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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

`w. e. f. Academic Year:

2026-27

Semester:

5 th

Category of the Course:

MOPEC

Prerequisite:

To successfully  engage  with  this  course  in  Virtual  Instrumentation,  students  are expected to possess a foundational understanding of Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering,  specifically  the  behavior  of  passive  components  and  fundamental circuit  laws.  A  primary  prerequisite is  a  working knowledge of Transducers and Sensors, as students must understand how physical process variables are converted into the electrical signals that simulation software will eventually process.

Rationale:

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles and applications of Virtual  Instrumentation. Students will leverage software-defined measurement techniques to design, model, and analyze complex electronic circuits and control systems. By mastering industry-standard simulation tools, learners will bridge the gap  between  theoretical  concepts  and  practical  implementation,  gaining  the proficiency required to build and test advanced  automation  and  electronic architectures in a virtual environment.

## COURSE OUTCOME:

After Completion of the Course, Student will able to:

|   No | Course Outcomes                                                                             | RBT Level   |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|
|    1 | Define virtual instrumentation concepts                                                     | R U A       |
|    2 | Compare traditional and virtual instrumentation                                             | R U A       |
|    3 | Describe data acquisition system for virtual instrumentation                                | U A         |
|    4 | Simulate different electronic and control system using virtual instrumentation  environment | U A         |
|    5 | Apply Virtual Instrumentation techniques for Environment Sustainability                     | A           |

*Revised Bloom's Taxonomy (RBT)

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Program Name: Diploma Engineering

## Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

## TEACHING AND EXAMINATION SCHEME:

| Teaching Scheme  (in Hours)   | Teaching Scheme  (in Hours)   | Teaching Scheme  (in Hours)   | Total Credits  L+T+ (PR/2)   | Assessment Pattern and Marks   | Assessment Pattern and Marks   | Assessment Pattern and Marks   | Assessment Pattern and Marks   | Total   Marks   |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------|
| L                             | T                             | PR                            | C                            | Theory                         | Theory                         | Tutorial / Practical           | Tutorial / Practical           |                 |
| L                             | T                             | PR                            | C                            | ESE(E)                         | PA(M)                          | PA(I)                          | ESE (V)                        |                 |
| 3                             | 0                             | 0                             | 3                            | 70                             | 30                             | 0                              | 0                              | 100             |

## COURSE CONTENT:

| Unit                                                                       | Topics and Sub-topics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |   No. Of  Hrs. | %  Weightage   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|----------------|
| Unit-I  Introduction to  Virtual  Instrumentation                          | 1.1 Historical perspective of virtual instrumentation    Basics of Virtual instrumentation    Role virtual instrumentation in real-time world   1.2 Block diagram and Architecture of Virtual  Instrumentation    Data flow techniques in virtual instrumentation  Compare virtual instrumentation and traditional  instrumentation    Limitations of traditional instrumentation  1.3 Application of virtual instrumentation in  Industry 1.4 Hardware and Software in Virtual  Instrumentation    Role of hardware in virtual instrumentation    Role of software in virtual instrumentation   1.5 Virtual Instrumentation for Test, Control and  Design   Virtual instrumentation for Test   Virtual instrumentation for Industrial I/O and  Control   Virtual instrumentation for Design |             17 | 20 %           |
| Unit-II  Programming  techniques in  Virtual  Instrumentation  environment | 2.1 Basics of Graphical User Programming (GUI)    Compare conventional programming and GUI  based programming    Prepare basic program in virtual instrumentation  software    Compare graphical programming and text based  programming                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |             13 | 30 %           |

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Program Name: Diploma Engineering Level: Diploma Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics Subject Code : DI05000231 Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

