Level Measurement Systems Using Compensated Silicon Pressure Sensors and Precision Delta-Sigma ADCs, Part 1

This reference design is the first in a series on liquid-level measurement and control. Here in Part 1, differences among modern pressure sensors and emphasizes the benefits of recent advances in microelectromechanical (MEMS) temperature-compensated, silicon pressure sensors are described. Now reasonably priced and available in a variety of packages, these sensors are attractive for a wide variety of precision sensing applications, including liquid level measurements. The document then describes a cost-effective, low-power, liquid-level measurement data acquisition system (DAS) using a compensated silicon pressure sensor and a high-precision delta-sigma ADC. The article will explain how to select the compensated silicon pressure sensor. It will suggest system algorithms, analyze noise, and offer calibration ideas for improving system performance while reducing complexity and cost.