REFERENCE AND APPLICATION DATA

Pressure Sensors
Pressure Sensor Auto-Referencing – Note #10

INTRODUCTION The basic functions required to imple- Examples of ‘‘ideal’’ applications are:
Pressure sensors are not ‘‘ideal’’ devices. ment common-mode auto-referencing weighing scale; toilet tanks; washing ma-
Laser trimming on MICRO SWITCH high are shown in the block diagram of Figure chines; and pressure reservoirs such as
level amplified sensors reduces null and 4. They include analog switches, a sam- tire pressure, oil pressure, and LP gas
full scale errors to approximately 1% to ple-and-hold, summers, and synchroniz- tank pressure. The reference condition is
2% of span, but does not completely elim- ing logic for switching between the read applied before the measurement. Other
inate them. Additional corrective circuitry and reference cycles on the input and categories are flow measurement and
is sometimes necessary for applications output sides of the pressure sensor. control applications, such as electronic
with extremely tight tolerances. Figure 1 fuel injection systems, sphygmomanom-
To maintain optimum system accuracy,
illustrates the ‘‘ideal’’ pressure sensor. eters, and forced air heating systems.
auto-referencing should be used as often
Output drift with time, trimming toler- Flow rate is zero at some point, usually at
as possible in order to eliminate errors
ances, and changes in ambient temper- system power-up.
due to power supply fluctuations and out-
ature all contribute to a constant offset
put drift with time. To assure that the pres- Although common-mode auto-referenc-
error (common-mode error), designated
sure measurements will be the most ac- ing is almost a universal technique, there
by DVO. Changes in ambient temperature
curate, they should immediately follow are situations where it would be of little
also add another deviation, known as
the auto-reference command. value; systems with short measurement
sensitivity shift, which changes the slope
cycles where the reference point is read
of the pressure versus voltage curve. Certain types of measurement cycles are
or manually adjusted before cycle start-
inherently suited to auto-zeroing (refer-
A family of techniques known as auto- up, or where the sensor is AC coupled
ence pressure is actually zero). Ideally,
referencing provides a powerful tool to and the DC response is ignored.
there is a series of short cycles which can
compensate for these errors. System de-
have a quick referencing inserted prior to
sign engineers find the method attractive COMMANDING AUTO-REFERENCING
each cycle. A short measurement cycle
since implementation costs are minor in The key to an auto-reference circuit is
preceded by a reference point, followed
comparison with ultra-stable pressure applying the trigger signal to command
by a lengthy period of no activity, is also
sensors. Also, device accuracy is sub- the reference to take place at the appro-
well suited. Many applications are in one
stantially increased. Either analog or dig- priate time. There are three levels of so-
of these categories. Many that are not can
ital auto-referencing is possible. This ap- phistication.
be converted to the short repeated cycle
plication note covers the digital method,
format, with a little design creativity. Figure 2. Common-mode Errors
as it is the most cost-effective and easiest
to use. Figure 1. Sensor Errors
COMMON-MODE AUTO
REFERENCING
Common-mode errors are those present
at some reference pressure and contrib-
ute the constant offset voltage in Figure 1.
These errors are generally larger than the
sensitivity shift, especially at pressures
close to the reference pressure. There-
fore, they allow the greatest accuracy im-
provement when auto-referenced.
Figure 4. Basic Common-mode
Common-mode errors are easily correct- Auto-Referencing
ed. Sample the output voltage at refer- Figure 3. Auto-Referenced Signal
ence pressure and compare it to the
desired reference voltage. Generate an
error correction voltage and subtract it
from the output signal at any ‘‘measure’’
pressure. See Figure 2.
Common-mode auto-referencing is ex-
pressed by the formula:
VcorrJ Vout − D Vo
Vout is any measured output signal, D Vo
is the common-mode error, and Vcorr is
the corrected output signal. Note that no
slope correction is provided for sensitivity
shift error, and the actual output signal will
appear as shown in Figure 3.

