System for operating a physical measurement chain

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for operating a physical measuring chain, which has a plurality of physical measuring elements at a measuring location; the physical measuring elements comprise at least one physical sensor, at least one physical transmission device and at least one physical evaluation unit; wherein an identification code is detected from each physical measuring element; wherein a data network transmits the detected identification codes to a data processing unit which is remote from the measuring location; wherein the data processing unit has at least one software and measuring element data; wherein the software reads the measuring element data for the transmitted identification codes and generates therefrom a digital measuring chain, which has at least one digital sensor, at least one digital transmission device and at least one digital evaluation unit; and wherein the data network transmits the digital measuring chain to a computer unit which is located at the measuring location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system for operating a physical measurement chain. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document WO2019105693A1 relates to a physical measurement chain for measuring physical measurement parameters. These physical measurement parameters can be force, weight, temperature, etc. The physical measurement chain includes multiple physical measurement elements, such as physical sensors, physical transmission devices, and physical analysis units. To illustrate the working principle of the physical measurement chain, temperature measurement at a measurement location is described as an example. For this purpose, a physical sensor, implemented as a thermocouple, is arranged at the measurement location, and the temperature is measured as a voltage. The voltage, as a measurement signal, is transmitted to the physical analysis unit via a physical transmission device, implemented as a signal cable. The physical analysis unit electrically amplifies the measurement signal and displays it as a measured value on a display. The directly adjacent physical measurement elements of the physical measurement chain are causally related to each other in the measurement of the physical measurement parameters.

[0003] Before measuring physical measurement parameters, the physical measurement chain must be configured. The term "configuration" refers to the technical compatibility between physical measurement elements. Configuration parameters are used for this purpose. In this example, to continuously measure temperature at the measurement location, various types of thermocouples with different sensitivities are used to measure the temperature. Depending on the sensitivity, the measured voltage will differ. Signal cables may also have different lengths, resulting in different voltage drops in the measurement signal within the cables. Finally, the amplification of the measurement signal in the physical analysis unit must also be adapted to the sensitivity of the thermocouples used. Only when the various configuration parameters of the physical measurement chain are technically correctly matched to each other can the physical measurement chain accurately measure the physical measurement parameters.

[0004] However, proper configuration of this physical measurement chain is crucial for users, impacting both time and material costs. This is because users often keep the technical documentation for the required configuration parameters of each physical measurement element scattered and difficult to locate. Furthermore, users frequently fail to understand the causal relationships between physical measurement elements, and therefore cannot correctly interpret the impact of configuration parameters. Finally, configuration parameters must be read through configuration software. If users manually input these parameters via keyboard, there is a risk of typing errors. In short, any misconfiguration of the physical measurement chain will lead to incorrect measurements of the physical measurement parameters. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to help users of physical measurement chains to correctly configure them, so that users can achieve the correct technical configuration of the physical measurement chain with minimal time and material costs, and without the risk of incorrect configuration.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the technical solution of this application.

[0007] This invention relates to a system for operating a physical measurement chain configured to measure physical measurement parameters at a measurement location; the physical measurement chain has a plurality of physical measurement elements causally related to each other; these physical measurement elements include at least one physical sensor, at least one physical transmission device, and at least one physical analysis unit; wherein each physical measurement element has an identifier storing an identification code therein; wherein the system has at least one identification device arranged at the measurement location and configured to detect the identification code stored in the identifier from each physical measurement element; wherein the system has at least one data processing unit arranged at a data processing location remote from the measurement location. The system includes a data network that transmits detected identification codes to a data processing unit. The data processing unit has at least one data processor with at least one piece of software and at least one data storage unit with measurement element data. The software is designed to read measurement element data for the transmitted identification codes from the data storage unit and generate a digital measurement chain using the read measurement element data. The digital measurement chain has multiple digital measurement elements, including at least one digital sensor, at least one digital transmission device, and at least one digital analysis unit. The system also includes at least one computer unit located at the measurement position, and the data network transmits the digital measurement chain to the computer unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, for a physical measurement chain at a user's measurement location, a digital measurement chain is generated by a data processing unit at a data processing location remote from the measurement location. This method is particularly convenient for the user. At the measurement location, it is only necessary to detect the identification code from each physical measurement element and transmit it to the data processing unit. That's all that needs to be done. Using the identification code, the measurement element data stored in the data memory is read in the data processing unit, and the digital measurement chain is generated using this measurement element data. Then, the digital measurement chain is transmitted to the computer unit at the measurement location. The transmitted digital measurement chain and its digital measurement elements are a digital description of the physical measurement chain with physical measurement elements to the user. This makes it easy for the user to correctly configure the physical measurement chain, as all the necessary configuration parameters are also provided to the user through the digital measurement chain.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are given in the following description.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, each physical measurement element has a TEDS as an identifier; wherein the identification device of each physical measurement element automatically detects the identification code stored in the TEDS; wherein the data network automatically transmits the detected identification code to the data processing unit; wherein the software is designed to automatically read the measurement element data from the data memory for the transmitted identification code, and automatically generate a digital measurement chain using the read measurement element data; and wherein the data network automatically transmits the digital measurement chain to the computer unit.

