(SEM III) THEORY EXAMINATION 2023-24 SENSOR & INSTRUMENTATION

This question paper is designed to evaluate a student’s understanding of Sensor and Instrumentation, covering the complete range of concepts required at the B.Tech (III Semester) level. The assessment is divided into three structured sections, each testing different levels of knowledge, from fundamental definitions to advanced applications in industrial and modern automation systems.

SECTION A 
The first section focuses on basic conceptual clarity, where students must briefly describe essential ideas such as sensors, transducers, thermistors, ADCs, strain gauges, software-based instruments, self-calibration features and more. These questions ensure that students understand the foundational terminology and can clearly differentiate between related concepts used in instrumentation.

SECTION B 
examines the student’s ability to explain, analyze, and apply sensor and instrumentation principles in greater detail. It includes comprehensive questions on thermocouples, sensor selection criteria, working principles of modern converters, counters, timers, virtual instrumentation concepts, and characteristics of smart sensors. Students are expected to demonstrate not only theoretical understanding but also the ability to relate these concepts to industrial applications.

SECTION C
contains application-oriented questions, where students must choose one question from each part. These include detailed explanations of physical sensors such as LVDTs, piezoelectric sensors, ultrasonic and laser flow sensors, Hall-effect sensors, DAC systems like R-2R ladder networks, and the structure and use of smart sensors in real-world technological systems, including robotics and automobile control. This section assesses the student’s capability to apply principles in analyzing practical instrumentation scenarios, interpreting block diagrams, and demonstrating the working mechanisms of modern measurement systems.

Overall, this paper thoroughly examines the student’s knowledge of sensor technology, signal conditioning, data acquisition systems, smart instrumentation, and practical measurement techniques, ensuring that they are prepared for advanced engineering applications and industrial automation challenges.