Teledyne M300EM User Manual

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Teledyne API – Technical Manual - Model 300E Family CO Analyzers 
Theory of Operation 
 
247 
11.5.6. MOTHERBOARD 
This printed circuit assembly provides a multitude of functions including, A/D conversion, digital input/output, PC-
104 to I
2
C translation, temperature sensor signal processing and is a pass through for the RS-232 and RS-485 
signals. 
11.5.6.1. A to D Conversion 
Analog signals, such as the voltages received from the analyzer’s various sensors, are converted into digital 
signals that the CPU can understand and manipulate by the analog to digital converter (A/D).  Under the control 
of the CPU, this functional block selects a particular signal input (e.g.  BOX TEMP, CO MEASCO REF, etc.)  
and then coverts the selected voltage into a digital word.   
The A/D consists of a Voltage-to-Frequency (V-F) converter, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), three 
multiplexers, several amplifiers and some other associated devices.  The V-F converter produces a frequency 
proportional to its input voltage.  The PLD counts the output of the V-F during a specified time period, and sends 
the result of that count, in the form of a binary number, to the CPU. 
The A/D can be configured for several different input modes and ranges but in the M300E/EM is used in uni-
polar mode with a +5 V full scale.  The converter includes a 1% over and under-range.  This allows signals from 
–0.05 V to +5.05 V to be fully converted. 
For calibration purposes, two reference voltages are supplied to the A/D converter: Reference Ground and 
+4.096 VDC.  During calibration, the device measures these two voltages, outputs their digital equivalent to the 
CPU.  The CPU uses these values to compute the converter’s offset and slope and uses these factors for 
subsequent conversions.   
See Section 7.4.3 for instructions on performing this calibration. 
11.5.6.2. Sensor Inputs  
The key analog sensor signals are coupled to the A/D through the master multiplexer from two connectors on the 
motherboard.  100K terminating resistors on each of the inputs prevent cross talk from appearing on the sensor 
signals. 
CO MEASURE AND REFERENCE 
These are the primary signals that are used in the computation of the CO concentration.  They are the 
demodulated IR-sensor signals from the sync demodulator board.   
SAMPLE PRESSURE AND FLOW 
These are analog signals from two sensors that measure the pressure and flow rate of the gas stream at the 
outlet of the sample chamber.  This information is used in two ways.  First, the sample pressure is used by the 
CPU to calculate CO concentration.  Second, the pressure and flow rate are monitored as a test function to 
assist the user in predicting and troubleshooting failures.   
11.5.6.3. Thermistor Interface 
This circuit provides excitation, termination and signal selection for several negative-coefficient, thermistor 
temperature sensors located inside the analyzer.  They are as follows: 
SAMPLE TEMPERATURE SENSOR 
The source of this signal is a thermistor located inside the sample chamber of the Optical Bench.  It measures 
the temperature of the sample gas in the chamber.  This data is used to during the calculation of the CO 
concentration value. 
04288D DCN5752