Conference Session

Modern Software Measurement Techniques

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Charles Birdsong, California Polytechnic State University

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

systemperformance. They are then given a second chance to fine tune the model. The control isimplemented with the Real Time Windows Target using a data acquisition card on a PC.A competition for the best performance also creates an exciting and competitive learningatmosphere. Assessments are presented that indicate the improvement in learningoutcomes from the change in the lab exercise.IntroductionThe Engineering College at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispohas a strong tradition of hands-on, “learn by doing” education. A key component is thelab intensive courses where for example in the Mechanical Engineering Department aminimum of nine lab intensive courses are required in the core ME curriculum in additionto labs from support

Conference Session

Instrumentation and Measurements: Innovative Course Development

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hong Zhang, Rowan University; Ying Tang, Rowan University; Courtney Richmond, Rowan University; Patricia Mosto, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

.• Page 12.823.3 The deadlines posed by this grant-sponsored project mimics the need in industry to carry out time-sensitive product design.The layout of this paper is as follows. We will introduce the hardware and softwaredesign first, then talk about the experimental development to test the system. In thefollowing sections, we will introduce the integration of the robot to the curriculum and itspedagogical impacts. The last section is a brief summary.II. Hardware Design For the purpose of wide adoption by the public, the development of the IMAPSadheres to the following design goals: 1) Inexpensive to obtain and maintain; 2) Straightforward to operate; 3) Low power consumption and long operate time; 4) Suitable for a wide range of water

Conference Session

Developing New Instrumentation

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chad Lloyd, Middle Tennessee State University; Saleh Sbenaty, Middle Tennessee State University

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

AC 2007-2389: REINVENTING HOME AUTOMATION: A RELIABLE, COSTEFFECTIVE APPROACHChad Lloyd, Middle Tennessee State University Mr. Lloyd earned his Masters Degree in Engineering Technology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2006. The above paper is partially based on his thesis research. Mr. Lloyd has also earned an M.S. degree in Computer Science and a B.S. degree in Mass Communications from Middle Tennessee State University. He is currently working as a networking engineer for a large law firm in Nashville, Tennessee. His interests are wide spread in the technical field of embedded systems and PC-based control applications.Saleh Sbenaty, Middle Tennessee State University Dr. Sbenaty is

Conference Session

Instrumentation and Measurements: Innovative Course Development

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Beams, University of Texas-Tyler

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

12.1201.8Fig. 7 Displacement measurement with an LVDT.Optically-coupled isolation amplifier: Significant differences in ground potentialsbetween a sensor and its signal conditioner may occur in some instrumentationapplications. A differential amplifier may not be suitable in these cases; the ground-potential difference may exceed the common-mode voltage range of the amplifier, ormay be sufficiently large to damage or destroy the amplifier [6]. Isolation amplifiers areappropriate in such instances. There are multiple approaches to making an isolationamplifier (e.g., transformer coupling, capacitive coupling, or optical coupling). TheEENG 4302 curriculum included the construction and test of an optically-coupledisolation amplifer using an MCT9001 dual