course-details-portlet

TSV4165

Acoustic transducers

New from the academic year 2026/2027

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring 2027
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The course builds on fundamental courses in acoustics and studies acoustic transducers of common types: electrodynamic (e.g. loudspeakers and geophones), electrostatic (e.g. microphones), piezoelectric (e.g. accelerometers and ultrasound transducers), also in MEMS versions, as well as optics-based sensors, such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). Via measurements in laboratories and numerical simulations, students will learn to analyze and design transducers systems and predict their performance. The course describes distributed systems, in the form of local fixed array constructions as well as sensor systems distributed over wider areas.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The candidate is able to:

  • Demonstrate thorough understanding of the transduction principles, directivity, frequency response, dynamic range, and linearity of common acoustic transducer types.
  • Model and analyze transducers as electro-mechanical dynamic systems.
  • Describe basic non-linear and time-varying properties of transducers.
  • Understand fundamental methods for determining directions and localizing sources using distributed sensor systems.

Skills

The candidate is able to:

• Measure the relevant properties of some common transducer types

• Predict and analyze the performance of such transducers

• Predict and analyze the performance of distributed transducer systems, either as array constructions or distributed over larger areas.

General competence:

The candidate is able to:

  • Collaborate effectively in conducting practical measurements.
  • Present and defend results from laboratory tasks in a professional manner.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, exercises (theoretical and numerical simulations), lab. work and presentation of the lab. work

Further on evaluation

The final grade will be based 75% on the written exam and 25% on the lab work and its presentation.

If there is a re-sit examination in August, the examination form may be changed from written to oral. Retakes can be carried out for written school exams without the lab report having to be taken up again.

If the lab work+presentation has been completed, it can be used for a later written exam for up to two years (4 semesters).

Required previous knowledge

TTT4181 Discover acoustics or equivalent

Course materials

Will be given at the start of the course

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
TTT4170 3.7 sp Autumn 2026
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Electronics
  • Telecommunication
  • Applied Electrical Engineering
  • Acoustics
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Electronic Systems

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2027

School exam
Weighting 75/100 Examination aids Code C Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.
Assignment
Weighting 25/100

Re-sit examination - Summer 2027

School exam
Weighting 75/100 Examination aids Code C Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.