OVERVIEW

Measurement are an essential part in decision making. Decisions taken by humans, such as in a testing procedure, or automatically by the system, such as in an ABS or ESP onboard a vehicle, are strongly influenced by the quality of measurement. Therefore, measurement design includes both the selection of proper sensors and devices and the evaluation of  measurement uncertainty.

The course will introduce the functioning and operation principles, as well as the application, of key instruments for industrial engineering applications, the measurement principles, and basics of statistical analysis. The course will provide general criteria to select simple measurement systems for a given application, based on different physical measurement principles, on the uncertainty analysis, the signal conditioning, and the data recording.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Operative comprehension of the foundations of measurement, including elements of probability and statistics, static and dynamic analysis of measuring systems, evaluation of uncertainty, calibration, components selection, signal conditioning, measurement of mechanical and thermal quantities.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students will learn the general measurement principles and the physical working principles of the main measurement instruments. The students will be able to analyse a measurement chain discussing static and dynamic functionalities, using methods and technical approaches typical of measurement expertise. Furthermore, the students will be able to evaluate the reliability of a measurement result and analyse the uncertainty associated to a given measurement chain.

 Finally, the students will be able to deepen their knowledge about measurement systems and instrumentation by autonomous bibliography research on books, papers or specific periodicals.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, numerical case-studies and laboratory practice.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Elements of probability and statistics: probability, random variables, variance and covariance, linear regression.

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty, calibration, dynamic measurement.

Sensors: seismic, elastic, strain gages, thermo-resistances, thermocouples, capacitive, inductive.

Signal conditioning: potentiometer and bridge circuits, demodulators, amplifiers, filters, interference reduction and grounding.

Voltmeters, A/D converters, current-to-voltage converters.

Metrological infrastructures. Length, temperature, force and vibration measurement.

Laboratory practice in strain force and vibration measurement.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recent reference textbooks include

• Morris, Langari, Measurement and Instrumentation, Elsevier, 2011
• Dekking et alii, A modern introduction to probability and statistics, Springer, 2005

Futher indications will be provided during the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/8720/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

• Written test, concerning uncertainty evaluation and calibration.
• Presentation and discussion of a report, based on lab activity,
• Generic exam interview.

Students with a certified learning disability (DSA), a disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to discuss teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account and provide appropriate accommodations.
Please also note that requests for exam accommodations or exemptions must be submitted using the form available at this link 
https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back , to the course professor, the DIME contact person (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and the relevant office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the examination, in accordance with the guidelines available at this link 
https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test aims to ascertain acquisition of generic measurement methods, such as uncertainty evaluation and/or processing of calibration data.

The report is based on a laboratory experiment and written according to recommended practice for testing reports. It should give evidence that the student is able to apply generic measurement methods to actual data and to report according to recommended practice standards.

The interview concerns measurement components, their functioning principles and their proper selection and application.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please ask the professor for any additional information not included in the teaching schedule.