Electronics and Instrumentation

Code:

EM0036

Acronym:

EI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Automation

Instance: 2010/2011 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Automation, Instrumentation and Control Section
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Mechanical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEM	158	Syllabus since 2006/2007	4	-	6	56	160

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Scientists and engineers need experimentation for confirming theory, computational modeling and controlling even the most elementary system. The instrumentation for measurement is fundamental in metrology, laboratory and industrial measurements, systems control and supervision. All these fields of instrumentation are taken into account in the syllabus of this one semester course of the Integrated MSc in Mechanical Engineering, although the main focus is in the domain of laboratory and industrial measurements.

The main objectives are:
To work with concepts, principles, methodologies and procedures, offering a basic theoretical background in laboratory and industrial measurement; to promote ‘hands-on’ laboratory activity skills; to incentive the use of remote and virtual Labs and the use of haptic interaction systems; to promote the use of thematic courses available in distance learning platforms in the context of b-learning approach.

More than 50% of the course is spent in the lab (62.5%) and demonstrations are also used.

Expected learning outcomes from lecturing rooms:
- To deal with the more current metrological terms according with the International Metrological Vocabulary (VIM).
- To analyze the working principles of the different measuring system blocks and their main characteristics related with applications.
- To evaluate the methodologies for minimizing measurement errors and to identify measurement uncertainty components.

Expected learning outcomes from lab sessions:
- To increase the familiarity of using laboratory generic equipment as: multimeter, oscilloscope, wave generator, current/voltage power supply, measuring bridge;
- To practice the evaluation of error analysis and measurements;
- To identify and to master the working principle of strain, displacement, force, pressure, velocity, temperature measurement systems and proximity detection usually used in industrial environments and in R&D labs;
- To identify, to analyze and to minimize error sources from physical quantity measurements and - To evaluate the obtained results;
- To identify and to evaluate small malfunctions and to consider their possible repair solutions.

Acquired competences
- Technical and scientific knowledge associated to the Measurement and Instrumentation area, either at theoretical or at experimental levels;
- Critical thinking, analysis and discussion capabilities;
- Teamwork skills;
- Self-evaluation ability.

Program

1 - Basic concepts of Metrology. Measurements - errors and uncertainties.
2 – Measuring chains and systems
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 – Signal conditioning and transmission.
o 2.2.1 - Operational amplifiers. Non-inverting amplifiers, inverting amplifiers and differential amplifiers
o 2.2.2 – Instrumentation amplifiers
o 2.2.3 – Measuring bridges
o 2.2.4 – Signal filtering
o 2.2.5 – Signal modulation and demodulation
o 2.2.6 – Signal transmission
• 2.3 - Monitoring, measuring, recording and controlling physical quantities and data processing.
• 2.4 – Measurement of physical quantities - transducers/sensors
3 – Industrial measurement technologies in mechanical engineering

Mandatory literature

Restivo, Maria Teresa Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia. Departamento de Engenharia Mec; Laboratórios de instrumentação para medição. ISBN: 978-972-8025-67-0
Dally, James W.; Instrumentation for engineering measurements. ISBN: 0-471-55192-9

Complementary Bibliography

Timoshenko, Stephen P.; Mecânica dos sólidos. ISBN: 85-216-0247-2 (vol.1)
Asch, Georges; Les capteurs en instrumentation industrielle. ISBN: 2-10-004758-2
Doebelin, Ernest O.; Measurement systems. ISBN: 0-07-100697-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

All the course information is in the Moodle platform, even the theoretical and lab schedules and the assessment criteria grid. Blended learning methodologies are exploited, using the Moodle e-learning platform where three thematic courses are already developed and many other materials are available. Students are invited to contribute for building a glossary, which may help the sedimentary process of knowledge. Also, a set of experiments are remotely available. Materials from theoretical lectures and lab sessions documentation exist already on-line as well as in the e-book entitled “Laboratories of Instrumentation for Measurement”.

The course has continuous assessment of concepts and of experimental procedures and methodologies, with final written examination. There are three distinct assessment components (one mainly involving work group performance, and two as individual assessment, either on theoretical or experimental topics). These assessments occur in specific moments: weekly group assessment based on students' involvement and real performance on experimental tasks and results discussion; mid term individual lab assessment within experimental tasks and their theoretical background (20 min); a similar final individual lab assessment (20 min); finally, a written exam for testing the integration of theoretical and experimental knowledge based in simple calculations (2h00). The mid term and the final lab assessment are matched within each student lab schedule.

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	52,00
	Exame	2,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
	Estudo autónomo	68
	Estudo autónomo	8
	Estudo autónomo	12
	Estudo autónomo	20
	Total:	108,00

Eligibility for exams

Simultaneously:
Not exceed the official number of missing classes;
Minimum average mark on lab performance and involvement (LPI) ≥ 8,0 (20);
Weighted average of the lab assessments (40% mid term (MTLA) + 60% final term (FTLA)) = (LA) ≥ 8,0 (20).

Frequency mark (FM) = 0,3 * LPI + 0,7 * LA

Calculation formula of final grade

Final examination (FE) ≥ 8,0 (20).

Weighing average of the frequency mark (FM) and of the final examination (FE):

Final mark = 0,6 * FM + 0,4 * FE

At "época de recurso" the student may opt by: Final Examination, Lab Examination or both.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Written examination (minimum mark =8,0 (20)) (WE)
Lab. examination (minimum mark =8,0 (20)) (LE)

Final mark = 0,4 * WE + 0,6 * LE

Classification improvement

Similar to the one for special evaluation

Observations

Responsible: Maria Teresa Restivo
Theoretical lecturers: Maria Teresa Restivo and Fernando Gomes de Almeida