Analogue instrumentation

In order to be able to reduce prices, even more and more test- and measurement systems are integrated on PC-boards. The powerful and inexpensive PC eomponents can be directly u.sed for these (virtual) instruments. The limited dimensions of the PC boards require a reduction to the absolute necessity of the electronic components. Analogue signal proeessing must carried out by software as far as possible. 

M to 9 Direct acting indicating analogue electrical measuring instruments and their accessories 1248 1 to 9 BS 89-1 to 9 ... 

The requirements for an instrumental method of specifying reflected color include a light source, the colored object and a detector. What this means is that all we need is a source, an object and a detector. However, since the response characteristics of these optical components are not linear, nor flat, we need an analogue system in order to be able to measure color. 

However, these analogues are actually hypothetical. The reason for this is that it is nearly impossible to obtain optical measurement components, such as the source and the detector, whose response to light across the visible spectrum is flat (or nearly so). However, this is not an impossible task and we find that an excellent match can be obtained to the transmission functions of 7.8.21., i.e.-those of the Standard Observer. This is typical for commercially available instruments. Now, we have an instrument, called a Colorimeter, capable of measuring reflective color. 

The actual analogue values we need to measure reflectance are given on the next page as 7.8.30. as follows. Note that the optical response curves of the measuring parts, i.e.- the non-linearity of the source and detector, are now corrected in the response of the overall instrument. 

Photodiodes are the modem analogues to photocells. They increase their electrical resistance under light impact which, as part of an electric circuit, can be measured easily. Many current instruments display diode arrays instead of a single diode. Tens of photodiodes are arranged in a tight area. They are exposed to the sample bound spectrum where they respond to the color that corresponds to their positions in the diode array. A rapid, periodically performed electrical interrogation of all diodes (sequence periodicity in the order of milliseconds) reveals a quasi-stationary stable spectrogram. More sophisticated than photodiodes are phototransistors. They amplify internally the photoelectric effect, but the sensitivity of a photomultiplier cannot be achieved. 

In this series of instruments for analytical electrochemistry, Philips also supplies the microprocessor-controlled PW 9527 digital conductivity meter with 16 push-buttons and on the rear an analogue output for connection to a recorder and a 25-way connector providing a two-way RS 232 serial connection (see Philips leaflet 9498 362 9326). 

This technique is of high accuracy and is meant to be used in precision measurement instrumentation, for it is inherently insensitive to the DC-offset and the AC-noise in the sinusoidal signal which can be substantially reduced by a great variety of electronic devices ranging from various electronic analogue filters, and digital filters to the most effective lock-in amplifiers. 

Four serial (RS232) ports are provided for flexible communications to other instruments, i.e. autosamplers. In addition, five analogue inputs, tvsro analogue outputs and 3 TTL input/outputs are provided to ensure complete flexibility. These allow auxihary instruments under direct control and the abihty to process data generated by these in real time. These features extend the range of facihties on these expensive but worthwhile analytical techniques. There is no doubt that future developments in computing will continue to have a radical impact on these instrumental systems. 

From the late 1930s to the mid-1960s, the second generation appeared. These instruments used sensors to convert chemical or physical properties into electrical signals. Electrical circuits were then employed to produce meaningful data (Fig. 8.3). Analysts interacted with these instruments using knobs and switches to obtain data from output devices such as analogue meters and strip chart recorders. 

After suitable amplification, the signal may be read out using a variety of different approaches. Older instruments used an analogue meter as a means of read-out. Considerable advances have been made in read-out systems... 

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