Instrumentation 1 is a foundation course in the principles of electronic circuit theory and the fundamental technologies & practical applications of sensors. The module aim is to equip learners with the basic theoretical and practical skills required to analyse and test low voltage direct current electrical circuits. It addresses topics such as Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's Laws, voltage, capacitance, inductance, semiconductors and the sensing of common parameters for system monitoring and control including temperature, pressure, light, and distance.

The ambition of the module is to equip the learner with the necessary knowledge and skills for further studies in electronics, mechatronics, and instrumentation.

1. Describe the atomic model, and understand the basic atomic structure of conductors, insulators and semiconductors

2. Define common electrical units, describe electrical terms, laws and relationships
3. Perform calculations of component values and electrical quantities
4. Describe the electrical characteristics and applicationsof semiconductors, diodes andLEDs.

5. Describe the principle of operation, construction, characteristics and use of a selection of components, including common sensors and actuators
6. Become familiar with taking measurements oncircuits using voltmeters, ammeters and ohmmeters and to record and analyse the results in reports.

This module will give the students an introduction to pneumatic/electro pneumatic and hydraulic systems.It will cover basic pneumatic and hydraulic components and their use in complete systems. The student will also become acquainted with standard pneumatic and hydraulic symbols in accordance with IEC standards and be able to use a software simulation package to draw and simulate practical circuits.

This module will also cover advanced pneumatic and electro pneumatic circuits including sequencing of pneumatic cylinders. The circuits will be build and simulated in software.

1. Describe the components of a compressed air and air treatment system.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of pneumatic circuit operation, including sequence control.

3. Apply the cascade method to solve pneumatic sequentialproblems involvingcascade groups andcylinders.

4. Demonstrate an understanding ofbasic hydraulic systems.

5. Design and simulate electro-pneumatic circuits to sequence cylinders.

6. Employ formulae to calculate flow rate, piston force, system pressure and piston size.

On completion of this module, the learner can expect to be proficient in the fundamental aspects of programming from both a theory and practical perspective. The learner can expect to be able to design and write short programs to solve straightforward and clearly defined engineering based problems. The concept of testing programs is introduced,

This module assumes no prior knowledge of programming.

1. Recognise, differenciate and use the structural (code) aspects of a program in various programming solutions
2. Recognise and select appropriate data (content) structures for various programming solutions
3. Demonstrate proficiency in programming using input/output variables, making decisions (if/else), use of loops and functions in various programming solutions.
4. Demonstrate proficiency with compiling, debugging and modifying simple programs of modular design using basic input/output techniques.
5. Identify suitable test data to test written programs and to assess the outcome of results of tests executed.

Instrumentation 2 builds on the core electronic circuit theory and sensor principles gained from the Instrumentation 1 module. It starts by introducing the learner to the concept of networks and the effects of loading. The module also considers the important specifications of sensors and gives an overview of basic control theory. 555 timers and signal conditioning such as transistor circuits, amplifier circuits, A/D and D/A conversion are also are analysed.

The ambition of the Instrumentation modules is to equip the learner with the necessary knowledge and skills for further studies in electronics, mechatronics, and instrumentation.

1. Describe the concept of measurement and control systems, explain associated terminology, and perform calculations on actual systems

2. Design interfacing circuits to switch/drive a DC load, using a transistor
3. Design and complete calculations on signal conditioning circuits involving opamps

4. Design timer circuits to provide timing pulses and delays, in mechatronics systems
5. Build, test and take measurements of signal conditioning circuits for sensors.

This module prepares the student for progression onto the degree level 7 mathematics. It reintroduces the ideas of differentiation from the basics up to partial differentiation and integration from the basics up to integration by parts. It also covers formula manipulation, the factor theorem, partial fractions and complex numbers. The course is designed so that real life situations are used to demonstrate where the techniques are used.

1. Be able to manipulate mathematical equations

2. Be able to graph linear, quadratic, exponential, log and trig functions

3. Use the factor theorem and remainder theorem

4. Find partial fractions

5. Differentiate using thechain rule, product ruleand quotient rule, findthe maxima and minima of functions

6. perform parametric, implicit differentiation and partial differentiation

7. perform integration by substitution and by parts

8. Calculate areas using integration

9. Apply De Moivre’s theorem to find the powers of complex numbers

In this module students will be introduced to the concept of PLCs and their implementation in automation systems. Students will learn how to program brick type and modular PLCs and learn PLC relevant concepts of signal processing.

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1. Apply sequential function chart (aka Grafcet or state-transition) methods to control sequential processes including selective and parallel branching techniques.
2. Use simple programminginstructions to include the use of applied instructions and register use.

3. Produce ladder logic to solve electro-pneumatic sequential problems involving the use of two cylinders.

4. Employspecific addressing configuration of an industry standard PLC and apply same to practical automation problems.

5. Create ladder logic to solve industrial problems using timers, counters and flip flops.

6. Demonstrate an understanding of structured text programming.

On completion, the learner will be able to design and implement a program-based control unit which will make decisions based on sensor input to drive actuators, e.g. Control unit detects temperature rise and display on an LCD. The module encourages self-directed learning and hardware development in the learner's own environment. An Arduino kit is needed for this module (K000007 Official Arduino Kit).

The learner will be exposed to small signal interfacing, controlling actuators such as different types of motors, using an LCD display, Internet communications between devices and data transmission.

1. Recall numbering systems (decimal, binary, hexadecimal) and to convert between them
2. Develop datatransmission programs based on a set of characters

3. Develop programs to control actuators based on interfacing via analog and digital methods toprescribed sensors using a variety of methods such as analog to digital conversion and pulse width modulation.

4. describe how IP packets are transmitted on the internet and outline the main elements of a network and the meaning of the IP packet header attributes.
5. Interface application programs to a given API with the corresponding documentation to implement automation solutions (e.g ArduinoAPI to control actuators based on sensor information)