In the paper we discuss possible solutions to problems pertaining the implementation of integrated transducer systems, based on examples of WSI image transducers, magnetic field sensors and tactile sensors arrays, as well as arrays of chemical sensors. We also present the issues common to large area transducer arrays, such as building-in redundancy into WSI transducer arrays, and frequency domain circuits for the future communication pathway in integrated transducer systems. Advantages of standard CMOS technology, enhanced with various post-fabrication processes such as silicon micromachining and laser linking, are also stressed.

The paper describes some methods of the accuracy analysis applied to oscillating converters. The analysis consists of two major steps. The general form of the converter transfer function is found in the first step as a result of symbolic analysis of the circuit with amplifier's gain- bandwidth parameter being modelled. The second step involves computer aided analysis methods applied to the complete model of the circuit which makes possible to estimate the accuracy of transfer function general form obtained in the first step.

The synthesis algorithm is presented which enables to find the sine wave oscillating RC circuits that are capacitance tuned and show no interaction effect. The capacitance change in the structures obtained does not affect the amplitude condition. This makes possible any physical variable changes received from the capacitive sensor to be accurately converted into the frequency of oscillations. Some example oscillating structures obtained are presented in the paper.

Basically, sensor circuits convert non-electric signals into electric signals. Although they work on the abutment of two domains. But typical computer simulators are limited usually to only one field of science, ex. electronics, mechanics, chemistry, acoustics. Problems connected with an approach to the use of a standard electric circuit simulator SPICE to simulate different types of sensors are discussed in the paper.

The physical phenomenon and construction of optic fiber sensors are discussed in this paper. The description is limited to those sensors that are potentially applicable. Extrinsic sensors based on absorption, luminescence, thermal radiation and Fabry-Perot etalon are discussed. Intrinsic sensors based on absorption and backscattering are reviewed, too.

The subject of this paper is the modelling of optical fiber temperature sensors that use blackbody radiation. The aim of modelling is in the optimum selection of optical fibers--in order to obtain the highest possible sensitivity in the assumed range of temperature measurements. Modelling takes into account the influence of the transmittance of optical fibers, the spectral sensitivity of photodetectors and the filters characteristics on the photodetector signal level.

Distributed fiber-optic sensing which implies monitoring of the magnitude of physical parameters and their variations along the length of continuous uninterrupted optical fiber is considered. OTDR technique and measurement results for various kinds of optical fibers are presented.

The subject of this paper is a temperature optical fiber sensor based on the abrupt jump of the light scattering coefficient in the thermosensitive compounds at the solid-liquid phase transition. Discrete temperature values of phase transitions depend on the chemical constitution of the applied thermosensitive compounds and spread from 30 degree(s)C to 100 degree(s)C.

Existing in pyroelectric crystals an electric polarization is compensated until the surface charge associated with the polarization is neutralized. Changing of crystal temperature causes the polarization change, what results in the free electric charge production. The temperature dependence of spontaneous polarization is called pyroelectric effect. In this paper some perovskite type pyroelectric ceramic materials based on lead zirconate and lead titanate are described and our own investigations concerning the lead lanthanum zirconate titanate PLZT pyroelectric compositions are presented.

The paper presents examples of non-typical applications of RC networks with distributed parameters in sensor technique. There are presented principal analyses of the particular types of transducers in the aspect their application. The theoretical considerations are illustrated of the examples of practical solutions of the temperature transducers. There are presented their constructions as well as main static and dynamic characteristics.

The purpose of this paper is to present the method of simulation thermocouple and thermoresistive temperature sensors with measuring feedback and to describe block schemes of circuits for practical realization of this method. The parameters of sensor simulator are also described.

The paper presents the general algorithm of the selection of the elements for the temperature error compensation of the pressure sensors: zero and sensitivity (range). It depends on the minimalization of the performance index that comes out of the purpose of the compensation (i.e. minimalization of the mean square error or maximum error in the range of the working temperature variation), while taking into consideration the limiting system. There is an exact and not linear sensor model used. The method may be used along with the constant resistor compensation as well as with the compensation by elements depending on temperature. The graphs show the results of the practically carried out compensation.

The transmission of unsteady gas pressure signal through a pneumatic line connecting the measurement point with the electric pressure transducer is discussed. Theoretical solutions are compared with the results of the experiment carried out at a special automated on-line test rig. Considerable discrepancies between theoretical solutions and experimental results concerning the temperature distribution have been found.