[0011] The TEDS includes a data storage unit containing an identification code that can be automatically detected by the identification device according to the IEEE 1451 standard. The adjective "automatically" should be understood as meaning that the system operates independently without user intervention at the measurement location or operator intervention at the data processing location. Now, if each physical measurement element has a TEDS, the identification device can automatically detect the identification codes of all physical measurement elements, and can also automatically transmit the detected identification codes to the data processing unit and read the measurement element data, generating a digital measurement chain using the read measurement element data. Finally, the resulting digital measurement chain is also automatically transmitted to the computer unit. This automatic provision of the digital measurement chain makes it particularly easy for the user to correctly configure the physical measurement chain.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the computer unit has at least one computer data processor, which has at least one computer software and at least one computer input device; wherein at least one operation point (Arbeitspunkt) can be input via the computer input device; wherein the computer software is designed to automatically extract at least one configuration parameter for the input operation point from the transmitted digital measurement chain.

[0013] In a further simplification of the technically correct configuration of the physical measurement chain, configuration parameters are automatically extracted from the digital measurement chain and provided to the user.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the computer software is designed to automatically configure the physical measurement chain using configuration parameters.

[0015] Thus, the system automatically performs the correct technical configuration of the physical measurement chain for the user. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The following will refer to the appendix. Figure 1 The present invention will be described in detail by way of example. Figure 1 The system 100 for operating the physical measurement chain 10 is illustrated schematically.

[0017] The list of reference numerals in the attached figures is as follows:

[0018] 1. Measurement location

[0019] 2. Data processing location

[0020] 10 Physical Measurement Chain

[0021] 11 Physical Sensors

[0022] 12 Physical transmission devices

[0023] 13 Physical Analysis Unit

[0024] 11 12 13 Identifier

[0025] 11', 12', 13' Identification Code

[0026] 20 Data Networks

[0027] Routers 21 and 22

[0028] 210, 220 Electronic Interface

[0029] 100 System

[0030] 110 Identification Device

[0031] 120 Data Processing Unit

[0032] 121 Data Processor

[0033] 122 Software

[0034] 123 Data Storage

[0035] 124 Measurement Element Data

[0036] 124' Product Number

[0037] 130 computer units

[0038] 131 Computer Data Processor

[0039] 132 Computer Software

[0040] 133 Computer Data Storage

[0041] 135 Computer input device

[0042] 136 Computer output device

[0043] 137 operation points

[0044] 138 Data Transmission

[0045] 139 Configuration Parameters

[0046] 1391 Optimal time constant for minimum charge drift

[0047] 1392 Optimal Measurement Range

[0048] 1393 is the optimal value for linear error including hysteresis.

[0049] 1394 The optimal value of the minimum measurement error of the physical sensor

[0050] 1395 Optimal Temperature Coefficient for Sensitivity

[0051] 1396 Optimal value of preload

[0052] Optimal number of 1397 channels

[0053] 1398 Optimal sensitivity within the optimal measurement range

[0054] 1399 Optimal sensitivity within the optimal measurement range for the optimal value of preload.

[0055] The optimal value for the minimum measurement error of 1400 physical analysis units

[0056] 1401 Optimal time constant to avoid lower cutoff frequency

[0057] 1402 Optimal Current Supply

[0058] 310 Digital Measurement Chain

[0059] 311 Digital Sensor

[0060] 312 Digital transmission device

[0061] 313 Digital Analysis Unit Detailed Implementation

[0062] Figure 1 A physical measurement chain 10 is schematically illustrated. The physical measurement chain 10 is used by a user. The physical measurement chain 10 is configured to measure physical measurement parameters at measurement location 1. Measurement location 1 can be any location, such as a research laboratory, factory building, vehicle, etc. The boundary of measurement location 1 is... Figure 1 It is shown as a curved dashed line. Physical measurement parameters can be force, weight, temperature, etc.

[0063] The physical measurement chain 10 includes multiple physical measurement elements 11, 12, and 13. The adjective "physical" emphasizes that the measurement elements 11, 12, and 13 exist in an objective and tangible manner. Directly adjacent physical measurement elements 11, 12, and 13 have a causal relationship with each other. The physical measurement elements 11, 12, and 13 include at least one physical sensor 11, at least one physical transmission device 12, and at least one physical analysis unit 13.

[0064] The physical sensor 11 can be a pressure sensor, an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. The physical sensor 11 measures pressure, acceleration, temperature, etc. as physical measurement parameters, and generates measurement signals, such as current and voltage, for the measured physical measurement parameters.

[0065] In embodiments where the physical sensor 11 is a piezoelectric sensor or a piezoresistive sensor, the measurement signal is proportional to the physical measurement parameter.

