Index

News

  • 14th August 2011

Update - Using MB-1 with Analog Sensors

Custom Meter Scales when Programming MB-1 for use with Analog Sensors and DC voltages
 

 

Many of the scales below were designed to work with the examples described in the MB-1 Programmable Meter for Analog Sensors Manual.

To use an analog sensor with MB-1 the full scale output of the sensor should be at least 75 millivolts.  For a voltage this low, you will be running at a substantial reduction in resolution (approximately 8 bits) but this may be adequate for your application. A full scale sensor output of 6 volts will provide MB-1's full 15 bit low range resolution.  Therefore, check the full scale output of your sensor first before implementing a "Generic Application".  For sensors that do not generate an adequate voltage, a non-inverting op-amp can be inserted between the sensor's output and MB-1's coupler port input.

The type of Panel meter calibration (Linear or Nonlinear) that you must specify during the Panel meter setup is indicated for each of the meter faces below.

Click on any scale to draw that scale in a new window

 

S-Meter (40 dB over S9) Application
One Nonlinear Scale.
Set Type to "Nonlinear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
S-Meter (60 dB over S9) Application
One Nonlinear Scale.
Set Type to "Nonlinear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Temperature Scales.
Two Linear Temperature Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Force Measurement Application
Three Linear Force Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Reflectance Measurement Application
One Linear Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 
 
 
Distance Measurement Application
Three Linear Distance Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
DC Current Measurement Application
Two Linear Current Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
AC Current Measurement Application
Three Linear Current Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
DC Power Measurement Application
Four Linear Power Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
RPM Measurement Application
Two Linear RPM Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 
 
 
Liquid Level Sensor
One Linear Level Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Light Intensity Sensor
Three Linear Light Scales (see MB-1 Programmable Meter for Analog Sensors User's - Manual)
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Electromagnetic Field Strength Sensor
Three Linear RF Field Strength Scales
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Tilt Sensor
One Linear Tilt Scale
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Discrete Tilt Sensor
One Linear Tilt Scale
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating

 

 
 
 
Sound Pressure Level Sensor
One Nonlinear Sound Pressure Scale (see Generic Meter User Manual)
Set Type to "Nonlinear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Color Sensor Application - RGB Scale
One Linear Color Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Color Sensor Application - Intensity Percent Scale
One Linear Color Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Alcohol Concentration Measurement Application
Two Linear Alcohol Concentration Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Hydrogen Concentration
Two Linear Hydrogen Concentration Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Ozone Concentration
One Linear Ozone Concentration Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 
 
 
Angular Velocity Measurement Application
One Linear Angular Velocity Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Magnetic Field Application
One Linear Magnetic Field Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 
 
 
Resistance Measurement Application
Four Linear Resistance Scales.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Temperature Compensated pH  Measurement Application
One Linear pH Scale (see Generic Meter User Manual)
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 

 

 

 

Oxidation Reduction Potential  Measurement Application
One Linear ORP Scale
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
11 Decade Vacuum Measurement Application
One Linear ORP Scale
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating (see Generic Meter User Manual)
 
 
 
 
Torque Measurement Application
Two Linear Torque Scales
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Humidity
One Linear Humidity Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Barometer
One Nonlinear Air Pressure Scale (see Generic Meter User Manual)
Set Type to "Nonlinear" when calibrating
 
 
 
 
Wind Direction
One Linear Humidity Scale.
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating.
North is the 0 Deflection Point.
 
 
 
 
Yaesu Add-on Analog Meter
Six Nonlinear Scales
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating (see Generic Meter User Manual)

There are a few renditions of a meter face for an add-on meter for the FT857 and FT-897 on the Internet. Here is one more.

This scale can be affixed to an analog meter with a full scale rating of 1 mA or less and connected directly to the Yaesu external output jack.  However, you could
calibrate MB-1 to read the meter output signal of the Yaesu, and then drive the analog meter with MB-1. This would allow you to monitor one or more
of the Yaesu parameters with the Min/Max function for example. See the manual for more details.
 

 
 
 
 
Amplifier Application
Four Linear Scales
Set Type to "Linear" when calibrating

This example shows all four parameters displayed on the AL-80B meters. Since these scales are linear, you could use
 a single coupler port, but you would have to design an interface circuit with scaling and switching to select one parameter at a time.
 
 

More to Come

 

Custom Meter Faces for
  RF Power Measurements

Custom Meter Faces
 for RF Ammeters

 

MB-1 Programmable Meter for
 Analog Sensors - User's Manual

 

Analog Meters
eBay searches for Panel Meters