Precision Sensor Programmer

A high-performance evaluation board for angle, motion, and positional sensors.

📝 Project Overview

The sensor programmer kit is a precision hardware platform built for evaluating and programming magnetic sensors with high accuracy. Designed for both R&D and production workflows, it integrates advanced analog front ends, configurable power delivery, and extensive digital interfacing — making it a versatile tool for sensor calibration, testing, and programming.

⚙ Technical Breakdown

🔍 Analog Front-End Design

  • Amplifier Stages: OpAmp-based precision gain stages with stability control

  • High-Speed DAC: High update rate DAC for slew control, shaping sensor pulses and waveforms

  • Built-In Self-Test: Loopback paths and test circuitry for real-time signal validation

🎯 Data Acquisition & Signal Integrity

  • Dual ADC Architecture:

    • SAR ADC for high-speed sampling

    • Delta-Sigma ADC for high-resolution capture

  • Signal Optimization:

    • MATLAB-verified SNR and conversion accuracy

    • Noise rejection and linearity tuning across the chain

⚡ Power Delivery & Monitoring

  • Programmable Power Rails: DAC-controlled, variable voltage outputs for sensor biasing

  • Integrated Sensing: Real-time current and voltage monitoring

    • Achieved resolution: 1 mA (current), 5 mV (voltage)

🔌 Digital Interface & Protocols

  • I/O Support: UART, SPI, I2C, JTAG, SENT, PWM, USB 2.0, EEPROM, NOR Flash, SDRAM 

  • Controller: STM32 MCU with real-time command execution and flexible peripheral mapping

🧪 Simulation & Validation

  • Tools Used:

    • LTspice and TINA-TI for analog simulations

    • MATLAB for full-system modeling: waveform shaping, stability, ADC/DAC performance

  • Design Testing: Signal chain validation under real-world sensor loads

✅ Outcome

The sensor programmer kit delivered a robust, scalable platform for sensor evaluation and calibration, enabling engineers to fine-tune sensor performance with accuracy, repeatability, and interface flexibility — from lab testing to production floor validation.