This course provides students with experience in developing microcontroller-based instrumentation for aerospace applications, with particular emphasis on measurement of fluid quantities, including temperature, velocity and species concentration. Students are introduced by practical activities to various transducer types, signal conditioning and noise and integration of sensors into avionic systems used for control and sensing in aerospace environments. The course also provides experience in register-level microcontroller programming and communication protocols typically used in sensor applications.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and select an appropriate sensor design from a selected range of methods for making measurements of a given physical quantity
- choose the best instrumentation methodology to be used for a given Aerospace application from this range of methods
- work in a group and individually to design and implement microcontroller-based aerospace measurement systems, based upon reading of technical data for the sensor and the microcontroller
- explain the function of modern avionics systems and how they work as an interface between pilot and aircraft
- calculate the uncertainties in measurement systems and implement means of preventing or circumventing them
- communicate the measurement process and results in an appropriate report, and verbally through an oral examination
Other Information
Manuals and data sheets for the STM32F4 microcontrollers that will be used in the labs will be provided for students. Links to freely available information on programming will also be included.
Indicative Assessment
- Homework problems (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Design project demonstration and report (30) [LO 3,5,6]
- Labs (20) [LO 3,5,6]
- Prac exam (10) [LO 1,2,6]
- Oral exam (30) [LO 1,2,4,5,6]
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Workload
130 hours per semester consisting of the following activities:
· 12 x 2-hour lectures, 6 x 3-hour computer labs, 1 x 40 hour design project, 1 x 3 hour prac exam, 2 homework assignments requiring 2 hours work each.
· 41 hours self-study which will include preparation for labs and other assessment tasks, and study for exams
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Bentley, J. P. (2005). Principles of measurement systems. Pearson education, ISBN 978-0130430281
Preliminary Reading
Collinson, R. P. (2023). Introduction to avionics systems. Springer Nature, ISBN 978-3031292170
Fraden, J. (2016). Handbook of modern sensors: physics, designs, and applications Fifth Edition. New York: Springer, ISBN 978-3319193038
Rather, E. D., & Conklin, E. K. (2007). Forth Programmer's Handbook, ISBN 978-1419675492
Assumed Knowledge
Basic programming and breadboard-based construction are assumed. Students should be able to convert between binary, decimal and hexadecimal numbers.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $5520 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8999 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |