High resolution techniques for the measurement of component and device performance
This aim of this thesis was to conduct an investigation into the performance of components and devices, whilst focusing on specific parameters and characteristics, by making use of high precision measurement techniques and incorporating a PC-based data acquisition system. An accurate and versatile measurement-card, employing a 12-bit analogue-to-digital converter, was designed and developed. The card, which plugs directly into the I/O bus of any computer, has an accuracy of one least significant bit (approximately 0.02), which is remarkably better than most A/D cards available on the market at present. Executable software was written in Pascal and Turbo Vision to facilitate the proper operation of the card, and to provide a platform for the user to define certain parameters during experimentation. The measurement-card has been used, with success, during all of the investigative experiments conducted for this thesis. An experiment using a computer, the measurement-card, and a pressure/temperature unit, employing a MPXIOOAP pressure sensor and LM35 temperature sensor, was set up to act as a ''weather station" over short periods (minutes, hours) and long periods (days, weeks). Analogue device, viz., a barometer and thermometer, were used as control instruments in order to verify the readings taken.
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