Instrumentation and Controls
Instrumentation measures physical quantities and controls turn measurements into action. This area covers sensors, data acquisition, and logic.
Sensors
Sensors convert physical quantities such as temperature, pressure, motion, and pH into electrical signals. Selecting a sensor requires matching its range, accuracy, and response time to the process being measured.
Data Acquisition and Sampling
Analog signals are digitized for processing. The Nyquist theorem requires a sampling rate greater than twice the highest signal frequency to avoid aliasing, where high frequencies masquerade as low ones. Filtering and amplification condition the signal first.
Logic and Control
Logic diagrams describe discrete on/off control decisions, while feedback controllers compare a measured value to a setpoint and act to reduce the error. These principles automate industrial and building systems.