As a result of advances in microelectronics, piezoelectric sensors (such as accelerometers and impedance heads) are now available in miniature form with built-in charge amplifiers in a single integral package. When such units are employed, additional signal conditioning is usually not necessary. An external power supply unit is needed, however, to provide power for the amplifier circuitry. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a piezoelectric sensor with built-in microelectronics for signal conditioning. A piezoelectric accelerometer is connected to a charge amplifier. An equivalent circuit for this arrangement is shown in Figure P12.7.
