Optimal control is whereby the requirements are formulated as either the minimization of a cost index or the maximization of a performance index of an operational control system.
Optimal control is utilized in a number of disciplines such as aircraft … Read more
As the name suggests these sensors employs fiber optics technology to function. A fiber optic sensor generally guides light to and from a measurement zone where the light is modulated by the measurand of interest and returned along the same … Read more
The increasing requirement to demonstrate the integrity and reliability of engineering materials, products and plant has contributed immensely to the development of non-destructive testing instrumentation. Efficient materials manufacture, the assurance of product quality and re-assurance of plant at regular intervals … Read more
For anyone performing a measurement using a particular instrument, it usually matters to know whether the instrument is calibrated or not. Calibration is required, along with precision, to enable accurate measurements to be made. Calibration means observing the instrument’s performance … Read more
Radar level transmitter basically employs electromagnetic waves to determine the fluid level in a tank. It converts level information into a 4-20 mA signal and transmits it to the controller; this signal may then be used in a measurement … Read more
Signal transmission in process instrumentation and control systems is largely done via electrical transmission but there are a few areas where pneumatic transmission of signals is vital especially where electrical signals or sparks can ignite combustible materials for example in … Read more
Interferometer sensors employ energy in the form of light or sound to make precise position/location measurements. There are a number of applications where accurate measurement of very small linear mechanical displacements and distances between objects in the order of nanometers … Read more
AC generators can be utilized in high precision control systems. The AC generator rotor is rotated by the rotating shaft (i.e. the shaft from the motor being controlled). The output AC frequency is proportional to shaft speed. Zero crossings per … Read more
Magnetostrictive sensors detect the location of a magnetic ring that slides along a conductive metal tube; in other words this sensor operation utilizes the effect of a magnetic field on magnetostrictive wire to function. The figure below illustrates a Magnetostrictive … Read more
