Syllabus for ES405L: Measurement, Instrumentation and Process Control
Instructor: Seth Price (sprice@nmt.edu, n3mra.stormchase@gmail.com)
Class Website: http://es405l.wordpress.com
Office: Workman West 159
Office Hours: By Appointment
Specific Outcomes
This course is designed so that students can successfully implement measurement and
instrumentation hardware and software that will generate relative data, suitable for presentation or
feedback in a control loop. For this course, data will be collected in LabVIEW software or from a Parallax
Stamp Microcontroller, and properly analyzed.
Students will leave this course with a general
understanding of basic electronics, data acquisition, computer programming in LabVIEW,
microcontroller programming in PBASIC, digital logic and statistical analysis of data.
Class Format
The course will unofficially start a few minutes before its allotted time. During this time, the
instructor will show relevant videos related to the coursework. At the allotted class time, the instructor
will ask for questions on the homework. After all questions have been answered, homework will be
collected and the instructor will provide a brief lecture. After lecture, there will be some classroom
activity- either a demonstration or a hands-on activity. Any remaining time in the classroom can be
used to work on the quarterly project, or next week’s homework assignment.
The class will have four major units: Electronics, the PBASIC/STAMP Microcontroller, LabVIEW,
and Statistical Analysis. Each of these units will have a quarterly project that must be completed by the
assigned date.
Teamwork
On the first day of class, students will form small groups that will work together for the entire
semester. The groups will work together on quarterly projects, as well as account for each other’s
absences. The group should exchange contact information and contact each other with homework
questions before bringing the question to class.
Each group will be issued a kit of equipment. IF THIS KIT IS NOT RETURNED AT THE END OF THE
SEMESTER, ALL GROUP MEMBERS WILL FAIL THE COURSE.
Grades and Assignments
Grades will consist of four major categories:
20% In-class assignments
30% Homework
30% Projects (10% for each)
20% Oral Final Exam
In-Class Assignments
These will be assigned each week, and are due at the end of class. Often, they will be pieces to
the current project. Other times, they will teach a skill that might be used elsewhere outside of the
classroom. These will be in groups or individually, depending on the assignment. Late classwork will
not be accepted.
Homework
Homework will be assigned weekly. It will cover concepts from the lecture, the lab or
demonstration, and may require some outside resources as well. Homework is to be submitted
individually, though students are expected to ask for help from their group members before class.
Homework may be submitted as a paper copy during class, or emailed to the instructor. If a student (or,
by this time, an entire group) has a question, they may ask it during the beginning of class. Homework is
to be completed fully and as it was meant to be done. Late homework will not be accepted.
It is strongly recommended that all students purchase a student edition of LabVIEW 2015, which
can be purchased through the links on the National Instruments site:
http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/210866
Projects
Each topic will have an associated group project. This may be writing a certain LabVIEW
program, or building a circuit, etc. There might be some time to work on these projects in class, but
prepare to work on them outside of class as well. All students must contribute to the project. Late
projects will not be accepted.
Oral Final Exam
At the end of the semester, each student will schedule a 15-minute block of time to meet with
the instructor and complete an oral final exam. A list of questions will be provided a week before the
exam, and students are responsible for being able to solve or explain each of these questions. During
the exam time, the student will choose one question from the list and demonstrate his or her
understanding of the problem. After that, the instructor will choose one from the list and expect the
student to demonstrate that problem as well. This exam is an individual assignment.
Topics (Subject to Change)
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Lecture:
Lecture:
Lecture:
Lecture:
Lecture:
What is Instrumentation?, Lab: Soldering
Analog Circuits, Lab: Components and Breadboards
Digital Logic, Lab: Logic Gates
A to D Conversion, Lab: Binary Search
Intro to the STAMP Microcontroller, Lab: Interfacing the STAMP
Week 6: Lecture: Data Sampling, Lab: TBD
Week 7: Lecture: LabVIEW I, Lab: Front Panel, Loops, Math, Case Statements
Week 8: Lecture: LabVIEW II, Lab: Shift Register, Strings, Writing to File
Week 9: Lecture: Sensors, Lab: DAQ in LabVIEW
Week 10: Lecture: Statistical Process Control, Lab: Satellite Data
Week 11: Lecture: RF Considerations, Lab: Radio Demo
Missing Class
Students should avoid missing class whenever possible. If a student must miss class due to a job
interview, conference attendance, etc., arrangements must be made with the instructor BEFORE class.
If a student is sick and cannot attend class, the instructor will require a written excuse note from
the campus nurse. Arrangements will be made with the instructor and the student’s group as to how to
make up the missing assignments.
Reasonable Accommodations and Disability Statement
New Mexico Tech is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals who require reasonable accommodations are invited to make their needs known to the
Office of Counseling and Disability Services (OCDS) as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment,
please call 835-6619.
Counseling Services
New Mexico Tech offers mental health and substance abuse counseling through the Office of
Counseling and Disability Services. The confidential services are provided free of charge by licensed
professionals. To schedule an appointment, please call 835-6619.
Academic Honesty Policy
Cheating is the lowest form of low. A student cannot be a chemical engineer if they choose to
steal the work of others. The academic honesty policy will be strictly enforced in this class, and it is
located at: http://www.nmt.edu/images/stories/registrar/pdfs/2013-2014_UNDERGRADUATE
_Catalog_FINAL.pdf
ABET Outcomes
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
g. An ability to communicate effectively
k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.