13. Force Measurments

Force/Pressure measurments are mostly based on one of two principals:

13.1. Strain based sensors.

Utilizing an elastic structure and measuring the deformation

A structure with know compliance is constructed and the deformation is measured via mechanical(e.g. Bourdon tube), electrical (e.g. load cells) or optical means.

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13.2. Coupling based

Coupling between Elctric/Magnetic/Optical properties and force/pressure.

Various materials (or structures) exhibit a coupling between physical properties and the applied pressure.

Simply stated, they “transform” force/pressure into a measurable electric voltage, magnetic field etc.

Many of the sensors in this family require the usage of a charge amplifier (which convert the charge to voltage in the process) and as such the bandwidth of the amplifier, being an integral part of the system, has to be considered when designing such a system.