|                                                                                   |  VI and Sub-VIs: Concepts of modular  programming; creating, saving, and calling Sub- VIs within a main Virtual Instrument  2.2 Structural Control and Execution Logic   Iterative Structures: Implementation of For  Loops and While Loops for repetitive tasks.   Decision Making: Using Case Structures for  conditional logic and Sequence Structures for  controlling execution flow.   Mathematical Operations: Using Formula Nodes  and MathScript for complex mathematical  calculations within the graphical environment.  2.3 Data Handling and Organization   Data Storage Entities: Difference between  Arrays (homogeneous data) and Clusters  (heterogeneous data).   Variable Management: Proper use of Local  Variables and Global Variables for data transfer  between different parts of a program.   Strings and File I/O: Techniques for handling  text data and reading/writing measurement data  to external files.  2.4 Visualization and Signal Display   Basics of Charts: Real-time data plotting for  continuous monitoring.   Basics of Graphs: Plotting fixed arrays of data  for post-acquisition analysis.   Signal Generation: Programming techniques to  generate standard waveforms like Square and  Triangular waves   |    |      |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----|------|
| Unit III  Elements Of  Data Acquisition  in virtual  instrumentation  environment | 3.1 Introduction to Data acquisition system   Block diagram of DAQ System  3.2 Selection criteria of hardware and software for  data acquisition system  3.3 Basics of Analog to Digital Converter (ADC),  Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), Digital Input  Output (DIO)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |  8 | 20 % |

w.e.f. 2026-27

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

|                                                                      |  Describe Basics of ADC, DAC, DIO   3.4 Basics of Counters and timers   Function and application of Counters and timers  3.5  Timing, Interrupts; RS232C/ RS485   Describe concept RS232/ RS485 module   3.6 Signal Processing in DAQ   Signal processing in a DAQ system   Define analog signal.   Define digital signal.   Define sampling   Define quantization   Define sampling rate.   Explain signal conditioning                                                                                      |        |      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------|------|
| Unit IV   Operating  System And  Hardware  Overview                  | 4.1 PC architecture, current trends, operating system  requirements,    PC based instrumentation,    Interface requirement for virtual instrumentation 4.2  Basics of analog and digital interfaces    Need for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog  conversion    Working principles of ADC and DAC   Definition and characteristics of analog signals   Definition and characteristics of digital signals   Timing concepts (clock, synchronization)                                                       | 4      | 20 % |
| Unit - V   Virtual  Instrumentation  for Environment  Sustainability | 4.3 Compare PC based and PXI based system 5.1 Introduction to Environmental Sustainability   Definition of environmental sustainability   Importance of environmental protection   Role of technology in sustainable development  5.2 Role of Virtual Instrumentation in environmental  Monitoring   Advantages of VI in environmental monitoring   Energy monitoring and management using  virtual instrumentation  5.3 Role of VI in  Robotics  Basics of robotics control system using Virtual  Instrumentation | 3      | 10 % |
|                                                                      | Total                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 45 Hrs | 100% |

w.e.f. 2026-27

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

## Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

## SUGGESTED PRACTICAL EXERCISES:

The following practical outcomes (PrOs) that are the sub-components of the COs. Some of the PrOs marked '*' are compulsory, as they are crucial for that particular CO. These PrOs need  to be attained at least at the 'Precision Level' of Dave's Taxonomy related to 'Psychomotor  Domain' .

|   Sr.  No. | Practical Outcomes (PrOs)                                                                                                    |   Approx.  Hrs.  Required |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
|          1 | Study of Virtual Instrumentation based Simulator environment (Front Panel, Block  Diagram, Tools Palette, Controls Palette). |                        04 |
|          2 | Create a simple Virtual Instrument (VI) to perform basic arithmetic operations.                                              |                        02 |
|          3 | Implementation of numeric controls and indicators in Virtual Instrumentation  based Simulator.                               |                        04 |
|          4 | Implementation of string and Boolean controls in Virtual Instrumentation based  Simulator.                                   |                        04 |
|          5 | Study and implementation of loops (For Loop and While Loop) in Virtual  Instrumentation based Simulator.                     |                        04 |
|          6 | Implementation of Case Structure in Virtual Instrumentation based Simulator.                                                 |                        02 |
|          7 | Implementation of Sequence Structure in Virtual Instrumentation based Simulator.                                             |                        04 |
|          8 | Development of SubVI (Modular Programming) in Virtual Instrumentation based  Simulator.                                      |                        04 |
|          9 | Implementation of array operations and waveform graphs.                                                                      |                        04 |
|         10 | Implementation of cluster and bundle functions.                                                                              |                        02 |
|         11 | Generation of basic signals (sine, square, triangle) using Virtual Instrumentation  based Simulator.                         |                        02 |
|         12 | Implementation of signal display using waveform chart and graph.                                                             |                        02 |
|         13 | Study of signal filtering techniques in Virtual Instrumentation based Simulator.                                             |                        04 |
|         14 | Development of data logging system using file I/O functions.                                                                 |                        04 |
|         15 | Study of DAQ hardware interfacing with Virtual Instrumentation based Simulator.                                              |                        04 |
|         16 | Measurement of temperature using sensor and DAQ system.                                                                      |                        04 |
|         17 | Measurement of voltage signal using DAQ device.                                                                              |                        04 |

