Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (GTU)

Competency-focused Outcome-based Green Curriculum-2023 (COGC-2023)
Semester- V
Course Title: Virtual Instrumentation
(Course Code: 4351705)

Diploma program in which this course is offered Semester in which

offered
Instrumentation and Control Engineering Fifth

1. RATIONALE

The course provides introduction to virtual instrumentation. Using virtual instrumentation the
students can design and analyze various circuits and control systems. This course has been
designed so that students can familiarize with various simulation software tools to build and
simulate the different types of Electronics and Control Systems.
.
2. COMPETENCY (‘Program Outcome’ according to NBA Terminology)

The course content should be taught and implemented with the aim to develop different
types of skills so that students are able to acquire following competency:

 Apply concepts of virtual instrumentation in different applications

3. COURSE OUTCOMES (COs)

The practical exercises, the underpinning knowledge and the relevant soft skills associated with
this competency are to be developed in the student to display the following COs:

a) CO1: Define virtual instrumentation concepts

b) CO2: Compare traditional and virtual instrumentation.
c) CO3: Describe data acquisition system for virtual instrumentation
d) CO4. Simulate different electronic and control system using virtual instrumentation
environment
e) CO5: Apply Virtual Instrumentation techniques for Environment Sustainability.

4. TEACHING AND EXAMINATION SCHEME

Teaching Scheme Total Credits Examination Scheme

(In Hours) (L+T+P/2) Theory Marks Practical Marks Total
L T P C CA ESE CA ESE Marks
3 0 2 4 30* 70 25 25 150

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

(*): Out of 30 marks under the theory CA, 10 marks are for assessment of the micro-project to
facilitate integration of COs and the remaining 20 marks is the average of 2 tests to be taken during
the semester for the assessing the attainment of the cognitive domain UOs required for the
attainment of the COs.

Legends: L-Lecture; T – Tutorial/Teacher Guided Theory Practice; P - Practical; C – Credit, CA

- Continuous Assessment; ESE - End Semester Examination.

5. SUGGESTED PRACTICAL EXERCISES

The following practical outcomes (PrOs) are the subcomponents of the COs.

Approx
Sr. Unit . Hrs.
Practical Outcomes (PrOs)
No. No. require
d
Install circuit Simulating and Analyzing software and
1 familiarize with the system requirements and essential
1 02
features/specifications of the software in use.

2 Introduction To Basic of Prosim/PSpice/Multisim software

1 02
3 Install LabVIEW software with necessary component
2 02
4 Introduction To LabVIEW environment
2 02
.
5 Simulate a VI for LED on-off using switch
2 02
To perform Boolean operations using virtual instrumentation
6 software 2 02

7 Generate first N Numbers using virtual instrumentation software

1 02
Perform basic arithmetic operations using virtual
8 instrumentation software 1 02
.
9 Determine poles and zeros of given first order transfer function
1 02
10 Determine root locus of given first order transfer function
1 02
Study different system Toolbox in virtual instrumentation
11 software 1 02

12 Simulate basic half-wave rectifier and plot its output

1 02
13 Simulate basic full-wave rectifier and plot its output
1 02

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

Approx
Sr. Unit . Hrs.
Practical Outcomes (PrOs)
No. No. require
d
14 Create mathshcript to find solution in virtual instrumentation
1 02
software
15 Simulate for loop for a given example 1 02
16 Simulate while loop for a given example 2 02
17 Generate square wave using virtual instrumentation software 2 02
18 Generate triangular wave using virtual instrumentation
2 02
software.
19 Create data acquisition system for temperature measurement
3 02
using virtual instrumentation environment
20 Compare PC based system and PXI system. 3 02
21 Develop program to find out frequency of a given signal. 3 02

Note

i. More Practical Exercises can be designed and offered by the respective course teacher
to develop the industry relevant skills/outcomes to match the COs. The above table is
only a suggestive list.
ii. The following are some sample ‘Process’ and ‘Product’ related skills (more may be
added/deleted depending on the course) that occur in the above listed Practical
Exercises of this course required which are embedded in the COs and ultimately the
competency.

