Analysis of Accuracy for Engine and Gearbox Sensors

Abstract: This thesis provides a standardized method to measure accuracy for engine and gearbox sensors. Accuracy is defined by ISO 5725, which states that trueness and precision need to be known to provide a metric for accuracy. However, obtaining and processing the data required for this is not straight forward. In this thesis, a method is presented that consists of two main parts: data acquisition and data analysis. The data acquisition part shows how to connect all of the equipment used and how to sample and store all the raw data from the sensors. The data analysis part shows how to process that raw data into statistical data, such as trueness, repeatability and reproducibility for the sensors. Once repeatability and reproducibility are known, the total precision can be determined. Accuracy can then be obtained by using information from trueness and precision. Besides, this thesis shows that measurement error can be separated into error caused by the sensors and error caused by the measurand. This is useful information, because it can be used to assess which type of error is the greatest, whether or not it can be compensated for, and if it is economically viable to compensate for such error.  The results are then shown, where it is possible to gain information about the sensors’ performance from various graphs. Between Hall and inductive sensors, there were no superior winner, since they both have their strengths and weaknesses. The thesis ends by making recommendations on how to compensate for some of the errors, and how to improve upon the method to make it more automatic in the future.