Sensors, Actuators and Control

Code:

L.BIO022

Acronym:

SAC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Engineering Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.BIO	36	Syllabus	3	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course aims to broaden students' knowledge in the field of automation, focusing on its main components: information input elements (sensors), information processing (microcontrollers), output elements (pneumatic actuators, and electric motors), control strategies (on/off, PID) as well as data acquisition software. This curricular unit will be supported by a strong laboratory component, allowing students to have direct contact with the components and the implementation/testing of systems.

Learning outcomes and competences

Specific technical skills

     Ability to select the basic automation components
     Ability to tune a process controller
     Understand the main process control philosophies
     Understand the dynamic behavior of industrial processes
     Ability to recognize symbology and terminology associated with automation

Computational Skills

     Programming control systems and data acquisition
     Microcontroller programming

Experimental Skills

     Ability to identify and characterize the most common sensors
     Ability to know the pneumatic elements
     Ability to assemble electrical, electronic, pneumatic and electropneumatic circuits, DC motors

Other skills to be developed by the student

     Ability to work as a team
     Written, oral and multimedia communication skills

Working method

Presencial

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

Basic knowledge of programming and electronics.

 

Program

Sensors
     Working principle of the most common sensors
     metrological vocabulary

Microcontrollers
     Introduction to microcontrollers and their programming
     Serial communication with peripherals
     Data acquisition and control with Arduino
     virtual instrumentation

Introduction to Automatic Control
     On/Off and feedback control
     Digital implementation of PID algorithms
     Dynamic behavior of a closed ring system
     Stability analysis, controller tuning

Introduction to Actuators
     Production, reserve and distribution of compressed air
     Pneumatic valves and actuators
     Pneumatic circuits
     DC motors

Mandatory literature

Maria Teresa Restivo... [et al.]; Laboratórios de instrumentação para medição. ISBN: 978-972-8025-67-0
Hughes, J. M.; Arduino a technical reference - A handbook for technicians, engineers, and makers, O'REILLY, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-491-92176-0
Bolton, W.; Mechatronics: electronic control systems in mechanical and electrical engineering, PEARSON, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-292-07668-3

Comments from the literature

These matters are usually referred in any book of the area.

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, bibliographical research and group laboratory work. The UC is organized into two types of classes: theoretical lectures, complemented by laboratory work involving sensors, controllers, pneumatic components and data acquisition software.

 

Software

FluidSIM
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 with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Exame	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

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

Eligibility for exams

Do not exceed the maximum limit of 3 absences in laboratory classes and obtain a minimum grade of 10 values in the group assignment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Performance evaluation will be based on a exam (E) and practical work (TP).
The final classification (CF) will be calculated as follows:
CF = 0.60*E+0.40*TP

Examinations or Special Assignments

Internship work/project

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students can undergo the same assessment as ordinary students by attending laboratory classes and doing practical work. If this is not possible, they can take a final exam whose weight will be 100% of the final classification.

Classification improvement

Students will be able to improve their final classification by performing a written exam that will replace the E assessment component in case of being better.

Observations

António Ramos, ZOOM ID: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/86250571966?pwd=aDgvcHhqelZJNG0vK0VqSnRDdHh0Zz09