w.e.f. 2026-27

http://syllabus.gtu.ac.in/

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

## Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

|   Sr.  No. | Practical Outcomes (PrOs)                                                           |   Approx.  Hrs.  Required |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
|         18 | Development of virtual oscilloscope using Virtual Instrumentation based  Simulator. |                        04 |
|         19 | Development of air pollution monitoring system using sensors.                       |                        04 |
|         20 | Design of smart energy monitoring system using virtual instrumentation.             |                        04 |
|         21 | Design Control system in LabVIEW.                                                   |                        04 |
|         22 | Design basic image acquisition system                                               |                        04 |
|         23 | Design basic signal processing circuits in simulator                                |                        04 |

## Note

- i. More Practical Exercises can be designed and offered by the respective course teacher to  develop the industry relevant skills/outcomes to match the COs. The above table is only a  suggestive list .
- ii. The following  are some sample 'Process' and 'Product' related skills  (more may be added/deleted depending on the course) that occur in the above listed Practical Exercises of this course required which are embedded in the COs and ultimately the competency.

| Sr. No.   | Sample Performance  Indicators for the PrOs   |   Weightage in % |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------|
| 1         | Prepare experimental setup                    |               20 |
| 1         | Operate the equipment setup or circuit        |               25 |
| 2         | Follow safe practices measures                |               25 |
| 3         | Record observations correctly                 |               25 |
| 4         | Interpret the result and conclude             |               25 |
| Total     | Total                                         |              100 |

## MAJOR EQUIPMENT/ INSTRUMENTS AND SOFTWARE REQUIRED:

These  major  equipment/instruments  and  Software  required  to  develop  PrOs  are  given  below with broad  specifications  to  facilitate  procurement  of  them  by  the  administrators/management of  the institutes. This will ensure conduction of practical in all institutions across the state in  proper way so that the desired skills are developed in students.

|   Sr. No. | Equipment Name with Broad Specifications   | PrO. No.   |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------|------------|
|         1 | Computer with LabVIEW software             | All        |
|         2 | Computer with Matlab /Scilab software.     | All        |

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

## Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

## Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

|   3 | Computer with Prosim/PSpice/Multisim software.                                       | All   |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
|   4 | .   Circuit/Trainer board/ Demonstration modules of Thermocouples, RTDs, Thermistors | All   |
|   5 | Temperature Switches, Optical Pyrometer, Radiation Pyrometer                         | All   |
|   6 | Data Acquisition System                                                              | All   |
|   7 | CO2 Sensor Module  (Carbon Dioxide Sensor) - Measures carbon dioxide concentration.  | All   |
|   8 | CO Sensor (Carbon Monoxide Sensor) - Detects toxic carbon monoxide gas.              | All   |
|   9 | PM2.5 / PM10 Sensor  Module- Measures particulate matter (dust and smoke).           | All   |
|  10 | SO2 Sensor Module(Sulfur Dioxide Sensor) - Detects sulfur dioxide pollution.         | All   |
|  11 | NOx Sensor Module (Nitrogen Oxides Sensor) - Measures nitrogen oxide gases.          | All   |

## AFFECTIVE DOMAIN OUTCOMES:

The  following  sample  Affective  Domain  Outcomes  (ADOs)  are  embedded  in  many  of  the  abovementioned COs and PrOs. More could be added to fulfil the development of this competency.

