Rational approximations principle for frequency shifts measurement in frequency domain sensors

Frequency domain sensors (FDS) are important elements in control, data acquisition and monitoring systems. Such sensors have some outstanding characteristics like output of quasi-digital signals, high sensitivity, high resolution, wide dynamic range, anti-interference capacity and good stability. A FDS converts a physical variable (measurand) into a frequency domain ouput. When the measurand changes, the output has a proportional frequency shift. In systems that use FDS, measuring the frequency shift is desirable. Accuracy of most frequency measurement techniques is limited by measurement time, and if more precision is required, longer times for measuring are needed. In this work, a novel approach using the rational approximations principle for measuring frequency shift in the output of a FDS is introduced. Also algorithms for simulating the mathematical model of frequency measurement process are proposed, and resolution of measurement is improved by analyzing the data obtained.