ENGR-4300
Electronic Instrumentation

Goals

Background

• MATH-2400: Differential Equations and PHYS-1200/1260: PHYSICS II are the formal prerequisites for this course.
• We also use concepts from most required math courses, physics courses, and basic engineering courses.

Class Materials

• Standard Texts
  The Essence of Analog Electronics by Colin Lunn of Southbank University (England).
  Lunn is a smaller book intended for students studying electronics for the first time. It is available at the RPI bookstore or from several online stores for less than $25. It does a relatively good job with basic circuits and op-amps, but has no in formation on digital electronics.
  
• Supplementary Material
  1. Electronics class notes by D.M. Gingrich of the University of Alberta Physics Department
  It is best to make use of some online supplementary material for most students to learn the fundamental circuits and electronics concepts needed for this course. The class notes by Gingrich are an excellent source of online supplementary material.
  2. Additional Online Supplementary Material
  Additional links for each experiment and project are located on the links page.
• Software
  PSpice 9.1 Student Version
  One of the most important tools we will be using in this class is the circuit analysis software from OrCAD -- Capture for schematic capture and PSpice for analysis. Both programs are available for free download directly from OrCAD or you can order a free copy of the demo CD at the same site. The experiments in which we use these powerful tools include detailed instructions, but it is always useful to have a general reference available. Should you need one, check out the OrCAD PSpice User's Guide.
  
• Electronics Kit
  All students are required to purchase a kit consisting of electronic components, a protoboard, some tools and a storage box. These kits will be available soon (probably during the second week of class) for a cost of around $50. Thus, the combination of the notes, notebooks, and the kit is still less than many textbooks. Please check out the parts list to be sure your kit is complete when you receive it.
  
• Recommended text
  The Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill.
  This is an outstanding book on the practical use of electronics that we recommend as an additional reference. It is probably the best source available for practical electronics advice and information. It also has some good introductory material on circuit analysis, op-amps and digital electronics.
  
• Additional texts
  There are several additional books that cover many more subjects than we do, but do have most of the background information needed to do the homework, experiments and projects. They are available from online bookstores and are relatively expensive. If you want to order one, but would like to look them over first, copies are available.
  (1) Electrical Concepts and Applications by Boctor, Ryff, Hiscocks, Ghorab and Holmes of Ryerson Polytechnic University (Toronto) is written for nonelectric al engineering students. (2) Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering by Leonard Bobrow of UMass is intended for a first course in electrical engineering.
  

• 4 Quizzes (30%) There will be one quiz on each of the four main topics of the course. All Quizzes will be closed book, but students are permitted to bring one 8.5" x 11" crib sheet. Specific topics to be addressed on each quiz will be announced at least one week before the quiz date. Check the syllabus for last semester to see the kind of questions you can expect to see on the quizzes.
  
  
• 10 Homeworks (10%) -- All homework assignments are on webct. There are ten homeworks graded out of 10 points each; one for each experiment. They are generally due a few days before the experiment is due. For the exact dates, check webct or your class schedule. You have three chances to take the homework. If you miss the due date, you will have two chances to get a maximum score of 8 points in three days time. If you miss this deadline, you will still be able to take the homework for a maximum score of 5 points. The answers will be posted on webct.
  
  
• 10 Experiments (30%) -- Part of your grade will be based on class attendance and participation. For full credit,the results, discussion and any calculations called for are to be turned in on the date announced in class. This date will also be posted next to the assignment schedule below.. Usually, this section can be completed as the experiments are being done. If the Experiment report is not handed in by the posted date, it can be handed in anytime before the following project report deadline for half credit. A participation grade will be assigned for each of the experiments, based on attendance and contribution to the classwork involved in each activity. You will earn 5 points for each experiment if you are in attendance and doing your share. You can make up class time missed during open shop and give the following form to your instructor: makeup.PDF. The late penalty for experiment write ups is as follows: For each school day late (weekends and vacations are not counted): 1 point per day for the first two days, 2 points per day for the next three days, 3 points per day for the next four days, and so forth. Thus, if the report is handed in 5 days late, the penalty is 8 points. Please note that there are, at most, 5 school days per week.
  
