Automatic Instruments and Measuring Systems

Book excerpt: Jones' Instrument Technology, Volume 5: Automatic Instruments and Measuring Systems deals with general trends in automatic instruments and measuring systems. Specific examples are provided to illustrate the principles of such devices. A brief review of a considerable number of standards is undertaken, with emphasis on the IEC625 Interface System. Other relevant standards are reviewed, including the interface and backplane bus standards. This volume is comprised of seven chapters and begins with a short introduction to the principles of automatic measurements, classification of measuring systems, application areas, and interface systems. The discussion then turns to the connection of the individual units of an IEC-interface-based measuring system, along with control units, computers, programmable calculators, and special system controllers. The chapters that follow focus on the building blocks of automatic measuring systems, their design and assembly, and the merits and uses of IEC system analyzers. The final chapter reviews alternative serial and parallel systems and interfaces, as well as the standards available. This monograph will be invaluable to electronics and electrical engineers.