www.rejinpaul.

com

ANAND INSTITUTE OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY

Chennai-603 103

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERING

om
Subject code: EI2252 Semester: IV
Subject Name: TRANSDUCER ENGINEERING Class: II EIE A&B

Faculty: R.UMASHANKARI

.c
UNIT I- SCIENCE OF MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION OF

TRANSDUCERS

ul
PART A

1. What do you mean by static calibration? [NOV/DEC 2013]

All the static performance characteristics are obtained in one form or the other by a
pa
process called static calibration.

2. What do you mean by Calibration? [May/June 2012]

Calibration is the process of making an adjustment or making a scale so that the readings
jin
of an instrument agree with the accepted and the certified standard.

3. Classify transducers. [May/June 2012]

On the basis of transduction form used, transducer is classified as,
.re

i. primary and secondary transducers

ii. active and passive transducers
iii. analog and digital transducers
4. What is a Standard? What are the different types of Standards? [Nov/Dec 2011]
[May/June 2011]
w

The physical embodiment of a unit of measurement is a standard. For example, the

fundamental unit of mass in the International System is the kilogram and defined as the
mass of a cubic decimeter of water at its temperature of maximum density of 4˚C.
w

Types:
i. International Standards
ii. Primary Standards
w

iii. Secondary Standards

iv. Working Standards
5. What are the classifications of transducers? [Nov/Dec 2011]
On the basis of transduction form used, transducer is classified as,
i. primary and secondary transducers
 www.rejinpaul.com

ii. active and passive transducers

iii. analog and digital transducers
6. What is an electrical transducer? Give examples. [May/June 2011]
The output in the form of electrical eg: LVDT, POT
7. Define transducer. [May/June 2011]

om
A transducer or pickup is a device that converts any physical quantity into an electrical
quantity for the purpose of measurement.
8. Distinguish passive and active transducers and give an example of each. [May/June
2010] [Nov/Dec 2009] [NOV/DEC 2013]

S.No. Active Transducer Passive Transducer

1. The quantity to be measured The output is produced entirely

.c
activates some external power by the quantity being measured.
input source, which in turn
produces the output.

ul
2. Additional external energy Additional external energy input
input source is required. source is not required.
3. The resolution is high The resolution is less.
4. Complicated to design
pa Simple to design.
5. Examples are liquid level Examples are pressure
indicator, flow indicator gauge,voltmeter,ammeter

9. What is primary calibration? [May/June 2010]

Primary calibration means testing an instrument for accuracy and sensitivity throughout
jin
the complete range specified by the manufacturer.
10. Define Calibration. Name some calibration methods. [Nov/Dec 2009]
Primary calibration means testing an instrument for accuracy and sensitivity throughout
the complete range specified by the manufacturer.
.re

11. Differentiate gross errors and systematic errors. [Nov/Dec 2009]

Gross: This error is mainly due to human mistakes in reading or in using instruments or
errors in recording observations. cannot be treated mathematically. The Systematic
Errors These errors occur due to shortcomings of, the instrument, such as defective or
worn parts, or ageing or effects of the environment on the instrument.
w

PART B

1. (a) (i) How instrument errors are classified? Explain about the causes and
w

remedies for each error in detail. [May/June 2012]

(ii) In a test temperature is measured 100 times with variations in apparatus

w

and procedures. After applying the corrections, the results are:

Temperature ˚C : 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405
Frequency : 1 3 12 23 37 16 4 2 2
Calculate the arithmetic mean, the average deviation, the standard
deviation and the probable error. [NOV/DEC 2013]
 www.rejinpaul.com

(b) (i) Classify standards and give example for each level of standard.

(ii) Explain the criteria for selection of transducer for a particular application.
2. (a) (i) Explain the following errors that occurs in a measurement system.

om
(i) Gross error
(ii) Systematic error
(iii) Random error [Nov/Dec 2011]

(b) (i) Describe the selection criteria of a transducer for a particular application.
3. (a) (i) Discuss the need for calibration of an instrument and describe the different

.c
calibration procedures.
(ii) Define
1. Instrumental error

ul
2. Limiting error
3. Calibration error
4. Random error

(b) (i)
pa
5. Probable error [May/June 2011]

Define transducers and explain in brief

(ii) Write a brief note on classification of standards

4. (a) Explain the class of standards available for use and calibration process.
jin
(b) Explain the different classifications of error in measurement system and
explain how they are corrected? [May/June 2010]
5. (a) Explain in detail about statistical analysis of random errors.
[Nov/Dec 2009]
.re

(b) Define calibration. Explain the different calibration methods.

