Instrumentation
A sensor is only the beginning of a measurement. Instrumentation is the whole system around the sensor that turns a physical signal into reliable data. At Move we design the complete measurement chain with a focus on signal strength, noise, amplification, filtering, digitisation and timing, so the relevant signals can be measured accurately and reproducibly.
Instrumentation
From physical signal to reliable data
When we talk about sensors, it is primarily about the measuring principle itself and the component that registers a physical quantity. Instrumentation is the complete measurement system around the sensor. It covers the whole signal chain, from the moment the physical stimulus occurs until there is a digital data point that software, algorithms or a user can work with.
From signal to data
The whole measurement chain as one system
Small signals
A better signal-to-noise ratio
The right ADC
More than the number of bits
Battery-powered
The measurement chain sleeps between measurements
The whole measurement chain as one system
It may sound like a small difference, but in practice it is decisive. A very accurate sensor does not necessarily give an accurate measurement if the signal then drowns in noise, is amplified incorrectly or is digitised at too low a resolution. That is why we look at the whole measurement chain as one system.
As much of the relevant signal as possible
The first goal is to capture as much of the relevant signal as possible. That is about both the choice and placement of the sensor and understanding the physics behind the measurement. At the same time, we try to avoid or reduce unwanted signals from, for example, vibration, temperature changes, electrical noise, mechanical coupling or other influences from the surroundings.
The analogue front end
Next comes the measurement circuit. Many sensors do not deliver a signal that can be connected directly to a processor. The signal may be very small, be at an inconvenient voltage level or contain more noise than useful information. Here there may be a need for an analogue front end with, for example, amplification, filtering, impedance matching, excitation or level shifting before the signal can be digitised.
When the signal is very small
In some applications we work with very small signals. Here, component selection, PCB layout, grounding, shielding, reference sources and noise level become decisive. If the relevant signal makes up only a small part of the overall electrical environment, instrumentation is very much about improving the signal-to-noise ratio, so that the information we are looking for becomes clear enough to be used.
Digitisation has to suit the measurement
The digitisation also has to suit the measurement. Choosing an ADC is not just about the number of bits. Sampling rate, input range, reference, linearity, noise and the actual effective resolution all have to suit the signal. There is no point in using an ADC with a high theoretical resolution if the rest of the signal chain introduces more noise than the extra bits can represent.
Dynamics and measurement ranges
Instrumentation is therefore also about dynamics. Some measurement systems have to register both very small and very large signals. Here there may be a need for programmable gain, different measurement ranges or several signal paths, so the system can make the best use of the available resolution.
The measurement chain has to sleep between measurements
Battery-powered instruments add an extra requirement: the measurement chain cannot necessarily be active all the time. Here we design the system so that the relevant parts of the instrumentation can be shut down completely between measurements. When a measurement is due, the circuit has to be able to wake quickly, settle, carry out the measurement and shut down again.
That calls for a detailed understanding of both hardware and software. How long does a reference take to settle? When is the sensor ready? How long does an amplifier need to be active before the measurement? Can the processor sleep while an ultra-low-power part of the measurement circuit monitors the signal? Timing of this kind can have a big effect on battery life.
When the measurement affects what is being measured
In some measurement systems this also matters because the measurement itself can affect what you are trying to measure. A sensor can generate heat, add energy or change the physical state of the system. Here the solution may be to activate the sensor only briefly and take the measurement at a well-defined moment.
A value you can trust
At Move we develop instrumentation as one integrated system, in which sensor, analogue electronics, PCB, embedded software, mechanics and data analysis are considered together. The goal is not just to get a value out of a sensor. The goal is to be able to trust that value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sensor and instrumentation?
The sensor registers the physical quantity. The instrumentation is the whole system around the sensor, which processes, amplifies, filters and digitises the signal so that it can be used as reliable data.
What is an analogue front end?
An analogue front end is the circuit between the sensor and the digitisation. It can handle amplification, filtering, impedance matching, excitation and signal-level adjustment, among other things.
Can you measure very small signals?
Yes. With small signals we work with low-noise design, amplification, filtering, PCB layout, grounding, reference sources and other techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, among other things.
How is the right ADC chosen?
It depends on signal level, resolution, sampling rate, noise, dynamic range and precision requirements, among other things. The ADC has to be chosen as part of the whole measurement chain.
Can instrumentation be made for battery-powered products?
Yes. We can design the signal chain so that sensors, amplifiers and other circuits are only active during the measurement itself and are otherwise shut down to minimise energy consumption.
Can the measurement itself affect what is being measured?
Yes. In some systems the sensor can add heat or energy, or affect the object being measured in some other way. Here, timing, short measurement periods and intelligent control of the instrumentation can be decisive.
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