Some users have the technical ability to amplify and calibrate a transducer signal on their own. They prefer unamplified pressure sensors, which have to be amplified and calibrated before use. Some users prefer using calibrated and amplified pressure sensors. They can choose from a wide range of sensors, with a wide range of outputs.
The output types of pressure sensors include the following:
- Ratiometric and Non-ratiometric: The sensor output in a ratiometric sensor considers the effect of power supply variation on the output for a more accurate pressure measurement. The voltage output is between 10% and 90% of Vcc. Ratiometric sensors are widely used in industrial and battery operated applications. The output of non-ratiometric sensors are taken with reference to an absolute pressure and not dependent on power supply variation. The voltage output is a linear analog signal of 0-10 V
- Millivolt output: Pressure transducers with millivolt output are widely used in many applications because of their cost-effective nature. The output of a millivolt transducer is around 30mV. The output is directly proportional to the excitation power and hence recommended to use with a regulated power supply. The signal transmission distance should be kept very low, and the transducer must not be located in an electrically noisy environment.
- Current loop output: These are pressure transducers with a current output of 4-20 mA. Since these kind of signal outputs are not much affected by electrical noise, the signals can be transmitted over a long distance. The lead wire in applications using these output signals must be more than 1000 feet
- Digital I2C: The output signal in the case of a digital I2C is a 15-bit digital hexadecimal code for pressure output values.
