Sensor interfaces

In most application sensor signals are monitored and processed by computers. Unfortunately, for most appliers of it sensor systems it is a time-consuming, expensive task to realise the technical link between sensing elements and computers. In the project Sensor Interfaces a systematic approach is followed to find dedicated solutions for specific interface problems. In our approach, these interfaces consist of an analogue input multiplexer, an analogue front-end, a modifier and a microcontroller or DSP. These interfaces are developed in the course of following sub-projects.

Art instrumentation
In this project the creative ideas and products of engineers and artists are combined.
At Delft University of Technology we will develop new sensor and actuator systems, which will be offered to artists and adapted to their specific needs and wishes. Objectives for the artwork are: interactive paintings, sensor systems for dancers and musicians.
Present methods for humans to interface with a computer are pretty limited. For musicians and other art performers it would be very attractive if they could control computer functions by moving their hands. Smart electronic systems and circuits will be developed. Evaluation sets, including sensors, interfaces, microcontrollers and DSP's will be developed and offered to a selected group of artists for further evaluation. A variety of sensor principles will be considered and evaluated for the present applications.

Universal sensor interfaces
In the project " Universal Sensor Interfaces", for a group of small European Enterprises, a universal sensor interface is developed. This interface is developed for the measurement of conductivity and pH of water and other liquids, the measurement of capacitances of humidity sensors, the voltage of thermocouples and thermopiles, and in combination with all of these measurements, the temperature. In the course of this project a number of demonstrators and easy-to-use devices, ASICs and evaluation boards will be developed.

More Information?
prof. dr. ir. Gerard C.M. Meijer
Electronic Instrumentation Laboratory
Delft University of Technology
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Department of Micro-electronics and Computer Engineering
Mekelweg 4, room 13.070
2628 CD Delft
the Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)15 2786174
Fax: +31 (0)15 2785755
g.c.m.meijer@ewi.tudelft.nl