[0066] Piezoelectric sensors generate an electrical charge as a measurement signal. The measurement sensitivity of piezoelectric sensors is very high, a few pC / N. However, the measurement sensitivity varies with ambient temperature and the aging of the piezoelectric sensor. Furthermore, the measurement signal is only approximately proportional to the physical measurement parameter; the linearity error of the piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensor is typically 1% of the maximum scale reading (full-scale output or FSO). Finally, piezoelectric sensors must be mechanically preloaded. However, the sensitivity of the piezoelectric sensor changes depending on the magnitude of the preload. Due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the components involved in the mechanical preload of the piezoelectric sensor, the magnitude of the preload also changes with temperature.

[0067] Piezoresistive sensors utilize bridging circuits with silicon-based bridging resistors. Physically measured parameters cause strain in the bridging circuit, thus altering its resistance. The measured signal is voltage. Strain can be axial strain, bending strain, shear strain, etc. Piezoresistive sensors typically comprise multiple bridging circuits that can be combined with each other. Bridging circuits can be full-bridge, half-bridge, or quarter-bridge. When the physical parameter to be measured is known, a specific combination of bridging circuits can be selected, for example, measuring only axial strain while excluding bending strain. Temperature variations affect the measurement signal. To compensate for temperature dependence, in addition to analyzing the measurement signal of the bridging circuit that does not measure the physical parameter, the measurement signal of the bridging circuit that does not measure the physical parameter can also be analyzed.

[0068] Unlike piezoresistive sensors, piezoelectric sensors can measure physical parameters that change rapidly over time, with cutoff frequencies as high as 100 kHz. The cutoff frequency is essentially determined by the piezoelectric sensor's natural frequency, which can be as high as 500 kHz. The closer the measurement frequency is to the natural frequency, the stronger the interference effect of the natural frequency caused by resonance on the measurement signal. Therefore, the measurement range of piezoelectric sensors is significantly larger than that of piezoresistive sensors.

[0069] Unlike piezoelectric sensors, piezoresistive sensors do not exhibit charge drift and are capable of measuring physical parameters that change minutely over long periods of time.

[0070] The physical transmission device 12 can be a signal cable, radio connection, etc. The physical transmission device 12 transmits the measurement signal from the physical sensor 11 to the physical analysis unit 13. In the implementation of a piezoelectric sensor and a signal cable for the physical transmission device 12, the cable length, cable capacitance, and cable inductance significantly affect the upper cutoff frequency of the measured physical parameter. As the measurement frequency increases, the inductive resistance of the signal cable increases and its capacitive resistance decreases, causing the signal cable to act as a low-pass filter, preventing the transmission of measurement frequencies higher than the upper cutoff frequency. The cable impedance of the signal cable also affects the measurement signal. In particular, if the signal cable does not have a termination characteristic impedance, the cable impedance at the input end of the signal cable will change.

[0071] The physical analysis unit 13 analyzes the transmitted measurement signal. For this purpose, the physical analysis unit 13 may have at least one electrical amplifier, at least one data processor, at least one data memory, and at least one output device. The electrical amplifier is capable of electrically amplifying the transmitted measurement signal. To analyze the measurement signal from the piezoelectric sensor, the physical analysis unit 13 has a charge amplifier. This charge amplifier converts the amount of charge into voltage. Due to the finite insulation resistance of the physical measurement chain 10 up to the charge amplifier, the measurement signal will drift over time, and the magnitude of the measurement signal will be distorted; this is called charge drift. To compensate for this charge drift, the time constant of the charge amplifier can be reduced.

[0072] However, the time constant of the charge amplifier must also be high enough to avoid forming a high-pass filter, which does not transmit measurement frequencies above the lower cutoff frequency. The charge amplifier can also digitize the transmitted measurement signal. To analyze this digitized measurement signal, at least one software is loaded into a data processor. The analysis of the digitized measurement signal can include calculations, filtering, etc. The digitized measurement signal can be stored in a data memory. It can also be displayed on an output device, such as a display screen.

[0073] Those skilled in the art, upon understanding the present invention, can implement variations of the physical measurement chain 10:

[0074] Therefore, he can minimize the length of the physical transmission device 12 to zero and connect the physical analysis unit 13 directly to the physical sensor 11.

[0075] Those skilled in the art can also implement the physical analysis unit 13 as a multi-part unit, wherein the electrical amplifier of the first physical analysis unit 13 is integrated into the physical sensor 11, and the physical sensor 11 is connected to the data processor and data memory of the second physical analysis unit 13 via the physical transmission device 12. For a piezoelectric sensor with an integrated charge amplifier (Integrated Electronics Piezo-Electric or IEPE), the measured signal is voltage. The integrated charge amplifier is supplied with a current of a few mA by the physical transmission device 12. For the physical transmission device 12 implemented as a signal cable with cable capacitance, the magnitude of the current supply will affect the upper cutoff frequency of the physical measurement chain 10. The larger the current supply, the higher the upper cutoff frequency.

