Course detail

Special Sensors

FEKT-MPC-SPSAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course deals with the principles of the most widely used semiconductor, optoelectronic and fiber-optic sensors. Students will learn characteristic constructions of sensors, the basic technological processes in their production, typical characteristics, parameters, usage, applications and limitations of sensors. Emphasis is also placed on familiarization with types of output circuits, data processing and signal processing from the output of these sensors . There will be discussed also a requirements for smart sensors (eg. methods of diagnostics, calibration sensors) and MEMS sensors. Students will gain practical experience with selected semiconductor photoelectric sensors and fiber in the laboratory exercises.

The course focuses on the most commonly used principles of semiconductor, optoelectronic, and fiber-optic sensors. It covers the characteristic design of sensors, the basic technological processes involved in their manufacturing, their typical properties, parameters, applications, and limitations. Emphasis is also placed on understanding circuits for processing and conditioning the output signals from these sensors, as well as the requirements for intelligent sensors (e.g., methods of self-diagnostics and self-calibration of sensors) and MEMS sensors.

In laboratory exercises, students will gain practical experience with selected types of semiconductor sensors and with the design and implementation of measurement and control devices utilizing these sensors.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Stanislav Klusáček, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Control and Instrumentation (UAMT)

Entry knowledge

A student who enrolls in this course should be able to explain the basics of semiconductor physics and optics, list and describe the fundamental principles of physical quantity sensors, analyze and identify electronic circuits used in sensor technology and measurement systems, apply basic methods for measuring electrical quantities (voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance), and independently set up a measurement workstation with instruments such as an oscilloscope and function generator. They should also be capable of programming a basic application using virtual instrumentation tools (LabVIEW) for signal and data processing (MATLAB). Furthermore, the student should be proficient in microcontroller programming (in C/ASM), understand their general principles, architecture, functionality, and the characteristics of typical peripherals (UART, SPI, ADC, etc.).

The course builds on mandatory courses from the bachelor's degree programs BPC-MVE and BPC-SNI. The student should also possess sufficient language skills to comprehend study materials in English.

 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Laboratory exercises: 0–40 points. To obtain credit, students must attend laboratory exercises, complete all checkpoint tasks during the semester, demonstrate the functionality of the developed project solution, present it, and prepare and submit a final report.

The final exam is aimed at verifying the knowledge of the course. It has a mandatory written and an optional oral part. The written part of the final exam is 0 - 50 points, minimum 25 points. The oral part of the final examination 0 - 10 points.  


Definition of controlled education will be established by announcement published by course supervisor every year. Mandatory participation in laboratory exercises, in case of absence the exercise work can be supplemented with alternative exercise in same week or with a self-study of additional literature.

