How do I convert an internal variable into frequency

[Ioannis]

Henrik, Hi!

Just comparing the samples, would require a lot of if then or select case commands. That is why I suggested differentiation. Also now it came to my mind that differentiation could happily be done in hardware with op-amp's. Select the proper R-C values according to the signal and then get an analog value, proportional to the rate of signal change.

I would prefer the digital way though...

Ioannis

[HenrikOlsson]

Hi Ioannis,
OK, you lost me there.... I'm no math expert either but isn't differentiation the same as derivative ie. the difference between two samples with respect to time. (in this case)

Let's say we read a voltage once every second first reading is 2.2V second reading is 2.5V the rate of change is then 0.3V/second third reading is 4.0V, rate of change is now 1.5V/second and so on.

It may very well be that I misunderstood the original question, if so you'll have to excuse me, but he said he was looking for the rate of change.

/Henrik Olsson.

[Ioannis]

Well the derivative is a number (no units associated with). So the derivative of a function that represents volts (say the 220*sin(t)) is not volts. Is a simple number (negative or positive) that represents the direction of the change or the will of the function to do a change. The larger positive number the more steep the change is.

Hope it made it a little more clear if I understood it...!

Ioannis

[HenrikOlsson]

Ioannis,
Really, I think we are basicly saying the same thing here, however.... You wrote:

Well the derivative is a number (no units associated with).

I think this is where you are wrong. The derivative is the rate of change. But you cant just say that the rate of change is 7. You have to say 7 this per that otherwise it doensn't make sense IMO. For example 1.5V per second or 25degrees per hour or 15m/s per second etc.

I found this on Wikipedia:

In mathematics, a derivative is the rate of change of a quantity. A derivative is an instantaneous rate of change: it is calculated at a specific instant rather than as an average over time. The process of finding a derivative is called differentiation. The reverse process is integration. The two processes are the central concepts of calculus and the relationship between them is the fundamental theorem of calculus.

Again, I believe we're meaning the same thing but without assigning units to the numbers they just doesn't make sense.

/Henrik Olsson.

[Ioannis]

From what I remember the derivative is the tangent of the curve described by the function and shows the gradient of the tangent line. So a tangent cannot have units.

This is how far I can go...!

I understand what you are trying to say as a rate of change (like the slew rate of an op-amp). But on functions, a derivative I am sure is just a number, showing the direction of the curve at that point.

Maybe a math guru is listening here to give a hand?

Ioannis

P.S. Since all the maths I learned was in greek language, maybe the terms I am using are not the proper ones, so.... I am sorry for that!

[schlaray]

The sensor connected to the A/D normally produces a constant , fixed output. The A/D output is therefore also fixed at this point in time. When a flow is present, the sensor produces a sin wave output whose frequency is dependant on the flow rate. The A/D output produces a series of varying numerical values if plotted against time would look like a sin wave. I have a program that will detect the numerical peak of each sin wave and I can count these peaks. Right now, I am using a timer (TMR0) with interrupts to generate the time base. This timer is activated when flow starts. The count /time will give me the frequency. The program will have a variable trip value i.e. when f >= trip then alarm. My program is almost operational with a few bugs remaining to be worked out.

I have built this circuit using Op Amps etc., and now I would like to keep up with the times and reduce the number of components using a PIC.

I wish to thank all those who have contributed and still might contribute to this thread.
R.W.S.

[Ioannis]

Since your sensor produces a sine wave as a signal I would propose for the conversion part, to do the following:

Drive a cheap 4046 PLL with the sensor signal. From the VCO control voltage drive a buffer op-amp (optional but suggested) and then the A/D of your PIC. Now you have a clean analog voltage that follows your flow converted to a digital.

If you want to do the opposite, drive a voltage to the VCO of the 4046 and now you have a voltage to frequency converter (very linear I might say).

Ioannis