[0076] - In addition, those skilled in the art can also implement the physical transmission device 12 as a multi-part device, wherein the physical sensor 11 is connected to the electrical amplifier of the first physical analysis unit 13 through the first physical transmission device 12, and the first physical analysis unit 13 is connected to the data processor and the data storage of the second physical analysis unit 13 through the second physical transmission device 12.

[0077] Physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13 each have an identifier 11 12 13 Identifier 11 12 13 It stores identification codes 11', 12', and 13'. These identification codes are alphanumeric strings used to uniquely identify entries with the identifier 11'. 12 13 Physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13. Identifier 11 12 13 It can be a two-dimensional (2D) code, optical text recognition (OCR), radio frequency identification (RFID), or a transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) according to IEEE 1451, etc.

[0078] Therefore, in the implementation of TEDS, the physical sensor 11, configured as a piezoelectric sensor, can have an identifier 11. TEDS includes a data storage device that stores an electronically detectable identification code 11' according to the IEEE 1451 standard.

[0079] In a 2D code implementation, the physical transmission device 12, configured as a signal cable, may have a cable sheath on which an identifier 12 is mounted. The 2D code stores an optically detectable identification code 12'.

[0080] In an RFID implementation, the physical analysis unit 13 may have an analysis unit housing with an identifier 13 mounted thereon. The RFID tag stores an identification code 13' that can be detected by radio frequency.

[0081] System 100 has at least one identification device 110, at least one data processing unit 120, and at least one computer unit 130. Identification device 110, data processing unit 120, and computer unit 130 are also referred to below as system components 110, 120, and 130.

[0082] System 100 also includes a data network 20. Data network 20 transmits data between system components 110, 120, and 130. For this purpose, each system component 110, 120, and 130 has electronic interfaces 210 and 220 through which they can feed data to and receive data from data network 20. Data network 20 is a non-proprietary data network, such as the Internet. Data transmission is performed according to protocols, such as the Internet Protocol (IP). Each system component 110, 120, and 130 has a unique IP address. This IP address is known to each system component 110, 120, and 130. Therefore, given the IP addresses of the receiving system components 110, 120, and 130, the feeding system components 110, 120, and 130 can transmit data to the receiving system components 110, 120, and 130 within data network 20. Data network 20 includes multiple subnets and multiple routers 21, 22. Each subnet has at least one router 21, 22. Routers 21, 22 organize data transmission between subnets. Each system component 110, 120, 130 accesses one of routers 21, 22 through its electronic interface 210, 220 and is located in the subnet of that router 21, 22. Figure 1In this configuration, the identification device 110 and the computer unit 130 access the router 21 at measurement location 1 via electronic interface 210 and are located within the subnet of router 21. The data processing unit 120 accesses the router 22 at data processing location 2 via electronic interface 220 and is located within the subnet of router 22. Electronic interfaces 210 and 220 can be wired or wireless.

[0083] The identification device 110 is located at measurement position 1. The identification device 110 is configured to detect from each physical measuring element 11, 12, 13 the identifier stored in identifier 11. 12 13 The identification codes 11', 12', and 13' are used. The identification device 110, like the identification codes 11', 12', and 13' to be detected, is diverse. The identification device 110 can be a wired data reader, a camera, a wirelessly linked data reader, etc.

[0084] In order to detect the identifier 11 stored in the implementation as TEDS The identification device 110 can be a wired data reading device that can connect to TEDS via a signal cable and read the identification code 11' stored in TEDS.

[0085] To detect the identifier 12, which is implemented as a 2D code and installed on the cable sheath. The identification device 110 can be a camera that scans the 2D code and identifies the identification code 12' stored in the 2D code.

[0086] In order to detect the RFID identifier 13' installed on the analysis unit housing and stored therein, which is implemented as an RFID tag 13'. The identification device 110 can be a radio-linked data reading device with an antenna, which generates a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field through the antenna and activates the RFID via electrical energy. The activated RFID modulates the high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field and thus sends the identification code 13' to the antenna.

[0087] The identification device 110 can be a standalone device. However, the identification device 110 can also be integrated into the physical analysis unit 13 or the computer unit 130.

[0088] Preferably, each physical measurement element 11, 12, 13 has TEDS as an identifier 11. 12 13 The identification device 110 automatically detects the identification codes 11', 12', and 13' stored in the TEDS. The identification device 110 can be integrated into the physical analysis unit 13 and automatically detects the identification codes 11' and 12' stored in the TEDS of the physical sensor 11 and the physical transmission device 12 via the physical transmission device 12, which is implemented as a signal cable. Since the identification device 110 is integrated into the physical analysis unit 13, it can also automatically detect the identification code 13' stored in the TEDS of the physical analysis unit 13.

[0089] The identification device 110 accesses the router 21 at measurement location 1 via its electronic interface 210 and is located in the subnet of the router 21 at measurement location 1. The identification device 110 feeds the detected identification codes 11', 12', and 13' to the data network 20 via its electronic interface 210 and the router 21 at measurement location 1.

