- Knowledge of the rules for the uncertainty estimation according to the probabilistic approach - Knowledge of the most important issues related to traceability and certification of measuring instruments - Capability of scheduling a quality-assurance program for the measuring instrumentation - Capability of understanding the specifications and operating procedures of the modern digital instrumentation - Knowledge of characteristics and capabilities of spectrum analysers - Knowledge of the working principles of the most commonly used sensors - Capability of analysing sensor specifications and selecting the most suitable conditioning circuitry - Knowledge of the architecture of data-acquisition boards and micro-controller based measuring systems - Knowledge of the most important architectures of complex and distributed measuring systems and industrial buses - Capability of designing a complex measuring systems selecting the most suitable components and interconnection devices

Concept of physical quantity, measurement, methods and uncertainty Uncertainty estimation according to the deterministic approach Knowledge of working principle and use of the conventional instrumentation for electrical quantities Knowledge of the fundamental measuring methods (direct, indirect, comparison, zero based, bridge) Knowledge of theory and use of operational amplifiers and filters Basic knowledge of analogue- to-digital conversion and sampling theory Basics of probability and statistics

Uncertainty estimation according to the probabilistic approach: terms and definitions, estimation of standard uncertainty and expanded uncertainty, propagation of uncertainty, correlated and uncorrelated measurements, numerical examples (0.9 CFU). International organization of metrology and multi-lateral agreements; national calibration systems; calibration and traceability; quality-assurance programs for measuring instrumentation (1.5 CFU). Analysis and development of measuring systems based on data-acquisition boards and micro-controller based boards (2.0 CFU). Distributed measuring systems and industrial buses (0.9 CFU). Working principles of the most commonly used sensors and related conditioning circuitry (1.5 CFU). Spectrum analysis: analogue and digital techniques (1.2 CFU).

Theoretical lessons (44 hours). Practical lessons (9 hours). Laboratory experiments (27 hours). The practical lessons deal with the design and the uncertainty analysis of conditioning circuitry and data acquisition systems. During the 9 laboratory experiments, students are grouped by 4 and work on the verification of measuring instruments and on development of measuring systems based on data-acquisition boards and micro-controller based boards. During each laboratory session, students will receive a document that represents a tutorial and that includes some fields to fill out with a brief description of the project choices and with the results of the obtained measurements. These documents, delivered at the end of each laboratory session, will be evaluated and will constitute a component of the final grade.

Measurement errors: theory and practice (S. Rabinovich). ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 - Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3: Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. Practical data communications for instrumentation and control (J. Park, S. Mackay, E. Wright) On the web portal: a book on calibration, traceability and metrological confirmation of measuring instruments; a set of transparencies on the course subjects including examples of the final test questions.

Exam: Group essay; Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;

The final examination aims to check the expected learning outcomes through a written test (2 hours), which will be administer through the platform Exam (Respondus with Lockdown browser). The minimum time before you can close the test is 12 min for the section 1 and 24 min for the section 2. The test is subdivided into two sections: 1) six multiple-choice questions (max score 12); 2) two open questions: one problem related to the design and the uncertainty analysis of a data acquisition system (max score 9) and one numerical exercise on the uncertainty estimation according to the probabilistic model (max score 6). For multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer, the wrong question has a value of -25% of the score, while for the questions with more than one correct answer, each wrong question has a value of -50%. At the beginning of the section 2), a link will be provided to access the document that summarizes the rules for uncertainty estimation according to the probabilistic model and the main characteristics of industrial buses. WARNING: the access to the section 2) is allowed only if a minimum score is obtained in the section 1), which is the 20%, i.e. 2.4. Once you access to the section 2), it is not possible to go back to section 1). For the two open questions of section 2) it is possible to write text as a part of the answer, but it is expected that students upload pictures of their papers (use a black pen with thick tip, only one side per sheet) to show the complete procedure and the results. These pictures have to be taken using the integrated webcam. Within 30 minutes from the end of the examination, students have to upload high resolution images of their papers in the section “Elaborati” on the web portal of the course. A single file in pdf format has to be uploaded that is named as “SURNAME_NAME_STUDENT-ID_DATE”. The evaluation is based on the correctness of the results and on the capability of designing the data acquisition system according to the measurement requirements. The evaluation of the laboratory reports (max score 6), which are based on the completeness of the information and the correct metrological approach, will be summed to the evaluation of the written test (max score 27), thus obtaining the final grade.

Exam: Written test; Group essay; Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;

The final examination aims to check the expected learning outcomes through a written test (2 hours), which will be administer onsite or through the platform Exam (Respondus with Lockdown browser) for online exam . For online exam, the minimum time before you can close the test is 12 min for the section 1 and 24 min for the section 2. The test is subdivided into two sections: 1) six multiple-choice questions (max score 12); 2) two open questions: one problem related to the design and the uncertainty analysis of a data acquisition system (max score 9) and one numerical exercise on the uncertainty estimation according to the probabilistic model (max score 6). For multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer, the wrong question has a value of -25% of the score, while for the questions with more than one correct answer, each wrong question has a value of -50%. During the examination, reading books or notes is not allowed, with the exception of a document provided by the teacher that summarizes the rules of uncertainty propagation according to the probabilistic approach and the main characteristics of industrial buses. For online exam, at the beginning of the section 2) a link will be provided to access this document, while for onsite exam students can have a copy of this document. WARNING FOR ONLINE EXAM: the access to the section 2) is allowed only if a minimum score is obtained in the section 1), which is the 20%, i.e. 2.4. Once you access to the section 2), it is not possible to go back to section 1). WARNING FOR ONSITE EXAM: the section 2) will be evaluated only if a minimum score is obtained in the section 1), which is the 20%, i.e. 2.4. For online exam, for the two open questions of section 2) it is possible to write text as a part of the answer, but it is expected that students upload pictures of their papers (use a black pen with thick tip, only one side per sheet) to show the complete procedure and the results. These pictures have to be taken using the integrated webcam. Within 30 minutes from the end of the examination, students have to upload high resolution images of their papers in the section “Elaborati” on the web portal of the course. A single file in pdf format has to be uploaded that is named as “SURNAME_NAME_STUDENT-ID_DATE”. The evaluation is based on the correctness of the results and on the capability of designing the data acquisition system according to the measurement requirements. The evaluation of the laboratory reports (max score 6), which are based on the completeness of the information and the correct metrological approach, will be summed to the evaluation of the written test (max score 27), thus obtaining the final grade.