6. (a) (i) Explain in detail the classification of errors in instruments and also
explain the causes and remedies for them. [NOV/DEC 2013]
(ii) Differentiate fundamental and derived units with examples.
w
w
w
 www.rejinpaul.com

UNIT II - CHARACTERISTICS OF TRANSDUCERS

PART A

om
1. Define Sensitivity and Linearity of an instrument. [May/June 2012]
Sensitivity should be taken depending on the operating point. The sensitivity is expressed
in output unit/input unit. Linearity is a measure of the maximum deviation of the plotted
transducer response from a specified straight line.
4
2. An instrument’s transfer function is given by (S) = ----- .Find the response of the

.c
system
s+4
for a unit step input. [May/June 2012]

ul
Response is linear.

3. Distinguish between accuracy and precision. [Nov/Dec 2011]

Accuracy is the closeness to true value where as precision is the closeness amongst the
pa
readings. Precision is the degree of closeness with which a given value may be repeatedly
measured.
4. Explain how the nonlinearity of a measuring system is defined and estimated? [Nov/Dec
2009]
The output is not linearly proportional to the input.
jin
5. Distinguish Range and Span of an instrument. [Nov/Dec 2009]
Range: The scale range of an instrument is defined as the minimum and maximum
values between which the instrument can provide output values.
Span: The scale span of an instrument is defined as the difference between the maximum
.re

and minimum values of the instrument.

6. Obtain the step response of a first order system. [Nov/Dec 2011]
Step response
y(t) = Ak (1-e-t/τ)
Step Input
w
w
w

𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡)=𝑘𝑘 for 𝑡𝑡 > 0

 www.rejinpaul.com

=0 for 𝑡𝑡 < 0

7. Differentiate between accuracy and precision. [May/June 2011]

Accuracy Precision

om
It is measure of degree of closeness It is a measure of degree of closeness
between the measured and true values. among the measured values.
If an instrument is accurate, it can be If an instrument is precise, It cannot be
concluded that it is free from errors. concluded whether it is error free or not

.c
8. Differentiates static and dynamic characteristics of an instrument. . [May/June 2010]

S.No. Static characteristics Dynamic characteristics

ul
1. The set of criteria defined for the The set of criteria defined based
instruments, which are used to on dynamic differential
measure the quantities.
pa equations.
2. Defined for the instruments which Defined for the instruments
measure the quantities which do which measure the quantities
not vary with time. which vary with time.
3. Various static characteristics are Various Dynamic characteristics
accuracy,precision,error,sensitivity, are speed of response,
threshold,reproducibility,zero drift, Fidelity, lag and dynamic error.
jin
stability and linearity

9. Explain the terms accuracy and precision. . [May/June 2010]

Accuracy is the closeness to true value where as precision is the closeness amongst the
.re

readings. Precision is the degree of closeness with which a given value may be repeatedly
measured.
10. State the importance of resolution for a measuring instrument. [NOV/DEC 2013]
If the input is slowly increased from some nonzero input value, there will be some
minimum increment for which for which no output change can be detected.
w

PART B
w

1. (a) (i) Discuss about the desirable dynamic characteristics of a measuring

system. [May/June 2012]
(ii) Derive the time response of a second order under damped measuring
w

system for a unit step input. Draw the response.

(b) (i) Discuss the following static characteristics: Accuracy, Precision and
resolution.
(ii) Explain the following terms:
Speed of response, Overshoot, Peak time, settling time.
 www.rejinpaul.com

Maximum overshoot
2. (a) (i) What are the different standard inputs for studying the dynamic response
of a system. Define and sketch them. [Nov/Dec 2011]
(ii) Discuss on the dynamic characteristics of measuring system. How they
play a role in measurement system.

om
(b) (i) Explain the following static characteristics of an instrument.
(i)Accuracy
(ii)Resolution
(iii)Sensitivity
(iv)Linearity
3. (a) Explain the static and dynamic characteristics of transducers.

.c
(b) (i) Draw and explain the step response of I order transducer.
(ii) Explain the frequency response of I order transducer. [May/June 2011]
4. (a) Differentiate static and dynamic performance characteristics of an
instrument. Derive the mathematical model of a measurement system.

ul
(b) Draw the impulse response of a first order instrument and analyze its
characteristics. [May/June 2010]
5. (a) What are static characteristics?Explain the static performance
pa
characteristics of an instrument. standards and give example for each level
of standard. [Nov/Dec 2009]
(b) Draw the step response of first order instrument and analyze its
characteristics.
6. (a) Dervive the reponse of the underdamped Second order transducer for step
jin
Input.

