Overview
Week 8 at a Glance
Piezoresistive transducersPiezoelectric sensorsAbsolute vs. gauge pressureDifferential pressureDiaphragm sensorsManometers
Why it matters in practice. Pressure transducers are ubiquitous in HVAC, hydraulics, aerodynamics, medical devices, and process control. Selecting the wrong reference mode (absolute vs. gauge) or overlooking dynamic range requirements are common and costly design errors.
Objectives
What You Will Be Able to Do
Course objectives (CO) define program-level skills. Module objectives (MO) define specific weekly targets that build toward them.
Course Objectives (CO)
CO6: Select appropriate sensors; predict sensor output from calibration data; identify measurement error sources.
Module Objectives (MO) — Week 8
Explain the piezoresistive effect and analyze a diaphragm pressure sensor using Wheatstone bridge theory from Week 4.
CO6
CO6
Distinguish absolute, gauge, and differential pressure measurement and select the appropriate reference mode for a given application.
CO6
CO6
Explain the piezoelectric effect and identify applications where piezoelectric sensors are preferred over piezoresistive ones.
CO6
CO6
Analyze manometer and diaphragm sensor configurations and compute measured pressure from sensor output.
CO6
CO6
Review these objectives before you start each assignment. They map directly to what is assessed on the quiz, homework, and exams.
Suggested Learning Path
How to Work Through This Week
Follow this sequence. Each step prepares you for the next. Do not attempt graded work before completing the instructional material it depends on.
1
Read Alciatore Ch. 12
Focus on the piezoresistive derivation (connects to Week 4 bridge theory) and the absolute/gauge/differential distinction. This week connects heavily to concepts already established.
2
Attend Lecture — and review for Midterm 1
Lecture 1 covers piezoresistive pressure sensors. Lecture 2 covers piezoelectric sensors and manometers. Begin your Midterm 1 review using the Study Guide site this week.
3
Take Midterm 1
Midterm 1 covers Modules 1-2 content (Weeks 1-7). Review the Study Guide exam prep page and work through the practice problems before the exam.
Instructional Material
Required Readings, Videos, and Resources
Complete all required items before moving to graded activities. The Aligns to column maps each resource to the module objectives it directly supports.
| Resource | What You Will Gain | Aligns to | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Alciatore Ch. 12 — Pressure and Flow Measurement (pressure sections) |
Piezoresistive diaphragm analysis, piezoelectric charge amplifier circuits, absolute/gauge/differential reference modes, and manometer theory. | MO1-MO4 | 60 min |
| Explore Study Guide: Midterm 1 Exam Prep |
Practice problems and conceptual review for all Module 1-2 content. Work through all practice problems before the exam. | All | 2-3 hr review |
Graded Learning Activities
Assignments and Due Dates
All graded work is submitted through Canvas. Complete the listed prerequisites before attempting each assignment.
| Assignment | Prerequisites | What Is Assessed | Aligns to | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIDTERM 1 Week 8 |
Complete all Module 1-2 readings (Ch. 1-5, 10-12). Review the Study Guide Midterm 1 page. | Modules 1-2 content: measurement system performance, statistics, uncertainty analysis, signal conditioning, filters, DAQ, FFT, curve fitting, strain/temperature/pressure sensing. | CO1-CO6 | 100 pts |
Academic integrity. Midterm 1 is an individual assessment. All work must be your own. No collaboration, notes (unless open-note as stated by the instructor), or electronic aids beyond what is explicitly permitted on the exam cover sheet.