FACULTY OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

OF
ELECTRICAL POWER ENGINEERING
SUBJECT
INSTRUMENTOIN AND CONTROL I
(INCT101)

SIMULATION PRACTICALS USING MULTISIM

DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF ANALOG SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONDITIONING

SEMESTER 2024A
REPORT SUBMISION ON MOODLE WEBSITE
On or Before: Monday: 20 May 2024, 11:50 pm.
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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL POWER ENGINEERING

P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 400, Tel: 031 373 2062 or 031 373 2743, Fax: 031 373 2063

Revised: January 2024. Revised by: MC Leoaneka

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Practical Simulation Objectives
1. Design and Analyse Wheatstone bridge circuit.
2. Design and Analyse instrumentation amplifier.
3. Integrate the above subsystems to create an overall measurement system.
4. Implement the overall measurement system in Multisim.
5. Testing the overall measurement system in Multisim.
6. Compare the calculated values with the simulation results obtained in Multisim.

After completing this activity, you should be able to:

 Design and Analyse Wheatstone bridge circuit.
 Design and Analyse instrumentation amplifier.
 Implement Bridge Circuit in Multisim.
 Implement an instrumentation amplifier in Multisim.
 Integrate the above subsystems to create an overall measurement system in Multisim.
 Test the overall measurement system in Multisim.

Graduate attribute reinforced; Graduate Attribute 2: Application of scientific and engineering knowledge [1].
Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals and an engineering speciality to solve
broadly defined engineering problems.

Level descriptor: Knowledge of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences is characterized by:
 A knowledge of mathematics using formalism and oriented toward engineering analysis and modelling;
fundamental knowledge of natural science: both as relevant to a discipline or recognised practice area;
 A coherent range of fundamental principles in engineering science and technology underlying an engineering
sub-discipline or recognised practice;
 A systematic body of established and emerging knowledge in specialist area or recognized practice area; and
 The use of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences, supported by established models, to aid
solving broadly-defined engineering problems.

Range Statement: Mathematics, natural science and engineering sciences are applied in formal analysis and modelling
of engineering situations, and for reasoning about and conceptualizing engineering problems.

Please note: The practical mark has a subminimum of 50% in accordance with the
recommendations of the professional body: Engineering Council of South Africa.

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Abstract

A transducer bridge is a network of resistors whose resistance varies due to changes in some physical quantity. At the
input stage, a transducer bridge converts the change in resistance to voltage signal. The instrumentation amplifier
amplifies the voltage signal to be suitable for display. The amplified voltage signal is proportional to the change in the
physical quantity measured. Such amplified voltage signal is equivalent to the physical quantity such as displacement,
temperature change and so on. You can take a physical quantity such as displacement and convert it to a voltage range,
which is proportional to displacement.

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Table of Contents

Abstract.............................................................................................................................................................................3

Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................................................................4

1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................5

2 Literature Review ....................................................................................................................................................5

3 Design of a Measurement System ...........................................................................................................................5

3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................5

3.2 Wheatstone Bridge Design and Balancing .....................................................................................................6

3.3 Differential Instrumentation Amplifier Design .............................................................................................7

4 Simulation of the Measurement System in Multisim ...................................................................................8

4.1 Implementation of a Measurement System in Multisim...............................................................................9

5 Discussion of Results ............................................................................................................................................9

6 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................................9

References .......................................................................................................................................................................10

Appendix A - Report Writing .......................................................................................................................................11

Appendix B - Assessment Rubric .................................................................................................................................12

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1 Introduction

In this simulation assignment, you will design a simple measurement system, which outputs a DC voltage, which
corresponds to the change in temperature. The system will use a variable resistor to simulate a change in a physical
quantity, temperature; the electrical resistance of the resistor changes as the physical quantity changes. You will use a
Wheatstone bridge circuit to convert this resistance change to a voltage change. The voltage output of the Wheatstone
bridge circuit will be small relative to the amount of resistance change (the measurement is said to have low sensitivity),
so you will use a differential instrumentation amplifier to increase the overall sensitivity of the measurement system.

An instrumentation system for making measurements consists of several elements, which are used to carry out particular
functions. These functional elements are shown in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Elements of a measurement system.