Aims

The goal of the course is to introduce and deepen students knowledge of selected types of semiconductor, photoelectric, fiber-optic, MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical), MOEMS (micro-opto-electro-mechanical) and intelligent sensors. Students will become familiar with their use in real applications, such as measurement, navigation, robotics, etc. The aim is to create an overview for students to understanding of the use of the relevant physical phenomena, measuring methods and concepts of these sensors.
The student will be able to explain the principles of semiconductor, optoelectronic and fiber-optic sensors, define the characteristics of intelligent sensors. He will be able to decide on the appropriate choice of the sensor for the particular application with respect to their characteristics and limitation. Student will be able to design circuits for signal processing from these sensors and perspectively also plan and implement a measurement chain in the real applications.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ĎAĎO, Stanislav a Marcel KREIDL. Senzory a měřicí obvody. Vyd. 2. Praha: Vydavatelství ČVUT, 1999. ISBN 80-01-02057-6. (CS)
GULDAN, Arnošt. Mikroelektronické senzory. Bratislava: Alfa, 1988. Pokroky v elektronike a elektrotechnike. (SK)
Handbook of silicon based mems materials and technologies. Third edition. Editor Markku TILLI, editor Markku TILLI, editor Mervi PAULASTO-KRÖCKEL, editor Matthias PETZOLD, editor Horst THEUSS, editor Teruaki MOTOOKA, editor Veikko LINDROOS. Amsterdam: Elsevier, [2020]. Micro and nano technologies series. ISBN 978-0-12-817786-0. (EN)
HUSÁK, Miroslav. Mikrosenzory a mikroaktuátory. Praha: Academia, 2008. Gerstner. ISBN 978-80-200-1478-8. (CS)
KREIDL, Marcel a Radislav ŠMÍD. Technická diagnostika: senzory, metody, analýza signálu. Praha: BEN - technická literatura, 2006. Senzory neelektrických veličin. ISBN 80-7300-158-6. (CS)
MEIJER, G. C. M. Smart sensor systems. Chichester, U.K.: J. Wiley, 2008. ISBN 0470866918. (EN)
RIPKA, Pavel a Alois TIPEK, ed. Master books on sensors: modular courses on modern sensors Leondaro da Vinci project CZ/PP-134026. Praha: BEN - technical literature, 2003. ISBN 80-7300-129-2. (EN)
RIPKA, Pavel. Senzory a převodníky. 2. vyd. V Praze: České vysoké učení technické, 2011. ISBN 978-80-01-04696-8. (CS)
Smart sensors and MEMS: intelligent sensing devices and microsystems for industrial applications. Second edition. Editor Stoyan NIHTIANOV, editor Antonio LUQUE ESTEPA. Duxford: Elsevier/Woodhead Publishing, an imprint of Elsevier, [2018]. Woodhead publishing series in electronic and optical materials. ISBN 978-0-08-102055-5. (EN)
TURÁN, Ján. Optické vláknové senzory. Praha: Tesla-Výzkumný ústav pro sdělovací techniku A. S. Popova, 1990. Mikro quo vadis. (CS)

Recommended reading

HARRY N. NORTON. Handbook of transducers. Prentice Hall, 1989. (EN)
SALEH, Bahaa E. A. a Malvin Carl TEICH. Základy fotoniky. Praha: Matfyzpress, 1996. ISBN 80-85863-12-X. (CS)
YEH, Chai. Handbook of fiber optics: theory and applications. San Diego: Academic Press, c1990. ISBN 0127704558. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPC-AUD Master's

    specialization AUDM-TECH , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme MPC-EKT Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme MPC-EVM Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme MPC-KAM Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Stanislav Klusáček, Ph.D.
Ing. Soňa Šedivá, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The main content of the lectures covered the following areas:
1. Materials for semiconductor sensors, basic technological processes.
2. Radiation sources - basic quantities and types of radiation sources, characteristics and wiring. LED, LD and SLED - parameter and usage.
3. Semiconductor radiation sensors - ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
4. Semiconductor sensors of mechanical quantities - pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes.
5. Semiconductor magnetic field sensors - Hall effect, magnetoresistive sensors, AMR, GMR, magneto-diode, magneto-transistor.
6. Semiconductor temperature sensors, chemical sensors and biosensors.
7. Introduction to fiber optics - classification and properties of optical fibers. Fiber connections and connectors.
8. Optical fiber sensors - classification, properties, construction, measured quantities.
9. Measurement of physical quantities by using fiber optic sensors.
10. Smart sensors - requirements, properties, methods of linearization, self-diagnostics, calibration, IEEE 1451 standards group.

Laboratory exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Martin Doseděl
Ing. Zdeněk Havránek, Ph.D.
Ing. Stanislav Klusáček, Ph.D.

Syllabus

The content of the laboratory exercises of the MPC-SPS course is the application of MEMS inertial sensors in the project of an autonomous car, the collection of measured data from these sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) and the implementation of signal processing methods for optimal traversal of an unknown path. The evaluated result is a demonstration of functionality , a report on the theoretical part of the project, a report on the practical part of the project and a form of public presentation of the achieved results.