The subject of Electronic Instrumentation is interdisciplinary in nature and is part of the Specific Module of Industrial and Automation Electronics Technology, which also includes: Analog Electronics, Digital Electronics, Power Electronics, Digital Electronic Systems, Industrial Automation, Industrial Informatics, Robotics, Automatic Control, and Electronic Technology.



For this reason, it is important to provide students with adequate knowledge to assimilate and deepen other subjects of the degree, while also properly analyzing aspects introduced in other subjects but which have their own peculiarities. These prerequisite knowledge areas can be classified as follows:



·Subjects coexisting temporally: Digital Electronic Systems, Robotics, and Industrial Automation.

·Subjects from previous courses: Fundamentals of Electrical Technology, Industrial Electronics.

·Previous subjects from the same course: Analog Electronics, Digital Electronics, and Electronic Technology.

This subject addresses the study of electronic circuits and systems applied in the measurement, monitoring, and recording of various physical quantities in industrial electronic systems.



Electronic Instrumentation is the part of electronic technology that deals with the measurement of any physical quantity in the real world (temperature, light, level, etc.), its conversion into electrical quantities, and its processing using electronic systems to provide suitable information to a monitoring/control system, a human operator, or any combination thereof. Electronic sensors are used for this purpose to measure different quantities present in nature, along with the appropriate design of electronic circuitry associated with the sensors so that the obtained signal is easy to use by control electronic systems.



Electronic Instrumentation finds its application in numerous activities related to the industry where electronics has been massively incorporated and is intensively used (any automated production system is a good example of this). Moreover, it is also commonly used in our daily lives. For example, the increasing presence of electronics in modern cars (ABS, rain sensors, etc.), or in our homes (fire/smoke detection systems, temperature control, etc.).



The work carried out by students in this subject will provide them with knowledge about widely used electronic sensors in the industrial field, as well as the design of electronic circuitry for the specific treatment of signals collected with sensors.



The subject of Electronic Instrumentation can be seen as a natural continuation of the study of systems for measuring physical quantities by electronic means, which has already been partially addressed in the Electronic Technology subject in the first semester of the third year of the Degree in Industrial and Automation Electronics Engineering.



Furthermore, in this subject, the fundamentals of general electronics, analog electronics, and digital electronics acquired in previous degree subjects (Industrial Electronics, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics) are applied, and solid foundations of physics, mathematics, and fundamental technologies (subjects from the first and second year) must be established. It is also beneficial to have prior knowledge of a programming language (Industrial Informatics subject in the first semester). Any deficiency in these prerequisite knowledge areas should be addressed as soon as possible with additional effort in order to progress with the subject.



In the same semester, subjects such as Power Electronics and Digital Electronic Systems are taught. It is also positive to establish relationships with these subjects since a typical electronic system combines aspects of signal capture and processing (Electronic Instrumentation), digital processing (Digital Electronic Systems), and energy conversion or actuation (Power Electronics).

Specific Competence to be acquired with the subject: "Applied Knowledge of Electronic Instrumentation"

SPECIFIC SUBCOMPETENCIES

I1. Identify and rigorously employ concepts such as: Magnitude, variable, signal, noise, signal-to-noise ratio, etc., and those related to the properties of a measurement: error, accuracy, precision, truthfulness, uncertainty.

I2. Demonstrate knowledge of instrumentation amplifiers applicable in the amplification of signals derived from sensors at the level of analysis, specification, and design of these circuits.

I3. Demonstrate the ability to design active filter circuits applicable in the conditioning of signals derived from sensors and instrumentation.

I4. Differentiate and explain the fundamental processes (sampling, discretization, etc.) involved in the conversion of analog signals into digital variables, the imperfections and errors that can be generated in these processes, and the applicable techniques to keep these errors limited.

I5. Demonstrate knowledge of analog-to-digital conversion techniques and the characteristics to consider in the choice of a specific analog-to-digital conversion device or circuit.

