PC-Based Resistance Test System Tests And Plots Linearity Accurately

Oct. 27, 2003

The model 8340 tests and plots the resistance (voltage ratio) of a wide range of single and dual potentiometers (1-20 turns), rotary position sensors, and inclinometers/tilt sensors from 50 Ω to 5 MΩ with 12-bit resolution for every 0.25° of rotation. Its accuracy (resistance ratio) is within ±0.05%. Using a 5-V dc test voltage, it can typically plot 300° of a potentiometer's rotation in 75 seconds. The user's PC controls the test sequence and parameters. Software is included with the purchase price of $6800. Measured data can be transferred to any spreadsheet, math program, or charting program with graphical capabilities. A macro for spreadsheets is provided.

Taylor Electronic Designswww.platinum1.com/taylor; (416) 504-9699

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.