Rate Change
Rate at which the zero-point output of a sensor changes in response to variations in the ambient temperature. The zero temperature coefficient quantifies the thermal stability of a transducer and is a major contributor to the total error budget in uncontrolled environments. Standard measurements are typically expressed in units of the sensing variable per degree Celsius or Kelvin.
Thermal Sensitivity
Internal components expand or contract at different rates as the temperature shifts, creating mechanical strains that alter the sensor output. A low zero temperature coefficient indicates that the materials and design of the device are well-matched to minimize these parasitic effects. Manufacturers often use specialized alloys and symmetric mechanical layouts to achieve high levels of thermal independence.
Compensation Method
Software algorithms use internal temperature readings to subtract the predicted thermal error from the raw data. This correction depends on a precise map of the zero temperature coefficient established during the factory calibration process. Without such compensation, even small changes in the operating temperature would lead to high drift and loss of accuracy in the measurement.
Advanced models use higher-order polynomials to account for the non-linear relationship between temperature and bias.
Accuracy Limit
Residual errors after compensation define the ultimate performance of the sensor in varying climates.
