Campbell Scientific CR1000KD CR800 and CR850 Measurement and Control Systems - Page 305

Pulse Measurement Problems

Page 305 highlights

Section 8. Operation frequency is not varying over the execution interval. The calculation returns the average regardless of how the signal is changing. 8.1.5.4 Pulse Measurement Problems 8.1.5.4.1 Pay Attention to Specifications The table Example of Differing Specifications for Pulse Input Channels (p. 305) compares specifications for pulse-input channels to emphasize the need for matching the proper device to application. Take time to understand signals to be measured and compatible channels. Table 67. Example of Differing Specifications for Pulse-Input Channels Pulse Channels P1, P2 Digital I/O Channels C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 High Frequency Max 250 kHz 400 kHz Max Input Voltage 20 Vdc 16 Vdc State Transition Thresholds Count upon transition from 2.2 Vdc Count upon transition from 3.8 Vdc 8.1.5.4.2 Input Filters and Signal Attenuation Pulse-input channels are equipped with input filters to reduce spurious noise that can cause false counts. The higher the time constant (τ) of the filter, the tighter the filter. Table Time Constants (p. 305) lists τ values for pulse-input channels. So, while TimerIO() frequency measurement may be superior for clean signals, a pulse channel filter (much higher τ) may be required to get a measurement on a dirty signal. Input filters, however, attenuate the amplitude (voltage) of the signal. The amount of attenuation is a function of the frequency passing through the filter. Higher-frequency signals are attenuated more. If a signal is attenuated enough, it may not pass the state transition thresholds required by the detection device (listed in table Pulse-Input Channels and Measurements (p. 39) ). To avoid over attenuation, sensor output voltage must be increased at higher frequencies. As an example, table Filter Attenuation of Frequency Signals (p. 306) lists low-level ac frequencies and the voltages required to overcome filter attenuation. For pulse-input channels P1 - P2, an RC input filter with an approximate 1-μs time constant precedes the inverting CMOS input buffer. The resulting amplitude reduction is illustrated in figure Amplitude Reduction of Pulse-Count Waveform (p. 306). For a 0- to 5-Vdc square wave applied to a pulse channel, the maximum frequency that can be counted in high-frequency mode is approximately 250 kHz. Table 68. Time Constants (τ) Measurement τ Pulse channel, high-frequency mode 1.2 Pulse channel, switch-closure mode 3300 305

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Section 8.
Operation
305
frequency is not varying over the execution interval.
The calculation returns the
average regardless of how the signal is changing.
8.1.5.4 Pulse Measurement Problems
8.1.5.4.1 Pay Attention to Specifications
The table
Example of Differing Specifications for Pulse Input Channels
(p. 305)
compares specifications for pulse-input channels to emphasize the need for
matching the proper device to application.
Take time to understand signals to be
measured and compatible channels.
Table 67.
Example of Differing Specifications for Pulse-Input
Channels
Pulse Channels
P1, P2
Digital I/O Channels
C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5, C6, C7, C8
High Frequency Max
250 kHz
400 kHz
Max Input Voltage
20 Vdc
16 Vdc
State Transition
Thresholds
Count upon transition from
<0.9 to >2.2 Vdc
Count upon transition from
<1.2 to >3.8 Vdc
8.1.5.4.2 Input Filters and Signal Attenuation
Pulse-input channels are equipped with input filters to reduce spurious noise that
can cause false counts.
The higher the time constant (
τ
) of the filter, the tighter
the filter.
Table
Time Constants
(p. 305)
lists
τ
values for pulse-input channels.
So,
while
TimerIO()
frequency measurement may be superior for clean signals, a
pulse channel filter (much higher
τ
) may be required to get a measurement on a
dirty signal.
Input filters, however, attenuate the amplitude (voltage) of the signal.
The
amount of attenuation is a function of the frequency passing through the filter.
Higher-frequency signals are attenuated more.
If a signal is attenuated enough, it
may not pass the state transition thresholds required by the detection device (listed
in table
Pulse-Input Channels and Measurements
(p. 39)
).
To avoid over
attenuation, sensor output voltage must be increased at higher frequencies.
As an
example, table
Filter Attenuation of Frequency Signals
(p. 306)
lists low-level ac
frequencies and the voltages required to overcome filter attenuation.
For pulse-input channels
P1
P2
, an RC input filter with an approximate 1-
μ
s
time constant precedes the inverting CMOS input buffer.
The resulting amplitude
reduction is illustrated in figure
Amplitude Reduction of Pulse-Count Waveform
(p.
306).
For a 0- to 5-Vdc square wave applied to a pulse channel, the maximum
frequency that can be counted in high-frequency mode is approximately 250 kHz.
Table 68.
Time Constants (
τ
)
Measurement
τ
Pulse channel, high-frequency mode
1.2
Pulse channel, switch-closure mode
3300