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Instrumentation Topics

Absolute Instrument
An instrument whose calibration can be determined by means of physical measurements on the instrument.
Accelerometer
An instrument for measuring acceleration, as of aircraft or guided missiles.
Altimeter
An instrument for measuring height above a reference datum.
Astrolabe
An instrument that was used to determine the altitude of objects in the sky.
Barretter
A type of bolometer characterized by an increase in resistance as the dissipated power rises.
Bolometer
A device for measuring minute amounts of radiant energy.
Bourdon Tube
Thin-walled tube of elastic metal flattened and bent into circular shape, which tends to straighten as pressure inside is increased.
Calibrate
To determine the indication or output of a measuring device with respect to that of a standard.
Calorimeter
An insulated vessel for measuring the amount of heat absorbed or released by a chemical or physical change.
Capacitor Microphone
Microphone whose operation depends on variations in capacitance caused by varying air pressure on the movable plate of a capacitor.
Carbon Microphone
Microphone whose operation depends on pressure variation in carbon granules causing a change in resistance.
Compound Gauge
Instrument for measuring pressures both above and below atmospheric pressure.
Console
An array of controls and indicators for controlling a complex system or sequence of events.
Cover Slip
Very thin square piece of glass or plastic placed over the specimen on a microscope slide.
Detector
A device that receives energy in one form and supplies an ouput in another form.
Draft Gauge
Instrument used to measure air movement by measuring air pressure differences.
Echo Sounding
Measurement of the depth of the ocean by directing a sonic or ultrasonic pressure wave vertically downward and determining the time taken before the echo is received.
G meter
A meter that indicates acceleration.
Goniometer
Instrument for measuring angles.
Microphone
An acoustical-electrical transducer by which sound waves in air may be converted to electrical signals.
Microscope
An instrument to see objects too small for the naked eye.
Off Line Test Equipment
Equipment that tests and isolates faults in modules or assemblies removed from systems.
On Line Test Equipment
Continuously monitors the performance of electronic systems.
Oscilloscope
An instrument using a cathode-ray tube for visual display of electric signals.
Pyranometer
An instrument which measures global radiation, the combined intensity of direct solar radiation and diffuse sky radiation.
Pyrgeometer
An instrument which measures the effective terrestrial radiation.
Pyrheliometer
An instrument which measures the intensity of direct solar radiation.
Sferics Receiver
An instrument which measures, electronically, the direction of arrival, intensity, and rate of occurrence of atmospherics.
Shore Durometer
Durometer is typically used as a measure of hardness in polymers, elastomers and rubbers.
Stadimeter
An instrument for determining the distance to an object of know dimension by measuring the angle subtended at the observer by the object.
Test Equipment
A general term applied to devices used to test electrical and electronic circuits.
Thermocouple Meter Movement
A meter movement that uses the current induced in a thermocouple by the heating of a resistive element to measure the current in a circuit; used to measure ac or dc.
Tuning Fork
A small two-pronged steel instrument which when struck produces a fixed tone.
Turn Error
Any error in gyro output due to cross-coupling and acceleration encountered during vehicle turns.
Variometer
An instrument for comparing magnetic forces, especially of the earth′s magnetic field.
Velocimeter
A continuous-wave reflection Doppler system used to measure the radial velocity of an object.

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Science & Engineering Encyclopaedia Version 2.4 © 2001-2010 Dirac Delta Consultants Limited