2 Literature Review

This practical simulation assignment requires a preliminary literature review; it should cover all the relevant theory and
any other detailed technical information needed to carry out this assignment. Any theoretical predictions would normally
be included in this section, although this may vary depending on the nature of the report. The subject matter of the theory
section should be logically developed, in carefully thought-out steps, under appropriate subheadings. Where diagrams
and equations are used to assist in the development of the theory, these should be properly introduced in the text: you
should never leave your reader having to guess why a diagram or equation has been put in a report. [2]

The preliminary literature review should cover but not limited to the following points: Signal processing and
conditioning (specifically Wheatstone bridge, Buffer amplifier, Differential amplifier), and Display (Voltmeter).

3 Design of a Measurement System

3.1 Introduction

Design approaches tend to vary from individual to individual, however, the recommended procedures for this assignment
consist of the four discrete steps provided below. Feel free to modify these steps if you wish, but be prepared to
explain your design approach.

A common approach to this problem is to use a Wheatstone bridge circuit in conjunction with a Differential
Instrumentation Amplifier to achieve the necessary sensitivity between change in resistance and output voltage. A block
diagram of the overall system is shown in Figure 1.1. This resistance change is used in a Wheatstone bridge circuit,
which converts this resistance change to a voltage change. The output voltage of the Wheatstone bridge circuit is
generally smaller than desired, so Differential Instrumentation Amplifier is used to increase the amplitude of the output

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voltage from the system. The list of main components are outlined in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: List of Main Equipment.

Sensor element RTD (can be modelled as a variable resistor)
Signal processing element Wheatstone bridge
Signal conditioner element Differential Instrumentation Amplifier
Display Voltmeter

In this practical, you are required to design a measurement system using the variable resistor to simulate a variable
physical quantity, temperature in the range of 20⁰C to 80⁰C. Test the circuit under different resistance values in steps
of 5⁰C. Varying variable resistance to simulate the physical quantity variation, the bridge becomes unbalanced,
producing bridge circuit output voltage variation.

3.2 Wheatstone Bridge Design and Balancing

Design and build a Wheatstone bridge circuit configuration in Figure 3.2, which converts the resistance variation of the
Variable resistors, RTDs to a voltage variation. Select two matched resistance temperature detectors, RTDs and
determine the resistance of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6. Assume that R1 and R4 are RTDs and Vs = 15 VDC.

In Figure 3.2, assumed that all four resistances, R1, R2, R3, and R4, in the Wheatstone bridge have identical nominal
values at 20⁰C. In this case, the output of this circuit should be (approximately) zero volts when the bridge is balanced.
This balanced condition is also occurs when the ratio of R1:R3 = R2:R4 [3]. The voltmeter can be zeroed around the
nominal value of the variable resistors, RTDs. The Wheatstone bridge output voltage will result from a varying variable
resistances to simulate change in temperature.

Figure 3.2: Wheatstone bridge Circuit Configuration.

Then, the Voltage readings of VBA can be monitored as the temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C
intervals.

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 (a) Calculate and record variable resistance in Table 3.2 as the temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of
5⁰C intervals.
(b) Calculate and record the output voltages of the Wheatstone bridge, VA, VB, and VBA corresponding to the
temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C intervals in Table 3.2.

Table 3.2: Wheatstone bridge calculations

Temperature (⁰C) 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

RTD resistance (Ω)

VB (mV)

VA (mV)

VAB, (mV)

(c) Plot the RTD resistance as the temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C intervals.
(d) Plot the output voltages of the bridge circuit as the temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C
intervals.

Provide a schematic of your Wheatstone bridge circuit in your report, along with the desired and actual resistance values
used in the circuit. Also in your report, record the voltage variation provided by the Wheatstone bridge circuit, resulting
from the full range of resistance change.

3.3 Differential Instrumentation Amplifier Design

The minimum output voltage from the differential instrumentation amplifier should be 0 V (approximately ±50 mV)
when the bridge is balanced. The output voltage from the Instrumentation amplifier should vary from 0 to 10 Volts when
the variable resistances, RTDs temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C intervals. The symbol of the
differential instrumentation amplifier with the associated terminals and without power supply connections are shown on
Figure 3.3.

Figure 3.3: Differential Instrumentation Amplifier configuration.

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Design a differential instrumentation amplifier which amplifies the output voltage difference from the Wheatstone bridge
to the levels specified in the design requirements above. The circuit schematic for a difference instrumentation amplifier
configuration is provided in Figure 3.3.

