Theory of Measurement

Lecturer:

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Measurement

Synopsis:

After a brief introduction devoted to fundamentals of representation theory of measurement, explanation is focused on units of measurable quantities and possibilities of their definition, realisation, conservation and reproduction by means of measurement standards. Main attention is paid to measurement methods and to techniques of evaluating and increasing measurement accuracy. Fundamental problems of theory of measurement errors and uncertainties are outlined and various aspects of statistical analysis of measurement data are discussed.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Introduction. Fundamental concepts of representation theory of measurement (uniqueness problem, scales).

2. Physical quantities and their units. International System of Units (SI). Standards of electrical quantities.

3. Quantum standards of voltage and resistance. Secondary standards.

4. Transfer standards for precision electrical measurements.

5. Collective standards and optimum schemes of comparing their constituents.

6. Measurement methods and their classification.

7. Evaluation of accuracy of direct static measurements, systematic and random errors.

8. Procedures for eliminating systematic and random errors.

9. Errors of indirect measurements.

10. Entropic value of the measurement error.

11. Statistical analysis of measurement data.

12. Measurement uncertainties. Law of propagation of uncertainty.

13. Measurement errors due to quantisation and sampling.

14. Errors of dynamic measurements and possibilities of their correction.

Syllabus of tutorials:

1. Introduction.

2. Thompson-Lampard's capacitance standard.

3. Measurement of characteristics of resistance standards.

4. Measurement of characteristics of capacitance standards.

5. Measurement of characteristics of standard self- and mutual inductors.

6. Thermoelectric transfer standard.

7. Hamon's transfer standard.

8. Collective standard of DC voltage.

9. Examples of calculating errors of direct measurements.

10. Examples of calculating errors of indirect measurements.

11. Statistical analysis of measurement data.

12. Correction of results of dynamic measurements.

13. Examples of calculating measurement uncertainties.

14. Discussion of results, assessment.

Study Objective:

Study materials:

1. Phanzagl, J., Baumann, V. and Huber, H.: Theory of measurement. Physica Verlag, Würzburg - Vienna 1971

2. Dietrich, C. F.: Uncertainty, calibration and probability. Adam Hilger, Bristol 1991

3. Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement. ISO, Geneva 1993

Note:

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Cybernetics and Measurements - Measurement and Instrumentation Systems- structured studies (compulsory course)