A metallic foil strain gauge can detect how a test specimen responds when subjected to axial stress. In a previous series, we investigated the Wheatstone-bridge circuit topology and described how strain-gauge elements could be used in the bridge legs. Q: At that point, I asked the question, what is strain, and what are its units? […]
Making sense of test circuits with Kirchhoff’s laws: part 4
We can use a Wheatstone bridge voltage measurement to determine an unknown resistance value. In part 3 of this series, we used Kirchhoff’s voltage law to derive the branch currents and node voltages for an unbalanced Wheatstone bridge with five known, fixed resistors (Figure 1). Now, we propose to replace R5 with a digital multimeter […]
Making sense of test circuits with Kirchhoff’s laws: part 3
Kirchhoff’s voltage law gives us three equations with three unknowns to solve for loop currents in an unbalanced Wheatstone bridge.
Making sense of test circuits with Kirchhoff’s laws: part 2
In part 1 of this series, we looked at ways to simplify resistor networks by identifying series and parallel combinations of resistors. We closed with a look at a version of the Wheatstone bridge, such as the one in Figure 1. Although it has only five resistors, not one of them is in series or […]
Making sense of test circuits with Kirchhoff’s laws: part 1
You can avoid solving simultaneous equations in multiple unknowns by identifying series and parallel combinations of resistors. When you buy test instruments, you hope they’ll have the flexibility to provide the necessary stimulus to the device under test (DUT) and acquire and process the response. Occasionally, however, you’ll need to design an external network to […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 4
A continuous process of technical architecture modernization can help you prepare for any operating system’s inevitable demise. With the retirement of Windows 10, as described in part 1 of this series, users of the operating system to control test and measurement systems have a choice to make. In part 2, we looked at what steps […]
Make the most of oscilloscope triggering: part 1
Learning the basics of oscilloscope triggers can help you leverage advanced features. In an earlier series, we discussed how the oscilloscope has evolved over the past three-quarters of a century. We noted that the basic horizontal and vertical controls remain functionally similar, but today’s digital oscilloscopes offer many features, including waveform math functions, that go […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 3
You can take several steps to ensure success when you upgrade to Windows 11. In part 1 of this series, we looked at the use of Windows to control test and measurement systems, and we considered the dilemma posed by the retirement of Windows 10 on October 14. In part 2, we looked at steps […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 2
You may have good reasons to stay with Windows 10 for now, but be sure to take steps to maintain security. In part 1 of this series, we looked at the dilemma posed by the retirement of Windows 10 on October 14, with Microsoft ceasing to provide support or free security patches to customers, including […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 1
The discontinuance of tech support and free security patches presents challenges to users of legacy Windows 10-based test-and-measurement systems. The test-and-measurement industry has long leveraged consumer technology to take advantage of economies of scale and lower costs. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to see sophisticated test and data-acquisition systems incorporating Windows computers. This approach works well […]
