Calibrazione dei sensori

Before selling a measurement instrument, the producer carries out calibration in order to determine the relationship between the output signal of the instrument and the parameter subjected to measurement. Over time, however, all instruments, even those of the highest quality, tend to deteriorate with use leading to a worsening of their performance or to break down. When a malfunction is noted, or after repair of a break down, calibration must be repeated in order to have valid data, and not only numbers. In this chapter the basic criteria for calibration procedures for physical quantities are discussed and some metrological characteristics such as precision and response time are defined. In addition, calibration methodologies for the principal measurement instruments for physical quantities of interest in the field of agrometeorology are described.