Course syllabus - Sensor Technology

Objectives

The course shall give an in-depth knowledge and understanding for which sensors and measurement principles to use in different situations.

Learning outcomes

The student shall after the completed course be able to:  
1. orally and in writing demonstrate an understanding of different sensor principles 
2. analyse the limitations of different sensor systems 
3. understand and handle noise and extraneous influences   
4. choose appropriate sensing principles and construct relevant and practical measurement systems, including signal conditioning 
5. in an informative and comprehensible way present the project included in the course to the other course participants, both orally and in writing

Course content

- The physical principles and properties of different types of sensors and their intended use and limitations 
- The relevance of the sensed and processed signals 
- Examples of principles that will be dealt with: 
    * Pyroelectric (temperature at a distance) 
    * Microwave (speed, movement, also presence/non-presence) 
    * Capacitive and inductive (presence, movement) 
    * Electric potential (biomedical applications ECG, EMG and EEG) 
    * Computer and robot vision 
    * Ultrasound (distance, movement) 
    * Piezo sensors (mainly strain and force/weight)

Specific requirements

120 credits, including knowledge of and understanding of limitations with different measuring instruments, being able to analyze different sources of error when measuring quantities, and practical use of information from the statistics (mean, standard deviation) for analysis of measurement series. This can be accomplished by completing the courses Vector algebra 7.5 credits, Single Variable Calculus 7.5 credits, Basics in Electronics 7.5 credits, and Electronic Systems 7.5 credits, or equivalent.
In addition Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3.

Examination

Exercise, laboratory work (LAB1), Laboratory work series that are successively. These assignments shall be presented orally and are performed individually or in groups of two students, 2.5 credits, marks Pass (G) or Fail (U) (examines the learning objectives 1-4)
Project (PRO1), Project work conducted in a group and presented both orally in-class presentation and written with a final report, 2.5 credits, marks U, 3, 4 or 5 (examines the learning objective 4 and 5)
Examination (TEN1), Continuous examination, in the form of minor weekly examinations, 2.5 credits, marks 3, 4 or 5 (examines the learning objectives 1 and 2)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps 3 credits with LA1620 Sensor Technique and 4 credits with CEL401 Sensor Technique.