[0090] Data network 20 transmits the detected identification codes 11', 12', and 13' as data to router 22 at data processing location 2. Data processing unit 120 receives data from router 22 via its electronic interface 220. Data processing location 2 is located away from the measurement location. The term "away from the measurement location" means that data processing unit 120 is not in the subnet of router 21 at measurement location 1 from the user's perspective. Figure 1 In the diagram, the boundary of data processing position 2 is represented by a dashed curve. Preferably, the data network 20 automatically transmits the detected identification codes 11', 12', and 13' to the data processing unit 120.

[0091] The data processing unit 120 has at least one data processor 121 and at least one data memory 123, wherein the data processor has at least one software 122 and the data memory has measurement element data 124.

[0092] Measuring element data 124 is product-specific data about the physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13 manufactured by at least one manufacturer. A large amount of measuring element data 124 is stored in data storage 123. The measuring element data 124 is continuously updated to form a complete database for the manufactured physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13. Each data element of the measuring element data 124 has a product number 124'. (The last sentence appears to be incomplete and possibly refers to a different data point.) The data storage 123 can identify data elements related to physical measurement elements 11, 12, and 13. Product number 124 Corresponding to the transmitted identification codes 11', 12', and 13'. Therefore, for the transmitted identification codes 11', 12', and 13', the measurement element data 124 in the data storage 123 can be identified by the product number 124'.

[0093] For physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13, the measuring element data 124 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0094] - Data elements regarding the temperature range of measuring element 124, within which measuring element 124 can operate.

[0095] - Data elements regarding the weight of measuring element 124.

[0096] - Data elements relating to the external dimensions of measuring element 124.

[0097] - Data elements regarding the materials constituting the measuring element 124.

[0098] For the physical sensor 11, the measurement element data 124 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0099] - Data elements relating to the physical measurement parameters measured by physical sensor 11.

[0100] - Data elements regarding the measurement range of the physical sensor 11 for measuring physical parameters. When the measurement range is too small relative to the measurement signal, there is a risk that the measurement signal will exceed the maximum scale reading and the physical sensor 11 will be damaged. When the measurement range is too large relative to the measurement signal, the measurement signal will be difficult to distinguish.

[0101] - Data elements relating to the maximum allowable value of the physical measurement parameters measured by physical sensor 11.

[0102] - Data elements relating to the sensitivity of the physical sensor 11 in measuring physical measurement parameters within different measurement ranges.

[0103] - Data elements related to the repeatability of physical measurement parameters measured by physical sensors 11.

[0104] - Data elements related to the linear error, including hysteresis, used by physical sensor 11 to measure physical measurement parameters. The value of the linear error including hysteresis differs for measurements with rising physical measurement parameters and measurements with falling physical measurement parameters. The value of the linear error including hysteresis can be graphically represented as a hysteresis loop as a function of the maximum scale reading.

[0105] - Data elements relating to the calibration data of physical sensor 11, wherein the minimum measurement inaccuracies present for different measurement ranges are recorded.

[0106] - Data regarding the connection type of the signal cable.

[0107] If the physical sensor 11 is a piezoelectric sensor, then the measurement element data 124 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0108] - Data elements regarding the natural frequency of the physical sensor 11. In order to keep the interference effect of the natural frequency of the physical sensor 11 caused by resonance on the measured physical measurement parameters at approximately 5%, the cutoff frequency for measuring the physical measurement parameters is 20% of the natural frequency of the physical sensor 11.

[0109] - Data elements relating to the temperature coefficient of the piezoelectric sensor's sensitivity. The temperature coefficient of a piezoelectric sensor's sensitivity is typically a factor for a specific portion of the sensor's temperature range. For a physical measurement parameter measured within a specific portion of the temperature range, the resulting measurement signal is multiplied by the factor corresponding to that specific portion of the temperature range. However, the data elements relating to the temperature coefficient of the piezoelectric sensor's sensitivity are preferably mathematical series expansions. These expansions reflect the temperature coefficient of the piezoelectric sensor's sensitivity over its temperature range with a more precise order of magnitude than conventionally defined factors.

[0110] - Data elements regarding the magnitude of the preload of the piezoelectric sensor. The magnitude of the preload typically varies from 20% to 70% of the maximum scale reading within the selected measurement range.

[0111] - Data elements concerning the sensitivity of piezoelectric sensors that depend on the magnitude of their preload. This preload causes force shunting, meaning a portion of the physical parameter being measured no longer passes through the piezoelectric sensor, thus reducing its sensitivity. The relationship between sensitivity reduction and the magnitude of the preload is not linear.

[0112] For the physical transmission device 12 implemented as a signal cable, the measurement element data 124 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0113] - Data element relating to the length of the signal cable.

[0114] - Data elements related to the cable capacitance of the signal cable.

[0115] - Data elements related to the cable inductance of the signal cable.

