INTEGRATION / DEFINE SYSTEM RESPONSIBILITIES
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How to Integrate an FSR into Your System
Define the responsibilities beyond the sensing film.
An FSR typically provides a resistance that changes with contact force. A controller needs readout and acquisition electronics to use that change. A common approach is a voltage divider, followed by voltage acquisition. Voltage range, digital interfaces, software and calibration are system functions; agree their delivery scope separately from the sensing film.
Mechanics: transfer force to the intended area
Match the outline, sensing area, tail and layer stack to the actual assembly. Define the contact materials and support so prototypes can be validated inside the final product.
- Plan fixing points, connections and tail routing.
- Prevent tail tension or bending stress from transferring directly into the sensing area.
- Record covers, support and preload; interpret electrical readings in their mechanical context.
Electronics and acquisition: share the existing conditions
The resistance change of a bare FSR needs readout and conversion electronics to become a usable controller input. Voltage-divider arrangement and component selection affect output direction and its sensitive region. Design around the target load, supply and controller input requirements.
- Controller and interface
- Specify the existing controller, sampling interface, supply and connection.
- Input and channels
- Define target input range, sensing positions and channel count. Verify values for the specific sample and loading conditions.
- Readout responsibility
- Identify the supplier of existing electronics and whether acquisition support requires separate review.
Separate resistance, voltage and digital interfaces
Does a bare FSR directly output a fixed voltage signal?
The changing film resistance needs a power supply and readout circuit. The circuit determines the voltage range, sampling speed and decision conditions; these are not default outputs from the bare film.
Can it connect directly to I²C, serial or RS485?
These communication interfaces require acquisition, conversion and communication electronics. Describe the existing controller and interface, then agree responsibility for circuitry, firmware and protocol. They are not included in a film quotation by default.
Does connecting several FSRs automatically produce a heatmap?
Sensing positions, channel acquisition, data processing and display still need to be designed. Define areas and channels, then agree the film, electronics and software scope and acceptance criteria.
Software: turn the input into the required result
Thresholds, filtering, state decisions, posture classification and alarms are system functions. Separate relative changes from absolute measurement, and single-point decisions from multipoint recognition. Define goals, conditions and acceptance responsibilities for each.
Define the delivery scope before prototyping
- Film and drawings
- Agree the outline, termination, revision, quantity and mechanical requirements.
- Readout and acquisition
- Identify circuitry, controller, sampling, interfaces and their suppliers.
- Calibration and software
- Agree the testing, data-processing and complete-product validation scope.