Sensor for the Measurement of Pressure

Preliminary tests for a sensor for measuring pressure as a function of location were performed. The sensor is a stripline with electrothermomechanical film as a substrate. The film consists of plastic with air cells. When pressure is applied on the film, the dimensions of the air cells change. When the film is used as substrate in a stripline the pressure changes the impedance of the stripline, which can be detected with a pulse or a voltage step transmitted in the line. The reflection from the impedance discontinuity gives the amplitude and the location of the pressure.