Measurement, Sensors and Instrumentation

Code:

EEC0070

Acronym:

MSIN

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Electronics and Digital Systems

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	Yes
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	176	Syllabus	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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

1 - Fundamentals of measurement and instrumentation

Quantities and SI units
Organization of a measurement chain
Analog to digital signals acquisition and virtual instrumentation.

2 - Measurement of quantities and signals

Characterization of signals and measurement of electrical quantities
Sensors and transduction principles and measurement of non-electrical quantities
Amplification and signal conditioning and measurement chain

3 - Assessment of measurement quality

Characterization of measurement quality
Measurement error; calculation of measurement errors
Uncertainty of measurement

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

Complementary Bibliography

Aurélio Campilho ; Instrumentação electrónica: Métodos e técnicas de medição , Edições FEUP, 2000. ISBN: 972-752-042-1
Bishop, Robert H.; LabVIEW 8. ISBN: 0-13-199918-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching methods adopted will be based on the analysis of several case studies that motivate the learning of concepts, methods and techniques. The learning will be based on  oriented study, laboratory group activities, in carrying out a group project and in literature review.

The personal attendance is organized into two types of classes:
Theoretical and practical exposure, discussion and resolution of case studies. Each class will consist of an expository part and another of problem analysis.
Practical classes where experimental laboratory and project work will be held.

Software

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 without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Teste	45,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	30,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	15,00
Estudo autónomo	46,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho laboratorial	15,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Laboratory classes 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 50% in the laboratory work assessment for it to be considered completed.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification focuses on the following components (the percentage of each component in the final grade is indicated):
1 - Individual theoretical and problem solving evaluation (45%).

• Evaluation of three online tests (3 x 15%).
• Attendance and participation, at the discretion of teachers involved (5%)

2 - Laboratory practice evaluation (45%), divided into:

• Evaluation of a report of laboratory work (15%)
• Evaluation of the project (30%)
• Attendance and participation, at the discretion of teachers involved (5%)

Minimum passing grade: at least 50% (9.5 in 20) at each of the two components mentioned above.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Evaluation tests will be conducted on-line, on dates, times and rooms to be advertised on the Moodle platform. The assessment of the laboratory work will focus on individual and group performance, in particular on the quality of reports and answers given to professor’s questions.
Each lab assignment will be performed by groups of two students.
In the last weeks of the semester, students organized in groups will undertake a project, that must be presented as a written report, subject to demonstration and oral evaluation.

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 evaluation tests at a later appropriate period for that purpose.

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