Abstract: A mechanical-to-electrical transducer arrangement wherein a combination of signal preamplifier and programmable analog signal processing circuitry is disposed immediately adjacent the transducer's sensor cell where low losses a low noise coupling into the signal path can be achieved. The programmable analog processing includes differentiation, filtering, integration, amplification and elective disconnection of the sensor cell to enable rapid transient signal recovery. Provisions for generation of transducer identification code and test signals in the processing circuitry and communications by way of a two wire time shared communication path is included.