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Learn to Build a Photoelectric Sensor System Using an Arduino Uno and OpenPLC

Since photoelectric sensing can be achieved with electrical, electromechanical, and electronic components, learn to build, test, and implement a prototype photoelectric switch using off-the-shelf components with Arduino OpenPLC.

March 12, 2023 by Don Wilcher

RTD Signal Conditioning—4-Wire Configuration, Ratiometric Measurement, & Filtering

Learn about RTD (resistance temperature detector) signal conditioning through a four-wire configuration, ratiometric measurement, and input RC filters.

November 18, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

RTD Signal Conditioning—Voltage vs Current Excitation in 3-wire Configurations

Learn about resistance temperature detector (RTD) signal conditioning techniques such as voltage vs. current excitation and the three-wire configuration for dealing with the lead and wire resistance error.

November 11, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

An Introduction to RTD Sensor Signal Conditioning Circuits

Learn about the basics of different signal conditioning circuits for RTD applications, including a voltage divider, Wheatstone bridge circuit, and delta-sigma (ΔΣ) converter.

October 30, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Magnetic Field Strength Meter and Calibrator

This project will explain how to develop a system to measure magnetic field emissions at frequencies up to 150 kHz from high-current power cables without cutting or disturbing the cable.

October 28, 2022 by John Woodgate

Modeling RTD Resistance-temperature Characteristics

Model the characteristic curve of a resistance temperature detector (RTD) and the common standards used to characterize these devices like the alpha parameter and Callendar-Van Dusen equation.

October 23, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

RTD Basics—An Introduction to Resistance Temperature Detectors

Learn the basics of RTDs, namely the trade-offs of using RTD temperature sensors, the metals used in these sensors, thin film RTDs, and wire-wound RTDs.

October 09, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Ratiometric Resistance Measurement Basics Using an Analog to Digital Converter

Learn the basics of ratiometric resistance measurements in analog to digital (A/D) converters, how it's measured, and example uses in a digital multimeter (DMM), microprocessor, and various resistive sensors.

October 07, 2022 by Harry Trietley

Introduction to Temperature Sensors: Thermistors, Thermocouples, RTDs, and Thermometer ICs

Learn about different temperature sensors, namely: thermistors, thermocouples, RTDs (resistive temperature detectors), analog thermometer ICs and digital thermometer ICs.

September 16, 2022 by Nick Davis

Thermocouple Cold Junction Compensation Using Analog Temperature Sensors

Learn how analog circuits can be used to implement cold junction compensation using examples from Analog Devices and Texas Instrument's TMP35 and LM335 temperature sensors, respectively.

September 09, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Thermocouple Basics—Using the Seebeck Effect for Temperature Measurement

Learn about the Seebeck effect and how the Seebeck voltage and Seebeck coefficient come into play within the scope of thermocouples and temperature measurement.

August 14, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Thermocouple Principles—the Seebeck Effect and Seebeck Coefficient

Learn about the Seebeck effect, the Seebeck coefficient, and their relationship with temperature.

July 10, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Allan Variance—Non-overlapping and Overlapping Allan Variance

Learn about non-overlapping and overlapping Allan variance and how the Allan variance curve can be used to identify different types of random errors present in a signal.

July 08, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Accelerometer Specifications: Measurement Range, Sensitivity, and Noise Performance

Learn about capacitive MEMS accelerometer specifications for measurement range, sensitivity, and noise performance for both digital- and analog-output accelerometers.

March 13, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Accelerometer Mounting Methods: Types, Effects, and Solutions

In this article, learn about the different methods for mounting accelerometers, their effect on accelerometer frequency response, and solutions for mounting a MEMS accelerometer.

February 20, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

What Does an Accelerometer Output When It Isn’t Moving? Zero-g Bias

In this article, learn about zero-g offset and zero-g bias level, how it pertains to capacitive MEMS accelerometers, as well as accelerometer offset calibration to trim out offset error.

January 23, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Capacitive Accelerometers: Measuring Acceleration with Capacitive Sensing

In this article, we'll discuss how to use capacitive sensing to measure acceleration.

December 12, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs)

Looking for a succinct intro to LVDTs? This article will explain LVDT basics, including structure, circuit, transfer function, linear range, sensitivity, and more.

May 09, 2021 by Dr. Steve Arar

Introduction to Electric Vehicle Battery Systems

Electric vehicle design is a complex concept. Here's a look at the heart of every EV: the battery.

July 31, 2019 by Erik Johnson

Hardware Security Vulnerabilities that Engineers Should Know

Why should engineers care about hardware security? Because they can help prevent vulnerabilities through design!

July 12, 2019 by Mark Hughes