Sensors Signal Conditioning

General

Educational goals

The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the basic concepts and types of sensors as well as to develop the ability to analyze and design the necessary electronic devices required for the processing of the weak electrical output of sensors signals. By successfully attending the course the student will be able to select the appropriate sensor needed to measure a physical size and design the appropriate electronic conditioning circuit that will process its output signal.

  • Understand the operating principle of various types of sensors
  • Select the correct sensor to measure a physical size from the manufacturer's data sheets
  • Develop and design the appropriate electronic circuit (conditioner) for processing the sensor output signal
  • Simulate the electronic processing circuit (conditioner) to confirm its calculations and design
  • To construct the integrated measuring system including the sensor and its conditioner
  • Compare the results of the actual circuit with those of the calculations and the simulation.
General Skills
  • Search, analyze and synthesize data and information, using the necessary technologies
  • Decision making
  • Independent work
  • Teamwork
  • Exercising criticism and self-criticism
  • Promoting free, creative and inductive thinking

Course Contents

Types of  Sensors, passive sensors, active sensors.

Temperature sensors (thermistor, bimetallic, RTD, semiconductor)

Humidity sensors (ohmic and capacitive)

Position and Motion Sensors (Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT), Hall)

Strain, force, pressure, flow sensors (ohmic, strain gage and semiconductor)

High resistance sensors for measuring luminance (photodiodes), acceleration (piezoelectric), acidity ph (chemical reaction),

Characteristics of measuring systems. Accuracy, precision, resolution, linearity.

V / V, V / I, I / V, I / I, signal converters with operational Amplifiers

Instrumentation amplifiers (INA). Differential amplifier, INA with two OpAmps, INA with three OpAmps,  INA integrated circuits

Reference voltage sources, Reference current sources for floating loads,  for loads with one end in supply rail and for grounded loads

Signal conditioners. Voltage dividers, current sources, DC and AC bridges,

Capacitance Multipliers, Gyrators, Precision Rectifiers, Peak Detectors, Sample and Hold Circuits.

Wired data transmission. 4-20mA current Transmitters, Frequency to voltage and vice versa  (V / F and F / V)

Converters from Analog to Digital (A / D). Successive Approximation (SAR), (Σ-Δ ADC)

Digital to Analogue Converters (D / A), digital potentiometers

Teaching Methods - Evaluation

Teaching Method
  • Face to face theoretical teaching (discussion, problem, and exercises-solving).
  • Laboratory training in groups of 2 students
Use of ICT means
  • Use a PC to display slides
  • PSpice Electronic Circuit Simulator (OrCAD) software.
  • Using an online learning platform (moodle).
  • Electronic communication with students.
Teaching Organization
Activity Semester workload
Lectures52
Laboratory exercises26
Preparation for laboratory exercises34
Individual study and analysis of literature68
Total 180
Students evaluation

Final Written Examination (WE) (60%) including:
- Problem-solving

II. Evaluation of deliverable laboratory exercises (LAB) (40%)
- Weekly. preparation of laboratory exercise in groups of 2 students
- Weekly individual assessment of the content of the exercise.
III. Optional Written work and Public Presentation (20%)
- Individually assigned to students.
- Requires a public presentation of 15-20 minutes at the end of the semester.
- The scope and specifications of the work are defined at the beginning of the semester.
In order to be awarded credit, the total course (WE * 0.60 + LAB * 0.40) must be at least five (5). In addition, the independent grade in each of the assessment methods I, II must be at least four (4). The degree of optional work is added to the final grade if the above conditions are met

Assessment criteria are accessible to students on the MOODLE platform's website.

Recommended Bibliography

Recommended Bibliography through "Eudoxus"
  1. Spasos M., "Analog Sensor's Signal Conditioning", AIVAZIS Editions, 2018, ISBN: 978-960-549-003-4, Eudoxous code: 77112643.
  2. Kalaitzakis K., Koutroulis, E., "Electrical measurements and sensors", Klidarithmos Editions, 2010, ISBN: 978-960-461-331-1, Eudoxous code:: 13771
Complementary greek bibliography
  1. Lang, Tran Tien, Electronic measurement systems, TZIOLAS Editions, 2000, ISBN: 978-960-721-991-6
Complementary international bibliography
  1. Manchini R., Op Amp for Everyone. Texas Instruments, 2002, SLOD006B
  2. Walt Kester, Practical design techniques for sensor signal conditioning , Analog Devices, 1999, ISBN-0-916550-20-6.
  3. Hank Zumbahlen, "Basic linear design", Analog Devices, 2007, ISBN 0-916550-28-1
Scientific journals
  1. IEEE, Transactions on Circuits and Systems
  2. AIMS Electronics and Electrical Engineering
  3. Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing
  4. Measurement Science and Technology
  5. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement
  6. MDPI AgriEngineering