What is "signal conditioning" in control systems?

Signal conditioning refers to the essential steps taken to prepare signals for processing, enhancing their quality and reliability. This process is necessary because raw signals can often be noisy, distorted, or not in a suitable format for analysis and control systems. By employing various techniques such as amplification, filtering, and converting signal formats, signal conditioning improves the signal's integrity before it is analyzed or utilized by a control system.

The context of this definition is paramount in control systems, as accurate and reliable data input is critical for effective system operations. Proper signal conditioning ensures that sensors and measurement devices can deliver signals that are within specified ranges and free from extraneous noise, enabling better decision-making and control responses.

This detailed focus on enhancing signal quality is what makes signal conditioning a fundamental concept in control systems, rather than merely modifying output signals, compressing for storage, or isolating specific frequencies, which are narrower aspects of signal handling but do not encompass the broader purpose of preparing signals for effective use in processing.