Variable Capacitance Transducers

and
Piezoelectric Sensors
How can we change capacitance?
A: Overlapping area of the two plates

k: Permittivity (dependent on medium between plates)

x: Distance between the two plates

Mechanical Methods
Electronic/Digital Methods
Called “varicap” diodes.

Uses p-n junction depletion zone width

to vary the capacitance by changing
the voltage
Measuring Capacitance: Potentiometer
Measuring Capacitance: Charge Amplifier
Measuring Capacitance: Capacitance Bridge
Compensator capacitor Z1
compensates for ambient effects
on the capacitance of the sensor
Z2 equally. (linear effects only)
Measuring Capacitance: RLC Circuit
- Given a precise value of L.

- Measure resonant frequency ω0

-
Piezoelectric Effect
Electric field is generated when a material is under
strain, leading to a change in charge polarization.

Positive and negative charges should be asymmetric

under strain.
Piezoelectric Effect Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XABS0dR15o
Charge and Voltage Sensitivity
Sq: charge sensitivity

q: generated charge

F: force applied

F = stress * area = p * A

Sv: Voltage sensitivity

d: crystal thickness
Signal conditioning with a piezoelectric sensor
- High output impedance

- Very low time constant

- Very fast discharge time
Other applications
Piezoelectric accelerometers

Loudspeakers

Precise motors