  
• 4 Design Projects (25%) Please check each project write up for specific instructions.
  • Project Reports (25 pts) -- The general issues to be addressed in each report include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following. Please note that the guidelines are somewhat different for each project.
    • Introduction (2 pts): Introduce and describe the goals of the project. Usually, you will be asked to list at least two issues from the course that have an impact on the project.
    • Design (5 pts): Describe your project design, how you came up with this particular design, and discuss potential problems you will look for when you build and test your circuits and other apparatus. Develop a plan for testing your design.
    • Analysis (4 pts): Discuss why your project should work and support your discussion with calculations, graphs, PSpice simulations, and common sense reasoning.
    • Implementation (3 pts) -- Discuss what problems were encountered during the implementation of your project and how you solved them. Include advice you would offer to someone who wished to avoid these problems in the future.
    • Final Design and Testing (4 pts): Describe your final design. Demonstrate the operation of your apparatus to a TA or instructor and have them sign off that you have done so. Have your experimental data signed by a TA or instructor.
    • Personal Responsibilities (1 pt): A short paragraph should be written describing what each group member contributed to the project design, analysis and testing.
    • Extra Credit (0-2 pts):
    • Appendix (1 pt): Include any background materials you used in the preparation of your design.
    • Practical Skills (5 pts)-- The participation grade for the projects will be based on individual skills observed by your instructor or a TA. These skills will be clearly listed in the project writeup. You will be required to demonstrate these skills as an individual either during class or during open shop hours sometime before the experiment deadline.
  • A list of specific issues to be addressed for each project may also be posted in the class announcements. A discussion of how your design deals with each of these issues must also be included at the appropriate place in your report.
  • Late Penalty -- The Design Project Reports are due on the dates indicated below. If they are handed in late, the following penalty will be applied. For each school day late (weekends and vacations are not counted): 1 point per day for the first two days, 2 points per day for the next three days, 3 points per day for the next four days, and so forth. Thus, if the report is handed in 5 days late, the penalty is 8 points. Please note that there are, at most, 5 school days per week.
  
  
  
• Participation (5%) -- Five percent of your grade will be based on participation. This will include class attendance, your active participation during class, and a fair contribution to writeups. This assessment will be based on the observances of the TA's, the instructors and your fellow students.
  
  

  Weekly Schedule

  Please Note That This is approximate and exact due dates may be adjusted slightly as the semester progresses. The pdf files for each of the experiments, projects and homework assignments will be posted on the links page ( http://hibp.ecse.rpi.edu/~connor/education/EILinks.html) about the same time as paper copies will be distributed in class. Older versions of experiments are available on last semester's syllabus. To be sure that you have the correct assignments for this semester, check the revision date on the bottom of each page.
  
  Week One (1/13-1/17): Introduction to Studio Instrumentation
  • function generator, dc power supplies, protoboards, components, digital multimeter, oscilloscope.
  • Introduction to PSpice.
  • Experiment 1: Introduction to Instrumentation, Basic Circuit Concepts and Capture/PSpice
  • Reading Assignment: Read Lunn Chapter 1 (most important: p 1-10, p16-21)
  • Also practice simple electronic problems at: http://www.clarkson.edu/~svoboda/eta/DCTutor/tutor2.html
  • Download Equipment Emulator and install on your laptop.
  • Download Capture/PSpice and install on your laptop.
  • If you are having trouble understanding the experiment or the homework, look through the links for experiment 1 on the links page: http://hibp.ecse.rpi.edu/~connor/education/EILinks.html.
  
  Week Two (1/20-1/24): Concepts from Circuits and Electronics.
  • Monday holiday. No class.
  • Experiment 2: Basic Circuits and Electronics
  • Homework 1 due Wednesday (posted on webct)
  • Experiment 1 due Thursday
  • Reading Assignment: Read Lunn Chapter 2 (most important: p32-40, p44-48, p57-57)
  • Also read about bridge circuits at: http://civil.colorado.edu/courseware/struct_labs/wheatstone.html
  
  Week Three (1/27-1/31): AC Circuits
  • Experiment 3: Introduction to AC Circuits
  • Homework 2 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 2 due Thursday
  • Reading Assignment: Review Chapter 2 (most important: p10-16)
  • Also review oscillation at : http://pathfinder.esu2.org/java/physics/physengl/pendulum.htm
    
  
  Week Four (2/3-2/7): Quiz 1 and Op Amps
  • Review for Quiz 1 Wednesday
  • Quiz 1 on Thursday
  • Experiment 4: Introduction to Op Amps
  • Homework 3 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 3 due Wednesday
  • Reading Assignment: Lunn Chapter 3 (most important: p60-76) and p 99-105 in Chapter 4, especially analysis at bottom of p102.
  • Also read Lunn Chapter 5 (most important: p117-118, p120-126)
  
  Week Five (2/10-2/14): Project 1: Build an Accelerometer
  • Try to work efficiently on this project.
  • Homework 4 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 4 due Thursday
  
  Week Six (2/17-2/21): AC Steady State & Filters
  • Experiment 5: Introduction to AC Steady State
  • Project 1 due Friday
  • Reading Assignment: Gingrich Notes on AC Circuits : http://www.phys.ualberta.ca/~gingrich/phys395/notes/node20.html
  • Also read handout on help with homework 5.
  
