SECTION 13. CR10 MEASUREMENTS

In order to make a differential measurement, the inputs must be within the CR10 common mode range of ±2.5 V. The common mode range is the voltage range, relative to CR10 ground, within which both inputs of a differential measurement must lie in order for the differential measurement to be made.

For example, if the high side of a differential input is at 2 V and the low side is at 1 V relative to CR10 ground, there is no problem; a measurement made on the +2.5 V range would indicate a signal of 1 V. However, if the high input is at 2.8 V and the low input is at 2 V, the measurement cannot be made because the high input is outside of the common mode range. The CR10 will indicate the overrange with the maximum negative number (Section 3.5.)

Problems with exceeding common mode range may be encountered when the CR10 is used to read the output of external signal conditioning circuitry if a good ground connection does not exist between the external circuitry and the CR10. When operating where AC power is available, it is not always safe to assume that a good ground connection exists through the AC wiring. If a CR10 is used to measure the output from a laboratory instrument (both plugged into AC power and referencing ground to outlet ground), it is best to run a ground wire between the CR10 and the external circuitry. Even with this ground connection, the ground potential of the two instruments may not be at exactly the same level, which is why a differential measurement is desired (Section 7.2).

If a differential measurement is used on a sensor that is not referenced to CR10 ground through a separate connection (e.g., a net radiometer), a jumper wire should be connected between the low side of the differential input and analog ground to hold the sensor in common mode range.

A differential measurement has better noise rejection than a single-ended measurement. Integrating the signal in both directions also reduces input offset voltage due to thermal effects in the amplifier section of the CR10. Input offset voltage on a single-ended measurement is less than 5 microvolts; the input offset voltage on a differential measurement is less than 1 microvolt.

A single-ended measurement is quite satisfactory in cases where noise is not a problem and care is taken to avoid ground potential problems. Channels are available for twice as many single-ended measurements. A single-ended measurement takes about half the time of a differential measurement, which is valuable in cases where rapid sampling is a requirement.

NOTE: Sustained voltages in excess of +16 VDC applied to the analog inputs will damage the CR10 input circuitry.

13.3THE EFFECT OF SENSOR LEAD LENGTH ON THE SIGNAL SETTLING TIME

Whenever an analog input is switched into the CR10 measurement circuitry prior to making a measurement, a finite amount of time is required for the signal to stabilize at its correct value. The rate at which the signal settles is determined by the input settling time constant which is a function of both the source resistance, and input capacitance (explained below). The CR10 allows a 450 µs settling time before initiating the measurement. In most applications this settling time is adequate, but the additional wire capacitance associated with long sensor leads can increase the settling time constant to the point that measurement errors may occur. There are three potential sources of error which must settle before the measurement is made:

1.The signal must rise to its correct value.

2.A small transient (~5 mV) caused by switching the analog input into the measurement circuitry must settle.

3.A larger transient, usually about 40 mV/V, caused by the switched, precision excitation voltage used in resistive bridge measurements must settle.

The purpose of this section is to bring attention to potential measurement errors caused when the input settling time constant gets too large and to discuss procedures whereby the effects of lead length on the measurement can be estimated. In addition, physical values are given for three types of wire used in CSI sensors, and error estimates for given lead lengths are provided. Finally, techniques are

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