Measurement, Sensors and Instrumentation

Code:

EEC0070

Acronym:

MSIN

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Electronics and Digital Systems

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=1077&lang=en
Responsible unit:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Electrical and Computers Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEEC	234	Syllabus	3	-	6	56	162
MI:EF	68	study plan from 2017/18	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This Curricular Unit aims to develop fundamental skills in measuring quantities and signals of current interest in the various fields of engineering and in conceiving and designing electrical and electronic devices and equipment for measurement and instrumentation.

Thus faced with a problem of measuring an electric or non electric quantity, the student should be able to select, define and evaluate themeasurement method and the most appropriate components, equipments, procedures and programs, as well as to design the respective measurement chain or instrumentation system.

It is also intended that the activity performed by students under this course promotes knowledge of business and professional activity in Electrical Engineering in the field of Measurement, Instrumentation and Sensors.

Learning outcomes and competences

In order to achieve the above mentioned aim, students should develop the skills outlined below.
Specific technical skills:

• mastery of technical concepts of measurement, instrumentation and use of their technologies;
• development of reasoning in analyzing and solving measurement problems systematically and accurately;
• development of design, implementation and test skills of instrumentation for specific applications.

Other skills:

• development of skills for experimental team work by performing laboratory and project work;
• development of written, oral and multimedia technical communication skills.

Learning outcomes are assessed from the capabilities to:

• explain and analyze operating principles of electronic devices in typical situations of measurement and instrumentation
• properly use electronic and virtual instruments in experimental measurements of electrical quantities and signals and evaluate possible sources of error
• apply knowledge on sensors and instruments for measuring non-electrical quantities and signals of current interest
• interpret the specifications of the major components of the measuring chain, in particular conditioning circuitry, analog-digital converters and the most important non-electrical transducers
• characterize a measurement problem and prepare requirements and technical specifications
• conceive, design, implement and validate measurement systems and instrumentation for specific applications
• organize and prepare technical documentation related to a method or instrument and apply methods for evaluating the quality of measurement.

Working method

Presencial

Program

M1: Introduction to MSIN

M2: Fundamentals of measurement and instrumentation

Quantities and SI units

Generic instrumentation system

Visualization, feedback and control.

General characteristics: Static & Dynamic

Measurement errors; Component tolerances

Measurement quality; Measurement statistics and distributions

Uncertainties.

M3: Measurement of signals and Transducers - Analogue

Characterization of signals: Period, frequency, mean and root-mean-squared values, etc.

Power and energy

Review of circuits; Weatstone bridge;

Sensors and transduction principles and measurement of quantities

M4: Measurement of signals and Transducers - Digital

Analog-to-digital acquisition of signals and virtual instrumentation.

Signals digitalization and reconstruction; Sampling Theorem; Aliasing phenomenon

A/D and D/A converters; Spectra measurement.

M5: Introduction to signal conditioning

Principles of signal conditioning: Attenuation, amplification and filters.

Filter design and their responses; anti-aliasing filters and other classical filters;

M6: Instrumentation and measurement chain.

Instruments and classical equipment of direct current (DC).

Charge effect, design and utilization.

Electronic equipment, analogue and digital of DC and AC.

Power measure; Contactless measure.

Measurement chain, main blocks, design and error balance.

Impedance measurement. Bridges.

Mandatory literature

Aurélio Campilho; Instrumentação electrónica: Métodos e técnicas de medição, 2a Edição, FEUP Edições, 2013. ISBN: 978-972-752-163-0
John Essick; Hands-on introduction to LabVIEW for scientists and engineers. ISBN: 978-0-19-537395-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

There will be two types of classes:

Lectures, in which the theoretical concepts are presented, and application problems are solved and discussed in e-learning.
Laboratory, in which several laboratory assignments will be given and executed in the lab with the instructors support in alternating participation of the group members

Software

Matlab
Multisim
Labview

keywords

Physical sciences > Physics > Metrology
Technological sciences > Technology > Measurement technology
Technological sciences > Technology > Instrumentation technology > Sensors
Technological sciences > Technology > Instrumentation technology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	5,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Exame	40,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	15,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	108,00
Frequência das aulas	24,00
Trabalho laboratorial	24,00
Trabalho escrito	6,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Laboratory classes (in lab and e-learning) are mandatory and subject to the regulations regarding the maximum number of allowable absences.

If students miss an assignment (even if the absence is adequately justified) they have to do it in another time duly authorized by the professor and supervised by the technician responsible for the laboratory.

Students have to attain a minimum grade of 9.5 in 20 marks in the laboratory work assessment for it to be considered completed.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is the average of two grades, corresponding to the theorecital and laboratory components of the course.

The grades for each of the components are evaluated as follows:

1 -Theoretical component  (50%):

• Exam grade = 40%
• Average of Written Essay (Knowledge Integration Challenges) = 10%

2 – Laboratory component (50%), divided into:

• Average of Lab reports =30%
• Project evaluation = 15%
• Student participation, assiduity etc. = 5%

Minimum passing grade: at least 9.5 marks in 20 at each of the two components mentioned above.

Internship work/project

A small project of a complete measurement chain will be assigned.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Laboratory work is compulsory to all students. Students with a special status will also have a chance to do the assignments (at an adequate time for them). Nevertheless, they will be assessed just like the other regular students.

Classification improvement

Of the theoretical component through the completion of the exam at a later appropriate period for that purpose.

Of the laboratory component by performing all laboratory activities of this component in the following school year.

Observations

Students with previous Lab grades can maitain that grade - not needing to enrol at the Plab classes.