122 Honeywell 1 Sensing and Control 1 1-800-537-6945 USA 1 F1-815-235-6847 International 1 1-800-737-3360 Canada
REFERENCE AND APPLICATION DATA
Pressure Sensors
Pressure Sensor Auto-Referencing – Note #10

Manual Command The sensor/auto-reference/enable sys- Figure 5. Auto-Reference with

The simplest auto-referencing method is tem can be used for a simple case when a Reference Condition Actuators
the manual command. A momentary con- known reference exists periodically. Also,
tact switch initiates the auto-zeroing a reference condition actuator such as a
sequence. This is the most restrictive solenoid valve can be used. It can switch
method, as it requires the user to be pre- the sensor input from the measured pres-
sent while the system is running in order sure to some other reference pressure.
to periodically reference the sensor. How- The solenoid can be activated by the us-
ever, it could be done as part of a routine er, some condition such as power-up, or Figure 6. Timer Actuated Circuit,
calibration procedure. a timer activated circuit (see Figure 5). Single Port Sensor
The valve must be activated long enough
Semi-automatic Command for the pressure to have a chance to stabi-
The user initiates the action. After it is lize so a valid reading may be taken. For
triggered, the system sequences through instance, consider the water tower. A
multiple functions controlled by timers or gage pressure sensor near the bottom
shift registers. This could include sole- senses the water depth. A vent tube to the
noid actuation to switch from measure- surface serves as a pressure reference. A
ment to reference pressure, followed by 3-way solenoid valve is the actuator, con-
the auto-reference function, then a return necting the water and the vent to the sen- Figure 7. Timer Activated Circuit,
to the measurement mode. Figure 4 il- sor input port. A timer circuit is the enabler Dual Port Sensor
lustrates a basic semi-automatic circuit. (see Figure 6).
Next, suppose the water exits through a
Automatic Command
single pipe of constant diameter. The ve-
The system steps through multiple func-
locity can be measured with a differential
tions similar to the semi-automatic com-
pressure sensor. A 2-way solenoid con-
mand. However, on returning to the mea-
nected between the two inlet ports serves
surement mode, additional timing cir-
as the reference actuator as shown in
cuitry triggers and after a set measure-
Figure 7.
ment time the sequence is restarted.
Depending upon the degree of complex- 100mV is added to the sensor output to
CIRCUIT EXAMPLE
ity desired, a small microprocessor- shift the null range to 1.0 - 1.2V. Now,
The simplest auto-reference case is
based system and its related software voltage need only be subtracted to pro-
where the enable command is given
could consolidate the auto-reference cir- vide auto-zeroing. The summer portion of
manually and the reference condition oc-
cuitry, timing and control logic all into one op-amp #1 subtracts the auto-zero cor-
curs naturally. Figure 7 is the block dia-
unit. rection voltage (Vcorr) from this shifted
gram, and Figure 8 shows the actual cir-
null range and the auto-zeroed signal ap-
cuit. An 8-bit A/D converter performs the
ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM pears at Vout.
sample-and-hold function, and there are
REFERENCE POINT
several op-amp summer configurations. The output of op-amp #2 is Vout + Vcorr.
Batch processing and continuous proc-
No actuator, such as a solenoid valve, is Since Vout J Vnull + 100mV - Vcorr, a
essing are the two main categories of
necessary because the reference condi- simple substitution shows that the output
measurement cycle. In a batch process, a
tion occurs naturally, and the user knows is actually the shifted sensor null output,
reference condition exists at some time,
when it occurs. The manual enable is a Vnull + 100mV. Consequently, the input
usually at system power-up. For example,
simple pushbutton momentary contact to the Vin pin on the A/D converter varies
a toilet tank has a high water level prior to
switch. from 1 to 1.2V. The conversion range is
flushing, corresponding to some refer-
properly scaled to 1 - 1.2V, to provide
ence pressure. When the flushing cycle is This auto-zero circuit is designed for use
maximum possible resolution. With this
complete, the tank is filled to the previous with a high level sensor with a null output
scaling, a 1V input corresponds to a dig-
level. The obvious point for auto-refer- of 1V, such as MICRO SWITCH amplified
ital output of all zeros, and a 1.2V input
encing is just prior to flushing when the pressure sensor products. The null speci-
provides all ones at the output. Each out-
water is at a known level. In a continuous fication is 1V±50mV. To guarantee the
put bit is connected to a voltage follower
process, there is no easily accessed ref- ability to auto-zero under virtually all con-
to prevent exceeding the current drive
erence condition. For example, the vol- ditions, the null range used in this design
capabilities of the A/D converter, which
ume of fluid in a water tower is being is 1V±100mV.
would pull down the voltage at the out-
monitored. This is a function of the depth
The sensor is at null output, the only time puts. Each of the 8 bits is connected in an
of the water and can be sensed with a
auto-zeroing is allowed. Null output inverting summing amplifier configura-
pressure sensor. Unlike the toilet, without
(Vnull) ranges from 0.9 to 1.1V. At these tion using op-amp #3. The negative feed-
actually taking a pressure measurement,
levels, auto-zeroing requires voltage to back resistor has been selected such that
there is no point in time at which the depth
Reference/Index

