Course competences

1) An ability to manage methods of designing electronic systems for data acquisition and signal conditioning, including sensors of a different nature

2) Being able to use instrumentation laboratories in different applications, including the use of automated measurement instruments and automatic control applications.

3) An ability to design closed-loop controllers for real applications, including the use of actuators, and considering problems such as noise processing and disturbance effect.

4) An ability to understand the implementation of computer systems in real time for use in an instrumentation and control laboratory.

5) Being able to communicate knowledge, results and ideas in writing, and write and document reports on work carried out.



Learning outcomes

1) An ability to understand the principle of operation of the main types of sensors and actuators, taking into account the magnitudes used in transduction and configurations that leverage these principles to implement useful, top-performing useful devices.

2) An ability to assimilate the fundamentals of basic electronic signal conditioning circuits.

3) An ability to acquire selection criteria of the elements that make up the measuring and control systems before the requirements of an application.

4) An ability to practice in the laboratory with sensors and actuators, and the functions of these devices in the automation of industrial processes and in measuring and control systems.

Course Program



1. Introduction.

The sensors and actuators in measurement and control systems. Classification of sensors and actuators. Static and dynamic characteristics.

2. Resistive sensors of mechanical magnitudes.

Potentiometers and strain gauges.

3. Electromagnetic sensors and actuators

Magnetic circuits. Three-phase circuits. Electric motors. Tachogenerators. Synchros and resolvers .

4. Inductive and capacitive sensors.

Proximity and presence detectors. LVDT.

5. Temperature and humidity sensors.

RTDs, NTC, thermocouples, optical pyrometers. Humidity sensors.

6. Piezoelectric sensors and actuators.

The piezoelectric effect. Piezoelectric sensors. Piezoelectric actuators. Ultrasonic sensors and actuators.

7. Position encoders and other digital sensors.

Incremental and absolute encoders. Self-resonating sensors. Other digital sensors

8. Optical sensors.

Photodiodes, photoresistors, photomultipliers, image sensors. Optical fibers.

9. Magnetic sensors and actuators.

Magnetic field sensors. Magnetoelastic sensors. Magnetostrictive actuators. Other magnetic actuators.



Practical sessions:

1. Linearity of a capacitive level sensor.

2. Strain gauges.

3. Analysis of the operation of a load cell.

4. Temperature sensors.

5. Magnetic circuits. Electric motors.

6. Incremental position encoder.

7. Magnetoelastic labels.

Theory hours (M) will be used to present the contents of the subject, encouraging the discussion with the students around said contents.

Hours of classroom practicals (GA) are used for problem solving.

Laboratory classes (GL + GO) are used for carrying out practical and experimental work.

Seminars (S) are used for presenting and discussing topics related to the subject.

Students have an official tutoring schedule available in GAUR.

Students have the right to decide whether they will take part in the continuous assessment system or the final evaluation system.

In continuous evaluation, the mark will be based on:

1. Attendance, attitude and participation in class.

2. Delivery of selected problems.

3. Practicals and reports.

4. Preparation and participation in the seminars

5. Final exam on course content

To pass the course, a 50% mark will be sufficient.



For the final evaluation and the extraordinary evaluation, students must take an exam which will include questions and problems related to the course practicals (15% of the mark) and seminars (15% of the mark).



Evaluation waiver: students may waive the evaluation up to 10 days before the beginning of the exam period. Should they fail to waive but not attend the exam and the rest of the marks earned not reach the minimum pass mark, the student will fail the course.

Texts described in the basic bibliography. There are copies available in the University Library of the Campus of Leioa (and in others of the University).

Basic bibliography

* Instrumentación Electrónica. Miguel A. Pérez García y otros. Editorial Thomson, Madrid 2004

* Sensores y acondicionadores de señal. Ramón Pallás Areny. 4ª Ed. Editorial Marcombo, Barcelona. 2005

* Instrumentación aplicada a la Ingeniería. J. Fraile-Mora y otros. 3a ed. Editorial Garceta, Madrid 2013.

In-depth bibliography

* Sensors and actuators. Control system instrumentation. Clarence W. De Silva. Editorial CRC Press. 2007
* Máquinas Eléctricas. S. J. Chapman. 4ª Ed. Editorial Mc. Graw Hill. 2005

Journals

* Sensors and Actuators A: Physical (ISSN: 0924-4247). Elsevier. www.journals.elsevier.com/sensors-and-actuators-a- physical
* Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). MDPI. www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors
* IEEE Sensors Journal (ISSN: 1530-437X). IEEEE. www.ieee-sensors.org/journals