Design and analysis are taught throughout the nation at the university level. The design problem asks: What system should I create to produce a given response to a given input? Similarly, the analysis problem asks: What is the response of a system to a given input? The remaining problem - measurement – is the most challenging. The desired physical input (pressure, temperature, acceleration, flow, etc.) to the measurement system can never be directly acquired. Instead, the measurement system output is provided in terms of electrical parameters such as volts, coulombs, ohms, amps, etc. A scale factor (calibration constant) is typically used to convert these electrical parameters back to the desired input. The application of this scale factor is dependent, as a minimum, on the following assumptions: system noise is negligible, the system is linear, there are perfect impedance mismatches between system components, and the system has the requisite amplitude-frequency and phase-frequency response characteristics. Professionals depend on measurement systems every day to validate analysis, verify design, and control processes, yet measurement system design is seldom taught within the framework of our formal education system.

The design of any complex system, whether mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, or other, begins by initially modeling and analyzing its constituent subsystems (above). Testing and the resultant measurements are used to validate this modeling activity. At the system level of design, we often find ourselves with a somewhat limited ability to model accurately and perform analysis successfully. To verify a complex design at the system level, we become even more dependent on testing and measurements.

Alternately, if not supporting design, we use measurements to control processes (above). Measurements are depended upon to deploy airbags in automobiles, control liquid levels in filling processes, indicate out of balance conditions in turbines, control the temperature in our workplaces, and many other processes. However, the technology associated with transducer selection and installation and measurement system design is largely untaught. The Measurement System Engineering Short Course provides today's engineering professionals with a proven method to understand, design, interpret and use measurement systems for testing and control applications. It is intended for: (1) the senior technicians and engineers who want to learn about transducers and their application, transducer physics, and measurement system design, (2) the experienced practitioners who wants to hone their skills in data analysis, participate in case studies, and interact with peers possessing a great deal of knowledge in various measurement disciplines, (3) the analysts or managers who must look at test data and make decisions about its suitability for their application, and (4) the calibration laboratory staff responsible for assessing and assigning sensitivities to measurement system components. If the products or services you provide depend on measurement systems to any extent, you will benefit from the Measurement System Engineering Short Course.