Chapter 2

Component Interconnection and

Signal Conditioning

Instructor: Le Hoa Nguyen, Ph.D.

 Content

▪ Component Interconection
▪ Impedance Matching
▪ Amplifer
▪ Filter

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 2.1. Component Interconnection
▪ A control system is typically a mixed system, which consists of more
than one type of components properly interconnected and integrated
▪ When two components are interconnected, signals (and power) follow
between them. Theses signals depend on the dynamics of both
components
▪ When two devices are interacted, it is essential to guarantee that a
signal leaving one device and entering the other will have the same
levels (i.e., the values of voltage, current, speed, etc.), in proper form
(i.e, electrical, mechanical, analog, digital, etc.), and without
distortion
▪ Signal modification and signal conditioning are all important in
instrumentation of an engineering system

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 2.1. Component Interconnection
Example: Electronic drive – motor system

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 2.1. Component Interconnection
The following considerations are relevant in component interconnection
1. Characteristics of the interconnected components (e.g., domain of
component – mechanical, electrical/electronic, thermal, etc., type of
component- actuator, sensor, drive circuit, controller, etc.,)
2. Purpose of the interconnected system (e.g., drive a load, measure a
signal, communicatate information, minimize noise and disturbances,
etc.,)
3. Signal/power levels of operation

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 2.2. Impedance Matching
Generalized impedance

▪ Across variable: is measured across two terminals of a component,

e.g., voltage, velocity, temperature, pressure
▪ Through variable: transmits through the component unaltered, e.g.,
current, force, heat transfer rate, fluid flow rate
Goals of impedance matching
1. Source and load matching for maximum power transfer
2. Power transfer at maximum efficiency
3. Reflection prevention in signal transmission
4. Loading reduction

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 2.2. Impedance Matching
Analogies and Constitutive Relations

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
1. Impedance matching for maximum power transfer

What is condition for the load to

Source Load
absorb the maximum power?

DC (pure resistance) circuit

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
1. Impedance matching for maximum power transfer
AC circuit (general impedance)

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
2. Impedance matching for power transfer at maximum efficiency
Efficiency of power absorption by load = [absorbed power]/[Total power]

• To increase efficiency, increase load Rs = 500 Ω

resistance (e.g., efficiency at 100%
when Rl = infinity)
• Note that condition for maximum Maximum power transfer
efficiency # condition for maximum
power transfer
• At maximum power transfer (Rl =
Rs), efficiency = 50%

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
3. Impedance matching for reflection preventation in signal
transmission

When an electrical signal encounters an abrupt change in impedance, part

of signal will be reflected back
Undesirable results from signal reflection
▪ Signal deterioration (both magnitude and phase angle)
▪ Dissipation (power loss)

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
3. Impedance matching for reflection preventation in signal
transmission
Reflection preventation in signal transmission
vi: incident signal voltage
Reflection coefficient:
vi: reflected signal voltage
If a signal transmitted through
an impedance Zc abruptly
encounters a load impedance Zl,
then

To avoid signal reflection (in

both directions)
=> Γ = 0

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
3. Impedance matching for reflection preventation in signal
transmission
Reflection preventation in signal transmission
If the impedance matching is not present, impedance matching pad is
used

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
3. Impedance matching for reflection preventation in signal
transmission
Example 1:

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
Loading
• When two components are interconnected, the conditions (e.g.,
current, voltage, etc.) in the components will change => Loading
• In many applications, the ouput component should not load the input
component
Examples:
➢ In sensing process, the sensor should not alter the conditions of sensed
object (measuring instrument should not distort the signal that is
measured)

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
Examples:
➢ In a signal acquisition system of a sensor, the signal acquisition
hardware should not distort the acquired signal from the sensor
➢ The load connected to the power source should not change the output
voltage of the power source (in a regulated power source)

Loading reduction
• An adverse effect of improper impedance conditions is loading effects,
which distort signals
• Loading error can far exceed other errors (measurement error, sensor
error, noise, input disturbances, etc.)
• Loading can occur in any physical domain (e.g., electrical,
mechanical)

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
- Signal source - Measuring device
Input Output - Signal acquisition hardware
- Sensor device device
- Actuator - Gear transmission,
mechanical load, etc.

Electrical loading error: result from connecting an output device that has
low input impedance connected to an input device with moderate to high
impedance
Mechanical loading error: orcur in an input device because of inertia,
friction, and other resistive forces generated by an output device
connected to it

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
Model of two-port device

ii Transfer function
io
L vo 
G(s) =
L vi 

Input impedance (Zi) = rated input voltate/input current (output terminals

are maintained in open circuit)
vi
Zi =
ii i =0
o

Output impedance (Zo) = Output open circuit voltate/output short circuit

current
Note: Output impedance (Zo) = Thevenin equivalent impedance
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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
Cascade connection of two-port devices

=> Note that

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
Cascade connection of two-port devices
R1
Example 2: A lag compensator in
+ +
control system is shown (Fig. a). R2
vi Z2 vo a)
Determine C
- -
a) Tranfer function
b) Input impedance and output R1 R1
impedance + +
c) If two lag circuits are cascaded R2 R2
vi Z2 Z2 v o b)
(Fig. b), determine the overall C C
- -
transfer function?

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
4. Impedance matching for loading reduction
Cascade connection of two-port devices
Example 3:

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
5. Impedance matching in mechanical systems
Vibration isolation
▪ Delicate instruments, computer hardware, machine tools, vehicle, etc.,
is hampered due to shock and vibration
▪ The purpose of vibration isolation is to isolate such devices from
shock and vibration disturbances from its environment
▪ This can be achieved by connecting a vibration isolator (or shock
mount) between them
Isolated system
Source of force
Vibration isolator

Fixed supporting structure (isolated system) Source of vibration

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
5. Impedance matching in mechanical systems
Vibration isolation
Note that: Generalized impedance (across variable/through
variable) corresponds to mechanical mobility, which is the
inverse of what is traditionally called mechanical impedance

Zm, Zs: Mechanical

impedances
Mm, Ms: Generalized
(mobility) impedances

Force isolation Motion isolation

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
5. Impedance matching in mechanical systems
Vibration isolation
Impedance and mobility functions of mechanical elements

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
5. Impedance matching in mechanical systems
Vibration isolation
Simplified models of force isolation and motion isolation

Mechanical impedance circuit

Force transmissibility Motion transmissibility of force isolation

=> Tf = Tm = T
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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
5. Impedance matching in mechanical systems
Vibration isolation
Force transmissibility

Finally, we get

Where

The magnitude of transmissibility

Mechanical impedance circuit
of force isolation

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 2.3. Impedance Matching Methods
5. Impedance matching in mechanical systems
Vibration isolation
Transmissibility curves
• There is non zero frequency value
at which the transmissibility
magnitude peaks (resonance)
• For small ζ, peak transmissibility
orcurs (approx.) r = 1. As ζ
increase, peak points shift to the
left

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