Each module contains 3 ECTS. You choose a total of 10 modules/30 ECTS in the following module categories:
- 12-15 ECTS in technical scientific modules (TSM)
TSM modules teach profile-specific specialist skills and supplement the decentralised specialisation modules. - 9-12 ECTS in fundamental theoretical principles modules (FTP)
FTP modules deal with theoretical fundamentals such as higher mathematics, physics, information theory, chemistry, etc. They will teach more detailed, abstract scientific knowledge and help you to bridge the gap between abstraction and application that is so important for innovation. - 6-9 ECTS in context modules (CM)
CM modules will impart additional skills in areas such as technology management, business administration, communication, project management, patent law, contract law, etc.
In the module description (download pdf) you find the entire language information per module divided into the following categories:
- instruction
- documentation
- examination
Sensors can be defined as smart sensors in three different manners: (a) the use of a smart design to obtain immunity from various parameters of influences in the targeted application, (b) the integration or embedding of a readout circuit and possibly also of a microcontroler in the same package or on the same substrate, (c) smart regarding its configuration and data analysis method allowing the observation of complex phenomenon (e.g. sensor fusion, sensor network).
The objective of this module is to complement the student with knowledge on modern sensor solutions that do already allow their integration in numerous key application, with its miniaturization, its reduction of costs and the improvement of its performances.
Prerequisites
This module is aimed for students having already acquired fundamentals knowledge and experience in measuring systems, in sensors with basic physical working principles, including as well basic electronic circuits (Wheatstone bridge, differential operational amplifier, oscillators, analog filters). Notions of MEMS are welcome.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, the student will be able :
- To explain basic design principles allowing the enhancement of the performances (noise reduction, increased sensitivity, linearization,...)
- To analyse the various stages of smart sensing systems, comprising the analog blocks, the mixed signal blocks, the digital blocks, and to explain the main types of digital signals used as well as to identify basic signal havesting and conditioning methods for its data transmission.
- To identify and explain differences between “analog” and “digital” design and the implications of “mixed-signal” design on the same substrate
- To design solution involving autonomous smart sensors
- To explain the interest of advanced sensor signal or data processing methods for sensing performance optimization
Contents of Module
As red thread for this modules, the examples of sensors in smartphone and smart watched will be used.
The content of this module will include:
- Important principles for smart sensors for reduction of parasitic effects (2/14)
- Electronic building blocks and Signal processing chain (4/14)
- Calibration principles (1/14)
- Examples of MEMS and CMOS sensors (for example: Accelerometers, Gyroscope, Compass, TOF,…) (4/14)
- Micropower generation (1/14)
- Sensors fusion and networks (2/14)
Teaching and Learning Methods
This course involves theoretical presentations and practical exercises
Literature
Lecture slides, references to internet resources and
books (e.g. Smart Sensor Systems: Emerging Technologies and Applications
Wiley
Gerard Meijer, Michiel Pertijs, Kofi Makinwa)
Download full module description
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