This is a technically detailed 6 Unit of Credit course on instrumentation systems for engineering measurement, specifically designed for mechanical engineers, and assumes only limited exposure to electronic engineering and computing topics. It is available as an elective for interested students in other BE and BTech(Aero) degree programs. While no experience of microcontrollers is assumed, students will be required to quickly learn how to perform number base conversions and to develop basic computer programs for microcontroller-based measurements as part of the course.
While this course is required to complete the marine stream of the EE degree program, electrical engineering students will only be able to enrol with the permission of the EE program co-ordinator, as there are alternative courses covering similar material that are better integrated with the other EE program courses.
Measurement is essential in most branches of engineering, and will generally require the use of instrumentation assembled into a measurement system. In recent times, such measurement systems are predominantly associated with microcontrollers. Applications extend from simple checks on dimensions, temperature and similar quantities to monitoring rapidly varying quantities whose magnitudes and variations are required for closed loop control of complex machines.