I6. Define and develop virtual instrumentation applications using the Labview environment.

I8. Differentiate and explain the principles and techniques of digital processing and data communication applicable in instrumentation systems.

I9. Differentiate and explain the types of interferences that can affect an instrumentation system, their origin, coupling paths, and effects on the system, and the applicable techniques to mitigate those negative effects on the system.

I10. Handle with ease and judgment the most common instruments in the industrial electronics environment. Proficiency in the use of experimental techniques of Electronic Instrumentation in the laboratory.

The following CROSS-CUTTING COMPETENCES are also worked on:

FB7 Apply the strategies of the scientific methodology to solve problems: make observations with awareness of the theoretical and interpretive framework that guides them; analyze the qualitative and quantitative problematic situation, propose hypotheses and solutions using appropriate models.

FB8 Communicate adequately the knowledge, procedures, results, skills, and inherent aspects of the basic subjects of engineering, using appropriate vocabulary, terminology, and means.

FB9 Work effectively in a group integrating capacities and knowledge to make decisions in the development of proposed tasks.

FB10 Adopt a responsible, orderly attitude in work and be willing to learn, developing resources for autonomous work.

FUNDAMENTAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

O1. Ability to specify an instrumentation system for the capture and processing of variables associated with a physical quantity, establishing measurement properties, quality parameters, robustness, and performance.

O2. Ability to discuss, defend, and contrast that specification.

O3. Ability to design, develop, and implement an amplifier circuit, conditioning, and filtering for sensors of physical quantities.

1. Introduction to Electronic Instrumentation: The field of application of Electronic Instrumentation will be studied, understanding its role in the overall design of electronic systems and placing special emphasis on its various fields of action.



2. Amplification: Different types of amplifiers commonly used in electronic instrumentation will be studied, as well as their limitations.



3. Sensors: Various types, characteristics, and properties of electronic transducers currently available in the market for measuring the main variables of interest governing industrial processes and their conditioning will be analyzed and studied. The improvement of signal quality collected with transducers is the object of study in this topic. The most widely used circuits in Electronic Instrumentation will be analyzed, as well as specific conditioning solutions for certain transducers.



4. Filtering: The different classifications of filters will be theoretically studied, and then the topic will focus on active analog filters.



5. Analog-Digital and Digital-Analog Conversion: Data acquisition systems. The existence of PC-based systems for process control and monitoring is based on the strategies of analog-digital and digital-analog conversion that will be analyzed in this chapter, including for this purpose commercial chips of DAC and ADC types. Errors produced in conversions will also be studied: aliasing, quantization, etc.



6. Interferences, Noise, and Electromagnetic Compatibility: This topic will provide a brief introduction to the different sources of interference and how to treat them.



During the academic year, Laboratory Practices directly related to the topics mentioned above will be developed.



One of the practices is framed within an I3KD project: A practice is proposed to analyze the problem of reading ambient temperature using different types of sensors. Depending on the range of temperatures to be measured, the more or less sudden temperature changes, or the desired precision, different sensors will be required. Students must select two or three sensors and condition them for visualization on a computer where they will be displayed in the LabVIEW environment using National Instruments technology. The results obtained for different sensors will be compared to choose the most suitable sensor. This activity will focus on Sustainable Development Goal SDG3 (Health and Well-being).

The teaching methodology used employs the following types of teaching: lectures, classroom practices, and laboratory practices.



Hours of laboratory practices: 15

Hours of classroom practices: 15

Hours of lectures: 30

Total hours of autonomous work: 90



In the lecture and classroom practice modalities, the teacher will deliver presentations so that theoretical concepts are assimilated by the students in the most natural way possible. Obviously, active teaching methodologies such as problem-based learning will also be used. Problem-solving will be carried out participatively, individually, or in groups, which will allow for a deeper understanding of the subject matter. In the laboratory practices, experimental work will be conducted to acquire knowledge and skills of the measurement techniques used in the subject. With all of this, the aim is for students to internalize their learning and ways to improve it.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 80
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 20

The evaluation method for all students will be continuous assessment, consisting of two items: 1) 80% of the grade associated with the final exam, 2) 20% of the grade associated with attendance and active participation in laboratory practices (attendance at laboratory practices at the proposed schedule by the School is mandatory) and deliverables/assigned tasks (problems, more complex assignments) that may include oral defense. The submission of assignments is mandatory on the dates specified by the faculty.



