Instrumentation for Test & Measurement: Understanding, Selecting and Applying Measurement Systems

This three day course, based on the 690-page Sensor Technology Handbook, published by Elsevier in 2005 and edited by the instructor, is designed for engineers, technicians and managers who want to increase their knowledge of sensors and signal conditioning. It balances breadth and depth in a practical presentation for those who design sensor systems and work with sensors of all types. Each topic includes technology fundamentals, selection criteria, applicable standards, interfacing and system designs & discussion of future developments.

What you will learn:

• How to understand sensor specifications
• Advantages and disadvantages of different sensor types
• How to avoid configuration and interfacing problems
• How to select and specify the best sensor for your application
• How to select and apply the correct signal conditioning
• How to find applicable standards for various sensors
• Principles and applications of wireless sensor networks

From this course you will learn how to select and apply measurement systems to acquire accurate data for a variety of applications and measurands including mechanical, thermal, optical and biological data.

Course Outline:

1. Sensor Fundamentals; Basic Sensor Technology, Sensor Systems
2. Application Considerations; Sensor Characteristics, System Characteristics, Instrument Selection, Data Acquisition & Readout
3. Measurement Issues & Criteria; Measurand, Environment, Accuracy Requirements, Calibration & Documentation
4. Sensor Signal Conditioning; Bridge Circuits, Analog to Digital Converters, Systems on a Chip, Sigma-Delta ADCs, Conditioning High Impedance Sensors, Conditioning Charge Output Sensors
5. Acceleration, Shock & Vibration Sensors; Piezoelectric, Charge Mode & IEPE, Piezoelectric Materials & Structures, Piezoresistive, Capacitive, Servo Force Balance, Mounting, Acceleration Probes, Grounding, Cables & Connections
6. Biosensors; Bioreceptor + Transducer, Biosensor Characteristics, Origin of Biosensors, Bioreceptor Molecules, Transduction Mechanisms
7. Chemical Sensors; Technology Fundamentals, Applications, CHEMFETS
8. Capacitive & Inductive Displacement Sensors; Capacitive Fundamentals, Inductive Fundamentals, Target Considerations, Comparing Capacitive & Inductive, Using Capacitive & Inductive Together
9. Electromagnetism in Sensing; Electromagnetism & Inductance, Sensor Applications, Magnetic Field Sensors
10. Flow Sensors; Thermal Anemometers, Differential Pressure, Vortex Shedding, Positive Displacement & Turbine Based Sensors, Mass Flowmeters, Electromagnetic, Ultrasonic & Laser Doppler Sensors, Calibration
11. Level Sensors; Hydrostatic, Ultrasonic, RF Capacitance, Magnetostrictive, Microwave Radar, Selecting a Technology
12. Force, Load & Weight Sensors; Sensor Types, Physical Configurations, Fatigue Ratings
13. Humidity Sensors; Capacitive, Resistive & Thermal Conductivity Sensors, Temperature & Humidity Effects, Condensation & Wetting, Integrated Signal Conditioning
14. Machinery Vibration Monitoring Sensors; Accelerometer Types, 4-20 Milliamp Transmitters, Capacitive Sensors, Intrinsically Safe Sensors, Mounting Considerations
15. Optical & Radiation Sensors; Photosensors, Quantum Detectors, Thermal Detectors, Phototransistors, Thermal Infrared Detectors,
16. Position & Motion Sensors; Contact & Non-contact, Limit Switches, Resistive, Magnetic & Ultrasonic Position Sensors, Proximity Sensors, Photoelectric Sensors, Linear & Rotary Position & Motion Sensors, Optical Encoders, Resolvers & Synchros
17. Pressure Sensors; Fundamentals of Pressure Sensing Technology, Piezoresistive Sensors, Piezoelectric Sensors, Specialized Applications
18. Sensors for Mechanical Shock; Technology Fundamentals, Sensor Types-Advantages & Disadvantages, Frequency Response Requirements, Pyroshock Measurement, Failure Modes, Structural Resonance Effects, Environmental Effects
19. Test & Measurement Microphones; Measurement Microphone Characteristics, Condenser & Prepolarized (Electret), Effect of Angle of Incidence, Pressure, Free Field, Random Incidence, Environmental Effects, Specialized Types, Calibration Techniques
20. Introduction to Strain Gages; Piezoresistance, Thin Film, Microdevices, Accuracy, Strain Gage Based Measurements, Sensor Installations, High Temperature Installations
21. Temperature Sensors; Electromechanical & Electronic Sensors, IR Pyrometry, Thermocouples, Thermistors, RTDs, Interfacing & Design, Heat Conduction & Self Heating Effects,
22. Nanotechnology-Enabled Sensors; Possibilities, Realities, Applications,
23. Wireless Sensor Networks; Individual Node Architecture, Network Architecture, Radio Options, Power Considerations
24. Smart Sensors; IEEE 1451, TEDS, TEDS Sensors, Plug & Play Sensors