The concept of portable multifunctional measurement instrument based on ICTM sensors

Abstract

Several types of MEMS and thin-film based sensors have been developed at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (ICTM), including piezoresistive pressure sensors, a multipurpose thermal sensor, and an adsorption-based mercury vapor sensor. In this paper, we present the concept of a portable electronic instrument that can be used with different combinations of pressure, thermal and/or mercury sensors. Such an instrument is highly configurable, thus enabling various measurements to be performed in different applications, from industrial plants to environmental monitoring. Since the mentioned sensors have different requirements in terms of sensor excitation, as well as different ranges of their output signals, the design of the instrument is a demanding task. Additional design requirements are related to the portability of the instrument, including the overall dimensions, power source and consumption, and communication methods. One of the possible directions of further development is the design of a rugged version of the instrument, intended for harsh environments.