• Semester 1 (External)

Synopsis

An instrument is an Information processing machine involving :
. sensing (usually analogue);
. signal processing (analogue and digital);
. reference to a scale of measurement or a standard; and
. display or actuation.

Although  modern  instruments are mostly implemented using  electronic
technology,  their  functionality is determined  largely  by  embedded
software. The physics of the sensing interface remains fundamental.

Design of an optimal instrument (or instrumentation system) to meet  a
new measurement requirement involves the formal design methodology  of
measurement  science: it is not adequate to rely on  experience  alone
and  an "off-the-shelf" solution will usually not be available.  Hence
this  unit  does  NOT  present  a traditional  catalogue  of  standard
techniques.

In  consequence this is a design-oriented unit which seeks to  develop
cross-disciplinary skills in fundamental areas including  the  use  of
the  Measurement Process Algorithm; the physics and classification  of
sensors  and  transducers; theory of scales  and  standards;  signals,
systems    and   modelling   techniques;   evaluation   of   available
technologies;  manufacturing;  economic and  management  implications.
This  unit is appropriate for students with a range of backgrounds  in
the  senior or honours years of an engineering or science degree. Case
study and design work may be tailored accordingly.

Advanced  topics  will  be  drawn  from:  fibre  optic,  silicon   and
biochemical  sensors; multidimensional sensing and chemometrics;  rule
based  and  fuzzy  sensing;  multisensor systems  and  sensor  fusion;
intelligence and mechatronics in instruments; and tactile sensing.