Low-cost impedance analyzer for condition monitoring applications

Abstract

Impedance analyzers are used to measure the effective resistance in an electrical circuit. This device is capable of providing valuable information to users attempting on impedance matching in control systems and communications. The impedance analyzer would be able to tell the resistance, capacitance and inductance of an electronic circuit. These qualities can be defined as impedance parameters.

Impedance is usually measured by computing the relationship between the voltage and current. It would then output the real and imaginary part of an impedance as well as the absolute impedance and phase. Such devices commonly found in the market are large and expensive to be implemented for conditioning monitoring purposes.

This thesis will compare the different types impedance measurements as well as designing a low cost impedance analyzer. We will discuss on the parasitic in components, components selection, calibration and the limitations of proposed impedance analyzer.