It is mandatory to pass (obtain 50% of the points for each item) each of the two aforementioned items independently to pass the course. Failure to meet this condition will result in failing the course (final grade = the lowest of the grades corresponding to the 2 items).



When each of them is individually passed, the final grade will be obtained from the weighted sum of the grades obtained in the specified items. If the laboratory practice item is passed, the obtained grade will be retained until the extraordinary session. Similarly, if the written test part is passed, its grade will be retained for the extraordinary session.



In case of NOT ATTENDING laboratory practices and/or NOT SUBMITTING the proposed assignments on time, the course will be failed regardless of the grade the student may obtain in the exam (final grade = 1 point).



If a student participates in continuous assessment during the course but does not take the final exam, their grade will be failed, and it will correspond to the weighted sum of the items considering a grade of 0 in the final exam item.



If any student wishes to opt for the final evaluation, they must submit to the theory professor within the first nine weeks of the semester a signed printed document indicating their intention to take this final exam. This final exam will assess all competencies. It consists of an exam covering the entire course and must be passed as a whole. After passing this exam, a laboratory exam will be conducted, which will include LabVIEW programming and handling of electronic instrumentation devices, as well as the presentation of an instrumentation project carried out by themselves.



In case sanitary conditions prevent the carrying out of face-to-face teaching and/or evaluation activities, a non-face-to-face modality will be activated, of which students will be promptly informed.

The extraordinary assessment will be equivalent to the final assessment in the ordinary session. It consists of an exam covering the entire course, and it must be passed as a whole. After passing this exam, a laboratory exam will be conducted, which will include LabVIEW programming and handling of electronic instrumentation devices, as well as the presentation of an instrumentation project carried out by themselves.



Non-attendance to the exams in the extraordinary session implies waiving that session and will be graded as Not Present.



In case sanitary conditions prevent the carrying out of face-to-face teaching and/or evaluation activities, a non-face-to-face modality will be activated, and students will be promptly informed.

- LabVIEW programming environment installed on the laboratory computers.
- Workstation instrumentation in the laboratory: power supplies, function generator, multimeter, oscilloscope, and data acquisition card installed on the computer, with control from LabVIEW.
- Datasheets and application notes from manufacturers recommended in classes.
- Course materials available on the eGELA platform, including documentation for the course and a complete program of practical activities.

Basic bibliography

1. M. A. Pérez García y otros. "Instrumentación Electrónica" .Editorial Thomson-Paraninfo.

2. Ramón Pallas Areny. "Sensores y acondicionadores de señal". Editorial Marcombo

3. Balcells y otros. "Interferencias electromagnéticas en sistemas electrónicos". Editorial Marcombo.

In-depth bibliography

1. Ramón Pallas Areny ."Adquisición y distribución de señales". Editorial Marcombo
2. J. Díaz, J. A. Jiménez y F. J. Meca, Introducción a la electrónica de medida, Univ. de Alcalá, 1998.
3. M. H. Rashid, Circuitos microelectrónicos. Análisis y Diseño, Ed. Thomson, 2002.

Journals

1. Instrumentation Newsletter. National Instruments
2. IEEE instrumentation & measurement magazine
3. Automática e Instrumentación . Cetisa / Boixareu Editores. Barcelona.

Web addresses

- www.sensorsportal.com
- www.sensorsmag.com
- www.ti.com
- www.amidata.es
- es.farnell.com
- www.ni.com
- www.ieee-ims.org