In general, a measurement system incorporates four functions in
a sequence: sensing, signal conditioning, signal processing, and
data presentation.
• Sensing element — detects the physical variable and converts
the variable into a usable signal
• Signal conditioning — manipulation of the sensor signal to adapt
the signal to the requirements of further processing
• Signal processing — further manipulation of the signal to extract
or make use of the contained information
• Data presentation — displaying the information contained in the
signal in forms that can be understood by human users.
• Real world sensors may incorporate both the sensing element
and some form of signal conditioning in one package.