Abstract: A potentiometer apparatus and method include a plurality of potentiometer components etched onto a substrate. A conductor layer can be printed and fired upon the substrate and over the array of potentiometer components. Thereafter, a thick film layer can be configured upon the substrate. Each potentiometer component can then be laser trimmed from among the plurality of potentiometer components in order to obtain a proper resistance and linearity for each potentiometer component thereof, thereby forming a potentiometer apparatus from each potentiometer among the potentiometer components. The resulting potentiometer apparatus thus constitutes an advanced thick-film (ATF) potentiometer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating input to a sensor. A circuit receives an unregulated voltage signal and a reduced version of the unregulated voltage signal. These signals are regulated by separate regulators then compared. If the difference between the two regulated signals is greater than a threshold amount then no voltage signal is sent to an attached sensor. If the difference between the two regulated signals is less than a threshold amount then a regulated voltage signal is sent to the sensor.

Abstract: A strain gage sensor having improved operational aspects and lower production costs. The strain gage sensor includes two active resistors, two passive resistors, and a structure for minimizing strain experienced by the two passive resistors. The active and passive resistors are attached in a Wheatstone bridge configuration and are Piezoresistors. The active resistors and the strain minimizing structures are mounted on the backing plate. The backing plate or the strain minimizing structure includes alumina ceramic substrate. A voltage to current converter circuit is attached to the active and passive resistors and mounted to the backing plate. Multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits or multiple Wheatstone bridge circuits with voltage to current converter circuits are manufactured on a single backing plate and separated prior to use.