Frequency to Digital USB Output

Frequency to Analog Output

Unlike conventional resistive sensors based on either strain gauges or piezo-resistive techniques, Loadstar’s breakthrough patented technology harnesses changes in capacitance to measure loads quickly and accurately. In the Mini, the change in capacitance is converted into a change in frequency of the output signal.

The load cell accepts a 5V DC input and outputs a TTL square wave whose frequency is proportional to the applied load. Most data acquisition systems, microprocessors and microcontrollers have the capability to measure the frequency of the signal.

The iLoad Mini load cell has 2 frequency outputs. When Control Input = logic '1', the Mini outputs the sensor frequency, F^sensor. When Control Input = logic '0', the Mini ouputs the reference frequency, F^ref. The compensated frequency F^comp = F^sensor - K*^Fref, where K is a constant provided by Loadstar. Loadstar provides the coefficients for the quadratic equation to translate F^comp to load.

If you use this miniature load cell with the DQ-1000 or DQ-4000 or DS-4000 frequency to USB interfaces, then you can obtain calibrated load or force data in N, lb, or kg.