  Week Seven (2/24-2/28): Diodes
  • Experiment 6: Introduction to Diodes, Voltage Limitation and Regulation
  • Homework 5 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 5 due Thursday
  • Reading Assignment: Lunn Chapter 7 (most important: p150-155, p166-169, p177-182, p182-187)
  
  Week Eight (3/3-3/7): Quiz 2 and 555 Timers, LEDs and Photodiodes
  • Monday class will be held on TUESDAY of this week
  • Experiment 7: Introduction to the 555 Timer, LEDs and Photodiodes
  • Homework 6 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 6 due Wednesday
  • Review for Quiz 2 on Wednesday
  • Quiz 2 on Thursday
  • Reading Assignment: Review Lunn Chapter 7 (most important: p162-166)
  • Also read 555 Timer Defined: http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/555test.htm
  • Also look at Photodiode Basics: http://www.xrefer.com/entry/491299
  
  Week Nine (3/10-3/14): Project 2 : Optical Transmitter-Receiver
  • Homework 7 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 7 due Thursday
  
  Week Ten (3/17-3/21): Op-amps and magnetic circuit components.
  • Experiment 8 : Op-Amp Configurations -- Integrator, Differentiator, Voltage Follower
  • Project 2 due Friday
  • Reading Assignment: Lunn Chapter 4 (most important: p88-99)
  • Also review Chapter 5 (p109-118, p127-128) and Chapter 3 (p76-80)
  
  Week Eleven (3/24-3/28): Circuit Components and Magnetic Fields
  • Experiment 9 : Circuit Components and Magnetic Fields - Inductors, Transformers, and ...
  • Homework 9 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 8 due Thursday
  • Reading Assignment: Review chapter 7 (p170-173) and review chapter 1 (p13-16)
  • Also look at Faraday Inductance Experiment 1 : http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/faraday/
    and Transformer Circuit Applet : http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/transformer/
  
  Week Twelve (3/31-4/4):Project 3: Instrumented Beakman's Motor.
  • Quiz 3 Review on Thursday
  • Homework 9 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 9 due on Thursday
  
  Week Thirteen (4/7-4/11): Introduction to Digital Electronics
  • Quiz 3 on Monday
  • Experiment 10 : Introduction to Digital Logic
  • Project 3 due on Friday
  • Reading Assignment: Lunn Chapter 6 (most important: p131-134, p140-145)
  • Also read Gingrich on Digital Electronics : http://www.phys.ualberta.ca/~gingrich/phys395/notes/node117.html
  
  Week Fourteen (4/14-4/18):Project 4 : Digital Electronics Project
  • Homework 10 due Tuesday
  • Experiment 10 due Thursday
  • Reading Assignment: (see Week Thirteen)
  
  Week Fifteen (4/21-4/25): Quiz 4
  • Review for Quiz 4 on Monday
  • Quiz 4 on Wednesday
  • Project 4 due Friday
  • Wednesday is last day of classes
  
  Weeks Sixteen(4/28-5/2): Final Exams
  • This class has no final exam.
  
  

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  Course Calendar Activity Dates listed in Black. Test dates listed in blue. Experiment due dates listed in red. Homework due dates listed in green.
  Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
  1:1/13-1/17	Intro/Exp 1		Exp 1	Exp 1
  2:1/20-1/24	Holiday		Exp 2 (HW#1 due)	Exp 2 (Exp 1 due)
  3:1/27-1/31	Exp 2/Exp 3	(HW#2 due)	Exp 3	Exp 3 (Exp 2 due)
  4:2/3-2/7	Exp 4	(HW#3 due)	Exp 4 Quiz 1 Review (Exp 3 due)	Quiz 1
  5:2/10-2/14	Exp 4	(HW#4 due)	Proj 1	Proj 1 (Exp 4 due)
  6:2/17-2/21	No Class	Proj 1	Exp 5	Exp 5	(Project 1 due)
  7:2/24-2/28	Exp 5/Exp 6	(HW#5 due)	Exp 6	Exp 6 (Exp 5 due)
  8:3/3-3/7	Exp 7	(HW#6 due)	Exp 7 Quiz 2 Review (Exp 6 due)	Quiz 2
  3/10-3/14		SPRING		BREAK
  9:3/17-3/21	Exp 7	(HW#7 due)	Proj 2	Proj 2 (Exp 7 due)
  10:324-3/28	Proj 2		Exp 8	Exp 8	(Project 2 due)
  11:3/31-4/4	Exp 8/Exp 9	(HW#8 due)	Exp 9	Exp 9 (Exp 8 due)
  12:4/7-4/11	Proj 3	(HW#9 due)	No Class	Proj 3 (Exp 9 due)
  13:4/14-4/18	Proj 3 Quiz 3 Review		Quiz 3	Proj 3/Exp 10
  14:4/21-4/25	Exp 10	(HW#10 due)	Exp 10 (Project 3 due)	Proj 4
  15:4/28-5/2	Proj 4 Quiz 4 Review (Exp 10 due)		Quiz 4	Study/Review	Study/Review (Project 4 due)
  16:5/2-5/9	Finals	Finals	Finals	Finals	Finals

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