Signal conditioning

Signal conditioning is the manipulation of a signal in a way that prepares it for

the next stage of processing. Many applications involve environmental or
structural measurement, such as temperature and vibration, from sensors.
These sensors, in turn, require signal conditioning before a data acquisition
device can effectively and accurately measure the signal. Signal conditioning,
with respect to process monitoring and control engineering applications, is the
practice of preparing a raw input signal for use with instrumentation in a data
acquisition and/or control system.
Signal conditioning
The signal conditioning process typically involves one or more of the
following steps: isolating, filtering, amplifying, and converting a sensor
input signal to a proportional output signal that is transmitted to
another control device or system. Sometimes a signal conditioner can
perform computation functions such as totalization, integration,
pulse-width modulation, linearization, and other math operations on a
signal.
 Feedback- Process Control Terminology
The various components that make up a control system are seen
in the diagram here. Each of these components has its own
characteristics, and changing any single component will change
the overall response of the control loop.
A simple control loop, shown above, is comprised of six major
parts:
Controlled Variable
The controlled variable is a process parameter being controlled. In the
example here, water level in the tank is the controlled variable, but it
can be any process you wish to control. Controlling this variable is the
primary function of process control. Controlled variable is indicated
with the letter “c.”
Process variable

• Process Variable (abbreviated ‘PV’)

Whatever’s being measured and
controlled in the control loop
• Signal coming from the field
transmitter
• Examples: Temperature, pressure,
flow, level, pH, relative humidity,
conductivity
 Measured Variable
The measured variable is the electronic or pneumatic representation of
the value of the controlled variable. The measured variable typically
comes from a transmitter, which measures the controlled variable and
produces an output representative of it. In the example here, the level
transmitter is measuring level in the tank (the controlled variable) and
converting that level to a 4-20 milliamp signal. Measured variable is
indicated with the letter “b.”
 Setpoint
The measured variable is sent to the controller in the loop, where it is
compared to a desired value called the setpoint. The setpoint and the
measured variable are compared in order to produce an error signal.
The setpoint is often manually entered by an operator, but it can also
be automatically obtained from other systems. Setpoint is indicated
with the letter “r.”
 Setpoint
• Setpoint (abbreviated ‘SP’) The desired result of control
• It’s where you set the thermostat
 Error Signal
The error signal is the difference between the measured level and the
setpoint. It can be either a negative or positive value. The error signal is
then added to the base signal level of the controller to create the
controller output. For example, the base, or initial output, value of the
controller may be 50% with a zero error signal. Any error signal
developed by the controller is then added or subtracted to this 50%
base level. Error signal is indicated with the letter “e.”
Controller
Reads the measured Process Variable What you got

•Knows what you want setpoint

•Compares what you got (PV) to what you want (SP)

•Makes a decision based on the comparison Hold steady
Increase
Decrease

•Holds or changes its output

Controller Output
The controller output is simply the total output of the controller. With
the controller in automatic, the output is calculated by the controller
itself. If the controller is placed in manual, the output can be manually
adjusted to any desired position. Controller output is indicated with the
letter “p.”
 Manipulated Variable
The manipulated variable is the parameter that is adjusted to bring the
process back to the desired setpoint. The manipulated variable in this
case is the water entering the tank. The water flow is manipulated in
order to keep the level constant as the output demand changes.
Manipulated variable is indicated with the letter “m.”
Why do we need temperature controllers?
• Temperature controllers are needed in any situation requiring a given
temperature be kept stable. This can be in a situation where an object is required
to be heated, cooled or both and to remain at the target temperature (setpoint),
regardless of the changing environment around it. There are two fundamental
types of temperature control; open loop and closed loop control. In a closed loop
application, the output temperature is constantly measured and adjusted to
maintain a constant output at the desired temperature.