Instrumentation: Theory and Practice Part II

Book excerpt: The use of sensors and instrumentation for measuring and control is growing at a very rapid rate in all facets of life in today's world. This Part II of Instrumentation: Theory and Practice is designed to provide the reader with essential knowledge regarding a broad spectrum of sensors and transducers and their applications. This textbook is intended for use as an introductory one-semester course at the junior level of an undergraduate program. It is also very relevant for technicians, engineers, and researchers who had no formal training in instrumentation and wish to engage in experimental measurements. The prerequisites are: a basic knowledge of multivariable calculus, introductory physics, college algebra, and a familiarity with basic electrical circuits and components. This book emphasizes the use of simplified electrical circuits to convert the change in the measured physical variable into a voltage output signal. In each chapter, relevant sensors and their operation are presented and discussed at a fundamental level and are integrated with the essential mathematical theory in a simplified form. The book is richly illustrated with colored figures and images. End-of-chapter examples and problems complement the text in a simple and straight forward manner.