User:4JasonSingh/Strain Sensor Electronics

=Introduction= Sensors and transducers are ubiquitous in our daily lives. As an example consider the field of "Avionics". A commercial airplane uses different types of sensors to monitor physical and environmental conditions such as cabin pressure, altitude of aircraft, outside temperature and humidity, wind speed, roll, pitch and yaw, etc. Data obtained from these sensors are stored in a computer system in the airplane. Sensors and transducers of various kinds are used in diverse engineering and technology areas.

Electrical bridge circuits are often used with sensors and transducers in monitoring physical or environmental conditions of a system such as an aircraft, an automobile, etc. Data from sensors and transducers are processed to make a digital display of useful information. Recently the field of wireless sensor networks is very actively pursued in industry, government agencies and academia.

=Problem Description= The main goal of this project is to design an electrical bridge circuit and associated electronics to monitor bending strain of a thin aluminum or a steel plate.

=Conceive= Simple strain gauges can be used with an electrical bridge circuit. Both DC and AC measurements can be made with some electrical bridge circuits. Choose an appropriate electrical bridge circuit that can be used with strain gauges to measure bending strain of a thin metal plate under stress. Develop appropriate electronics to make improvements to electrical measurements with strain gauges and an electrical bridge circuit. Develop methods to perform analysis and display the data from electrical measurements of strain in a bent thin metal plate.

=Design= This project design can evolve from a simple design involving a strain gauge, an electrical bridge circuit and DC measurements to a higher level design that will involve more automation of measurements with analog signal to digital signal converter for easy digital display of strain measurement data.

=Implement=
 * 1) /Develop a block diagram for strain sensor electronic system and determine the scope of the project/
 * 2) /Develop a list of tasks/
 * 3) /Assign tasks among team members of project/
 * 4) /Parts list, Equipment list and Budget/
 * 5) /Prepare a schedule for hardware and software development and testing/
 * 6) /Milestones and Deliverables/
 * 7) /Develop a short proposal with an abstract for the project/
 * 8) /Prepare a design review documents (preliminary design review - PDR and critical design review - CDR and Power-point presentation slides)/

=Operate= Complete the tasks assigned to each team member of the project as per schedule decided between team members and class instructor. Record project work details in project notebook and prepare weekly progress report of the project and submit to class instructor. Evaluate progress on project with class instructor. Work systematically on project deliverables and achieving milestones of project.

=Demo= Each team is expected to prepare a presentation and demonstration of the project to general public who will attend the project day. =Next Steps=