Implement the circuit and provide a schematic of your circuit, along with desired and actual resistance values and power
supply values, ±VCC used in your circuit in your report.

(a) Calculate and record the output voltages of the differential instrumentation amplifier as variable resistances,
RTDs temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C intervals in Table 3.3. Varying variable resistance
to simulate the temperature variation, the bridge becomes unbalanced, producing output voltage variation. The
differential instrumentation amplifier will amplify the bridge circuit output to make it suitable for display.

Table 3.3: Differential Amplifier output Voltages.

Temperature (⁰C) 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

VC (V)

VD (V)

VO (V)

(b) Plot the output voltages of the differential instrumentation amplifier, VC, VD and VO as variable resistances,
RTDs change as the temperature changes from 20⁰C to 80⁰C in steps of 5⁰C intervals.

4 Simulation of the Measurement System in Multisim

The process of model creation and use is just the scientific method in miniature. A model is a simplified representation
of a system. It would be expensive to build the real system to see if it works. More often, the model is just a first step in
designing a system. The steps in a simulation software are as follows:

 Define the system and define the objective,

 Determine the model’s scope and scale ( what is in it and how much detail ),
 Choose a programming language and code the model
 Run the model
 Gather data and analyse it.

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4.1 Implementation of a Measurement System in Multisim

Implement the measurement system in Multisim and verify that voltage increases as variable resistance increases and
decreases as variable resistance decreases. Record the range of voltages in your report, corresponding to the full range
of resistance change provided in the design requirements. Given the design requirements, and the schematic diagram for
the circuit design:

 Build the overall system in Multisim.

 Test the circuit under different values of variable resistances.
 Using Multisim, record voltage readings,
 Plot all the measured output voltages.

5 Discussion of Results

The Discussion of results is the most important part of the report that is, Analysis and interpretation of results. The
discussion of the results includes but not limited to the following:

1 Compare expected results with those obtained, see Table A1 in Appendix A,

2 Analyze errors,

3 Explain results in terms of theory,

4 Relate results to objective (s),

5 Compare results to similar studies,

6 Analyze the strengths and limitations of design implementation in Multisim.

6 Conclusion

In successful completion of this practical simulation assignment, you must be able to demonstrate that you understand a
procedure to design measurement system. Design a transducer bridge whose resistance varies due to changes in some
physical quantity. Test the input stage, a transducer bridge that converts the change in resistance to voltage signal.
Implement the instrumentation amplifier that amplifies the voltage signal to be suitable for display. Check that the
amplified voltage signal is proportional to the change in the physical quantity measured. You can take a physical quantity
such as displacement and convert it to a voltage range, which is proportional to displacement.

The material in your report should be arranged in the sequence shown in Table A1 in Appendix A or follow a technical
report writing guidelines. The assessment criterial is shown in Appendix B.

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References

[1] [3] Qualification Standard for Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEng Tech); NQF Level 7, E-02-PT,
Revision No. 4: 01 September 2020, Available via www.ecsa.co.za.
[2] http://www.ee.und.ac.za/School/School Information 2002/Report Writing.htm, “Guidelines to Report
Writing”, 22 April 2008.
[3] Curtis D. Johnson, Process Control Instrumentation Technology, 8th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2014.

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Appendix A - Report Writing

Using suitable diagrams, graphs, and tables, present your findings of this practical simulation assignment in a report of not
more than 20, A4 pages, using a format acceptable for the technical report writing (Computer generated). The report should
include but not limited to the following items below: (Develop suitable headings)

1. Title page
2. Abstract
3. Table of Contents
4. Introduction and Objectives
5. Resistance Temperature Detector Selection
6. Bridge Circuit Analysis and Design
7. Differential Instrumentation Amplifier Analysis and Design
8. Verification of Measurement System in Multisim.
9. Discussion of results
10. Conclusion
11. References
12. Appendices

No copy paste from the internet.

REPORT SUBMISION ON MOODLE WEBSITE

On or Before: Monday: 20 May 2024, 11:50 pm.
DO NOT EMAIL YOUR REPORT.

PENALTIES FOR LATE SUBMISSIONS: ITEM WILL BE RETURNED UNMARKED.

NOTICE:
· Submission date is FINAL.
· Penalty for late submission is given above.
· The student is expected to plan pro-actively in case of eventualities such as study commitments, sickness etc.

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Appendix B - Assessment Rubric

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