The paper describes a shear force sensor to be used in industrial robot grippers. The construction of the sensor and the method of recording forces exerted on the sensor are described. In the measurement of shear forces a scaling method and multi-input neural network have been utilized. The results of experiments performed on the sensor are presented.

The investigation results of the characteristics of the multiple hot film sensors made on a plastic foil are presented. The calibrations have been carried out for the flow around a flat plate. It has been found that the characteristics are independent of the sensor working temperature. These sensors are developed and will be used for investigation of unsteady effects in a full turbine rig test.

The paper presents prototypes of ultrasonic sensors for fingerprint pattern recognition. Their principle of operation is based on the amplitude measurements taken in selected points of acoustic field of ultrasonic wave diffracted from subsurface finger structure. Examples of sensor construction and measured data are presented. Fingerprint structure recognition from pulse echo shows the possible use of the sensor as a synthetic aperture microscope.

Optoelectronic sensor of 2D angular displacements consists of transmitter head with diode lasers as a light source and detection head. The detection head consists of focusing lens, and, placed in its focal plane, 2D position sensitive detector. The current signals collected by electrodes of detector are transformed in analog signal processor to obtain the x and y coordinates of spot center position signals with respect to the center of photosensitive area. The x and y position values divided by focal length represent the coordinates of angular displacement of detection head with respect to the axis of transmitter beam. There was determined the calibration curve of the sensor. The typical results of angular displacement measurements were presented and discussed.

Starting serial production of the optical fiber proximity sensor with a given characteristic requires conformability control of its real characteristic with the model one. Studies presented in this paper are aimed at constructing an experimental set-up accomplishing such expectations. On the other hand using a proposed measuring system makes it possible--after previous referencing of this system--automated distance measurements with the help of the optical fiber proximity sensor.

The Report relates to verification of the design of refractive fiber optic probes designed for checking surface finish condition and provides a description of tests on the models of such probes. Presented in the paper are the results of performance tests of a bifurcated probe to the concept of application of a non-random bundle of light guides for identification of surfaces representing different CLA values (0.32, 0.63, 1.25, 2.50 micrometers).

An optoelectronic system intended for observing and recording trajectories of ship models is described. It allows to determine and record in real time the actual position of the model over an area exceeding 150 m X 150 m with an intrinsic error less than 0.1 m.

The paper presents basic characteristics of thin film Permalloy sensors. Main advantages of these sensors are as follows: small dimensions, relatively high sensitivity and excellent frequency characteristics. Several applications have been presented including read-out heads for magnetic media, magnetic field measurement and automotive industry (especially angular velocity). Paper presents also research and development trends in this area.

The sensor considered in this paper is a special miniature (dimension ca 30 mm) sort of synchronous two-phase tachogenerator. Its structure and technology is a result of considering this electromechanical converter from measuring sensor but not electric machine point of view. The sensor is well adapted to work with an electronic system. Together with an appropriate electronic measuring transducer it has high resistance to interference and high static and dynamic accuracy. A possibility and aspects of the sensor further miniaturization are presented.

The paper presents a detection system of mechanical vibrations detecting three types of activations varying in vibration amplitude and duration. The amplitude analysis is realized by making use of comparators, while the time analysis and control of assumed sequence of events in the 8-bit microprocessor of `embedded' class of National Semiconductor firm. The paper presents the algorithms of the microcontroller operation used in the analysis if the measuring signal and the servicing of the user's interface and the `Microwire' interface providing connection of the detector with personal computer.

Investigation results of the metrological properties of the pneumatic sensor with oblique nozzle used for length measuring, have been shown in the paper. Because of the bevelling the measuring nozzle metrological parameters (such as sensitivity and measuring range) of the sensor have been improved. The optimal value of beveling angle is (gamma) equals 32.5 degree(s).

In the paper, a computer system for measurement, visualization and analysis of intracranial pressure (ICP), medium arterial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure in one, two, three or four patients simultaneously has been presented. A structure of pneumatic compensatory sensor for intracranial pressure, and a stand for static properties of the sensors testing has been discussed. Conclusions resulting from the period of using the monitoring system with ICP pneumatic sensors have been formulated.

