Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will understand a range of applied measurement methods involving both analog and digital instrumentation; obtain a sound theoretical grounding in each of the theory units; complete a number of experiments related to the theory section of the course in acoustics, optics, instrument applications and telecommunication physics; gain an appreciation of the associated instrumentation and calibration and measurement techniques and to know the limitations of such instruments.
Synopsis This subject provides students with a background in physical instrumentation and monitoring. It consists of four units. One unit, `Optics', is common with PHS2022. The other three units are: (1) Telecommunication physics: An overview of the devices, circuits and systems relevant to modern telecommunications including cellular radio, data communications, microwave, satellite and optical delivery. (2) Acoustics: The acoustic particle, acoustic impedance. Spherical, plane and standing waves. Transmission and reflection from a boundary. Microphones and their properties. Acoustic instruments, features and applications. Noise measurements. (3) Instrument applications: Analog and digital instruments, bandwidth, averaging and sampling. Convolution and instrument functions. Nuclear detectors: photon detectors, scintillators, photomultipliers, solid state detectors, ionisation and proportional counters. The rate meter.
Assessment Examinations (4 x 1.5 hours): 67% + Laboratory work: 33%