AE 242

Aerospace Measurements
Laboratory
Time varying measurements

When we pour hot or cold liquid,

how fast temperature will rise /
decrease in thermometer?
Will it be instantaneous or take
time to show correct temperature?
Time varying measurements

After keeping the weight in the pan,

how much time we should wait to get
the correct measurement?
Can it be oscillatory?
 Dynamic Characteristic
Time varying quantities to be measured.
Dynamic Inputs
Periodic input : Varying cyclically or repeating itself. Could be
harmonic and non-harmonic
Transient input : Varying non-cyclically with time. It is of
definite duration and reduces to zero after certain time.
Random input : Varying randomly with time, with no definite
period and amplitude.
 Dynamic Characteristic

Periodic
Transient

Random
Sinusoidal input
Amplitude ratio and Phase difference
 Dynamic Characteristic
Dynamic characteristics of an instrument can be obtained
experimentally. Theoretical model is desirable for analysis
and design.

Steps in understanding dynamic behavior

a) Formulation of governing equation, relating input and
output.
b) Solution of governing equations, to study various input
conditions
c) To improve output response, if not satisfactory, by
compensation.
Dynamic Characteristic

Rise Time: Time delay between the

application of step input and proper
output is reached. It can also be
specified as time between 10% &
90% of the final output.
Overshoot: Maximum value of the
output from the final output.
Settling time: Time required for the
output to remain within some small
percentage of final output.
 Dynamic Characteristic

Output can differ in amplitude and phase. It is very important to study

phase response of the measuring system when it is used for control,
Amplitude and phase can be different for different input signal frequency.
Out of phase signal
 Typical measuring system

Sensor output is a combination of sensor noise and input quantity. Noise

is to be filtered such that original contents are preserved. System used for
signal conditioning should have permissible noise and signal distortion
parameters.
 Dynamic System
Input and output can be related in simplified form:

n n 1 q0 = Output quantity
dq d q dq
an
a n
 ....  a
0
n 1
a q  n 1
0
1
0
0 0 qi = Input quantity
dt dt dt
dq m
d q dq m 1 a’s, b’s = system
bm
b m
 ....  b
i
m 1
b q m 1
i
1
i
0 i
physical parameters
dt dt dt assumed constant

Solution of above expression can be found out using standard mathematical

techniques.
Most of the engineering systems can be simplified. No need to have such a
complicated differential equation. Closed form or numerical methods can be
used for solutions.
 Dynamic System
Input and output can be related in simplified form:

n n 1 q0 = Output quantity
dq d q dq
a a
n
 ....  a n
a q 
0
n 1 n 1
0
1
0
0 0 qi = Input quantity
dt dt dt
dq d q m
dq m 1 a’s, b’s = system
b b
m
 ....  b m
b q
i
m 1 m 1
i
1
i
0 i
physical parameters
dt dt dt assumed constant

aq b q
0 0 0 i
Zeroth order system

dq
a1
a q b q 0
0 0 0 i First order system
dt
2
dq dq
a2
a a q b q
2
0
1
0
0 0 0 i Second order system
dt dt
 Zero-order system
a0 and b0 are non zero in the generalised equation

aq b q
0 0 0 i
Output, input relationship

b
q  q  Kq
0
0
i i Output is related to input by a single quantity K
a 0

b
K 0
Static sensitivity, independent of input signal
a 0

Output follows input without any distortion and lag. Zero-order instrument
represents ideal or perfect dynamic performance. Zero-order system can
have non-linear gain.
 Zero-order system
Potentiometer is a zero-order instrument for all practical purpose.
Potentiometer do have a very small capacitance and inductance can
become critical for very high frequency applications.
 First-order system
a1, a0 and b0 are non zero in the generalised equation. Any instrument
which can be represented using this equation is a first-order instrument.

dq
a1
a q b q
0
0 0 0 i
Output, input relationship, three parameters
a1, a0 and b0
dt
a dq b b
1
q  q0
0
0
i K 0 Static sensitivity
a dt0
a 0 a 0

a
(D  1)q  Kq  1
Time constant
0 i
a 0

d
D Operator
dt
 First-order system
q K
(D) 
0
Transfer function for the first order system
q i
D  1
q0  0; at t  0 qi  qis ; for t  0

q  Kq (1  e )
0 is
 t /
Solution of the equation for a step function

q
 (1  e )
0 t /

Kq is

In non-dimensional form

63.2%
 First-order system
q
e q 
m i
0
Measurement error
K
In one time constant
e  q  q (1  e ) e output is 63.2% of input.
e
 t / t /
m
m is is To achieve output within
q is 5% of settling time, 3 time
constants are required.
For fast response, time
constant should be less
 First-order system

In one time constant output is 63.2% of input. To achieve output within 5%

of settling time, 3 time constants are required. Error reduces as more time
is given to achieve steady state. Ideally infinite is required. For practical
purpose four to five time constant is good enough. For fast response, time
constant should be less.
First-order system - Ramp response
q  0 t0
q  0

 q t is
t0
e   q e  q   t /


m
  is is

Steady state
Transient error
e m,t error e m.ss

First term gradually disappears – transient

error. Second term persist for ever – steady
q  Kq (e
0 is
 t /
 t  ) state error.

q0
 qis (et /  t   )
K
First-order system – sinusoidal inputs
For sinusoidal input, input and output can be given as

q K K
0
( i )   [tan (- )]
1

q i
i  1   1
2 2

Inadequate frequency response Output gain and phase

depends on frequency.
First-order system – Impulse response

Same response as step input till

Exact impulse is infinite amplitude,
the pulse is high. It never reaches
derivative of step function
the required output.