Signal conditioner chips are data acquisition devices that refine sensor outputs so that they can be read by computer boards or other IC devices. A signal conditioner chip converts one type of electrical signal, which is difficult to be read by conventional instrumentation into a more easily readable format. There are many types of signal conditioning circuits. Examples include an AC signal conditioning circuit, RTD signal conditioning circuit, and load cell signal conditioner circuits. An AC conditioning circuit removes the glitches from the signal to make it more refined. An RTD signal conditioning circuit is a resistance temperature detection signal conditioning circuit. A RTD signal conditioning circuit is more stable, reproducible, and has nearly linear resistance versus temperature characteristics. Load cell signal conditioner circuits work on a stand-alone bench top phenomenon. A load cell is a transducer, which converts force into a measurable electrical output. Although there are many varieties of load cells, strain gage based load cells are the most commonly used type. Other signal conditioner chips are commonly available.

Function

There are several ways in which signal conditioner chips function. Signal conditioner chips use amplification, electrical isolation, linearization, cold junction compensation and excitation in different ways. Excitation is particularly needed for RTDs because they require excitation to operate. Signal conditioner chips are usually provided with input-to-output transformer isolation ranging from 500Vrms to 4000Vrms. Some signal conditioner chips are loop powered, deriving their power from the input signal, while others accept external universal power of either 24 to 60V AC/DC or 85 to 230 V AC/DC. Accuracies range from 0.1% to 0.2%, depending on the model type. The 4-20 mA conditioner output signals is a DIN rail mount isolator signal and can be obtained from DRG-SC-thermocouple signal conditioner. Signal conditioning chips are designed and manufactured to meet the specifications of most industry specifications.

Applications

Signal conditioner chips are used in many applications. Load cell signal conditioners are used in junction boxes, transducer simulator. Digital signal conditioner is generally utilized with Ethernet input. Signal conditioners chips should adhere to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards.