SensorsLaajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

Students learn characteristics of a sensor-based measurement system structure and sensor operations. Purpose and performance of a steady state and dynamic measurement systems are studied. Linearity, offset levels, calibration methods, noise of sensors and error sources of measurement systems are studied. Students learn the environmental effects on sensor systems. Student is able to build a sensor based measurement structure which can be electrically connected into the automated measurement system. Students are familiar with all limitations of the measurement application. Students are able to connect a sensor measurement signal into a basic measurement system application.

The most important technologies in sensor applications and principles and characteristics of sensing elements are covered. Students are able to build their own sensor based measurement system.

Content

1. Measurement system: Structure of measurement system and its sensitivity, linearity definitions, static and dynamic systems, sensor response, dynamics of sensor system, statistics and uncertainty in measurements, systematical error, standards in electrical signals, saturation and hysteresis, calibration, AD- converter, time parameters for signals,
2. Sensor operation principles: resistive sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, electromagnetic sensors, optical sensors, magnetoresistive sensors, pietzoresistivity and Strain Gauge elements, thermistors, generic sensors,
3. Electrical connections: different resistive measurement bridges, 4- point connection, capacitive bridge, differential capacitive coupling, inductive LVDT measurement,
4. Sensor application examples: accelerometer, inclinometers, pressure sensors, HumiCAP, ThermoCAP, CarboCAP, Hall sensors, optical sensor network, thermoelectric sensors, pietzoelectric crystals, pyroelectric crystals, photoelectric sensors, ultrasound sensor applications, flow measurement systems, pneumatic systems, LVDT-applications, . . .

Qualifications

Ensimmäisen vuoden fysiikan kurssit
Sähköiset peruspiirit

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1. The student is able to build a sensor based measurement system as a member of group. The student is familiar with all of the elements of a typical measurement system. The student is familiar with limitations in the measurement application. The student is familiar with the basic properties of signal conditioning tools.
2. The student understands what resistive and capacitive sensors are and also their basic sensing operations.
3. The student is able to define the electrical response of the input variable change of single element resistive and capacitive sensors.
4. The student knows the main principles of the most important measurement applications in sensor technology: distance definition, position definition, force and impulse measurements, mechanical oscillations, angle measurements with inclinometers, temperature measurements, pressure measurements, . . .

Assessment criteria, good (3)

1. Is able to define the linearity of the sensor measurement system in dynamical range. Is able to define possible changes in the measurement signal created by saturation, hysteresis and temperature. Is capable to take into account the environmental effects on the sensing elements.
2. Understands and knows the most common sensor effects like resistivity, capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, optical sensors, pietzoresistivity, pietzoelectric effect, magnetoresistivity, . . .
3. Knows all resistive bridges and their operation principles. Knows capacitive sensor operation with dielectric material and inductive LVDT- sensing operation. Knows the principle of the 4 – point measurement system with constant current source.
4. Understands the operation of capacitive accelerometer and inclinometer. Knows the most important measurement methods of flow measurements. Knows the principles of differential and absolute pressure measurements.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

1. Is able to understand different components affecting the whole measurement system. Is able to use nonlinear mathematical functions for sensor response determinations. Is able to take into account possible error sources affecting the measurement system.
2. Knows and understands all essential sensor effects. Knows limitations of usage of different sensor applications.
3. Knows and understands the operation principle of differential capacitive coupling in different sensor applications. Knows and understands compensating operations in resistive bridge connections.
4. Knows and understands the operational principle of a fully optical sensor network. Knows and understands the operation and new information base of measurements system consisting of different kind of sensors in network.