- a) Work as a leader/a team member for assigned student activity.
- b) Follow safety practices and procedure in Lab.
- c) Realize the importance of engineering for societal development.
- d) Develop gradually the engineering mindset in day-to-day observation

## SUGGESTED STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

Other  than  the  classroom  and  laboratory  learning,  following  are  the  suggested  student-related  cocurricular activities which can be undertaken to accelerate the attainment of the various outcomes in this course: Students should conduct following activities in group and prepare reports of about 5 pages for each activity, also collect/record physical evidences for their (student's) portfolio which will be useful for their placement interviews:

- a) Industrial visit for students. (Chemical industries, petroleum industries, production industries.) So that students can have exposure to the real industrial realm.
- b) Department should arrange a workshop/seminar where students can have interaction with industry personnel.
- c) Videos/Animation for different devices should be shown. Download videos of different industries from various YouTube channels like how it's made, how stuff works and show in class and discuss instrumentation used in that industry.
- d) Model making.

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

## Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

## SUGGESTED SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES (if any):

Following Sample strategies teacher can use to accelerate the attainment of the various outcomes in this course:

1. Use instrumentation trainer kits to demonstrate real-time measurement of pressure, temperature, flow, and level and to perform hands-on calibration using standard instruments.
2. Utilize industrial process simulation software such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, Factory I/O, or SCADA simulators to visualize process behaviour and signal conditioning.
3. Demonstrate  measurement  principles  using  cutaway  models  and  working  models  of  various industrial instruments.
4. Use  virtual  labs  and  online  platforms  (NPTEL/AICTE)  for  performing  simulated  experiments related to process measurement.
5. Arrange field visits to process industries for exposure to real-time process parameters, control loops, and industrial instrumentation systems.
6. Implement  case  study-based  learning  focusing  on  transmitter  faults,  calibration  issues,  and troubleshooting scenarios from industries.
7. Apply problem-based learning (PBL) by assigning real-world measurement and instrumentation problems for student analysis.
8. Demonstrate standard calibration procedures, including zero, span, linearity, and hysteresis checks, using proper calibration documentation.
9. Use videos, animations, and AR/VR content to explain the working of pressure, temperature, flow, and level measurement devices.
10. Assign  mini-projects  and  hands-on  activities  related  to  process  parameter  measurement,  signal conditioning, and microcontroller/PLC interfacing.
11. Promote  group  activities  and  peer  learning  for  calibration  work,  instrument  connections,  and laboratory data analysis.
12. Use standard industrial documentation such as P&amp;ID diagrams, datasheets, instrument index, and loop diagrams during teaching and assignments.
13. Adopt flipped classroom techniques by providing pre-class learning materials and conducting inclass problem-solving discussions.

## SUGGESTED MICRO-PROJECTS:

1. Temperature Monitoring System
2. Smart Air Pollution Monitoring System
3. Water Level Monitoring System
4. Digital Voltmeter using LabVIEW
5. Virtual Oscilloscope
6. Smart Energy Monitoring System
7. Soil Moisture Monitoring System
8. IoT Based Environmental Monitoring System

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## GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

## Program Name: Diploma Engineering

Level: Diploma

## Branch: Instrumentation and Control / Automation and Robotics

Subject Code : DI05000231

Subject Name  :  Virtual Instrumentation

9. Data Logger System

10. Temperature Control System

11. Smart Greenhouse Monitoring System

## SUGGESTED LEARNING RESOURCES:

|   Sr.  No. | Title of Book                                                   | Author                                         | Publication with place, year and  ISBN   |
|------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
|          1 | Virtual Instrumentation Using  LabVIEW                          | Jovitha Jerome                                 | PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi        |
|          2 | LabVIEW for Everyone:  Graphical Programming Made  Easy and Fun | Jeffrey Travis, Jim  Kring                     | Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA           |
|          3 | Environmental Monitoring and  Characterization                  | Janick Artiola, Ian  L. Pepper, Mark  Brusseau | Academic Press, Burlington, USA          |

## SUGGESTED LEARNING WEBSITES:

1. https://www.nptel.com
2. https://instrumentationtools.com
3. https://www.vlab.co.in/participating-institute-coe-pune
4. https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=1&amp;brch=282&amp;sim=1511&amp;cnt=1
5. http://www.ni.com
6. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com
7. https://www.omega.com/en-us/resources
8. https://www.emerson.com
9. https://www.keyence.com
10. https://www.yokogawa.com/library/resources/white-papers
11. https://ocw.mit.edu/
12. https://www.ptc.com/en/learning

* * * * * * *