Process plants typically use a multitude of sensors, each of which is normally connected to a transmitter. Older sensor technologies use analog signals to communicate with transmitters, but more modern models employ digital technology to improve accuracy, ease calibration, simplify troubleshooting, and reduce required maintenance. Endress+Hauser Memosens technology converts the measured value to a digital […]
Temperature
The challenge of temperature measurement and sensor calibration, Part 3
Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. While many temperature-related measurements require high accuracy, precision, and repeatability — let’s say, to better than 1º C — many others do not, yet still bring challenges. Consider […]
The challenge of temperature measurement and sensor calibration: part 2
Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. What is temperature, anyway? While we all “know” intuitively what temperature is, actually defining and calibrating its readings is a complicated discussion. A fundamentalist approach is to go […]
The challenge of temperature measurement and sensor calibration: part 1
Temperature is a widely measured real-world physical variable, but achieving credible results is harder than it seems, even for a simple device such as a kitchen oven. Calibration of a sensor and its associated electronics channel before making critical measurements or monitoring system performance is a common requirement in many situations. In some cases, it’s […]
How can environmental monitoring be improved?
With its recently announced Exo Sense Pi, Sfera Labs s.r.l. provides its answer to this question. It is a multi-sensor module with the Raspberry Pi 4 as its computing core. Offering specialized sensors and interfaces, the system provides easy and versatile integration with wide communication protocols support. Sensors for the Exo Sense Pi include: temperature […]
Indoor-outdoor sensor module leverages Raspberry Pi computing capabilities
Pushing the performance envelope with advanced edge-based hardware, Sfera Labs has introduced its latest multi-sensor module. The Exo Sense Pi leverages Raspberry Pi 4 computing capabilities. This compact wall-mount unit features a 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 processor running at up to 1.5GHz, which is way beyond what other sensor modules on the market can deliver. […]
What’s the weather like today – on Mars?
Common question. New planet. It’s April and in the Gale Crater, where the Curiosity rover is currently exploring, that means early autumn temperatures: highs around 10°F and lows less than -100°F reported from its Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS). In addition to air and ground temperatures around the rover, other measurements include atmospheric pressure, humidity […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 3: Variations
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages and implementation limitations. The previous part of this article looked at two approaches to using optical fibers for temperature sensing based on the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 2: Principles
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages but also implementation limitations. The first part of this article discussed general issues of sensing of physical parameters, especially temperature, and total internal reflection in optical fibers. This section will look at […]
Using optical fibers for temperature measurement, Part 1: Context
Among the many ways to sense temperature, combinations of advanced optical principles used with optical fibers offer very different approaches, with application advantages and implementation limitations. Temperature is the most widely sensed physical parameter; it’s that simple. What’s not simple is the many ways we have of measuring it through the use of sensors such […]