EE 205 Introduction to Signal Conditioning
Title: Introduction to Signal Conditioning
Credits: 4
UW Course Catalog Description
Coordinator: Alexander Mamishev, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Goals: To introduce basic electrical engineering concepts used in the connection of sensors to
digital systems, acting as a first course in Electrical Engineering for non-EE majors. To learn the
basic elements of circuits, including wires, resistors, capacitors, inductors, independent and
dependent voltage and current sources, and operational amplifiers. To prepare students to deal
with sensor I/O in digital system courses.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Describe the role of signal conditioning in digital systems.
• Design voltage divider circuits to attenuate voltage signals for digital input.
• Design simple op amp circuits to amplify sensor outputs, including saturation and slew
rate considerations.
• Describe techniques to deal with noisy sensors.
• Design simple high pass and low pass passive and active filters.
• Acquire and analyze analog signals in Matlab.
• Analyze simple circuits using PSpice.
• Determine the sample rates necessary for signals with specific frequency content and
describe the effects of improper sample rates.
• Design anti-aliasing filters.
• Explain analog transmission line effects on digital signals.
• Design terminations for digital signal lines.
• Describe the importance of isolation.
• Design isolation methods.
• Sketch a simple control system block diagram and explain its basic operation.
Textbook: Horowitz and Hill, The Art of Electronics, 3rd Ed., Cambridge University Press, 2015,
ISBN-13: 978-0521809269.
Reference Texts:
• Pallas-Areny and Webster, Sensors and Signal Conditioning, 2nd Ed., John Wiley &
Sons, 2001.
• Hayes and Horowitz, Learning the Art of Electronics: A Hands-On Lab Course, 2016,
ISBN-13:978-0521177238.
• Nilsson and Riedel, Electric Circuits, 11th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2011.
Prerequisites by Topic:
• Fundamental physics (PHYS 122), including concepts of power, energy, force, electric
current, and electric fields
• Fundamental mathematics (MATH 126), trigonometric and (complex) exponential
functions, introductory differential and integral calculus, first and second order linear
differential equations
137 of 291
Topics:
• Sensors, signals, A/D conversion, signal conditioning paradigm, voltage, current.
• Attenuation, Ohm's Law, resistance, voltage divider, resistor precision, power dissipation.
• Amplification, ideal op amps, inverting amplifier, non-inverting amplifier, saturation,
slew rate, bandwidth, impedance matching.
• Strain gauges, noise, frequency domain, filtering, FFT, low pass passive filter design,
PSpice.
• High pass passive filters, phase angle, active filters.
• Aliasing, Nyquist limit, anti-aliasing filters, sample and hold.
• Digital signals and transmission lines; attenuation, ringing, termination, cross talk.
ABET Student Outcome Coverage: This course addresses the following outcomes:
H = high relevance, M = medium relevance, L = low relevance to course.
(1)An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying
principles of engineering, science, and mathematics (H) The homework, exams and laboratories
require direct application of mathematical, scientific, and engineering knowledge to solve circuit
theory problems and analyze, design and test signal conditioning circuits.
(3) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences (M) Students are required to
write and submit a formal laboratory report for each experiment describing the circuits used and
the results achieved.
(4) An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and
make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global,
economic, environmental, and societal contexts (M) Several examples in the lectures are based
on well known books and movies, based on which different engineering methods are solutions
are considered. An ensuing discussion includes comparison of pluses and minuses of different
approaches.
(5) An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership,
create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet
objectives (M) Laboratory work is carried out in teams of typically three students.
(6) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data,
and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions (M) Students conduct simple signal
conditioning experiments using personal multimeters, a breadboard and a parts kit, and a PC-
based oscilloscope. The experiments require student to account for differences between
measured data and predictions. Some freedom of experiment design is provided.
(7) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning
strategies (M) Course materials draw on a mix of books, slides, web entries, live demonstrations,
software demonstrations, and recorded lectures. Learning approaches include group and
individual discussions, review of materials, verification of validity of web-based information,
and estimation of the realism of the solutions.
Prepared By: Alex Mamishev (earlier version by Rich Christie)
Last Revised: March 18, 2019
138 of 291
