Messkurve

Messkurve is a term used in German-language technical literature to denote a graphical representation of measured data that expresses the relationship between a dependent quantity and one or more independent variables. It reflects the outcome of a measurement session, test, or calibration procedure and serves as a basis for evaluating a device, sensor, or process.

To construct a Messkurve, the dependent variable is plotted on the vertical axis and the independent variable on the horizontal axis. Data are collected by performing controlled experiments or calibrations, often with repeated measurements or averaging to reduce random noise. The curve may be drawn directly from the data or smoothed to reveal underlying trends. In some cases the curve is accompanied by error bars or confidence bands to convey measurement uncertainty.

Common applications include sensor calibration, assessment of linearity and dynamic range, characterization of transfer functions, quality control, and method validation. A Messkurve helps identify the operating range where a device is accurate, as well as regions of saturation, nonlinearity, or drift.

Analysis of a Messkurve typically involves fitting a mathematical model (linear, polynomial, exponential, or piecewise) and evaluating goodness of fit, residuals, and uncertainty. The curve may be used for interpolation, extrapolation, or to compare different instruments or configurations. Deviations from an expected form can indicate systematic errors, hysteresis, temperature effects, or aging.

In practice, the term is often used interchangeably with calibration curve (Kalibrierkurve) or transfer curve in metrology and instrumentation, though Messkurve generally emphasizes the empirical plot of measurement results.