Signal conditioning – purely analogue: the modules of the TSA series

independent technology with long-term durability for smooth signal conditioning

In today's world, mobility is an essential part of our lives. When the car has to be to the workshop for repairs, it is an irritating limitation in day-to-day life for many drivers. In order to make cars more durable and meet the quality requirements of customers, automotive manufacturers subject their vehicles to endurance testing. The devices of the TSA series from the Imtron Center of Competence of the GHM GROUP offer independent technology with long-term durability for smooth signal conditioning of nearly any analogue sensor signal.

Requirements

When testing the opening mechanism of vehicle doors, the endurance test must be designed to be as close to reality as possible. In this connection, not only is it important that the mechanism of the doors is tested for permanent durability, various environmental conditions, such as temperature and air humidity, must also be integrated. For this purpose, the obtained sensor signals must be converted into usable data without interfering signals.

Tried and tested approach

The sensor signals are prepared, filtered and galvanically isolated with the signal conditioning modules of the TSA series. Interfering signals are suppressed and thus the signal quality is improved significantly with the interchangeable filter modules. Moreover, in addition to the preparation of signals, the TSA modules are simultaneously responsible for the feed to the sensor and the galvanic isolation between input and output signal and the voltage supply. The electronic components of the modules are protected from condensation in changing climatic conditions with a special coating on the printed circuit board. Therefore, the TSA modules are ideally suited for use for the testing of the permanent durability of vehicles and remain cost-effective, because they combine signal conditioning and galvanically isolating amplifiers in a single device.

Basic configuration – example

The modules are designed for potential-free signal conversion and conditioning in automation and measuring technology. Each of the modules has 3-way isolation and offers flexible interference suppression with plug-in filters. Various frequencies between 1 Hz and 30 kHz and various filter characteristics are available. The filters can be designed as low-pass (standard), high-pass, band-pass or band-elimination. They are designed as Butterworth or Bessel filters of the 4th order. Other orders and filter characteristics can be implemented on request.

With potential isolation and filter characteristics, the modules are especially well-suited for suppression of interfering influences in measuring and control circuits, for galvanic isolation of power and signal circuits, as well as for prevention of earth loops.

With a ripple of < 2 mVpp and a precision of 0.1%, the modules are also suited extremely well for technical measurement applications.

The standard supply voltage is 24 V DC. An optional 12 V version is also available. The modules have plug-in connections for simple connection. The standard module width is 22.5 mm.

Customer-specific adaptations in every respect (e.g. measuring ranges, amplification factors, sensor feed) can be realised.

Benefits

o Cost reduction: Signal conditioning and galvanically isolating amplifier in one device, a separator isolator is unnecessary

o More signals: Optional second output for integration into displays, PLC, or data acquisition

o High signal quality: Flexible interference suppression with replaceable filter modules

o Speed: Limit frequencies of up to 30 kHz possible

o Precision: High precision and long-term stability

o From a single source: Modules available for most analogue sensor signals

o Special requests: Tailored solutions possible, even in small quantities

o Service-friendly: Plug-in connection terminals ensure easy installation

o User-friendly: No software necessary – plug & play

Summary

Thanks to their high signal quality even under changing conditions, the TSA modules are a profitable solution for automotive manufacturers that can be individually adapted to customer-specific requirements, even in small batches. Use of the GHM technology means a cost-effective and reliable implementation for an outstanding price/performance ratio.