Data Acquisition Systems

General characterization

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

Practical Data Acquisition for Instrumentation and Control Systems; John Park, Steve Mackay; 2003; Newnes

Data Acquisition Techniques Using PCs; Howard Austerlitz, 2003; Academic Press

Data Acquisition and Control Handbook, A Guide to Hardware and Software for Computer-Based Measurement and Control, Keithley

Sensors and Signal Conditioning, Ramón Pallás-Areny, John G. Webster, Wiley

Data acquisition for sensor systems, H. Rosemary Taylor, Springer

Teaching method

Theoretical-practical classes, of two hours per week, where the program contents are exposed, exercises and presentations are made by students and discussions are encouraged.

Individual work, which includes a theoretical work, a presentation, and evaluating a colleague''''s work.

Practical classes in the laboratory, of two hours per week, where students perform, in groups of max. 3 students, a set of works/projects with emphasis on data acquisition are performed. Two reports and respective presentations/discussions are also performed.

Evaluation method

Theoretical evaluation component (CT), with evaluation of the Seminar type, has a weight of 50% in the final grade and minimum classification of 9.5 values. This component has the following evaluation elements:

• Evaluation element “study presentation” (to be delivered in video and PDF) – this evaluation element (CTAE) weights 65% of the theoretical evaluation component;
• Evaluation element “presentation of part of the study” (to be presented live in class) – this evaluation element (CTAPE) weights 10% of the theoretical evaluation component;
• Evaluation element "evaluation of a colleague''''s study” (to be delivered in PDF) – this evaluation element (CTAEC) weights 25% of the theoretical evaluation component.

There may be individual discussion (in person or remote), on any of the elements of theoretical evaluation component, until the last day of the semester''''s exam period.

Additionally, the participation during and after the theoretical-practical classes will be valued. This participation may produce a bonus of up to 2 values in the grade of the theoretical evaluation component (maximum between 2 and 0 values, for grades between 7.5 and 20 values proportionately) - see formula below.

Practical evaluation component (CP), with evaluation of Laboratory or Project type, carried out in groups of 3 students (max. and recommended), has a weight of 50% in the final grade and minimum rating of 9.5 values. This component has the following evaluation elements:

• Evaluation element "1st evaluation work" (CP1, 50% of the practical component), to be discussed in person (if possible) on a date to be agreed;
• Evaluation element "2nd evaluation work" (CP2, 50% of the practical component), to be discussed in person (if possible) on a date to be agreed.

Works will be delivered in digital format through the course page in Moodle.

The classification obtained, in the previous two years, is valid for the theoretical evaluation component or for the practical evaluation component, if it has a score higher than 9.5.

All evaluation components and evaluation elements are rounded to two decimal places.

Formulas:

• CTwithoutBonus = CTAE x 0,65 + CTAPE x 0,1 + CTAEC x 0,25
• CT = CTwithoutBonus if CTwithoutBonus < 7,5
• CT = CTwithoutBonus + (((20 - CTwithoutBonus) / 12.5) x Bonus) if CTwithoutBonus >= 7.5
• CP = CP1x0.5 + CP2x0.5
• FinalGrade = CTx0.50 + CPx0.50

Subject matter

- Architectures for Data Acquisition Systems (SAD), general characterization of SAD, identification of principal blocks, characterization of functions, methodologies for the development of dedicated systems.

- Signal conditioning: use of operational amplifiers, compensations and linear/non-linear corrections, conversions V/A/F, galvanic isolation, use cases and applications using different transducers.

- Digital-Analog Conversion: characterization, converters specification, direct and indirect methods, architectures.

- Analog-Digital Conversion: characterization, converters specification, asynchronous methods with direct and indirect controller, architectures.

- Solutions for the acquisition of data (centralized versus distributed); traditional instrumentation versus virtual instrumentation; LabView; remote systems; interfaces.

- Analysis of use cases.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: