Engineering of Distributed Systems: Spring 2008 ModCon II: Measuring the world - spring 2010
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    ModCon II: Measuring the world - spring 2010

    Description

    Conducting experiments and making measurements is an essential part of all branches science and engineering. Nearly all of our current quantitative understanding of the natural world was born from experimental measurements. Models of systems are useless without experimental validation. Performance of engineered systems must always be measured and tested.

    In this course we will begin to learn some of the basic tools of making physical measurements and conducting experiments. We will learn to collect data, analyze data, conduct basic error analysis, and design an experimental system. We will learn about sensors and conduct labs with electrical, mechanical, and environmental measurements. We will set up basic computer based data acquistion systems and associated electronics. The software environment for the course will be LabView.

    This year represents a change from the old ModCon II course. This is essentially a completely new course.

    Meeting times

    The course meets
    Lab section 1, Mon, 3-5, AC126
    Lab section 2, Wed, 1-3, AC126
    Lab section 3, Thurs, 3-5, AC126
    All sections meet Wed, 10-11, in the auditorium

    Instructors

    Brian Storey
    Milas Hall 267
    Office hours, Tues 1-2:30 and Thurs 2-3 in lab.

    Erik Spjut
    Milas Hall 331

    Books

    Learning with Labview 2009, Bishop.

    Class format

    The first 8 weeks of the course will follow a weekly lab structure, similar to the first semester. The work will be individual and the lab objectives will, for the most part, be set for you. We will provide the essential equipment and sensors needed for each lab. A short report will be due one week from the date of the assignment.

    The second part of the course will be an open ended experimental design project. Working in teams of 4, you will design and conduct an experiment of your choosing. This semester all team projects will involve field work on Lake Waban in Wellesley. You will design a system that will make some measurement of the lakes environment (i.e. flow currents, temperature) or use the lake to test the behavior of water craft (i.e. RC boat performance).

    Jan 2010.