Sr.
Sample Performance Indicators for the PrOs Weightage in %
No.
1 Ability to Identify and solve engineering problems 20

2 Ability to Prepare experimental setup 20

3 Ability to Conduct the experiment 20

4 Ability to Record observations correctly 20

5 Ability to Interpret the result and conclude 20

Total 100

6. MAJOR EQUIPMENT/ INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED

This major equipment with broad specifications for the Pros is a guide to procure them
by the administrators to usher in uniformity of practical in all institutions across the state.

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

Sr.
Equipment Name with Broad Specifications.
No.
1 Computer with Prosim/PSpice/Multisim software.
.
2 Computer with Matlab /Scilab software.

3 Computer with LabVIEW software.

7. AFFECTIVE DOMAIN OUTCOMES

The following sample Affective Domain Outcomes (ADOs) are embedded in many of the
above-mentioned COs and Pros More could be added to fulfil the development of this
competency.

a. Positively Influence others as a leader/a team member.

b. Meet the expectations of your superior/teacher/guide.
c. Cooperate your team mates and colleagues.
d. Help worker/staff/personnel nearby you.
e. Obey your higher officials/trainers/guide/manager.
f. Respect more experienced persons in your field.
g. Aid new comers/new joinees in your field.
h. Empathize your coworkers.
i. Tolerate the unpleasant and extreme environment conditions in the field.
j. Follow safety practices while using electrical appliances.
k. Practice environmentally friendly methods and processes. (Environment related)

The ADOs are best developed through the laboratory/field-based exercises. Moreover, the
level of achievement of the ADOs according to Krathwohl’s ‘Affective Domain Taxonomy’
should gradually increase as planned below:

i. ‘Valuing Level’ in 1st year

ii. ‘Organization Level’ in 2nd year.
iii. ‘Characterization Level’ in 3rd year.

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

8. UNDERPINNING THEORY

Only the major Underpinning Theory is formulated as higher level UOs of Revised
Bloom’s taxonomy in order development of the COs and competency is not missed out by the
students and teachers. If required, more such higher level UOs could be included by the
course teacher to focus on attainment of COs and competency.

Unit Major Learning Outcomes Topics and Sub-topics

(‘Course Outcomes’ in
Cognitive Domain according
to NBA terminology)
Unit-I 1a Introduction to virtual 1.1 Historical perspective of virtual
Introduction to instrumentation instrumentation
Virtual 1b Compare virtual Basics of Virtual instrumentation
Instrumentation
instrumentation and traditional 1.2 Block diagram and Architecture of Virtual
instrumentation Instrumentation
1c Role virtual instrumentation 1.3 Data flow techniques in virtual
in real-time world instrumentation
1.4 Compare virtual instrumentation and
traditional instrumentation
1.5 Application of virtual instrumentation in
real-time world
1.6 Role of hardware in virtual instrumentation
1.7 Role of software in virtual instrumentation
1.8 basic concepts of graphical system design
model

Unit-II 2a Basics of Graphical User 2.1 VI programming techniques VIs and sub-
Programming Programming (GUI) VIs,
techniques in 2.2 Basics of Loops and charts
Virtual
Instrumentation 2b Compare conventional 2.3 Basics of Arrays, graphs
environment programming and GUI based 2.4 Case and sequence structures, formula
programming nodes, local and global variables, string and file
I/O, math script.
2e Prepare basic program in
virtual instrumentation software

2f compare graphical
programming and text based
programming

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

Unit Major Learning Outcomes Topics and Sub-topics

(‘Course Outcomes’ in
Cognitive Domain according
to NBA terminology)
Unit III 3a Introduction to Data 3.1 Explain concept of Data acquisition
Elements Of acquisition system system
Data
Acquisition in 3b Selection criteria of hardware 3.2Enlist and explain Selection criteria of
virtual for data acquisition system hardware for data acquisition system
instrumentation 3c Basics of ADC, DAC, DIO 3.3Describe Basics of ADC, DAC, DIO
environment 3d Basics of Counters and 3.4Describe Basics of Counters and timers
timers 3.5Describe concept RS232/ RS485 module
3e Timing, Interrupts; RS232C/
RS485

Unit – IV 4aPC architecture, current 4.1PC architecture, current trends, operating

Operating trends, operating system system requirements,
System And requirements, 4.2 Explain PC based instrumentation,
Hardware
Overview 4b PC based instrumentation, 4.3Interface requirement for virtual
4c Interface requirement for instrumentation
virtual instrumentation 4.4Basics of analog and digital interfaces
4d Basics of analog and digital 4.5Compare PC based and PXI based system
interfaces
4e Compare PC based and PXI
based system

Unit – V 5aAdvantage of virtual 5.1 Advantage of virtual instrumentation for

Virtual instrumentation for environment environment sustainability
Instrumentation sustainability 5.2 Role of virtual instrumentation in
for
Environment 5b Role of virtual environment conservation
Sustainability instrumentation in environment 5.3 measurement and plotting of environment
conservation parameter in VI environment
5c measurement and plotting of
environment parameter in VI
environment

Note:
The UOs need to be formulated at the ‘Application Level’ and above of Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy’
to accelerate the attainment of the COs and the competency.

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

9. SUGGESTED SPECIFICATION TABLE FOR QUESTION PAPER DESIGN

Distribution of Theory Marks

Teaching
Unit Unit Title R U A Total
Hours
Level Level Level Marks
I Introduction to Virtual 12 18
4 6 2
Instrumentation
II Programming Techniques in 16
Virtual Instrumentation 10 1 4 5
Environment
III Elements of Data Acquisition in 16
virtual instrumentation 8 1 3 4
environment
IV Operating System And Hardware 12
Overview 1 3 4
8
V Virtual Instrumentation For 08
Environment Sustainability 1 2 1
4

Total 42 8 18 16 70

Legends: R = Remember; U = Understand; A = Apply and above levels (Bloom’s revised

taxonomy)

Note: This specification table shall be treated as a general guideline for students and teachers. The
actual distribution of marks in the question paper may vary slightly from above table.

10. SUGGESTED LIST OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Other than the classroom and laboratory learning, following are the suggested student
related co-curricular activities which can be undertaken to accelerate the attainment of the
various outcomes in this course: Students should conduct following activities in group and
prepare reports of about 5 pages for each activity, also collect/record physical evidences for
their (student’s) portfolio which will be useful for their placement interviews:

A. Industrial visit for students in order to have an exposure to the real-world environment
B. A workshop/seminar where students can have interaction with industry personnel.
C. Simulate different system and generate output
D. Model preparation. E.g. prepare model of heated type air dryer.
E. Present a seminar on any one technical topic.

11. SUGGESTED SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES (if any)

i. Display of animation videos of industrial loops.

ii. Arrange industrial visit to nearby process industry.

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

iii. Compliment student for his/her work done during the practical in order to motivate
him/her by student and Instruct him/her remedies to improve his work if required.
iv. Arrange expert lectures of instrumentation engineers working in process industries.
v. Utilize Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to teach various topics/sub-topics.
vi. Research through net i.e. internet based home assignments.
vii. Assign preparation of mini projects.
viii. Guide students to focus on energy savings in industry and home.
ix. Guide students on how to address issues on environment and sustainability.