(b) Explain in detail the parameters used for analyzing dynamic characteristics
.re

of instruments. Dervive the equations for each parameter from the time

response of second order system. [NOV/DEC 2013]

w
w
w
 www.rejinpaul.com

om
UNIT III - VARIABLE RESISTANCE TRANSDUCERS

.c
PART A

ul
1. What is the principle of Strain gauge? [May/June 2012]
If a metal conductor is stretched or compressed, its resistance changes on the fact that
pa
both length and diameter of conductor change. There is a change in the value of
resistivity of the conductor, when it is strained. This property is called piezo-resistive
effect. The strain gauges are resistive transducers used for measurement of strain and
associated stress in experimental stress analysis.
jin
2. Define absolute humidity and relative humidity. [May/June 2012]
Humidity is a measure of water vapor present in gas.
Absolute humidity is the ratio of water vapor present per unit volume.
Relative humidity is the ratio of water vapor pressure actually present to water vapor
.re

pressure required for saturation at a given temperature. The ratio is expressed in

percent. Relative humidity (RM) depends upon temperature.

3. Define gauge factor. [Nov/Dec 2011]

The gauge factor is unit resistance change per unit strain.
w

4. What are the requirements for the materials used in RTDs? [Nov/Dec 2011]
The requirements for the materials used in RTDs are
i. The change in resistance of a material per unit change in temperature
w

should be as large as possible.

ii. The resistivity of material should be high, so that minimum volume of
material is used for the construction.
w

iii. The resistance should have a continuous and stable relationship with
temperature.
iv. The material should have positive temperature resistance coefficient.
5. Mention some applications of capacitive transducer. [May/June 2011]
 www.rejinpaul.com

Measurement of Level,thickness,displacement etc.

6. State the working principle of piezoresistive sensor. [May/June 2011]

Piezoresistive sensors change resistance when pressure is applied.

7. Write some applications of RTD. . [May/June 2010]

om
i. A high electrical output can be obtained by using the RTD with many types of
simple resistance bridges. This high output can then be fed directly into recorders,
temperature controllers, transmitters, or digital readouts which can be calibrated
to read very precise increments of temperature over wide dynamic ranges.
ii. RTD's can also be read out on precision laboratory bridges and digital ohmmeters.

.c
iii. Air conditioning and refrigeration servicing
iv. Food Processing
v. Stoves and grills
vi. Textile production

ul
vii. Plastics processing
viii. Petrochemical processing
ix. Micro electronics
x. Air, gas and liquid temperature measurement
pa
xi. Exhaust gas temperature measurement
8. What are the characteristics of thermistors? [May/June 2010]
i. Resistance –Temperature characteristics
ii. Voltage -Current characteristics
iii. Current –Time characteristics.
jin
9. What are the differences between RTD and thermistor? [Nov/Dec 2009]
It has ptc.A resistance thermometer consists of a resistive element which is exposed to
the temperature to be measured. If the conductors or metals are used to measure the
temperature, they are known as resistance thermometers and if semiconductors are used
.re

then they known as thermistors. It has ptc and NTC

10. What is the basic principle of humidity sensors? [Nov/Dec 2009]
Some Hygroscopic Salts exhibit a change in resistivity with humidity. Resistive
hygrometer humidity sensors use the change in resistance of a hygroscopic material
between two electrodes on an insulating substrate
w

11. Mention any four applications of strain gauge in measurements. [NOV/DEC 2013]
• Measurement of strain
• Measurement of stress
• Used as secondary transducer with load cell, torque meters, diaphragm type
w

pressure gauges, temperature sensors, accelerometers and flow meters.

w
 www.rejinpaul.com

PART B

1. (a) (i) Explain the principle of operation, construction details and applications of
Hot-wire anemometer. [May/June 2012]

om
(ii) Describe the principle of operation, construction details of resistance
thermometers. Tabulate different metals used for resistance thermometer
construction with their range of temperature measurement.
(b) (i) Describe various types of Strain gauge with their advantages and
disadvantages.
(ii) Explain the operation of piezo resistive sensor.

.c
2. (a) Give the construction details of bonded and unbonded strain
gauges. Explain any two applications of bonded strain gauges .
(b) (i) Explain how a thermistor can be used for temperature measurement.
(ii) Explain the measurement of humidity with the help of humidity sensor.

ul
[Nov/Dec 2011]
3. (a) (i) With neat diagram explain potentiometric resistance transducer.
List its advantages and disadvantages. [May/June 2011]
pa .

