An electronically integrated load cell

An electronically integrated strain-gauge load cell has been developed for monitoring pressures between orthotic braces and the human body for adolesc ents who have spinal deformities, This load cell has a built in amplifier a nd lowpass fitter. High signal-to-noise ratio, temperature compensation, lo w power consumption and cost effectiveness are the major advantages of this design. The maximum load for this cell is 110 cm of water (approximately 2 0 N), Laboratory tests have established that the nonlinearity and hysteresi s are less than +/-2.5%, and the signal to noise ratio is greater than 70 d B, This paper describes both the structure and the Operational principles o f the load cell, and presents the calibration results.