12. SUGGESTED MICRO-PROJECTS

Only one micro-project is planned to be undertaken by a student that needs to be

assigned to him/her at the beginning of the semester. In the first four semesters, the micro-
project are group-based. However, in the fifth and sixth semesters, it should be preferably be
individually undertaken to build up the skill and confidence in every student to become problem
solver so that he/she contributes to the projects of the industry. In special situations where
groups have to be formed for micro-projects, the number of students in the group should not
exceed three.
The micro-project could be industry application based, internet-based, workshop-
based, laboratory-based or field-based. Each micro-project should encompass two or more COs
which are in fact an integration of PrOs, UOs and ADOs. Each student will have to maintain a
dated work diary consisting of individual contributions in the project work and give a seminar
presentation of it before submission. The total duration of the micro-project should not be less
than 16 (sixteen) student engagement hours during the course. The student ought to submit a
micro-project by the end of the semester to develop the industry-oriented COs.
A suggestive list of micro-projects is given here. This has to match the competency and
the COs. Similar micro-projects could be added by the concerned course teacher:

a) Make a working virtual circuit of rectifier

b) Make a working virtual circuit of AC-dc power supply.
c) Make a working virtual circuit of filter, amplifier base on respective branch subject.
d) Make a virtual model of first order plant system in scilab.
e) Make a working model of P-controller of the first order plant system.
f) Make a project of calculator in LabVIEW.
g) Make a project of Boolean gates in LabVIEW.
h) Water level detection with LabVIEW. ...
i) Temperature sensing with LabVIEW. ...
j) Temperature conversion with LabVIEW. ...
k) Quadratic roots calculation with LabVIEW. ...
l) Measuring and controlling temperature with LabVIEW. ...
m) Speech recognition with LabVIEW. ...
n) Home automation with energy Gentrification simulation in LabVIEW

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

13. SUGGESTED LEARNING RESOURCES

Sr.
Title of Books Author Publication
No.
JOVITHA
1 Virtual Instrumentation Using Labview PHI Learning
JEROME ·
Ronald L.
A Guide To Matlab: For Lipsman, Cambridge University
2 Beginners And Experienced Jonathan Press
Users Rosenberg

Modelling And Simulation In Stephen L.

Springer
3 Scilab/Scicos Campbell

14. List of Software/Learning Websites

 MATLAB,
 SCILAB
 Prosim
 PSpice
 LabVIEW
 www.mathworks.in
 www.ni.com

15. PO-COMPETENCY-CO MAPPING

Semester V Applied Instrumentation- (Course Code: 4351701)

POs
PO 1 PO 2 PO 3 PO 4 PO 5 PO 6 PO 7
Basic Probl Design/ Engineerin Engineerin Project Life-
& em develop- g Tools, g practices Manage- long
Discipli Analy ment of Experimen for society, ment learnin
Competency ne sis solutions -tation & sustainabili g
& Course Outcomes specific Testing ty &
knowle environmen
dge t

Competency To maintain industrial processes.

CO1:
Define virtual
2 1 - 1 1 - 1
instrumentation
concepts

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Virtual Instrumentation Course Code: 4351705

CO2:
Compare traditional
2 1 1 1 1 1 1
and virtual
instrumentation
CO3:
Describe data
acquisition system 1 2 2 2 2 1 2
for virtual
instrumentation
CO4:
Simulate different
electronic and
control system using 2 1 1 2 1 2 1
virtual
instrumentation
environment
CO5: Application of
Virtual
Instrumentation for 2 1 1 2 2 1 1
Environment
Sustainability
Legend: ‘3’ for high, ‘2’ for medium, ‘1’ for low or ‘-’ for the relevant correlation of each
competency, CO, with PO/ PSO

16. COURSE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Member – Board of Studies (GTU), Electrical and Allied branches

Prof. Suresh Z. Shyara, IC Engineering, AVPTI, Rajkot.
Prof. Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya, IC Engineering, Government Polytechnic, Palanpur.

GTU Resource Persons

Prof. A. K. Bula, IC Engineering, Government Polytechnic, Gandhinagar.

Prof. V. A. Chauhan, IC Engineering, Government Polytechnic, Palanpur.
Prof. S. V. Gandhi, IC Engineering, Government Polytechnic, Ahmedabad.

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