Annex A1: Instrumentation in Environmental
Physics
Abstract
Annex A1 aimed to present fundamentals of environmental instrumentation
beginning with damping factors and dynamic response of zeroth, first and
second-order sensors, to step functions. General concepts of Fourier and Laplace
transforms, transfer functions and transient processes follows. General properties of
sensors, e.g. accuracy, sensitivity, linearity, or repeatability are defined with further
characterization of transducers for measurement of temperatures, radiation, humidity,
airspeed, wind direction, precipitation, and data acquisition. Temperature transducers
with significant relevance in environmental physics are based on electric, expansion
or thermodynamic principles. The examples of sensors discussed are thermocouples
with Seeback electronic principles in bimetallic junctions, isolated or in thermopiles,
thermistors, aspirated and condensation hygrometers or pyrradiometers.
A1.1 Introduction
Quantification of mass and energy flow in the surface layer is one of the main aims
of environmental physics. Such quantification is done by previously described
methods such as the eddy covariance, aerodynamic and Bowen methods. The
application of these methods involves carrying out measurements on the ground,
some of which have been presented in relation to the eddy covariance method.
A sensor, detector or transducer is a device that converts a form of energy or
physical quantity into a distinct form, that is, a device that converts an input signal
into an output signal of another type. Typically, the sensor generates a signal
(electrical, mechanical, etc.) corresponding to the quantity to be measured.
A recording device processes this signal and registers it in internal or external
memory, on paper, or for example on a monitor. Instrumentation analysis involves
the study and operation of sensors, requiring a recorder and/or visualization device.
Instrumentation plays an important role in our high-tech world. For example, in the
automobile industry, instrumentation is crucial in creating and improving vehicle
efficiency in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. Use of robotics in vehicle
manufacture involves adequate instrumentation and quality control feedback.
The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
A. Rodrigues et al., Fundamental Principles of Environmental Physics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69025-0
309
Physics
Abstract
Annex A1 aimed to present fundamentals of environmental instrumentation
beginning with damping factors and dynamic response of zeroth, first and
second-order sensors, to step functions. General concepts of Fourier and Laplace
transforms, transfer functions and transient processes follows. General properties of
sensors, e.g. accuracy, sensitivity, linearity, or repeatability are defined with further
characterization of transducers for measurement of temperatures, radiation, humidity,
airspeed, wind direction, precipitation, and data acquisition. Temperature transducers
with significant relevance in environmental physics are based on electric, expansion
or thermodynamic principles. The examples of sensors discussed are thermocouples
with Seeback electronic principles in bimetallic junctions, isolated or in thermopiles,
thermistors, aspirated and condensation hygrometers or pyrradiometers.
A1.1 Introduction
Quantification of mass and energy flow in the surface layer is one of the main aims
of environmental physics. Such quantification is done by previously described
methods such as the eddy covariance, aerodynamic and Bowen methods. The
application of these methods involves carrying out measurements on the ground,
some of which have been presented in relation to the eddy covariance method.
A sensor, detector or transducer is a device that converts a form of energy or
physical quantity into a distinct form, that is, a device that converts an input signal
into an output signal of another type. Typically, the sensor generates a signal
(electrical, mechanical, etc.) corresponding to the quantity to be measured.
A recording device processes this signal and registers it in internal or external
memory, on paper, or for example on a monitor. Instrumentation analysis involves
the study and operation of sensors, requiring a recorder and/or visualization device.
Instrumentation plays an important role in our high-tech world. For example, in the
automobile industry, instrumentation is crucial in creating and improving vehicle
efficiency in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. Use of robotics in vehicle
manufacture involves adequate instrumentation and quality control feedback.
The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license
to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
A. Rodrigues et al., Fundamental Principles of Environmental Physics,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69025-0
309