Biomedical Instrumentation

Homework 1 Solution: Statistics and Linear systems

Problem 1: Statistics (1.5 points)

a) Given the following measurement data, determine the accuracy of the instrument in
terms of % Reading and % Full Scale. The maximum resistance the instrument can
measure is 2k.
True Resistance ()
1
10
50
100
200
300
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600

Measured Resistance ()
4
14
53
101
207
311
401
625
803
956
1198
1446
1553

Although

we can

calculate the

% Reading and % Full scale error for

each data point, it is easier to
determine the values using a plot.
The linearity and absolute error plots
are shown below. The goal is to
provide the tightest fit around the
points in each plot. The % Full scale
error is used to define the error for

the measurements near zero,

1800
1779
where drift and offset usually dominate. The % Reading error is used to define error at larger
measurements. The red and green lines in the right plot show where the % Full Scale and %
Reading error definitions are used. The accuracy of this instrument is 5% reading or 0.2% Full
scale, whichever is greater.

100

1500

Absolute Error ()

Measured Resistane ()

2000

1000

500

0
0

80

Measured Absolute Error

% Reading
% Full Scale

60
40
20

500
1000
1500
True Resistane ()

2000

0
0

500
1000
1500
Measured Resistane ()

2000

Webster 3rd & 4th edition: Prob. 1.2

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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Problem 2: Sensitivity (1.5 points)

Webster 3rd & 4th edition: Prob 1.5
VBulb = VBulb T Hg
VStem = A T
where,
T is the change in temperature in degrees celsius
Hg is the expansion coefficient for mecury

is the static sensitivity

VBulb = VStem
VBulb T Hg = VStem = A T

VBulb

0.2mm
2mm

A
2

=
=
Hg
1.82 10 - 4

= 345 mm 3 = 0.345 cm 3

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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Problem 3: Filter analysis (3.0 points)

Given the following circuit,
C=159nF

Vin

Vout
R=10k

a) Derive the operational and sinusoidal transfer function.

dVc
d (Vin Vout )
= RC
dt
dt
Vout (D ) = RC D (Vin (D ) Vout (D )) = RC D Vin (D ) RC D Vout (D )

Vout = I R = RC

Vout (D )(1 + RC D ) = RC D Vin (D )

Vout (D )
RC D
=
(1 + RC D )
Vin (D )

Vout ( j )
jRC
=
(1 + jRC )
Vin ( j )

Magnitude (dB)

b) Draw the bode plot (magnitude and phase).

0
20dB/decade

3dB at 100 Hz

20
40

Phase (degrees)

10

100

1k

10k

10

100
Frequency (Hz)

1k

10k

90
45
0
1

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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c) Derive an equation for the step response. Plot the response from 0 to 5 seconds.
Vout (s )
sRC
=
, from part a
(1 + sRC )
Vin (s )
V (volts)

1.5

Vin (t ) = u (t ), Vin (s ) = L{u (t )} =

1
0.5

in

sRC
Vout (s ) = Vin (s )
(1 + sRC )
1
s

0
0.5
2

RC
1
Vout (s ) =
=
(1 + sRC ) 1 + s
RC

(volts)

1.5

out

t / RC
Vout (t ) = L1
,t 0
=e
1

+ s
RC

0,
otherwise

1
0.5
0
0.5
2

Time (milliseconds)

d) Derive an equation for the steady-state phase in radians.

Im{numerator}
Im{denominator}
arctan

Re{numerator}
Re{denominator}

( ) = numerator denominator = arctan

RC
RC
arctan

0
1

( ) = arctan

( ) =

arctan( )

e) The delay of a dynamic (non-sinusoidal) signal through a linear system is termed group
delay, d, and varies with frequency. Derive the group delay of the system for >> n.

d =

d
1
=

d 1 + ( )2

lim d = 0 seconds

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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f) For the following circuit, repeat problem 2 part (e) but this time for the case of << n.
R=10k

Y ( j )
K
=
X ( j ) 1 + j

Vin

Vout
C=159nF

( ) = arctan( )

When analyzing dynamic signals, is information about phase or group delay more
useful?

d =

d
1
=

d 1 + ( )2

lim 0 d = = RC = 1.6 milliseconds

Group delay is more useful because it defines the delay of dynamic signals through a
linear system. Phase defines the steady-state response of a sinusoidal signal.

Problem 4: Damping (3.0 points)

a) Sketch the second-order low-pass transfer function for an overdamped, critically

Magnitude (dB)

damped, and underdamped system.

20
0
20

Overdamped
Critically damped
Underdamped

40

20dB/decade

f
Phase (degrees)

90

180
.

Frequency (Hz)

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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b) Given the following input waveform (max frequency component fn), sketch the output
for an overdamped, critically damped, and underdamped system.

Pressure (mmHg)

Overdamped

Critically damped

Underdamped

150

150

150

100

100

100

50

50

50

0.1

0.2

0.3

Time (seconds)

0.1

0.2

Time (seconds)

0.3

0.1

0.2

Time (seconds)

The underdamped system causes ringing, while the overdamped and critically damped
systems smooth the input signal.

c) How does the response change for fmax << fn for each type of damping?
The response will approach the shape of the input signal and be delayed by the
low-frequency group delay for all three cases.

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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0.3

Problem 5: Spring system transfer function (1.0 points)

Webster 3rd & 4th edition: Prob. 1.6

1.29

Biomedical Instrumentation Homework 1 Solution

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