Sensors, Actuators and Control

Code:

EBE0212

Acronym:

SAC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biomedical Engineering

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	34	Syllabus	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This curricular unit (CU) aims to consolidate and extend students' knowledge in the area of automation, focusing on its main components: information input elements (sensors), information processing (microcontrollers), output elements (pneumatic), control strategies (on/off, PID), as well as, software for acquisition and control (SCADA). This CU will be supported by a strong laboratory hands-on work, allowing students a direct contact with automation components and systems.

Learning outcomes and competences

During this CU, students should acquire the following technical skills:

- Ability to identify the different components present in automation systems;
- Ability to select the basic components of automation;
- Ability to recognize the symbols and to understand a pneumatic circuit design;
- Ability to program a microcontroller based unit;
- Ability to develop a driver to connect an instrument with a computer via serial interface;
- Ability to program a SCADA software;
- Ability to tune a process controller;
- Understand the main philosophy of the process control;
- Understanding the dynamic behavior of industrial processes;
- Ability to simulate a control system;

Development of other skills:
- ability for laboratory work;
- ability for teamwork;
- written, oral and multimedia communication skills.

Working method

Presencial

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

 Basic programming knowledge.

Program

1. Sensors
Introduction to the principles of functioning sensors. Errors. Vocabulary of Metrology. Measurement of several physical quantities, in particular temperature, force, displacement.

2. Automatic control process:
On/Off control
Feedback control
Digital implementation of the PID algorithms
Typical responses of PID controller parameters
Dynamic behavior of a closed loop system

4. Microcontrollers:
Introduction to microcontrollers and programming
Serial communication with peripherals
Data acquisition with LabVIEW
SCADA systems

3. Logic Systems:
Boolean algebra and binary arithmetic
Simplification of logical expressions
Analysis and synthesis of logic circuits

5. Introduction to pneumatics
Production and distribution of compressed air
Pneumatic valves
Pneumatic actuators
Analysis of operation diagrams
Examples of pneumatic circuits

Mandatory literature

Joaquim Gabriel, Fernão Magalhães; Slides das aulas teóricas, e guia dos trabalhos práticos.

Complementary Bibliography

Maria Teresa Restivo... [et al.]; Laboratórios de instrumentação para medição. ISBN: 978-972-8025-67-0
James W. Dally, William F. Riley, Kenneth G. McConnell; Instrumentation for engineering measurements. ISBN: 0-471-55192-9
J. Norberto Pires; Automação industrial. ISBN: 972-8480-05-9

Comments from the literature

These matters are usually referred in any book of the area (Instrumentation, Control, Pneumatics, Automation).

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching method is based on the systematic analysis of cases involving equipment, concepts, techniques, and their experimental implementation. Learning will be supported by guided readings, literature and laboratory work group.

The course is organized into two types of classes:

The theoretical classes will be complemented by execution of lab work involving sensors, controllers, pneumatic components and data acquisition software.

 

Software

PneuSim
LabVIEW
Arduino IDE

keywords

Physical sciences > Computer science > Informatics > Applied informatics
Technological sciences > Technology > Instrumentation technology > Sensors
Technological sciences > Engineering > Control engineering > Automation

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	65,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	35,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	40,00
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

A limit of 3 absences in the laboratory classes is allowed.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment of student performance will be based on one test (T), and one project PRJ.
The final classification (CF) will be calculated as follows:
CF = 0,65*T+0,35*PRJ

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

1. a laboratory test to replace the PRJ component;
2. a written exam that will replace the T component;

Classification improvement

Students may improve final classification by performing:

1. a laboratory test to replace the PRJ component;
2. a written exam that will replace the T component;