[0116] - Data elements regarding the connection type of physical sensor 11.

[0117] - Data elements related to the connection type of physical analysis unit 13.

[0118] For the physical transmission device 12 implemented as a radio connection, the measurement element data 124 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0119] - Data element relating to the number of transmission channels.

[0120] - Data elements relating to the bandwidth of each transmission channel.

[0121] For the physical analysis unit 13, the measurement element data 124 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0122] - Data elements regarding the number of channels used by the physical analysis unit 13 to receive measurement signals.

[0123] - Data elements in physical analysis unit 13 used to describe the measurement range of the measurement signal.

[0124] - Data elements relating to the magnitude of crosstalk between channels in physical analysis unit 13.

[0125] - Data elements related to the input associated noise of physical analysis unit 13.

[0126] - Regarding the data elements in physical analysis unit 13 used to describe the resolution of the minimum possible variation of physical measurement parameters.

[0127] - Data elements related to the calibration data of the physical analysis unit, in which the minimum measurement error is recorded when analyzing the measurement signal for different physical measurement parameters.

[0128] - Data element regarding the connection type of the signal cable.

[0129] If the physical sensor 11 is a piezoelectric sensor, and if the physical analysis unit 13 has a charge amplifier in the piezoelectric sensor, then the measurement element data 124 includes data elements about the time constant of the charge amplifier.

[0130] If the physical sensor 11 is a piezoelectric sensor, if the physical analysis unit 13 has a charge amplifier in the piezoelectric sensor, and if the physical transmission device 12 is a signal cable, then the measurement element data 124 includes data elements regarding the current supply value to the charge amplifier through the signal cable.

[0131] Software 122 is loaded into data processor 121. The software 122 loaded into data processor 121 is designed to read measurement element data 124 from data memory 123 in response to the transmitted identification codes 11', 12', 13' and generate a digital measurement chain 310 using the read measurement element data 124. The digital measurement chain 310 has multiple digital measurement elements 311, 312, 313, which include at least one digital sensor 311, at least one digital transmission device 312, and at least one digital analysis unit 313. Preferably, software 122 automatically reads measurement element data 124 from data memory 123 in response to the transmitted identification codes 11', 12', 13' and automatically generates the digital measurement chain 310 using the read measurement element data 124.

[0132] The data processing unit 120 feeds the digital measurement chain 310 into the data network 20 via its electronic interface 220 and the router 22 at the data processing location 22.

[0133] Data network 20 transmits the digital measurement chain 310 as data to router 21 at measurement location 1. Computer unit 130 receives this data from router 21 via its electronic interface 210. Preferably, data network 20 transmits the digital measurement chain 310 automatically to computer unit 130.

[0134] The computer unit 130 includes: at least one computer data processor 131 with at least one computer software 132; at least one computer data storage device 134; at least one computer input device 135; and at least one computer output device 136. The computer input device 135 is an electronic interface, keyboard, touchscreen, etc. The computer output device 136 is a display screen, etc.

[0135] The transmitted digital measurement chain 310 and its digital measurement elements 311, 312, and 313 are a digital description of the physical measurement chain 10 with physical measurement elements 11, 12, and 13 to the user. The transmitted digital measurement chain 210 can be stored in the computer data memory 133 and can be visually output to the user on the computer output device 136.

[0136] At least one operation point 137 can be input via the computer input device 135. Operation point 137 is a physical measurement parameter to be measured, such as nominal force, nominal acceleration, nominal temperature, etc. Operation point 137 includes at least one of the following data elements:

[0137] - The numerical range of operation point 137 between the minimum operation point 137 and the maximum operation point 137 (Grössenbereich).

[0138] - Operating point 137 is the frequency range between the slowest operating point 137 and the fastest operating point 137.

[0139] - Operating point 137 is the temperature range between the coldest operating point 137 and the hottest operating point 137.

[0140] Computer software 132 is loaded into computer data processor 131. The computer software 132 loaded into computer data processor 131 is designed to: read the input operation point 137 and automatically extract at least one configuration parameter 139 from the transmitted digital measurement chain 310 for the input operation point 137.

[0141] In order for the physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13 to accurately measure the operating point 137, the configuration parameters 139 are used to perform technical matching between the physical measuring elements 11, 12, and 13.

[0142] For physical sensor 11, configuration parameter 139 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0143] - Data elements regarding the optimal measurement range 1392 of the physical sensor 11, wherein, for the numerical range of the input operating point 137, the maximum operating point 137 does not exceed the maximum scale reading of the optimal measurement range 1392, and the physical sensor 11 still measures the minimum operating point 137 with the highest possible resolution.

[0144] - Data elements of physical sensor 11 containing the optimal value 1393 of linear error with hysteresis, which are located within the numerical range of operating point 137 for the highest possible resolution.

[0145] - Data elements for the optimal minimum measurement error 1394 of physical sensor 11, for the optimal measurement range 1392.

