A method for amplitude–phase calibration of tri-axial accelerometers in the low-frequency range is proposed, based on a linear slide, used to excite all the axes of the accelerometer at the same time, and a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) as a reference. Results show that the phase is a critical aspect to consider in calibration, more than the amplitude, and the comparison with the theoretical model is useful to verify the hypotheses. Different behaviours result, depending on the measuring chain.

To determine the efficiency of multi-MW wind turbines, the torque measurement in wind turbine test benches has to be performed with a high accuracy. To this end, the torque measurement has to be traced to national standards. This can be done by using a novel torque transfer standard in combination with a newly developed torque calibration procedure under constant rotation. The calibration procedure was performed on a wind turbine test bench.

We propose a measurement uncertainty model of two complementary optical sensors: a deflectometric and a plenoptic sensor. The deflectometric sensor uses active triangulation and works best on specular surfaces, while the plenoptic sensor uses passive triangulation and works best on textured, diffusely reflecting surfaces. The predicted uncertainties can be used to obtain optimized measurements for varying surface properties. The models are validated exemplarily based on real measurements.

“Industrie 4.0” or the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) describe the current (r)evolution in industrial automation and control. This is fundamentally based on smart sensors, which generate data and allow further functionality from self-monitoring and self-configuration to condition monitoring of complex processes. The paper reviews the development of sensor technology over the last 2 centuries and highlights some of the potential that can be achieved with smart sensors and data analysis.

Test centres supplying accuracy tests for instrument transformers must provide measurement uncertainties for their quality management. In this work, ratio error and phase displacement of instrument transformers are discussed. The traceability to the national standards of PTB, the attainable uncertainty and the permitted error limits of test equipment for testing instrument transformers are presented. An example of an uncertainty budget for a current transformer of the class 0,2 S is given.

In the data sheets of the thermometer manufacturers, different specifications can be found to describe the dynamic properties of contact thermometers. The present paper describes the results of a bilateral comparison made for the first time for determining dynamic parameters for two thermocouples in the laboratories of the JUMO GmbH & Co. KG Fulda company and at the Institute of Process Measurement and Sensor Technology of the TU Ilmenau with similar facilities, but different results.

Monitoring hydrocarbon concentrations in automotive exhausts is affected by flow rate changes. The signal of thermoelectric gas sensors is a thermovoltage. Its origin is a temperature difference that depends on the flow rate. To avoid this noise effect, the sensor can be installed in a defined bypass position. As shown by simulation and experiments, the gas flow around the sensor is almost turbulence-free and the signal only depends on the hydrocarbon concentration and not on the flow rate.

For optical measurement systems, camera noise is the dominant uncertainty factor when optically cooperative surfaces are measured in a stable environment. In this work it will be shown that the resulting spatial noise can be estimated by means of a noise model. The capability of this approach will be demonstrated for a fringe projection system. This provides a valuable tool for a statistical comparison of different evaluation strategies, which is shown for two different triangulation procedures.

The challenges in the analysis of dynamic measurements significantly limit the use of existing calibration facilities and mathematical methodologies. Several international research projects have developed methodologies for the treatment of dynamic measurements at the NMI level. The transfer to industry, though, remains challenging. Therefore, this work provides a link from these activities to industrial end-users by means of the new versatile and comprehensive software package PyDynamic.