Parameter Estimation in a Simple Experiment: The Resonant Circuit Revisited

The experimental study of a resonant circuit offers a natural opportunity to introduce modern methods of parameter estimation in the electrical engineering curriculum. In this short note it is shown that optimal parameters, determined by mathematical optimization methods, lead to models that fit experimental results better than models with parameters obtained by physical measurements. Moreover, one of the outputs of the optimization program allows an estimate of the quality of the students' experimental work.