A laser-based system to monitor fiber load level in carding has been d
eveloped based on silicon PIN-photodiodes. It is desirable to establis
h more accurately the dynamic characteristics of the sensing system an
d in particular the interaction between the sensors, the sensing circu
itry and the data acquisition equipment. An experimental set up that a
llows to evaluate the dynamics of the entire monitoring system is here
presented, along with experimental results. This set up allows to det
ermine an experimental transfer function and frequency response curves
for the sensing system. In addition to this, results from the system
identification procedure can be extended to develop a linearized trans
fer function of the sensor. Additional input-output tests can tl;en be
used to determine the parameters of such linear model from an analysi
s of the impulse response; a linear model of the sensor can then be us
ed on the feedback path of a controller design based on these sensors.
This technique can be extended to other processes on which controller
design is under consideration and dynamic characteristics of the corr
esponding sensors are unknown.