- UCAS course code
- HHP3
- UCAS institution code
- M20
MEng Mechatronic Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details
Year of entry: 2024
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Course unit details:
Sensors & Instrumentation
Unit code | EEEN30242 |
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Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
- Introduction: Overview of sensors, overview of instrumentation.
- Fundamental sensor concepts: Sensor characteristics: transfer function, range and sensitivity, errors and calibration, accuracy and precision, linearity, hysteresis.
- Sensors for position, displacement, level and flow, occupancy.
- Sensors for velocity, acceleration, force and strain.
- Sensors for radiation: sources, detectors, optical circuit components.
- Sensors for temperature: reference points, thermoresistive and thermoelectric sensors.
- Sensor interfaces: bridge circuits, capacitance–to-voltage and light-to-voltage converters
- Sensing electronic circuits: input characteristics, excitation circuits, overview of amplifiers, amplifier noise (mechanisms, noise figure, noise model).
- Signal conditioning: instrumentation amplifier, phase-sensitive modulation/demodulation, signal averaging, ratiometric detection.
- System architecture and performance: voltage- and current-transmission systems, noise generation mechanisms and characteristics, external noise coupling and suppression.
- System design: quantization error, sampling frequency, aliasing frequency.
Aims
This "Sensors and Instrumentation" course module aims:
(1) to introduce various sensors and their applications,
(2) to introduce instrumentation and electronic systems, and
(3) to gain knowledge in practical design issues related to selection of suitable sensors for a specific sensing application.
It will enable the application of fundamental design rules to achieve the required performance of devices and instrumentation systems.
This course unit will help you:
(1) to build your confidence as an electronic engineer,
(2) to prepare yourself for real engineering tasks, and
(3) to enhance your creative approach.
The course module is taught by Prof. Wuqiang Yang (Instrumentation part) and Dr Jayawan Wijekoon (Sensors part).
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
ILO 1 - Describe the principles of operation of the main types of sensors [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 2 - Analyse the specifications and main characteristics of various types of sensors [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 3 - Utilise the merits of various types of sensors for a wide range of application systems [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 4 - Select components for instrumentation systems [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO 5 - Select appropriate designs for simple electronic sensor interface systems [Developed] [Assessed]
ILO6 - Critically evaluate the state of the art in sensors and instrumentation and communicate a technical understanding of modern sensor and instrumentation systems [Developed] [Assessed]
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Other | 20% |
Written exam | 80% |
Coursework. Sensor Design Study
Length: 5 pages technical writing
How and when feedback is provided: 2 weeks after extended deadline
Weighting: 20%
MbClick. Multiple choice questions quiz
Length: 3 mbclick sessions of 15 min each
How and when feedback is provided: Immediately, online with comments on the correct answers
Feedback methods
Coursework. Sensor Design Study
How and when feedback is provided: 2 weeks after extended deadline
MbClick. Multiple choice questions quiz
How and when feedback is provided: Immediately, online with comments on the correct answers
Recommended reading
- Handbook of modern sensors: physics, designs, and applications By Fraden, Jacob, 2016, ISBN: 3319193031
- The art of electronics by Horowitz, Paul, 2015, ISBN: 9780521809269
- Principles of measurement systems by Bentley, John P, 2005, ISBN: 9781405891004
- Data Acquisition for Sensor Systems Taylor, H.R. Springer US 1997 ISBN: 9781475749052
- Sensors and signal conditioning [electronic resource] by Pallás-Areny, Ramón, 2001, ISBN: 1601190654
- Sensors and transducers by Sinclair, Ian Robertson, 2001, ISBN: 9780080516998
- Sensors and transducers : characteristics, applications, instrumentation, interfacing by Usher, M. J, 1996, ISBN: 0333604873
- Instrumentation: a reader by Loxton, R.; Pope, P. (Peter), 1953-; Open University. Instrumentation Course Team, 1986, ISBN: 0335150977
- Instrumentation: A Reader by Loxton, R.; Pope, P. 1990, ISBN: 9781461322634
- Chemical sensors and biosensors By Eggins, Brian R, 2002, ISBN: 0471899135
- Foundations of spectroscopy by Duckett, Simon, 2000, ISBN: 0198503350
- Instrumentation reference book by Noltingk, Bernard Edward, 1995, ISBN: 0750620560
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Lectures | 20 |
Tutorials | 4 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 76 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Wuqiang Yang | Unit coordinator |
Jayawan Hasanka Bandara Wijekoon Herath Mudiyanselage | Unit coordinator |