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Electronic and Ultrasonic Instrumentation Masters (MSc)
Duration:
1 year full-time
Course Content
The programme is operated on a modular basis and consists a series of taught modules (120 credits) taken during the autumn and spring semesters, followed by a research project (60 credits) undertaken during the summer period.
You will be taught using the latest advances in teaching methods and electronic resources, as well as small-group and individual tuition.
Course Structure
The MSc Electronic and Ultrasonic Instrumentation is completed by full-time study over 12 months.
Compulsory taught modules of 70 credits are:
HDL for Programmable Logic with project, Instrumentation and Measurement with project, Engineering Ultrasonics with project and Ultrasonic Measurement Techniques.
Students undertake a project which involves a major piece of advanced independent research, which is completed over the summer under the supervision of a specialist in the chosen area of research. We will provide you with advice and guidance while you select and refine your area of study, and offer close supervision and support as you complete your research and your MSc.
Most taught modules are assessed by examination and/or written work.
Modules
In this module a student will be assigned to an individual supervisor who will be a staff member in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The student will carry out a practical or theoretical project chosen from the current interests of the staff member concerned. The student will be expected to conduct a literature survey, undertake practical or theoretical work and write a dissertation on this work.
Five ultrasonic measurements laboratory sessions related to expertise areas of different Applied Ultrasonic laboratory staff
This module is an introduction to the principles and applications of ultrasound in a wide range of engineering industries. The module will cover the theory of ultrasonic wave propagation in engineering structures together with the practicalities of ultrasonic test instrumentation and systems and data analysis. The course concludes with a series of case studies.
Topics include: Ultrasonic wave propagation in different media
Piezoelectric, EMAT, phased array and SAW devices
Pulser-receiver instrumentation
Ultrasonic test methods
Time and frequency domain data analysis
Defect detection in engineering structures
Case studies (medical, aerospace and process control)
This module is an introduction to the principles and practice of instrumentation and measurement systems in an engineering context. The module will cover the generally applicable basic principles and then look at specific classes of instrument and associated electronics and signal processing methods. Topics covered include:
- Basic principles and instrument characteristics.
- Measurement errors, basic statistics, noise and its control.
- Dynamic characteristics of instruments, time and frequency domain responses.
- System identification using correlation techniques.
- Amplifiers, filters, ADCs and DACs.
- Position, strain, pressure and motion sensors (resistive, capacitive, inductive, optical).
- Flow sensors (correlation, acoustic, electromagnetic, mechanical).
Ultrasonic sensors.
The coursework will be in the form of a design or case study in a business context.
The design of high speed Analogue and Digital circuits will be discussed before the limitations of BJTs and MOSFETs are given. High speed HEMT and HBTs will be examined.
This module provides an in depth knowledge on both the theoretical and practical aspects of modern advanced imaging techniques, with particular emphasis on biological and dimensional metrology applications. The topics covered include:
- Principles of image formation: geometrical and wave optics, scalar and vector diffraction, Fourier transform properties of lenses, principles of optical instruments including telescope and collimators, fundamental of optical design
- Signal and imaging processing techniques: transform techniques, image sampling, imaging processing and feature recognition techniques
- Detector technology: photodetectors, CCD and CMOS cameras, active pixel circuit design using CMOS processing, photon counting devices, signal to noise considerations
- Microscopy and sensor techniques: scanning and wide field microscopes, analysis of imaging performance, confocal, phase contrast, dark field, interference, differential interference contrast, polarisation and fluorescent imaging. Total internal reflection methods. Exotic techniques giving resolution beyond the Abbe limit, STED, STORM, PALM and near field methods.
Architectures for embedded programmable digital electronics; operation of a microcontroller and its programming; assembly language directives and instructions; interfacing of microcontrollers; embedded peripherals and interrupts in microcontrollers; communications for embedded computing; special features of microcontrollers (the above items are based on the PIC16 microcontroller family); various microcontroller families; introduction to larger scale embedded systems.
This module provides an overview of microwave telecommunication systems. Topics cover characteristics of atmosphere and ionosphere, microwaves in free space (the link equation, satellite communications, microwave radio links, remote sensing (RADAR)), microwave waveguides and devices (coaxial cable, microstrip/ striplines, rectangular and circular waveguides, periodic structures and filters), transmission line equivalents of microwave circuits, matrix representation of microwave networks (transfer matrix, scattering matrix) and impedance matching.
This covers the control of AC drives. The first part of the covers vector controlled induction motor drives and the second part covers permanent magnet motor drives. A review of induction machine operation and basic open-loop induction motor drives is given. Vector control is covered in depth covering the concept of space vectors, dq representation of 3-phase machines, dynamic equation structure and the concepts of direct and indirect flux orientation. Implementation of Indirect Vector Control, including current flux and speed control is covered in some detail and includes the effect of incorrect parameters.
The second part introduces both AC and Brushless DC permanent magnet motor drives. The vector control concepts learned in the first part of the module are applied to AC PM machines. The concept of salient and non-salient AC PM machines are covered leading to the vector control using maximum torque per amp control strategies. Finally the field weakening control of both non-salient and salient PM machines are considered.
This module addresses the control of AC drives and consists of a lecture component (10 credits) and a design and assessment project (10 credits)
The lecture component covers vector controlled induction motor drives and permanent magnet motor drives. Vector control is covered in depth covering the concept of space vectors, dq representation of 3-phase machines, dynamic equation structure and the concepts of direct and indirect flux orientation. Implementation of Indirect Vector Control, including current flux and speed control is covered in some detail and includes the effect of incorrect parameters.
Both AC and Brushless DC permanent magnet motor drives are introduced. The vector control concepts learned for induction machines are applied to AC PM machines. The concept of salient and non-salient AC PM machines are covered leading to the vector control using maximum torque per amp control strategies. Finally the field weakening control of both non-salient and salient PM machines are considered.
The project component is a design and simulation exercise using MATLAB/Simulink. The student is required to design an indirect vector controlled induction motor drive, implement the design in Simulink, and undertake evaluative tests covering current and speed loop performance, including field weakening for high speed. The exercise covers investigating the effects of parameter variation and designing engineered solutions to reducing the sensitivity.
This course will be divided into three: taught material, a hands-on lab exercise and a hands-on project.
TAUGHT MATERIAL This will contain the following:
- HDL overview and latest developments
- Latest relevant software from Xilinx and Mentor Graphics
- VHDL syntax
- VHDL testbench design
- Combinational and sequential circuit design
- Finite State Machine VHDL design
LABORATORY EXERCISES The lab classes will be tightly integrated with the lecture sessions. The lab exercises, directly related to the lecture material will be implemented on a pre-prepared FPGA development board. PROJECT realisation of a digital system will be implemented. Marks will be awarded for: quality of code; functionality of the design; written report; plus other parameters to be specified during the course.
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