MEC6882 · Instrumentation, sensing and monitoring

Overview

Advanced instrumentation and sensing necessitate a multi-disciplinary approach in order to monitor engineering systems as diverse as renewable energy, aerospace, buildings, transportation, telecommunications and biomedical devices. The monitoring and assessment techniques are founded on the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and information technology. The unit covers the exploration of strategies for efficient instrumentation of engineering assets. You will use a range of sensing technologies to gather real-time information and use industry standard approaches to data analyses, characterisation, fault assessment and reporting methodologies at various stages of product design and product development. Data visualisation will also be discussed. The unit will explore frequency of monitoring in relation to the volume of data collected and strategies for data reduction.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 70% Final assessment: 30% Final grades: PGO (pass grade only) or NGO (fail) This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NGO).

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Identify and recognise the role of instrumentation and monitoring in the product design cycle.
2. Analyse examples and case studies including those from high-reliability industries.
3. Synthesise data from a range of instruments and sensors to report on performance against standards.
4. Appraise errors in the context of system monitoring.
5. Generate simulations of representative systems and analyse system performance.
6. Apply problem-solving techniques and analyse faults in terms of root cause analysis.
7. Conduct regular self-assessment and peer-assessment of individual and team performance as a primary means of tracking continuing professional development.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.