[0146] For the physical sensor 11 implemented as a piezoelectric sensor, the configuration parameter 139 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0147] - Data elements regarding the optimal temperature coefficient 1395 for the sensitivity of the piezoelectric sensor. The optimal temperature coefficient 1395 for sensitivity is derived from a mathematical series expansion and is applicable to a temperature range with an operating point of 137.

[0148] - Data element regarding the optimal value 1396 of the preload force for the piezoelectric sensor. To achieve the highest possible resolution within the range of the input operating point 137, the sum of the optimal value 1396 of the preload force and the maximum operating point 137 is substantially equal to the maximum scale reading of the optimal measurement range 1392.

[0149] For the physical analysis unit 13, the configuration parameter 139 includes at least one of the following data elements, preferably all of the following data elements:

[0150] - Data elements regarding the optimal sensitivity 1398 within the optimal measurement range 1392 of the physical sensor 11.

[0151] - Data element regarding the optimal sensitivity 1399 for the optimal value of the preload force for the physical sensor 11 within the optimal measurement range 1392.

[0152] - Data elements for physical analysis unit 13 with the optimal minimum measurement error of 1400 for operating point 137.

[0153] - For the physical sensor 11 implemented as a piezoelectric sensor, the configuration parameter 139 includes data elements regarding the optimal time constant 1391 of the charge amplifier, which forms a minimum charge drift over the frequency range of the operating point 137.

[0154] - For the physical sensor 11 implemented as a piezoelectric sensor, the configuration parameter 139 includes data elements regarding an optimal time constant 1401 for the charge amplifier, which does not form a lower cutoff frequency within the frequency range of the operating point 137. This optimal time constant 1401 avoids a lower cutoff frequency within the frequency range of the operating point 137.

[0155] - For the physical sensor 11 implemented as a piezoelectric sensor, and for the physical analysis unit 13 having a charge amplifier in the piezoelectric sensor, and for the physical transmission device 12 implemented as a signal cable, the configuration parameter 139 includes data elements regarding the optimal current supply 1402 of the charge amplifier, which does not form an upper cutoff frequency for the cable capacitance of the signal cable within the frequency range of the operating point 137.

[0156] Computer software 132 is designed to automatically configure physical measurement chain 10 using configuration parameters 139. For this purpose, computer unit 130 is connected to physical analysis unit 13 via data transmission 138 (e.g., Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), etc.). Through data transmission 138, computer software 132 automatically sends configuration parameters 139 to physical analysis unit 13. Physical analysis unit 13 uses the sent configuration parameters 139 to measure operating point 137 via physical measurement chain 10.

Claims

1. A system (100) for operating a physical measurement chain (10), the physical measurement chain (10) being designed to measure physical measurement parameters at a measurement location (1); the physical measurement chain (10) having a plurality of physical measurement elements (11, 12, 13) causally related to each other; the physical measurement elements (11, 12, 13) comprising at least one physical sensor (11), at least one physical transmission device (12), and at least one physical analysis unit (13); wherein, Each physical measurement element (11, 12, 13) has an identifier (11) 12 13 The identifier has an identification code (11', 12', 13') stored therein. The system (100) includes at least one identification device (110), which is arranged at the measurement location (1) and designed to detect from each physical measurement element (11, 12, 13) the identifier stored in the identifier (11). 12 13 The identification code (11', 12', 13') in ). The system (100) has at least one data processing unit (120), which is arranged at a data processing position (2) away from the measurement position. The system (100) has a data network (20), and the data network (20) transmits the detected identification codes (11', 12', 13') to the data processing unit (120). The data processing unit (120) includes at least one data processor (121) having at least one software (122) and at least one data memory (123) having measurement element data (124). Its features are, The software (122) is designed to read measurement element data (124) from the data memory (123) in response to the transmitted identification code (11', 12', 13') and generate a digital measurement chain (310) using the read measurement element data (124). The measurement element data is product-specific data from at least one manufacturer of the physical measurement element regarding the physical measurement element it manufactures; The digital measurement chain (310) has multiple digital measurement elements (311, 312, 313), each digital measurement element (311, 312, 313) including at least one digital sensor (311), at least one digital transmission device (312), and at least one digital analysis unit (313); and The system (100) has at least one computer unit (130) arranged at the measurement location (1), and the data network (20) transmits the digital measurement chain (310) to the computer unit (130).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each physical measurement element (11, 12, 13) is identified by TEDS (11) 12 13 ); The identification device (110) of each physical measurement element (11, 12, 13) automatically detects the identification code (11', 12', 13') stored in the TEDS. The data network (20) automatically transmits the detected identification codes (11', 12', 13') to the data processing unit (120). The software (122) is designed to automatically read measurement element data (124) from the data storage (123) for the transmitted TEDS, and automatically generate a digital measurement chain (310) using the read measurement element data (124); and The data network (20) automatically transmits the digital measurement chain (310) to the computer unit (130).

3. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The computer unit (130) has at least one computer data processor (131), which has at least one computer software (132) and at least one computer input device (135). At least one operation point (137) can be input via the computer input device (135). The computer software (132) is designed to automatically extract at least one configuration parameter (139) from the transmitted digital measurement chain (310) for the input operation point (137).

4. The system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The operation point (137) includes at least one of the following data elements: - The numerical range of the operation point (137) between the minimum operation point (137) and the maximum operation point (137); - The operating point (137) is in the frequency range between the slowest operating point (137) and the fastest operating point (137); - The operating point (137) is in the temperature range between the coldest operating point (137) and the hottest operating point (137).

5. The system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) regarding the measurement range of the physical sensor (11). The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal measurement range (1392) of the physical sensor (11) from the measurement range of the physical sensor (11) as a configuration parameter (139) for the numerical range of the input operation point (137), within which the maximum operation point (137) does not exceed the maximum scale reading of the optimal measurement range (1392), and the physical sensor (11) still measures the minimum operation point (137) with the maximum possible resolution within the optimal measurement range (1392).

6. The system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) of the physical sensor (11) for measuring the sensitivity of the physical measurement parameter within different measurement ranges; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal sensitivity (1398) of the physical sensor (11) within the optimal measurement range (1392) as a configuration parameter (139).

7. The system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The physical sensor (11) is a piezoelectric sensor; The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) regarding the value of the preload force of the piezoelectric sensor; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal value of the preload of the piezoelectric sensor from the measurement element data (124) of the value of the preload of the piezoelectric sensor for the numerical range of the input operating point (137), the sum of the optimal value of the preload and the maximum operating point (137) being substantially equal to the maximum scale reading of the optimal measurement range (1392).

8. The system (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) of the physical sensor (11) for measuring the sensitivity of the physical measurement parameters under different preload values; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal sensitivity (1399) from the sensitivity of the physical sensor (11) as a configuration parameter (139) for the optimal value of the preload force of the physical sensor (11).

9. The system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) of the minimum measurement error existing in different measurement ranges of the physical sensor (11) and the minimum measurement error existing in the physical analysis unit (13) for different physical measurement parameters; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal minimum measurement error (1394) of the physical sensor (11) for the optimal measurement range (1392) and the optimal minimum measurement error (1400) of the physical analysis unit (13) for the operation point (137) from the minimum measurement error of the physical sensor (11) in different measurement ranges and the minimum measurement error of the physical analysis unit (13) for different physical measurement parameters as configuration parameters (139).

10. The system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The physical sensor (11) is a piezoelectric sensor; The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) regarding the temperature coefficient of the sensitivity of the piezoelectric sensor. The temperature coefficient of the sensitivity is a mathematical series expansion; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal temperature coefficient (1395) of the piezoelectric sensor’s sensitivity as a configuration parameter (139) for the temperature range of the operation point (137) of the input mathematical series expansion, the optimal temperature coefficient (1395) of sensitivity being effective within the temperature range of the operation point (137).

11. The system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) with respect to the values ​​of the physical sensor (11), including hysteresis linear errors; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract, for the input range of values ​​of the operation point (137), the optimal value (1393) of the physical sensor (11) containing the linear error with hysteresis, from the values ​​of the physical sensor (11) containing the linear error with hysteresis, the optimal value (1393) of the linear error with hysteresis being within the range of values ​​of the operation point (137) for the highest possible resolution.

12. The system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The physical sensor (11) is a piezoelectric sensor; The physical analysis unit (13) has a charge amplifier in the piezoelectric sensor; The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) regarding the time constant of the charge amplifier; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal time constant of the charge amplifier from the time constant of the charge amplifier as a configuration parameter (139) for the frequency range of the input operating point (137), the optimal time constant forming the minimum charge drift for that frequency range of the operating point (137).

13. The system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The physical sensor (11) is a piezoelectric sensor; The physical analysis unit (13) has a charge amplifier in the piezoelectric sensor; The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) regarding the time constant of the charge amplifier; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract the optimal time constant of the charge amplifier from the time constant of the charge amplifier as a configuration parameter (139) for the frequency range of the input operating point (137), wherein the optimal time constant does not form a lower cutoff frequency within the frequency range of the operating point (137).

14. The system (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The physical sensor (11) is a piezoelectric sensor; The physical analysis unit (13) has a charge amplifier in the piezoelectric sensor; The physical transmission device (12) is a signal cable; The transmitted digital measurement chain (310) includes measurement element data (124) regarding the current supply value to the charge amplifier via the signal cable; and The computer software (132) is designed to extract, for the frequency range of the input operating point (137), the optimal value of the current supply to the charge amplifier through the signal cable as a configuration parameter (139) from the current supply value to the charge amplifier through the signal cable, which does not form an upper limit cutoff frequency for the cable capacitance of the signal cable within the frequency range of the operating point (137).

15. The system (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that, The computer software (132) is designed to automatically configure the physical measurement chain (10) using the configuration parameters (139).

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