ASC3626

Computer control and instrumentation

Mr Brian McEniery

New introduction in 1999

4 points
* First semester
* On-campus: 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorial/practical work per week
* Gippsland/Distance
* Pre-requisites: PHS1616, ASC2626
* Prohibition: GAS3382
* Note: Distance students complete laboratory exercises at a compulsory residential school during semester.

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, a student will able to add, subtract and convert between binary, hexadecimal and decimal number systems; write and describe the operation of simple assembly language programs; describe the functions of the principal components on a computer system; discuss the principal features of the bus systems within a personal computer and the communication methods used with external peripherals; describe the principal features of the IEEE-488.2 Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation; classify sensors and describe typical types used for temperature, light and pressure measurement; describe the types of data acquisition and control boards available for PCs and their principal selection parameters; program computers to acquire and analyse data from sensors and other equipment using a high level programming language and graphical interface programming techniques.

Synopsis This subject develops an understanding of the use of personal computers for data acquisition and for the control of instruments or simple processes. Number systems and assembly language programming used in computers are introduced. Computer architecture, internal bus systems and communication between computers and instruments form a substantive component of the subject. Laboratory work is designed to complement the theory with students using modern data acquisition and control software packages.

Assessment Final examination: 60%
* Assignments: 10%
* Practical work: 30%

Prescribed texts

Rigby W H and Dalby T L Computer interfacing Prentice-Hall, 1995

Recommended texts

PC instrumentation for the 90s Boston Technical Books, 1994