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EL-32 June 5, 1997

[Filename: CMETER.DOC]

Capacitance Meter

Contributor: Tony King

Affiliation: University of HoustonAddress: Electrical and Computer Engineering

4800 Calhoun Rd.

Houston, TX 77204-4793

Phone: (713) 743-4423

Fax: (713) 743-4444

Email: tking@uh.edu

Type: Project

Student Time: Four Weeks

Location: Lab/Home

Summary

The project is to design a portable, hand held instrument to measure capacitance. The

meter should be lightweight, inexpensive, safe, reliable and accurate. Each team prepares

an oral and written report in conjunction with their prototype demonstration.

ABET Descriptors

Engr Sci Content: Electronics IIType: System

Elements: Analysis, synthesis, construction, testing and evaluation

Features: Development of student creativity, use of open-ended problems,

consideration of alternative solutions

Constraints: Economic factors, safety, reliability, performance, human factors

Effort: Team

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EL-32 June 5, 1997

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Capacitance Meter

Your assignment is to design, simulate and construct a portable, hand held instrument tomeasure capacitance. The meter should be lightweight, inexpensive, safe, reliable and

accurate. You must submit a design proposal, including simulation, for approval prior to

fabricating your prototype.

Your formal report should be well organized and conform to the guidelines distributed in

class [10%]. The report should include the following sections in addition to the abstract,

introduction and references:

Theory: What results do you anticipate? Perform the experiments mentally and

document your expectations (estimates, sketches, etc.). I recommenddoing this before setting foot in the lab. It can both enhance your

understanding of the project and save time. [25%]

Simulation: What were the simulation results? Include the circuit drawings and data

plots in your report. Create a folder named DP-(group name) containing

all your files and submit them electronically. [25%]

Experiment: What were the experimental results? Include experimental procedures,

circuit diagrams and data in tabular form. Data should also appear in

graphical form where appropriate. [25%]

Analysis: How do the experimental results compare with the simulation results and

your expectations? How do you account for any discepancies? [15%]

A signup sheet will be posted for reserving time to present projects to the instructor. The

written report must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to this presentation. After the

presentation, questions will be directed to each student to assess familiarity with the

project. Individual grades will be assigned based on these written and oral presentations.

You will have 30 minutes to present your project. You will be expected to come to the

presentation with a finished, working project. You will be given a set of capacitors in

order to test your prototype. If the project is not functioning properly, your grade will be

reduced accordingly.

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EL-32 June 5, 1997

[Filename: CMETER.DOC]

Capacitance Meter

Engineering Notes:

The instructor may wish to evaluate design proposals for safety prior to construction. The

instructor should also specify the minimum accuracy and operating range for the meter.

Allowing students to use a multimeter or oscilloscope can simplify the design.

Objectives/Comments:

Be prepared to discuss counters, comparators, signal generating circuits, bridge circuits,

etc.

Expected Outcomes:

Students have an opportunity to use electronics to solve an open-ended, economically

constrained design problem.

Discussion/Follow Up:

Allow the students to critique each others designs.