MICA: an innovative approach to remote data acquisition

Laboratory-based instruction in engineering and physics education often involves activities in which students learn how various sensors and actuators function and how to analyze the data collected. A key requirement for this learning experience to be effective is the ready availability of a broad range of sensors that can be coupled to software and hardware environments with minimal set-up so measurements can be made and analyzed within a reasonable period of time. However, most sensors currently available for this purpose are connected to the data acquisition system via wires which interfere with many of the measurements students want to take, particularly those involving moving parts. Additionally, most existing measurement systems used in laboratory courses cannot generate input variables while measuring the resulting output variables, thus relegating the measurement system to a passive role and eliminating the opportunity for instruction in feedback systems.