Reducing Potentiometer Loading Error
L. A. Nettleton, F. E. Dole · Review of Scientific Instruments · 1947
In the practical application of potentiometers to electrical computer circuits, loading errors are invariably present. Where linear outputs are required the loading errors can usually be held within reasonable limits by careful proportioning of constants and by working on the most favorable part of the characteristic curve. However, if this is not sufficient, the potentiometer card can be tapered in such a way as to eliminate the loading error. Potentiometer cards can also be tapered in order to produce non-linear functions. On the other hand linear potentiometers can be loaded so as to produce non-linear functions, as in the case of the ``Tangent Function'' potentiometer circuit. When the tangent function is not required for both positive and negative angles, the accuracy of the output can be improved by unbalancing the circuit.