Qualifier Applications open for May 2026 term , Qualifier Exam Date : July 19, 2026

Qualifier Applications open for May 2026 term , Qualifier Exam Date : July 19, 2026

Diploma Level

Sensors Laboratory

by Prof. Boby George , Prof. Chinthaka G.

Course ID: EE3901

Course Credits: 3

Course Type: Laboratory

Pre-requisites: EE2901 -  Analog Electronics Laboratory

Co-requisites: EE3103 -   Sensors and Applications

Course structure & Assessments

The course aims to provide hands-on experience with various sensor technologies, including temperature sensors, optical sensors, and accelerometers, while emphasizing signal processing and microcontroller interfacing. Students will design experiments, implement electronic systems, and develop algorithms for sensor-based applications, preparing them for practical challenges in sensor integration and analysis. For details of standard course structure and assessments, visit Academics page.

Module 1 Temperature sensor based on (a) Resistive Temperature Detector (RTD), and (b) Thermistor.
Module 2 Linearization of Thermistor output, using (a) electronic circuit and (b) using a suitable algorithm
Module 3 Photoplethysmography (PPG): Obtain the PPG waveform at the red wavelength using a suitable optical source and detector, and electronic circuit. Digitize the signal using a microcontroller and transfer it to a PC using RS232/Bluetooth.
Module 4 In the PPG experiment, (a) Introduce a feedback mechanism to normalize the DC component of the signal across the users. (b) Write a program to filter the PPG wave to reduce the noise, estimate the heart rate (HR), and display it. Compare the HR with manual counting.
Module 5 Record acceleration data from a cell phone by keeping the cell phone in the pocket (a) while walking on a flat floor, (b) while climbing down a staircase, and (c) climbing up a staircase. Transfer the data to a PC, write an algorithm, and then create a program to detect these activities from the accelerometer data.
Module 6 Develop a microcontroller-based unit to measure capacitance using the timer, digital port, and comparator of it. Additional passive components can be used. Estimate the resolution and identify the source of errors. Demo its application as a non-contact touch switch
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About the Instructors

Prof. Boby George
Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras

Dr. Boby George received the M. Tech. and Ph. D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras. He is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras. His research areas include Sensor Interface Electronics, Electric and Magnetic field Based Sensors and their Applications, Sensor Systems for Water Quality and Quantity Monitoring, and Biomedical Instrumentation. He also serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Sensors Journal, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, and IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.

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Other courses by the same instructor: EE1101 - Electronic Systems Thinking and Circuits , EE3103 - Sensors and Applications and EE3104 - Electromagnetic Fields and Transmission Lines

Prof. Chinthaka G.
Professor, Department Of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras

View all Diploma Level courses