Module Guide
Advanced
Instrumentation
and Control
EEB-7-403
School of
Engineering
2014/15
become what you want to be
MSc Courses
Advanced Instrumentation and Control
Module Title
Advanced Instrumentation and Control
Module Code
EEB-7-403
Level
7
Prerequisites
None
Course
MSc Electrical & Electronic Engineering
MSc Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation
Organisation
39 hours lecture/laboratory 161 hours self study.
Lecturers
Perry Xiao
T404, xiaop@lsbu.ac.uk, 02078157569
Ya Bao
T701, baoyb@lsbu.ac.uk, 02078157588
Module Co-ordinator
1.
Steve Alty, T801, steve.alty@lsbu.ac.uk, 020 7815 7162
Introduction
This module develops advanced techniques in data acquisition and manipulation
required for instrumentation and control applications. Including structures of virtual
instrumentation, data acquisition tools and wizards. Signal conditioning and suitable
pre-processing prior to digitisation is also covered. The theory behind modern control
systems is explored including proportional, differential and integral control, state-space
analysis, bode plots and stability. Further, it consolidates lectures with experimental
computer-based assignments using industry standard hardware and software (NI DAQ
and LabVIEW). Specifically, the NI Elvis platform is used along with its data
acquisition facilities to perform a closed-loop control task, such as temperature control.
The hardware assignment will be the basis of a group project in the latter half of the
module.
2
Aims and Objectives
Aims
The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and experience in data acquisition and
virtual instrumentation used in Industry for instrumentation and control purposes.
Objectives
After studying this module, students will be able to understand the operation of a variety
of LabVIEW programs, as well as using NI Elvis platform for data acquisition and
instrumentation control. They will also be capable of designing such programs to
operate to pre-determined specifications in a structured manner.
School of Engineering
1
MSc Courses
3
Advanced Instrumentation and Control
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, students will be able to undertake the actions described in
each of the four areas below.
Knowledge and Understanding
 To understand the process of data acquisition and digitisation.
 To show an appreciation of sampling theory and preparation of data for
acquisition according to context.
 To be able to use software programming techniques to develop virtual
instrumentation to perform standard processing, instrumentation and control
tasks.
Intellectual Skills
 To be able to synthesise specialised virtual instrumentation tools for specific
tasks.
 To know which processing technique to select in which context.
 To acquire a high-level of software programming skills.
Practical Skills
 To be able to utilise computer methods to build practical solutions to
instrumentation and control problems.
 To be able to systematically select and apply appropriate control algorithms using
NI LabVIEW.
 To evaluate the performance of a given system and its behaviour.
Transferable Skills
 To effectively communicate and critically evaluate observed results in a technical
format.
 To competently maintain a logbook.
 To analyse data using complex mathematical techniques.
4
Employability
This module will provide students with a sound knowledge of virtual instrumentation
and control techniques commonly used in industry. National Instruments LabVIEW
environment is widely used throughout the electrical and electronic engineering industry
and experience will enable students to gain employment therein.
5
Teaching and learning methods
The semester is of 15 weeks duration, 12 weeks of which are allocated to teaching. This
is followed by a week in which their software is tested, a revision week and the final
End of Module examination. Teaching is by 39 hours of lecture/lab work with the
following weekly contact pattern:
1.5 hrs lecture and 1.5 hrs laboratory.
School of Engineering
2
MSc Courses
Advanced Instrumentation and Control
Students will be expected to supplement this with self study to bring the total study time
up to the full 200 hrs. Self study will be by directed learning material in the form of lab
sheets and assignments handed out at the appropriate time throughout the unit.
6
Textbooks
Core reading
1.
King, R., Introduction to Data Acquisition with LabVIEW, McGraw-Hill, 2nd
Edition, 2012.
2.
Dorf and Bishop, Modern Control Systems, Pearson, 12th Edition, 2012
Background reading
3.
Essick, J., Hands-On Introduction to LabVIEW for Scientists and Engineers,
OUP, 2nd Edition, 2012
4.
