After successful completion of the course, students are able to understand the underlying problems in the recording of the respective measurand and the solution approaches involved in the most diverse and quite complementary areas of sensor technology.Furthermore, they will have learned special features of acoustic sensors and acoustic perception.

After completing the exercise, students will be able to work with a lock-in amplifier, understand various electrical noise mechanisms, and optimize the anti theft system.

The lecture presents a survey of the most important sensors  and of new sensor developments: Sensors for mechanical quantities, chemical sensors, magnetic sensors. The various sensors are discussed with respect to their function, technology and possible applications. The lecture refers to the actual state of the art of microelectronic sensor technologies. The course consists of a lecture part and a practical part.

 Lecture Part:

1. Introduction
2. (Strain sensing: Represents the starting point for essential sensing principles.)
3. Acoustic sensors: human perception, microphones, MEMS, acoustic camera
4. Ion sensing: from simple ion sensors to the sensor chip with the highest number of sensors currently available
5. Magnetic field sensors: they hold a front position with respect to new applications and are therefore indispensable.
6. E-field sensors: measurement problems and sensing principles
7. Wireless sensors: Although still few applications at present, this field is considered to hold great promise for the future. An interesting example is department store anti-theft systems.
8. Lock-in amplifier: indispensable (!) measuring device in sensor development
9. Interferences: Essential approaches are offered here in order to be able to deal with the conceivable interferences.

Exercise part:

1.  Lock-in amplifier
2.  Anti-theft device

Note:
For students interested in the field of sensor technology, please also refer to the lecture 366.093 Micro- and Nanofluidics, which deals with the current developments in the field of processing and analysis of smallest amounts of liquids. This field in particular is expected to lead to major technical developments, the benefits of which will be felt above all in the field of medical devices and life sciences.

Lecture and laboratory exercise

Appointments for the exercise part will be made during the lecture.

Examination and protocol

Written exam at the end of the semester or oral exam by appointment.
For appointment request email to franz.keplinger@auwien.ac.at, appointment then usually within a few days.

Script (files)