivity
Sensitivity to Interfering inputs
Sensor reacts on the same way on the measurand and the interfering inputs
e. g.: A gas sensor for oxygen shows sensitivity to other gases
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-13

2.1 Static Properties

Resolution
..smallest change of the input signal leading to an
observable change of the output signal
Typical Description

xx Measurand
xx % of the upper range value

Example: Resolution of a Person Scales: 100 g

Example: Potentiometer
Sensor signal changes is steps
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-14

2.1 Static Properties

Resolution of Analog/Digital-Converters

Example:
A/D-converters of 8 Bit resolution
n=8 Bit
11001001
LSB: Least Significant Bit
Umin 00000001
Umax 11111111

DU LSB
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

U max U min
2n
P. 2-15

2.1 Static Properties

Reproducibility /Repeatability
Sensor system delivers not the same
value, even if the measurement
conditions remain the same

Possible Causes:
Thermal Noise
Material elasticity
Contamination of Bio and Gas Sensors

Measurand

Typical description:

Dymax
D
MBE

Dymax : Maximal deviation of the output signal

MBE: end value of the measurement range

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-16

2.1 Static Properties

Linearity
The transfer behaviour of a system is not linear
Cause: measurement principle
Examination by linearization or numerical differenciation

typical description:

Dymax

Dymax
D
MBE
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-17

2.1 Static Properties

Example: Linearity Deviation of an NTC-Resistance

R R0 e

1 1
b
T T0

b b
T0 T

R0 e e

100

800x103

80

DR/Rmax in %

1x106

R in

600x103
400x103
200x10

60
40
20

y= 127811 - 2233 x

-200x103

0
-20

-400x103
-50

50

100

150

200

-50

T in C

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

50

100

150

200

T in C

P. 2-18

2.1 Static Properties

Hysteresis
Sensor output signal is dependent on previous values
of the input

Sensor signal is dependent of the history

The dependence of the output signal from
input signal is not unique!

Causes
Hysteresis of Materials like ferromagnetics
Friction and settlement of multipart (Screwed or clamped)
messurement setups

typ. Angabe:

Dymax
D
MBE

Plastic deformation of the assmbly between chip and

packaging

P. 2-19

2.1 Static Properties

Aging/Drift

Drift: is a special type of aging describing:

slow changes with time

Causes, e. g. :
- of Materials
- Setting of atoms in the cristal grid

Output Signal

Properties of the sensor system change with time.

Tolerance Band

calibration!
Time

Ageing is dependent on the application conditions

Linear Sensors:
Drift of the zero point
Drift of sensitivity
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-20

2.1 Static Properties

Failure
MTBF (Mean Time between Failures)

MTTR (Mean Time to Repair)

Availability of a sensor system

MTBF
V
MTBF MTTR
[DIN EN/IEC61709]

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-21

2.2 Dynamic Properties

Characterization of dynamic behaviour
Step-Function

Linear
system
Impulse

Linear
system
Frequency excitation
x(t)=x0sin(wt)

Linear
system

y(t)=y0sin(wt+j)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun

Professur fr Mess- und Sensortechnik

H0(w) Amplitude
j(w) Phase
S. 1-22

2.2 Dynamic Properties

Step Response of a Sensor System (general case!)

tL: Dead time (Totzeit)

tA: Slow rate, rise time (Anstiegszeit)
tV: Delay time (Verschiebungszeit)
tE: Settling time (Einschwingzeit)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Chair for Measurement and Sensor Technology

P. 2-23

2.2 Dynamic Properties

Dynamic Correction of Linear Systems
xe(t)

xa(t)

xo(t)= xa(t)

F(P)

1/F(P)

sensor

Correction of
dynamic
behaviour

* g(t)

xo (t ) xa (t ) d xa (t ) * g (t )
0

Transferfunktion:

g(t ) L11/ F (P )

see chapter applications of amplification circuits

Prof. Dr.-Ing. O. Kanoun
Professur fr Mess- und Sensortechnik

S. 1-24