cookieImage
2025-2026 / GERE0036-1

Instrumentation: sensors and signals

Duration

24h Th, 24h Pr

Number of credits

 Bachelor in bioengineering4 crédits 

Lecturer

Benoît Mercatoris

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Instrumentation is the discipline that studies data acquisition and processing systems. Instrumentation plays a major role in characterising biosystems and enables the dynamics of these systems to be monitored and analysed in a reliable, robust and non-invasive manner. Beyond this discipline, the data collected in this way contributes to decision support systems and optimises the management of biosystems.

This course covers the basic principles of measurement science (metrology), including the control of measurement uncertainties. The course focuses on the main components of a data acquisition system (from the sensor to analogue-to-digital conversion) and on basic signal processing methods (frequency analysis, filtering, etc.). Part of the course is devoted to the presentation of instruments for measuring various common physical quantities (temperature, humidity, position, etc.) in a non-exhaustive manner. The physical principles of the associated sensors and the main technical characteristics of the instruments are discussed.

Throughout the course, particular attention is paid to the evolution of measurement science and technological advances over time (epistemology).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course, the student is expected to:

  • Understand the different characteristics of sensors;
  • Analyse uncertainties in measurement;
  • Know about basic concepts in signal treatment;
  • Acquire a synthetic view of an acquisition chain and of its different elements;
  • Understand the physical principles of sensors;
  • Understand the main data acquistion systems used in the study of biosystems.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The fundamental knowledge in mathematics (series expansion, differentiation, integration, logarithms, complex numbers) and electricity (Ohm's law, passive RLC components) are recommended.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The training includes a theoretical component as well as practical application through exercises and laboratory work.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Participation in practical sessions is compulsory.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

The course is given in French and the materials are in English.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

Out-of-session test(s)


Further information:

For each session, a written exam without notes is organised in French and includes a theoretical part for knowledge assessment and a practical part for know-how assessment.

The basic knowledge required for the good proceedings of the practical sessions are assessed through online tests before each session. The marking of the tests is based on a bonus-penalty system taken into consideration only for the first session.

Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory. A penalty will be applied in the event of unjustified absence.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Prof B. MERCATORIS
Biosystems Dynamics and Exchanges (BIODYNE)
Building 2 (GR) ; Office 2-0-7 ; Tel +32 81 62 21 98
benoit.mercatoris@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs