Data Acquisition and Control Project

Code:

FIS3015

Acronym:

FIS3015

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master's Degree in Physical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MI:EF	42	study plan from 2017/18	3	-	3	28	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to apply and deepen hands-on knowledge of automatic data acquisition and automatic control of laboratory instrumentation acquired during the course, and its application in the automation of laboratory experiments in physics and physical engineering.

Particular objectives are:
- implement communication between computer systems and laboratory equipment
- know different hardware communication protocols
- properly and effectively configure time signal sampling and analog-digital signal conversion parameters
- use software tools (Labview (National Instruments), ...) for data acquisition and instrumentation control

Learning outcomes and competences

As learning outcomes, students will have skills related to:
- the application of math, science and engineering knowledge in the laboratory environment
- efficient design, implementation and validation of automated experiments;
- automatic data analysis and critical results interpretation;
- teamwork valorization;
- autonomy, creativity and accountability in addressing new challenges and experimental problems.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

During the mini-project, it will be useful the knowledge on:

• Measurement, Sensors and Instrumentation


• Electronics: common electronic circuits (voltage dividers, current dividers, RC circuits, amplifiers, diodes and photodetectors, ...) - within the scope of the course;


• Digital Electronics and Microprocessors


• Signals and Systems: Knowledge of Fourier transforms and / or complex calculus


• sequential programming structures (while ..., do ..., for ...)

Knowledge of other programming languages (Python, C, ...) may also be helpful in developing some of the mini-projects.

Program

1.  Brief applied review of acquisition and control implementation in Labview




1.  virtual instruments (VI)


2. I / O interfaces: drivers; Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) platform; communication interfaces (GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus)


3. Data acquisition boards: - Efficient configuration of temporal signal sampling, and analog-digital signal conversion


4. Signal Processing




• digital signal processing


• measurement and spectral analysis


• filtration


• function adjustments and linear algebra


• probability and statistics




5. Simulation of virtual experiences




2. Realization of mini projects with acquisition / automatic control.

Examples of possible mini projects:

• Construction of a temperature controller using LabVIEWTM, a thermistor as a sensor and a signal acquisition interface


• Construction of a thermocouple temperature gauge without reference junction using LabVIEW and a signal acquisition interface.


• Control and automatic acquisition associated with existing experiences in the Department's teaching laboratories.

Mandatory literature

vários; colecção de artigos científicos (consisting of articles proposed by teachers, and suggestions from students)

Complementary Bibliography

Paul Horowitz; The art of electronics. ISBN: 0-521-29837-7
John Essick; Hands-on introduction to LabVIEW for scientists and engineers. ISBN: 978-0-19-992515-5
Rick Bitter; LabVIEW advanced programming techniques. ISBN: 0-8493-2049-6
Gary W. Johnson; LabVIEW graphical programming. ISBN: 0-07-032692-4
Leonard Sokoloff; Applications in LabVIEW. ISBN: 0-13-016194-2
John Essick; Advanced LabVIEW labs. ISBN: 0-13-833949-X
Colin J. Smithells; Metals reference book. ISBN: 0-408-70627-9
John Wulff; The structure and properties of materials. ISBN: 0-471-61265-0 Vol. 1
Jan Evetts; Concise encyclopedia of magnetic & superconducting materials. ISBN: 0-08-034722-3
João António de Bessa Meneses e Sousa; Introdução à física do estado sólido
John H. Moore; Building scientific apparatus. ISBN: 0-201-13189-7

Comments from the literature

Students are encouraged to search for bibliography (library, ISI web of knowledge, science direct, etc.) and assistance on bibliogrphic search tools is provided.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Practical classes will be conducted with tutorial support in a properly equipped instrumentation laboratory for small data acquisition and / or control projects using LabView software. At the beginning of classes the work should be mostly computational, involving the practical review of the application of concepts given throughout the course. As with any laboratory, the student must keep a logbook of laboratory and project development activities, which is also an element of evaluation.

The realization of the mini-project, by groups of two or three students, is defined after reading some articles and / or technical documents provided at the beginning of the course. A cooperative work environment (group and class) will be stimulated.

Students plan the experiment to be carried out, as well as all the development necessary for the successful completion of the small project. To this end, they rely on the natural supervision and guidance of UC teachers.
After the mini-project is completed, each student prepares a (individual) report on its implementation.
Finally, the mini-project is presented by the group in a public session followed by oral discussion with the members of the jury.

Software

LabView

keywords

Technological sciences
Physical sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	30,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	8,00
Frequência das aulas	28,00
Trabalho laboratorial	19,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	8,00
Elaboração de projeto	8,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

To obtain attendance to the course unit, the student must fulfill the following requirements:

• Attend at least 3/4 of the planned classes
• Deliver an individual report on the execution of the mini project.

Calculation formula of final grade

For the calculation of the final grade, three evaluation elements will be taken into consideration with the following weights:
- [10%] LogBook
- [30%] (individual) report on the implementation of the mini project
- [60%] Public presentation and discussion on the implementation of the mini-project and technical content of the report.

In the logbook the student should record sequentially all the relevant information of all the laboratory work developed in the course unit, and the tasks assigned to him/her in the development of the mini-project, during the work time  in and out of the class.

The presentation of the mini-project is organized and made by the working group.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As all assessment components require laboratory work, it is recommended that all students in this situation contact the teacher in order to enable the experimental component to be performed at a flexible time, using the time of attendance.

Classification improvement

The evaluation components considered can only be improved in the next year, under subparagraph b of paragraph 2 of Article 12 of the FCUP’s " Regulamento de avaliação do aproveitamento dos estudantes", through a new frequency to the Course Unit. This application is made at the beginning of the school year and accounted for the maximum of credits that the student can register.

Observations

The Juri of the course is composed by:
- Carla Susana Santana Carmelo Rosa
- Jorge Filipe da Silva Gameiro
- Pedro Alberto da Silva Jorge