The LabVIEW application package comes with a comprehensive library of
example programs and tutorial packages. Students will be expected and encouraged to
further their knowledge by exploring these facilities in order to supplement information
gained in the lectures and laboratories.
7
Assessment Schedule
The assessment for this module consists of 2 components:
Exam (2 hrs)
(Testing Knowledge, Understanding and Intellectual Skills)
50%
Course work and formal assignments
(Testing Practical Skills and Transferable Skills)
50%
1 hour phase test in Week 8 to test knowledge acquired during previous weeks’ lecture
material (worth 10%)
Labs: students hand in a logbook, a formal report and software assignment in week 13
(worth 40%). The assignment will test students’ ability to develop a NI LabVIEW
virtual instrument to perform data acquisition and solve a control theory problem.
All courseworks are summative, formal reports will contain formative feedback. Formal
reports should be no more than 3000 words.
All assignments must be your own individual work.
School of Engineering
3
MSc Courses
8
Advanced Instrumentation and Control
Teaching Schedule
A timetable is given below which sets out the week by week teaching schedule which
we hope to follow. A detailed schedule follows which will enable you to be aware of
what you should be able to do after completing your study on each topic.
Weeks 1
Data flow programming in LabVIEW
Introduction to the various aspects of programming in LabVIEW.
Learning outcome: You should be able to design a simple program to meet a predetermined process specification. You should understand the concept
of a Virtual Instrument (VI) and be familiar with the individual
elements of LabVIEW’s front panel and block diagram including the
various menus and palettes.
Weeks 2-3
Control Structure
Introduction to different control structures and the various ways in which they are used.
Learning outcome: You should be able understand the concept of control structures and
how and why they are used. You should be familiar with different
types of control structures such as sequential iteration and
conditional and be aware of their respective strengths and weakness.
You should also be capable of nesting various structures together to
meet specific requirements.
Weeks 4
Data Structures
Introduction to complex data structures and the various methods used for displaying
them.
Learning outcome: You should be able to understand the concept of a data structures and
how and why they are used. You should be familiar with different
types of data structures such as such as arrays, clusters and
waveforms and be aware of their respective strengths and weakness.
You should also be capable of designing a VI containing control
structures and data structures where appropriate.
Weeks 5
Sub VIs
Introduction to the concepts of modular programming and sub VIs.
Learning outcome: You should be able to understand the concept of modular programs
and appreciate why they are used. You should be able to construct
and document relevant sub VIs. You should be able to design
representative VI icons and connector panels where appropriate.
Weeks 6
Waveforms
School of Engineering
4
MSc Courses
Advanced Instrumentation and Control
Introduction to waveform data structures and the various methods used for displaying
them.
Learning outcome: You should be able to understand the concept of Waveform Data
Structures and how and why they are used. You should be familiar
with the different aspects of waveform data structures such as (t)
and t0. You should also be capable of designing VIs that will
generate a range of different waveforms, including Sine, square and
triangle waveforms as well as individual pulses of different height
and width.
Weeks 7-8
Data acquisition tools and DAQ wizards
Introduction to the various aspects of data acquisition tools and DAQ wizards.
Learning outcome: You should be able to understand the concept of the DAQ assistant
and appreciate how it is used. You should be able to construct and
document relevant sub VIs to either input or output various
waveforms. You should understand how DAC and ADC works and
be aware of the factors that effect the process such as sampling rate
and resolution.
Weeks 9
Sampling Theorem and Anti-Aliasing Filtering
Introduction to Sampling Theorem and Anti-Aliasing Filtering.
Learning outcome: You should be able to understand the concept of Sampling Theorem
and how and why they are used. You should be familiar with the
different aspects of signal filtering. You should also understand the
concept of anti-aliasing filter and its applications.
Weeks 10
Closed loop control systems
Introduction to the Closed loop control systems.
Learning outcome: You should be able to understand the concept of the closed loop
control systems and appreciate how they are used. You should be
able to design a closed loop control system according to specific
requirements.
Weeks 11-12
Assignment Tutorials
The last two weeks are run as tutorials to help the students with their
assignment. Code design, I/O issues and software documentation are
usually covered in these sessions.
School of Engineering
5