The examination of Achilles tendon reflex is widely used as a simple, noninvasive clinical test in diagnosis and pharmacological therapy monitoring in such diseases as: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetic neuropathy, the lower limbs obstructive angiopathies and intermittent claudication. Presented Achilles tendon reflect measuring system is based on the piezoresistive sensor connected with the cylinder-piston system. To determinate the moment of Achilles tendon stimulation a detecting circuit was used. The outputs of the measuring system are connected to the PC-based data acquisition board. Experimental results showed that the measurement accuracy and repeatability is good enough for diagnostics and therapy monitoring purposes. A user friendly, easy-to-operate measurement system fulfills all the requirements related to recording, presentation and storing of the patients' reflexograms.

Results of analyses and experiments concerning metrological problems with pulse oximetry principles that are utilized in noninvasive measurements of oxygen content in arterial blood, have been presented. Phenomena which limit processing reliability of the quantity to be sensed, i.e., the oxygen saturation SaO_2%, are considered. Specific groups of affecting factors are distinguished in an approach of their contribution to the measurement uncertainty components. These factors are connected with properties of a living object to be measured, a way the optoelectronic sensor is applied, and external interferences, respectively. In comparative experiments, chosen models of pulse oximeters and the testing device especially made for the author's research, were used. The achieved results are being utilized in works on a design of the novel computer-aided system based on the pulse oximetry idea.

Specificity of a software package composed of two parts which control an optoelectronic sensor of the computer-aided system made to realize the noninvasive measurements of the arterial blood oxygen saturation as well as some parameters of the peripheral pulse waveform, has been described. Principles of the transmission variant of the one and only noninvasive measurement method, so-called pulse oximetry, has been utilized. The software co-ordinates the suitable cooperation of an IBM PC compatible microcomputer with the sensor and one specialized card. This novel card is a key part of the whole measuring system which some application fields are extended in comparison to pulse oximeters commonly attainable. The user-friendly MS Windows graphical environment which creates the system to be multitask and non-preemptive, has been used to design the specific part of the programming presented here. With this environment, sophisticated tasks of the software package can be performed without excessive complication.

In the presented paper there are reported some results of the author's research on membranes containing glucose oxidase (GO_x), enzymes hydrolyzing maltose and sucrose and on biosensors equipped with these membranes. The results relate to ways of extending the linear range of glucose sensors, influence of composition of the membranes on levels of the output signals of maltose and sucrose (saccharose) sensors, temperature dependence of the sensor's response and on disturbing effects of glucose in the sample on accuracy of determination of the disaccharides.

The aim of this paper is the presentation of constructed and investigation models of fiber-optic sensors used as turbidimeters. Sensors were designed in two versions: for examination of liquid samples and for monitoring of transparency in the flow of liquids (`on-line' version).

The devices to the measurement of air relative humidity with the surface acoustic wave transducers were presented. The relative humidity of air were measured by the determination of the dew point. The results of the investigations that were carried out were described and discussed.

Among the new methods of gas detection are those based on the use of a Surface Acoustic Waves in a layer structures. In such structures a chemically active layer can be a macromolecular compound--for instance: Copper Phthalocyanine (CuPc). In this paper are shown the results of the interaction investigations of a selected gas group with a CuPc layer. A linear dependence has been observed between the concentration of NO₂ molecules in the air and the output signal of the device.

The design and the electric circuit of a thermoconductometric sensor for helium content measurements in a helium-oxygen (helium-air) mixture are presented. Zener diodes as active elements are placed in two sensor chambers: the measuring and the reference ones. The Zener diodes are included in adjacent branches of the unbalanced Wheatstone bridge. An electronic thermostat stabilizing the sensor block temperature and test results are also presented.

Most important methods used for fabrication of chemically sensitive membranes of potentiometric electrochemical sensors are described. Mathematical analysis of basic parameters such as sensitivity, selectivity and linearity of these sensors is presented. The impact of some technological processes on sensors' properties is discussed.

Long-term stability of ion sensitive field effect transistors with inorganic membranes, dependent on the time drift phenomena is analyzed. The results presented in the paper relate to the Si₃N₄, Al₂O₃ and Ta₂O₅ membranes pH-ISFETs drift with the respect to the following parameters: sensitivity, linearity, linear time drift coefficient of threshold voltage and hysteresis.