CHEN351 Process Instrumentation and
Measurements
Course Description
A course on general concepts of measurement systems, classification of sensors and sensor types, interfacing
concepts, data acquisition, manipulation, transmission, and recording, introduction to LABVIEW, applications, team
project on design, and implementation of a measuring device.
Prerequisites
EECE 210 Electric Circuits
MATH 202 Differential Equations
Textbook
Theory and Design for Mechanical Measurements, 4th Edition, Richard S. Figliola, Donald E. Beasley, October
2005, ©2006
Projects and Lab Assignments
Laboratory assignments are essential elements of this course. All students are required to complete them. The labs
are a great opportunity to gain a hands-on experience in designing analog and digital circuits to interface them with
sensors and data acquisition with the LabVIEW software. The intent of this course is also to provide the student with
a cooperative working experience within a team.
Course Topics
Introduction and Basic concepts
Static and dynamic characteristics of signals
Periodic multifunctional signals
Fourier analysis
Measurement system behavior
First order and second order systems
Probability and statistics
Uncertainty analysis
Analog devices 4-20mA and 1-5 volts
Digital Devices and Fieldbus Foundation
Signal conditioning, Amplifiers, Filters
Sensors: Temperature, Flow, Pressure, Strain
Introduction to Process Control and Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
Grading
2 Midterms and 1 Final
Lab
Final project
50% (20% and 30% respectively)
30% (60% assignments / 40% lab exam [LabView])
20%
Students who fail the class component exams will not pass this course even if they obtain a high grade in the lab
component.
Laboratory schedule
There are a total of 5 lab sections for CHEN 351:
Section
Time
1
Tuesday 8:00-10:50
2
Thursday 8:00-10:50
3
Tuesday 15:00-17:50
4
Thursday 15:00-17:50
5 and 6
Friday 14:00-16:50
Lab Schedule
Lab Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Lab Topic
Intro to lab / Labview 1
Labview 2
Electric circuits lab
Op-amps
In lab assignment IR Led (digital input /
digital output)
RTD lab. Analog input / analog output
In lab assignment: low pass filter
(active / passive)
Instrumentation amplifier /
thermocouple lab
Optical encoder (counter input)
Encoder input – motor speed / position
measurement
Project
Project
Project
Instructor
Nareg K. (nk64@aub.edu.lb)
Nareg K.
Lina Kassis (lk35@aub.edu.lb)
Lina Kassis
Marwan Haddad
Submissions
assignment Labview 1
assignment Labview 2
assignment Labview 3
IR Transmitter / receiver
RTD temperature sensor
low pass filter mini-report
Project
Project
Project
Final Project
A comprehensive final team-oriented project will be expected of the students at the completion of the
semester demonstrating the design of a mechanical machine and the detailed study of its components.
You should work on this project in groups of students. You will be expected to write a report about your
project. More details on the project and the final report will be given at a later time.
Academic Conduct
Students are expected to practice and uphold standards of academic integrity and honesty. Examples of dishonesty:
cheating in exams and homework; Plagiarizing the work of others. However, legitimate collaboration and team
working is encouraged but academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All students must pass the plagiarism test.
Learning Outcomes
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Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
Ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data.
Understand the basic elements and practical considerations of a measurement system.
Know the different types of sensors available and understand how to properly select and use sensors for
various forms of physical quantities (thermal, fluid, chemical, mechanical, etc.).
Know the principles of PC-based instrumentation through data acquisition and data processing.
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Ability to use National Instrument's graphical programming language LabVIEW for virtual instrumentation
and industrial automation.
Ability to work in a team (enhanced team and interpersonal skills).
Improved communications skills through report writing.