I�C was designed to communicate over short distances between printed circuit boards and is a simple, 8-bit serial data bus. In the meantime, it isn’t only PCB-mountable pressure sensors that use the I�C signal for data transfer, but additionally pressure sensors remote from customer electronics.
Remote sensors usually have the benefit of being less sensitive to contaminated or aggressive media and having the ability to measure directly at the process. In the case of sensors mounted on the circuit board, the sensor element is, in many cases, exposed right to the medium. With remote sensors, steel or ceramic generally serve as the wetted surface.
I�C circuit
The I�C bus, alongside the two supply lines, requires only two further lines:
SCL (serial clock line)
SDA (serial data line)
Additional possibilities through I�C
The I�C bus is really a well-known standard in electronics, offering additional possibilities for communication with a pressure sensor than having an analogue signal:
In the info protocol, in addition to the pressure value, a temperature value and diagnostic information (for example an integrity test of the info transfer) could be transmitted with a status byte.
Several pressure sensors could be linked to a bus line as ?slaves? to the client electronics that functions as a ?master?.
On the client side, in contrast to using pressure sensors with analogue signals, the analogue-to-digital conversion of the pressure value for further signal processing is unnecessary since the pressure value has already been present in digital form. This plays a part in faster and easier signal processing.
The electronics for communication can be constructed with standard components readily available on the market.
Often, I�C signal pressure sensors may also be optimised to consume less energy, making them perfect for battery-powered applications. In the WIKA portfolio, for instance, this pertains to the MPR-1 pressure sensor module.
Boundary conditions with the use of I�C
Since I�C is not a fieldbus, long wire lengths aren’t recommended. The maximum wire length depends, at length, on the operating environment and the corresponding disturbing influences. I�C communication is best used in projects where in fact the pressure sensor or the pressure sensor module is integrated into the customer product and thus protected against external influences. It should also be noted that with any digitally processed signal, the response time due to discrete-time sampling will undoubtedly be somewhat slower than for an analogue, continuous signal.
Note
Your contact person will be happy to help you with any more questions on digital interfaces.
Distributed Intelligence
Distributed Intelligence on the integration of pressure sensors into hydraulic systems
Fill below form and we will send you the whitepaper ?Distributed Intelligence?.
Name
Company
E-mail
Send
We?re focused on your privacy. We?ll use your details to contact you about our services and products. Dirty mail us at socialmedia@wika.com to revoke your permission to utilize your information.