Using HBM Signal Amplifiers for Industrial Process Control

• Definition of Industrial Process Control (IPC) and Signal Amplifiers

Industrial process control refers to the measurement chain for manufacturing and processing instrumentation. This includes software and hardware controls and incorporates both mechanical and electrical data acquisition components. Every industry requires some form of process control equipment to ensure mechanical instrumentation is operating within safe and certified parameters, and to outstanding degrees of repeatability. However, the stringent requirements of continuous operating environments require measurement hardware that can obtain electrical and mechanical signals with minimal invasiveness. Robust signal amplifiers offer a simple solution to this problem.

A signal amplifier, or signal conditioner, is a data acquisition instrument that converts signal values into legible data that is compatible with integrated software. Typically, a signal amplifier acquires a mechanical or electrical signal and amplifies its resolution or its signal-to-noise ratio. The converted signal is then transmitted to the machine control through digital or analog interfaces. Multiple components can be connected to the machine control through a dedicated signal amplifier, providing rapid signal diagnostics to reduce mechanical downtime and improve process control in a range of industries.