Abstract:
A two wire transmitter responsive to a pressure differential sensor includes a fixed module and a removable module. The fixed module is adapted for connection to an analog removable module having a compensation capacitance MACDA or a digital removable module having compensation capacitance CDD. Capacitance compensation circuitry is included in the fixed module which includes a compensation capacitance CDM which is selected whereby MACDA equals CDD when the analog removable module and the digital removable module are calibrated. This provides a pressure transfer function which is more linearized and less susceptible to temperature variations.
Abstract:
A two wire transmitter responsive to a pressure differential sensor includes a fixed module and a removable module. The fixed module is adapted for connection to an analog removable module having a compensation capacitance MACDA or a digital removable module having compensation capacitance CDD. Capacitance compensation circuitry is included in the fixed module which includes a compensation capacitance CDM which is selected whereby MACDA equals CDD when the analog removable module and the digital removable module are calibrated. This provides a pressure transfer function which is more linearized and less susceptible to temperature variations.
Abstract:
A pressure transducer has a stress isolator layer which permits the sensor to be non-resiliently mounted (hard mounted) to a mounting surface that in turn is subjected to strain. The strain of the mounting surface tends to induce undesired stress in the sensing diaphragm, and the present stress isolator layer minimizes the amount of stress that is transferred to the measuring diaphragm, to thereby reduce error. The spring preferably comprises a silicon leaf-type spring, with or without isolating slots, and is used in various combinations of diaphragms that are sensitive to pressure. The deflection of the diaphragm in response to pressure can be measured in any desired known manner such as with strain gage resistors, or through capacitive sensing.
Abstract:
A voltage-to-digital converter comprising a storage circuit for providing a storage capacitance with a plurality of selectable magnitudes. The storage circuit provides a charge output representative of applied voltage input signals and the selected capacitive magnitude. A charge accumulation circuit is coupled to the charge output. The total charge accumulated is proportional to the integral of the amount of charge discharged from the storage circuit. The charge accumulation circuit provides a balance output representative of a comparison of the accumulated charge and a reference charge. A control circuit is coupled to the balance output for providing feedback signals as functions of the balance output for periodically charging and discharging the storage capacitance whereby a first sequence of charge packets is provided on the charge output for driving the accumulation of charge toward the reference within a first set of limits when a first capacitive magnitude is selected in the storage circuit and whereby a second sequence of charge packets is provided on the charge output for driving the accumulation of charge toward the reference charge within a second set of limits when a second capacitive magnitude is selected in the storage circuit. A calculation circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit for counting the number of charged packets generated in a measurement cycle. An output circuit provides an output indicative of the voltage input signals as a function of the number of packets counted.
Abstract:
A measurement circuit (10) provides an output signal as a function of an input signal. The measurement circuit includes a charge generator (18) which provides packets of charge as a function of the input signal to a measurement element (34). The measurement element (34) measures the charge provided and provides a measurement signal as a function of the charge received. The measurement signal (28) is coupled to a feedback circuit (9) which couples to switches in the charge generator (18) to control production of charge packets. The feedback circuit (9) provides at least one output signal indicative of the quantity or number of charge packets provided.
Abstract:
A transmitter provides an output representative of a parameter. A generating circuit in the transmitter senses the parameter and provides charge packets having adjustable magnitudes to a measurement circuit. The measurement circuit measures the quantity of charge and provides a measurement signal representing the charge to a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit is controlled by the measurement signal and provides timed feedback signals to the generating means. The feedback signals control the generation and magnitude of the charge packets such that the charge coupled to the measurement circuit is finely balanced in a short measurement interval. The feedback means counts the number of charge packets provided during a measurement interval such that the numbers counted are representative of the sensed parameter.
Abstract:
A capacitive sensing cell is adapted for manufacture in a batch process, and uses a substrate or base from a rigid insulating material such as glass and a diaphragm assembly of a brittle semiconductor. The diaphragm assembly and the substrate are anodically bonded together. A very shallow recess is formed on either the diaphragm or the substrate to accommodate a deposited capacitor plate. Two such assemblies are connected together and the assembly is filled with noncompressible fluid to slightly bow the diaphragms away from the substrates. Differential pressure between the diaphragm assemblies is sensed by detecting the relative positions of the two diaphragms.
Abstract:
During manufacturing a unique encrypted authentication code is created for each product based upon device specific information relating to that product. The unique encrypted authentication code together with the device specific information is stored in a database, and a representation of the unique encrypted authentication code is stored on the product. To determine whether a product in question is authentic, the readable representation of the unique encrypted authentication code is read and sent to a server along with a request for product authentication. The server provides an indication of authenticity of the product in question based upon the unique encrypted authentication code received and the device specific information associated with that unique encrypted authentication code in the database.