Pressure sensor analog output does not make sense.

Question

Good day,

I purchased Honeywell TSCDANN150PGUCVTSCDANN150PGUCV pressure sensor few days ago

(link: https://my.element14.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=15001&langId=83&storeId=10188&krypto=xMs4olW0ElyxVaI%2FiD7ayZ5miUzDDbUiA%2F7psz4Sm5%2BmDjc2R3PzNnQmGmmZzO4WoRArmd0pQrtS%0Aw%2F8ti98Qrw%3D%3D&ddkey=http%3ALogoff)

I connected the output+ and output- to the oscilloscope to see the output waveform. Unfortunately, what I observe is just some noise. And then, I realise that the output is too small. And according to its datasheet, amplifier circuit is needed. So, I added the circuit to amplify the output. However, with no luck, the output is just does not make any sense.

Therefore, I hope that someone experienced can help me with this two question:

1. Is the analog output differential or single ended after the amplification? (Well, initially I thought was differential because it has both Vout+ and Vout- pins, but just want to be sure)

2. If anyone use this particular sensor before, what is the analog output in term of voltage? How many times (or gain) does the amplifier circuit need to set?

dougw · Accepted Answer

The sensor is a bridge type - so a differential amplifier is recommended. The example differential amplifier circuits in the datasheet have single-ended outputs. If you use a 5 V power supply, the maximum output of the sensor is only 45.75 mV, so you need a gain of about 100 to get a full scale of 4.6 V. It seems to be 150 psi full scale, so even with a gain of 100, it still only puts out 30 mV per psi.

clem57 · Answer

According to link you gave, you got a TSC, not a NSC series. So you measure differential or gauged, but not absolute. Did you solder it or breadboard it? What voltage at Vsupply are you using? Can you describe the application in more detail like what medium type used air or liquid? Picture of what you have? The data sheet is quite detailed if you follow it carefully. Possibly the voltage is noisy and that could be problem with output since the device is extremely accurate.

See below table to setup the device correctly:

Differential Output is proportional to the difference between the pressures applied to each port (Port 1 – Port 2).
Gage Output is proportional to the difference between applied pressure and atmospheric (ambient) pressure

Clem