(ii) Explain briefly bonded and unbounded type strain gauges with their
principle of operation.
(b) (i) Write a short note on thermistors.
(ii) Discuss about humidity sensor.
jin
4. (a) Explain in detail about constant temperature anemometer and constant
current anemometer. [May/June 2010]
(b) What is the basic principle of strain gauge? Explain its types with suitable
diagram.
.re

5. (a) What is thermistor?What are the materials used as thermistor?Also explain

its working with suitable diagram. [Nov/Dec 2009]
(b) What are the sources of error in strain gauges? How the temperature effect
is compensated?
w

6. (a) Describe the construction of different types of strain gauge and working
principle.[Nov/Dec 2013]
(b) (i) Explain the principle of operation and construction of hot wire
w

Anemometer.
(ii) Describe the procedure for measuring humidity using hair hygrometer
w
 www.rejinpaul.com

UNIT_IV- VARIABLE INDUCTANCE AND VARIABLE CAPACITANCE

TRANSDUCERS

PART A

om
1. Write the principle of Variable reluctance transducers. [May/June 2012]
Reluctance in a magnetic circuit is equivalent to resistance in an electrical circuit.
Whenever the spacing (or coupling) between the two magnetic devices (or coils) changes,
the reluctance between them also changes.

.c
2. Mention any four applications of LVDT. [May/June 2012]
i. Displacement measurement and LVDT gauge heads.
ii. LVDT pneumatic servo follower
iii. LVDT load cells

ul
iv. LVDT pressure transducer.
3. Sketch the desired frequency response of a capacitor microphone. [Nov/Dec 2011]
pa
4. Write a note on Induction potentiometer. [May/June 2011]
The primary is excited with alternating current. This induces a voltage into the secondary.
The amplitude of this output voltage varies with the mutual inductance between the two
jin
coils and this varies with the angle of rotation.

5. What is the purpose of capacitor microphone? [May/June 2011]

.re

The capacitive microphone is a modified version of the capactive pressure transducer in which
the vibratory displacement of the membrane due to pressure variation result in variation of the
capacitance.

6. What are the different types of strain gauges? [May/June 2011]

1) Unbonded metal strain gauges
w

2) Bonded metal wire

3) Bonded metal foil
4) Bonded semiconductor
w

5) Diffused metal
7. Write the basic working principle of LVDT.[May/June 2010]
The primary winding is excited by an alternating current source. It produces an
w

alternating magnetic field which in turn induces alternating current voltages in the two
secondary windings. The amount of voltage change in either secondary winding is
proportional to the amount of movement of the core. Hence we have an indication of
amount of linear motion.
8. What is capacitive microphone? [May/June 2010]
 www.rejinpaul.com

Capacitive microphone is a transducer which converts sound energy into electrical

energy. The diaphragm is deflected by the sound pressure and acts as a moving plate of a
capacitance displacement transducer.
9. What is the basic principle of Inductance potentiometer? [Nov/Dec 2009]
Transducers based on the variation of inductance are another group of importance

om
devices used in many application. In these transducers self inductance or the mutual of a
couple of coils is changed when the quantity to be measured is varied
10. What is variable reluctance mutual induction tramsducer? [Nov/Dec 2009]
The Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) is the most common
mutual inductance element

.c
PART B

1. (a) (i) Describe the principle of operation, Construction details, and

ul
characteristics of LVDT. [May/June 2012]
(ii) Explain how capacitance of capacitive transducer can be varied. Also
explain how it can be used for level measurement.
pa
(b) (i) Explain the principle of operation and construction of induction type
transducer and its applications.
(ii) Describe the principle of operation of Variable reluctance transducer.
2. (a) Briefly explain the following
jin
(i) Variable reluctance transducer
(ii) EI pick up [Nov/Dec 2011]
(b) Describe the construction features, working principle and characteristics
of Linear Variable differential transformer.
.re

3. (a) (i) Explain the construction and working of LVDT with neat diagram.
(ii) Give the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of LVDT.
(b) (i) Explain with neat sketch capacitive transducer. [May/June 2011]
(ii) Write note on variable reluctance inductive transducer.
4. (a) Explain in detail about capacitive thickness transducer and capacitive
w

displacement transducer.[Nov/Dec 2009]

(b) What is the working principle of LVDT? Draw its characteristics and also
write its advantages.
w

5. (a) Describe the principle of operation , Construction and characteristics of LVDT

with necessary diagrams. [NOV/DEC 2013]

w

(b) (i) Describe the construction and working of variable reluctance transducer

(ii) Explain the operation of capacitor microphone with its frequency response.
 www.rejinpaul.com

