
Chapter 4
Theory of Operation
4-28
ni.com
Refer to the
section of Chapter 3,
, for more information about programmatically
performing offset null compensation in MAX. For more information about
programmatically performing offset null compensation in NI-DAQmx,
refer to the
Developing Your Application in NI-DAQmx
section of
Chapter 5,
.
Shunt Calibration
Shunt calibration is a process used to obtain a gain adjust factor, which is
used to correct for system gain error and discrepancies between nominal
gauge factor and actual gauge factor of the strain gauge.
The gain adjust factor is derived using theoretical (simulated) signal levels
that should result from engaging a shunt resistor across one leg of a bridge
sensor, and the measured signal levels with the shunt resistor actually
engaged.
Use the following formula to calculate the gain adjust factor:
The gain adjust factor is then multiplied by each future measurement to
obtain highly accurate measurements that are adjusted for any gain errors
or discrepancies in the nominal gauge factor. Refer to the
, for more
information about performing shunt calibration automatically in global
channels using NI-DAQmx in MAX. For more information about
programmatically performing shunt calibration in NI-DAQmx, refer to
the
Developing Your Application in NI-DAQmx
.
The NI PXI-4220 has two independent shunt calibration circuits available
for each channel at pins SCA (pin 4), QTR/SCB (pin 9), and
SCCOM (pin 5) on the DSUB connectors. Each shunt calibration circuit
consists of a resistor in series with a switch. The NI PXI-4220 shunt
calibration switch is a long-life solid-state switch. The electronic switch
is galvanically isolated from ground; therefore, you can connect shunt
calibration resistor A to any external bridge element.
Shunt calibration resistor B cannot be enabled in software using
NI-DAQmx 7.0. If you enable shunt calibration resistor B in your
application, remember that shunt calibration resistor A and shunt
calibration resistor B have a common lead, SCCOM. With this common
Gain Adjust Factor
simulated signal level
measured signal level with shunt resistor engaged
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=