be added in some cases and subtracted the maximum digital output (all bits logic
will be known.
in others. To circumvent this, op-amp #1 ‘‘1’’) provides an analog voltage of
is used as a level shifter and summer.

Honeywell 1 Sensing and Control 1 1-800-537-6945 USA 1 F1-815-235-6847 International 1 1-800-737-3360 Canada 123
REFERENCE AND APPLICATION DATA
Pressure Sensors
Pressure Sensor Auto-Referencing – Note #10

−200mV, and the minimum digital output This circuit is designed to auto-zero a ACCURACY
(all bits logic ‘‘0’’) provides an analog volt- signal of 1VJ100mV. Adjusting this range Auto-referencing replaces common-
age of 0mV. This voltage is fed into op- to suit your needs is simple. First, set the mode error sources. The accuracy limits
amp #4 (a unity gain inverting amplifier), reference voltage at the output of op-amp of the auto-reference circuit replace
whose output is the offset correction volt- #5 by adjusting the 50 ohm potentiom- them. Accuracy is related to the resolu-
age Vcorr. It ranges from 0mV to 200mV eter value to set the span for the A/D tion of the A/D converter and the refer-
when the shifted null output is 1V to 1.2V. converter. This provides the appropriate ence drift over temperature is now only a
Vcorr is then subtracted from the shifted level shifting for the sensor null. Next, function of the stability of the reference
null output, resulting in the auto-zeroed change the feedback resistor connected voltage applied to the A/D converter. With
value of 1.0V at Vout. to op-amp #3 to provide the new correc- an 8-bit converter, the common-mode er-
tion voltage span. Then, if null offset is not ror can be reduced by as much as 250
The A/D converter ADC0801 allows a
1V, change the Vin(ζ) input to the new offset times, leaving only the sensitivity shift
great deal of flexibility in setting the dy-
value. When the auto-zero range is (normal-mode) error. This is a significant
namic voltage range of the analog input
changed, keep in mind that there is a improvement for the added cost involved.
voltage. Vin(,) varies from 1 to 1.2V. The
trade-off. As the span increases, resolu- In any application where maximizing sen-
200mV span is set by applying a 100mV
tion of the correction decreases. The de- sor accuracy is of value, consider an auto-
signal at Vref/2. The 100mV signal is a
signer determines the allowable resolu- referencing circuit.
temperature-stable voltage reference
tion for a given auto-zero application. If a
consisting of an LM336 voltage-reference
greater resolution is necessary, either de-
and an LM124 op-amp circuit. The 1V off-
crease the auto-zero range or switch to a
set is absorbed by applying a 1V signal to
larger bit A/D converter. Each additional
the Vin(ζ) differential input pin, which can
bit will increase resolution by a factor of
be made temperature stable in a similar
two.
fashion if so desired.
Commanding auto-zeroing is relatively
simple. The WR pin on the ADC0801
should normally be at a high level. A
pushbutton switch brings it to a low level,
conversion begins and auto-zeroing oc-
curs. When it is brought back to a high
level, the digital outputs latch and remain
at that level until auto-zeroing is again
commanded.

Figure 8. Auto-Zero Circuit

124 Honeywell 1 Sensing and Control 1 1-800-537-6945 USA 1 F1-815-235-6847 International 1 1-800-737-3360 Canada