6. (a) Explain in detail about constant temperature anemometer and constant

current anemometer. [May/June 2010]

(b) What is the basic principle of strain gauge? Explain its types with suitable
diagram.

om
UNIT V - OTHER TRANSDUCERS

PART A

.c
1. How can piezoelectric transducer be used as an accelerometer? [May/June 2012]
Piezoelectric crystal or element primarily responds to force input. A proof mass is added
to the acceleration transducer for developing force under acceleration inputs. Thus a
piezoelectric transducer can be used as an accelerometer.

ul
2. What are the features of smart sensors? [May/June 2012]
i. Automatic ranging and calibration through a built in digital system.
ii. Auto-acquisition and storage of calibration constants in local memory of the field
pa
device.
iii. Auto correction of offsets, time and temperature drifts.
iv. Auto linearization of nonlinear transfer characteristics.
3. Explain the principle of Hall Effect transducer. [Nov/Dec 2011]
jin
Voltage produced due to current and magnetic field
4. Distinguish between photovoltaic and photo conductive transducer. [Nov/Dec 2011]
The photo-electric effect causes a current to pass between two plates that already have a
voltaic potential difference. The photovoltaic effect causes a voltage to grow between
two plates that don’t already have one. In photo electric effect, when light strikes on the
.re

one plate, electron in outer shell of atom is ejected.

5. What is the principle of operation of SQUID sensor? [May/June 2011]
A ring of superconducting material incorporating two Josephson Junctions is called the
Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). The SQUID is the most
sensitive magnetic field detector in existence, and can also serve as radiofrequency
w

detector
6. Define Hall Effect transducer. [May/June 2011]
The electrical voltage is produced due to magnetic field and current through the
conductor v=IB
w

7. Write some properties of smart sensors. [May/June 2010]

i. Automatic ranging and calibration through a built in digital system.
ii. Auto-acquisition and storage of calibration constants in local memory of
w

the field device.

iii. Auto correction of offsets, time and temperature drifts.
iv. Auto linearization of nonlinear transfer characteristics.
8. What is Villari effect? [May/June 2010]
 www.rejinpaul.com

Certain ferromagnetic materials are considerably affected in their magnetic properties

when they are mechanically stressed. This phenomenon is known as Villari effect.

9. Write the principle of piezoelectric transducer. [NOV/DEC 2013]

Piezoelectric transducers are based on piezoelectric effect according to which when a

om
piezoelectric material is subjected to mechanical stress or force an electric potential appears

across certain surfaces of the crystal on account of change in dimensions of the crystal.

10. How a smart sensor differs from ordinary sensor? [NOV/DEC 2013]
A smart sensor producing an electric output when combined with interface electronics
circuits is said to be an intelligent sensors if the interfacing circuits can perform

.c
(i) ranging (ii) calibration and(iii) decision making for communication and utilization
of data.

ul
PART B

1. (a) (i)
pa
Describe the principle of operation of Hall Effect transducers. Discuss
about its current sensing application. [May/June 2012]
(ii) Describe the features of MEMS in detail.
jin
(b) (i) Discuss the working principle of Fiber optic sensor.
(ii) Describe the working of Smart sensor.

2. (a) What is meant by piezo electric effect? Discuss in detail how the pressure
.re

can be measured by using piezo electric transducer? [Nov/Dec 2011]

(b) (i) Explain with a sketch the working of a fibre optic displacement
transducer. Draw its input and output characteristics.
(ii) Write short notes on smart sensors.
3. (a) (i) Explain the principle and operation of piezoelectric transducer.
w

(ii) Describe photo emissive photoconductive and photovoltaic effects briefly.

(b) Write notes on
(i) Fiber optic sensors
(ii) Smart Sensors
w

(iii) Nano Sensors [May/June 2011]

4. (a) With suitable diagram,explain any two types of magnetstrictive
w

transducer. [May/June 2010]

(b) How the torque and pressure is measured using piezoelectric transducer?
5. (a) Explain in detail about digital displacement transducer with suitable
diagram. [Nov/Dec 2009]
 www.rejinpaul.com

(b) How the temperature and liquid level is measured using fibre optic
transducer.
6. (a) (i) Describe the fundamentals of SQUID sensor. Explain working of DC

SQUID and RF SQUID. List some of the applications.

om
(ii) Explain the principle of Hall effect transducers. [Nov/Dec 2013]
(b) (i) Explain the operation of phototransistor and any one application of it in
detail
(ii) Write short notes on Mems and Film sensors.

.c
ul
pa
jin
.re
w
w
w