Accurate LVDT Signal Converter

Abstract

A novel technique to implement a signal converter for an inductive displacement transducer, a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), is proposed in this paper. The technique is based on the use of the proposed peak-amplitude finder and the zero-order sample and hold circuit (ZSH) instead of the synchronous demodulator used in traditional approach. The advantage of this technique is that the phase shift due to the dominant pole of the low-pass filter used in the traditional synchronous demodulator is avoided. Therefore, the fast response time of the proposed LVDT signal converter is achieved. The core displacement signal, which is varied in proportion to the position of the moving core of the LVDT, is accurately extracted to direct-current (DC) voltage signal. The reference signal used to generate the control signal for the ZSH is directly provided by the output signal of the LVDT to prevent the phase shift caused by the LVDT structure. Performances of the proposed technique are discussed in detail and confirmed by the experimental demonstration using commercial devices. The purpose of the proposed technique is emphasized in terms of high accuracy, fast response, simple configuration and low cost.