Sensors and AmplifiersLaajuus (3 ECTS)

Objective

The student learns and understands the principles of measuring techniques and structure and functioning of various sensor types. The student knows the parameters of an operational amplifier and can plan the most common uses of operational amplifiers. Most important sensor applications are examined. The student knows the concepts of linearity, offset levels, calibration methods, sources of sensor noise and inaccuracies in various situations. The student manages the selection of sensors by understanding their operating principles. The student can design a small sensor-based system to be connected to a measurement bus.

Content

1. Principles of measuring system: structure, linearity, sensor responses, systematic error, electronic standard messages, hysteresis, calibration, AD-converter
2. Amplifier designs based on an operational amplifier and their non-ideal bahaviour
3. Comparators
4. A/D-converters
5. Principles of sensors: resistive-, capasitive-, optical-, piezoresistive-, and strain gauge -sensors and thermistors
6. Electrical measurement circuits: measurement bridges, 4-point measurement, voltage dividers
7. Sensor applications: acceleration-, tilt-, pressure-, Hall-, thermoelectical-, piezo-electrical-, pyroelectrical-, optoelectric and ultrasound sensors

Qualifications

Electricity
Digital Fundamentals (circuits),
Electronics Components

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1. The student understands the elements of a typical measurement system and can define the basic concepts in signal processing.
2. The student can analyze the most common operational amplifier circuits.
3. The student understands the principles of the most important sensor phenomena, such as resistive and piezo-electric sensors.
4. The student knows the principles of the most important sensor applications: distance measurement, location-, force-, tilt, temperature and pressure measurements

Assessment criteria, good (3)

1. The student can observe and define possible error sources, such as saturation, hysteresis, temperature changes, as they emerge. The student can note and eliminate the environmental factors affecting the sensor.
2. The student knows the most common sensor phenomena such as resistivity, optical sensors, piezo-resistivity, piezo-electricity, magnetoresistivity, etc.
3. The student knows all resistive bridge circuits and their operating principles and manages the four-point measurement system using a regulated current source.
4. The student can design an amplifier or a comparator using an operations amplifier.
5. The student can analyze the operation of the most common A/D-converters.
6. The student understands the operating principle of the capasitive acceleration and tilt sensors. The student understands the principles of the pressure-difference and the absolute pressure measurement.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

1. The student understands the factors affecting the measurement system as a whole, and can manage error sources to be eliminated in the system.
2. The student can handle all essential sensor phenomena, and observes their limitations and meaningful ways of usage in various measuring situations.
3. The student understands the fuctionality and added value of systems consisting of multiple sensor devices.

Further information

Students interested in hardware-oriented electronics design, are encouraged to include courses from the offering of Electronics engineering into their personal curriculum, especially relating to circuit design.