Learning objectives
A study of operation, design, applications of modern sensors typically found in an automated manufacturing environment. A variety of techniques and signal conditioning configurations will be covered.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: understand the various types of sensors available in industry and their applications; understand physical principles behind various sensors; know how to interface sensors to a system.
Prerequisites
It is expected that students will know operational amplifiers. Electronic Measurements
Course unit content
Introduction: sensors and transducers,
Thermal sensors, Magnetic sensors, Capacitive Sensors,
Piezoresistors, Piezoelectric sensors, Chemical Sensors, Differential amplifiers, Instrumentation amplifiers, Charge amplifiers
Full programme
Introduction: sensors, transducers, and actuators; sensor classification; interfering and modifying inputs, compensation techniques; static and dynamic characteristics; materials; MEMS, scaling down.
Differential amplifier: CMRR, finite input impedance effects.
Instrumentation amplifiers.
Charge amplifier.
Stress and strain, tensors, stiffness and compliance.
Piezoresistors (conductors and semiconductors)
Piezoelectric effect: introduction, tensor description, electrical models.
BAW, SAW. Applications, ultrasonic sensors.
Piroelectric and ferroelectric sensors.
Thermal Sensors: RTD, NTC (transients, applications), PTC, thermocouples (conditioning circuits), semiconductor junctions PTAT, hot wire anemometers.
Capacitive sensors, conditioning circuits. synchronous detector.
Magnetic sensors: introduction, search coils, fluxgate, Hall sensors, magnetoresistors, LVDT, eddy currents, magnetostrictive sensors
Inertial sensors: accelerometers and gyroscopes.
Chemical sensors.
Cantilevers: stress and strain analysis.
Electrostatic and thermal microactuators
Bibliography
J. Fraden, Handbook of modern sensors: physics, designs and applications, 3rd ed. Springer, 2003 (ISBN: 0387007504)
S. Franco, Design with operational amplifiers and analog integrated circuits, 3rd ed., McGrawHill, 2002 (ISBN: 0071207031)
Practical design techniques for sensor signal conditioning, Analog Devices, http://www.analog.com/
R. Pallas-Areny, J. G. Webster, Sensors and signal conditioning, 2nd ed., J. Wiley & Sons Inc., 2001 (ISBN: 0-471-33232-1)
Teaching methods
Lecture and lab.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final Exam, Laboratory Report and presentation, homework assignments.
Other information
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