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A method for reducing the adverse effects of stray-capacitance on capacitive sensor circuits.

C Gettings¹, C C Speake¹

¹Astrophysics and Space Research Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.

The Review of Scientific Instruments

|March 6, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Connecting cables increase voltage noise in capacitive sensor circuits due to stray capacitance. This study models and measures this noise, finding it can be a significant limiting factor for sensor sensitivity.

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Area of Science:

Electrical Engineering
Sensor Technology
Noise Analysis

Background:

Stray capacitance from connecting cables significantly impacts voltage noise in capacitive sensor circuits.
Understanding and mitigating this noise is crucial for optimizing sensor sensitivity and performance.
Standard circuits often exhibit limitations due to inherent noise gain, complicating sensitivity improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify and model the voltage noise increase in capacitive sensor circuits caused by cable stray capacitance.
To compare the performance of various standard circuits against a benchmark optimized for high signal-to-noise ratio.
To investigate methods for reducing noise, including electrically floating coaxial cables.

Main Methods:

Experimental measurement and mathematical modeling of voltage noise in capacitive sensor circuits.
Comparison of multiple circuit configurations against a stray-capacitance-free benchmark.
Analysis of noise gain as a limiting factor in sensor sensitivity.

Main Results:

Cable stray capacitance, measured at 1.8 nF with a modulation frequency of 100 kHz, increases output voltage noise by a factor of 3 compared to the benchmark.
Noise gain was identified as a key factor limiting sensor sensitivity.
Electrically floating the coaxial connecting cable was shown to be a viable method to manage noise in shielded environments.

Conclusions:

Stray capacitance from connecting cables is a critical factor affecting voltage noise and sensitivity in capacitive sensors.
Careful circuit design and cable management, such as floating coaxial cables, can help mitigate noise issues.
The findings provide valuable insights for designing high-sensitivity capacitive sensing systems in electromagnetically shielded environments.