Given a background in:
• Physics (high school at least, concurrent Physics II desirable)
• Calculus (Minimum Calculus I, Concurrent Calculus II highly desirable)


Students - at the conclusion of the course - should be able to do the following:

• Be able to measure common physical quantities using common sensors,
• Be able to construct basic programs for computer controlled measurement and transfer of data across a network.
• Be able to obtain voltage signals and process voltage signals using filters and computer interfaces,
• Be able to record measured data in computer files using standard programming methods,
• Be able to analyze data in analysis programs.

Voltage and Current

• Concepts covered:
• What are voltage and current?
• How do you measure voltage and current?
• AC measurements, including waveshape and frequency.
• Outcomes:
• Be able to explain voltage and current using basic physics concepts.
• Given a need to measure a voltage or a voltage signal,
• Be able to connect a voltmeter properly.
• Be able to predict situations where the voltmeter disturbs the circuit in a minimal way, or where the voltmeter produces an undesirable change in circuit operation when attached.
• Be able to determine correct range(s) for the voltmeter as necessary.
• Be able to use an oscilloscope to display a signal and calculate signal paramters - frequency and voltage.  (See also objectives for Signals.)

• Concepts covered:
• Introduction to a few sensors (transducers) – Temperature sensors (Thermocouples, Thermistors, LM35s), Strain Gages, Pressure Sensors, Flow Sensors, Light Sensors.
• Simple Sensor Dynamics (Time constant behavior).
• Outcome:
• Given a measurement requirement for a physical quantity:
• Be able to use the appropriate sensor to do the measurement, including powering the sensor.

Be able to measure the sensor output and do the appropriate conversions (electrical and calculation conversions).

• Concepts covered:
• What is a time constant?
• How can you measure a time constant?
• Outcome:
• Given a data set with the time response of a sensor with first order dynamics to be able to determine the time constant from the data using any of three different methods, and to be able to distinguish data sets where no time constant can be found (2nd order responses, etc.)
• Be able to predict the response of time constant systems (i.e. linear first order systems) to constant inputs.

• Concepts covered:
• Voltage signals
• Representation of voltage signals - including frequency representations
• Measurement of signal parameters
• Introduction to signal processing
• Outcome:
• Given a signal:
• Be able to use an oscilloscope to display a signal and calculate signal paramters - frequency and voltage.  (See also objectives for Voltage and Current.)
• Be able to process the signal to reduce noise.

• Concepts covered:
• Resistance
• Voltage Dividers
• Outcome:
• Given a requirement for simple signal processing, be able to design, construct and test Voltage Dividers from resistors

• Concepts covered:
• What is a filter?
• Capacitance,
• First Order Filters
• Outcome:
• Be able to design & set parameters in a first order filter for a specified cutoff frequency.
• Be able to calculate attenuation in a first order filter at a specified frequency.
• Be able to construct and use an RC filter in the lab.

• Concepts covered:
• GPIB/IEEE-488 Measurements using pre-packaged programs.
• A/D and D/A cards (Keithley board)
• Sound card I/O (optional)
• Outcome:
• To gain a “comfort level” using computer controlled instruments.
• To be able to explain the operations involved with typical computer controlled measurements.
• To be able to use GPIB instruments

• Concepts covered:
• Simple LabView (or Matlab, or Visual Basic.  Probably not C/C++) for measurements.
• IEEE-488 commands and measurements
• A/D and D/A card measurements.
• Data formats and data manipulation (IEEE standard data representations for integers and floating point numbers, string representations and conversion between those two formats)
• Outcomes:
• Be able to take measurements from one or more transducers and display the data from within a computer program (in LabVIEW).
• Be able to perform arithmetic computations on acquired data within a program.
• Be able to send measurements over the network.

• Concepts covered:
• Introductory Signal Processing
• Frequency Response - First Order Filters
• Simple Noise concepts
• Outcomes:
• Given a requirement to reduce noise (random or otherwise):
• Be able to analyze the signal and noise to determine filter parameters,
• Be able to implement a first order filter (including eliminating loading effects) using analog circuits
• Be able to implement a first order filter within a computer program (LabVIEW).

• Concepts covered:
• What is a Fourier Series?
• Calculation of Fourier Series coefficients
• Outcomes:
• Given a periodic signal:
• Be able to calculate Fourier Series coefficients for simple signals (square waves, pulses, etc.)
• Be able to predict the effect of first order filters on Fourier components in a signal.

• Concepts covered:
• What is the Fast Fourier Transform?
• Calculation of Fourier Series coefficients
• Outcomes:
• Given a data set:
• Be able to generate the FFT of a signal from a data record (file) within a common programming environment (Matlab, Mathcad, etc.)
• Be able to calculate frequencies at points within an FFT plot (to determine Fourier components in a periodic signal, determine resonant frequencies, etc.)

• Concepts covered:
• Writing data to a file from within a program using a format compatible with spreadsheets and analysis programs.
• Outcomes:
• Be able to write data to a file in an appropriate format (ASCII strings in standard floating point formats).
• Be able to load acquired data into an analysis program and perform typical analysis operations.

• Concepts covered:
• A/D and D/A converters,
• Data formats for converters,
• Meter Digits, accuracy and #A/D bits.
• Outcomes:
• Given a measurement requirement
• Be able to determine the number of meter digits and A/D bits for a prescribed accuracy.
• Be able to determine the number of bits in a meter experimentally.

• Concepts covered:
• Output in IEEE-488 instruments and D/As
• Introduction to simple computer control systems, including ON-OFF and Proportional Control.
• Closed Loop Gain (Error) and Closed Loop Time Constant, including dependence upon proportional gain and actuator-plant gain.
• Outcome:
• Be able to implement a simple control program (ON-OFF).
• Be able to implement a simple proportional control system.

• Concepts covered:
• Arithmetic calculations in LabVIEW
• Use of a (while) loop
• GPIB Operations
• Network Operations
• Data Conversion
• Outcomes:
• Given an appropriate laboratory problem:
• Be able to program arithmetic operations in LabVIEW including addition, subtraction, multiplication and comparison.
• Be able to implement a timed while-loop.
• Be able to control one or more GPIB/IEEE-488 instruments for measurement and control.
• Be able to transmit and receive data across a network.
• Be able to convert data between formats (string, numeric, etc.) as necessary for GPIB and Network communication.

• Concepts covered:
• The Basic Control Loop
• ON-OFF Control Systems
• Proportional Control Systems
• Outcomes:
• Be able to implement an ON-OFF Control System
• Be able to implement a proportional control system
• Predict and measure Steady State behavior,
• Predict and measure closed loop time constant and closed looop dynamic behavior - not in 2008

• Concepts covered:
• Simple network connections (TCP-IP in LabView)
• Outcome:
Be able to transmit and display acquired data over the internet.