MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MALAWI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1. Programme(s): BMME
2. Module Title: Measurement and Instrumentation
3. Module code: MINT-320
4. Year: 3
5. Credit: 10
6. Presented to: Senate
7. Presented by: Malawi Institute of Technology
8. Lecture (hrs/wk): 3
9. Tutorial/Laboratory (hrs/wk): 1
10. Prerequisites: PHYS-122
11. Co-requisites: None
12. Module Aims:
The aim of this module is to provide students with knowledge and skills in
measurement and instrumentation systems.
13. Intended Learning Outcomes
By end of the module, students should be able to:
Discuss principles and terminologies of measurements and instrumentation.
Analyse performance characteristics of a measuring system.
Describe the construction, principles of operation and application of
transducers.
Explain the requirements for signal conditioning in measuring systems.
Describe the construction, principles of operation and application of
commonly used data presentation systems.
Design a measurement system.
Derive simple transfer functions of process control measuring systems.
Select a suitable measuring instrument for a given process.
14. Indicative Content
a. Introduction
Measurement systems: Elements of an instrumentation system; General
terminology and concepts of measurement systems, static and dynamic
characteristics, errors, standards and calibration; Definition of performance.
Static and dynamic characteristics.
b. Sensors and transducers
Types and classification of transducers. Construction and principles of
operation of transducers used in displacement, position and proximity,
velocity and motion, force, fluid pressure, liquid flow, , temperature,
vibration and light measurement systems
c. Signal conditioning
The signal conditioning processes. Analysis and design of commonly used
operational amplifier circuits. Construction, analysis, design and application
of the instrumentation amplifier. Examples of generic instrumentation
amplifiers. The analysis and application of the Wheatstone bridge in
measurement systems. Digital signals: analogue to digital conversion (ADC).
Examples of application using generic ADCs, The sampling theorem. Digital
to analogue conversion (DAC) and examples of application using generic
DACs. Sample and hold circuits. Multiplexers. Data acquisition. Digital signal
processing. Pulse width modulation (PWM).
d. Data Presentation Systems
Data displays and the effect of loading on measurements. Data presentation
elements: Construction and principles of operation of Analogue and Digital
meters, analogue chart recorders and XY plotters, cathode ray Oscilloscope
(CRO). Printers, magnetic tape recorders magnetic discs, light indicators, data
acquisition systems.
e. Analysis of simple dynamic system models: deriving transfer functions of
simple systems of first and second order e.g. simple agitation (mixing)
systems; temperature, strain and flow measuring systems.
f. Design of Measurement Systems for a particular application: synthesis of
theory delivered.
15. Assessment:
40% Coursework and
60% End of module examination
16. Teaching and Learning Methods / Activities
Lectures and demonstrations; Laboratory classes; Industrial visits; tutorials; seminars;
Assignments and Exercises.
17. Prescribed texts
Doebrlin, E. (2003). Measurement Systems: Application and Design. (5th Ed.).
McGraw-Hill; ISBN-13: 978-0072922011.
Patranabis, D. (2008). Sensors and Transducers. (2nd Ed.). Prentice-Hall: India
18. Recommended texts
Carstens, J.R. (1993). Electrical Sensors and Transducers. Prentice Hall
Josh, M.G. (2005). Comprehensive Transducers for Instrumentation. Firewall
Media. ISBN 8170082161, 9788170082163.
19. Date:June 2016
