Fundamentals of Measurement

Measuring, analyzing, and displaying indicators of a system’s operation are vital in order for an engineer to optimize its performance. But the analysis of even the simplest system can require measurement of many parameters, some analog, others digital, some transient, others that change very slowly. This Fundamentals course provides a basic introduction to a PC-based measurement system by describing the purpose and selection of its key elements. Sensors, signal conditioning, data acquisition (DAQ), computer hardware, and software are covered. A description of the difference between analog and digital signals, and the way they are measured, is also included. Finally, a simple example of a shaft rotation speed measurement is included to explain how the elements of a measurement systems work together.

Presented by: Steven Keeping, Technology Analyst
Steven Keeping is a qualified engineer who worked in the electronics divisions of Eurotherm and then BOC for seven years before joining Electronic Production magazine in 1993. Steven then spent 13 years in senior editorial and publishing roles on electronics manufacturing and design titles for Trinity Mirror, CMP and RBI in the U.K. and Australia. In 2006, Steven became a freelance journalist specializing in electronics. He is based in Sydney.