ECE 451
Automated Microwave Measurements Laboratory
Laboratory Notebook
The student should strive to develop a logical procedure and an orderly routine and lay-out
of equipment in the laboratory. This will contribute toward satisfactory results and will
facilitate the diagnosis of any faults which may occur in the apparatus. The experiments
should always be written up in a laboratory notebook in full. This book should be a
"working diary" such as any practicing engineer is expected to keep. This side of
experimental work is often neglected and yet an engineer is usually judged on his ability to
record and present his work clearly and concisely.
In performing experimental work and in recording the results, the following items should
be kept in mind:
1) State the purpose of the experiment. This gives you and anyone reading your notebook
a clear understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.
2) Draw a block diagram of the equipment used. Make a list of the equipment, identifying
the equipment by name, model, and serial number (in some cases the U of I inventory
number will do), so that at a later date the experiment can be duplicated using the
original equipment, by you or someone else.
3) State the procedure you intend to follow in making the measurement(s). This is a plan of
action where you list the information given and the information to be found.
4) Record the required data in a neat table or tables, making sure that the units of
measurement are not only known, and uniform, but are always quoted. Always check
the data as it is being taken to determine if it seems reasonable.
5) In summarizing the data, wherever possible, always draw a graph of useful size, labeling
both axes clearly. It is not necessary that a curve drawn passes through every point. A
smooth curve should be drawn because experimental error causes the measured points to
settle around the curve. A graph will bring out trends and relationships that are difficult
to detect in a table of numbers.
6) Make comments on the results. This might include a consideration of the accuracy or
uncertainty of the measurements, problems encountered, and ways to improve the
measurements, both in technique and accuracy.
7) You should furnish a brief conclusion where you summarize the whole experiment,
including what you have learnedfrom the experiment.
