Sensors and signal processing

Learning outcomes:

This course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement electronic equipment for measurement. Thus, sub-objectives of the course include:

a) Know the basics of electronic measurement systems.
b) Knowledge of a wide range of sensors to measure different physical variables.
c) Identify the most suitable sensor for measuring a particular variable in a given context.
d) Understand and design the signal conditioning circuitry needed to use the chosen sensor.
f) Understand the concepts of representation of the information provided by the sensor in the analog and digital domain, and the processes to move from one domain to another (analogue / digital and digital / analog)

Another training objective pursued is the acquisition by the student of the ability to present results through the development of written documents describing the results obtained in the laboratory, analyzing and drawing conclusions.

THEORY PROGRAM:

Topic 1: Introduction to measuring electronic systems.

Structure of measurement systems. Static characteristics. Dynamic characteristics.

Topic 2: Signal conditioning circuits.

Instrumentation amplifiers. Analog Filter. Data conversion circuits and data acquisition systems. Control software and virtual instruments: LabView. Circuit Simulation Tools: SPICE

Topic 3: Sensors.

Sensor concept. Types of sensors: resistive, capacitive, inductive, piezoelectric, pyroelectric and optoelectronic. Thermocouples. Criteria for the selection of sensors.


PRACTICES’ PROGRAM:

Design of measuring equipment and physical signal processing systems: temperature, pressure, humidity. ...

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. Ramón Pallás-Areny, John G. Webstar. Sensor and Signal Conditioning. Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons, 2001
2. R. Pallás. Sensores y acondicionadores de señal. 4ª edición. Marcombo, Barcelona, 2003.
2. Ernest O. Doebelin. Measurement Systems. Applications and Design. Fifth Edition. MaGraw-Hiil, 2003
3. Miguel A. Pérez, Juan C. Álvarez, Juan C. Campo, Fco. Javier Ferrero, Gustavo J. Grillo. Instrumentación Electrónica. Thomsom, 2004
4. Jun Ohta. Smart CMOS Image Sensors and Applications. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2008
5. Junichi Nakamura. Image Sensors and Signal Processing for Digital Still Cameras. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2006

COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. R. Pallás, O. Casas, R. Bragós. Sensores y acondicionadores de señal. Problemas resueltos. Marcombo, Barcelona, 2008.
1. Jon S. Wilson (edt.) Sensor Technology Handbook. Elsevier, Oxford, 2005.
2. Jacob Fraden. Handbook of Modern Sensors. Physics, Designs and Applications. Thrid edition. Springer, New York, 2004.

As stated in the title report, the following competences are worked on in the subject:

Basic: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10
General: CG01, CG02, CG03, CG04, CG05
Transversal: CT01, CT02
Specific: CE13

The subject is developed through expositive and interactive hours, which will take place mainly in the instrumentation laboratory. In the lectures the teacher will present the theoretical content of the course, with the aid of multimedia support. These classes are supplemented with the discussion of problems that the students must have previously worked, individually and / or in group.

For the implementation of practices students will have scripts that reflect their objectives, material and methods for their realization. The designs will be made in advance by students and subsequently characterized in the laboratory. Students will complete reports on practical work.

To study the course the student will have the basic literature of the subject, available in the library, as well as the support material used by the teacher, which is accessible through the USC Virtual Campus tool.

In the evaluation of the subject two aspects are considered: the work developed in the class and the work developed in the laboratory. Thus, 60% of the grade will be provided by the evaluation of the practical activity carried out by the student. This evaluation will be carried out based on the work developed in the laboratory, which must be reflected in a final report of the practice. The realization of the practices is obligatory. The other 40% is obtained from participation in class and from solving proposed problems. In both processes the evaluation is continuous.

In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the regulations on "evaluation of the academic performance of students and review of grades" will apply.

The course has 3 ECTS, that the teaching program is seen as 20 hours of theory, 15 hours of laboratory and one hour of tutoring. The training activities associated with the development of the subject also covered 39 hours for individual self-study or group, for problem solving, job preparation and report writing.

Due to the high correlation between the concepts developed in the lectures and the contents of the lab work, students are encouraged to show perseverance in the study of the subject, going to practice sessions and working with the concepts and circuits designed. With the implementation of practices, these will become clear and settled, thus facilitating the study and understanding of the subject.

Classes are taught in Spanish, but you can use other languages ​​(Galician or English) in the development of work.