Study information

Mechatronics - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEMechatronics CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG3012 MODULE CONVENERProf Meiling Zhu (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 40
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module takes you into an interdisciplinary field of engineering dealing with the integration of mechanical, electric and electronic components coordinated by a controller. You will have the chance to learn a broad range of mechatronic systems and components, including analogue and digital circuits, sensors, actuators, energy harvesting and system integration to gradually build your capability to design mechatronic systems. You will also have practical hands-on session to learn how to build real-world mechatronic systems, ranging from simple LED light flashing and DC motor control circuits, to complex robot arm control and ultrasonic range detection.
 
Aimed at both electronic and mechanical engineers, this module combines major components of mechanical, electric and electronic engineering to explore how mechatronic systems are designed and built, right from learning the fundamental knowledge and concepts of major components in the systems, through to building mechatronic systems for real-world applications.
AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to introduce you to fundamental knowledge and concepts of design of mechatronic systems. Through both lectures and laboratory sessions, you will be able to design and build mechatronic systems using sensors, actuators, instrumentation electronics and microcontroller systems. The module aims to further advance your capability through a small group project where these skills are put into practice to build a mechatronic system for real-world applications.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

 

ILO #

Intended Learning Outcome

AHEP* ILO - MEng

AHEP ILO - BEng

ILO #1            

 Analyse system response of amplitude linearity, bandwidth and phase linearity SM2m, SM3m, SM4m, SM5m, EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA4m, EA5m, EA6m, D1m, D4m, D6m, D7m, D8m, G1m, G3m, SM1m, EP2m, EP3m

SM2p, SM3p, EA1p, EA2p

EA3p, EA4p, D1p, D4p, D6p,

EP2p, EP3p, G1p, G2p, SM1p

ILO #2

Design analogue signal conditioning circuits through passive and active methods

    

ILO #3

Understand general sensor and actuator specifications: sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution, accuracy, and others

    

ILO #4

Have knowledge of sensing and actuation principles: resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, thermal, optical, piezoelectric, and others

    

ILO #5

Design of sensor and instrumentation systems using different sensors such as resistive temperature detectors (RTDs), strain gauges, thermocouples, LVDT and acceleration sensors to meet design requirements

    

ILO #6

Understand DC motor torque production and back electromotive force generation

    

ILO #7

Understand DC and AC motors’ speed, torque and power characteristics, and select motors for your designs

    

ILO #8

Understand the concept of energy harvesting, power management, wireless sensors, and their integration and applications

    

ILO #9

Build integrated mechatronic systems with sensors and actuators using microcontrollers and programming in C

    

ILO #10

Understand the core mechanical/electronic and electrical engineering concepts covered in the module

    

ILO #11

 Incorporate systems analysis into the design process    

ILO #12

Understand basic programming in C

 

 
ILO #13 Write concise technical reports    
ILO #14 Monitor your own progress    
ILO #15 Set realistic targets    
ILO #16 Modify your targets and learning strategies appropriately    
ILO #17 Be able to design new and innovative systems to solve real engineering problems    

*Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) ILOs for MEng and BEng Degrees
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
  • Introduction to mechatronic systems: what are mechatronic systems, applications and examples, and introduction of the course structure
  • Analogue electronic systems: passive circuits, active circuits, analogue interfacing using operational-amp (op-amp)
  • Digital circuits, data acquisition, and microcontroller: A/D and D/A, Digital circuits and microcontrollers
  • System response: how output of the system responds to inputs and signal analyses
  • General sensor and actuator characteristics and working principles: sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution, accuracy, and others; resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, thermal, optical, and piezoelectric sensors and actuators
  • Sensors: displacement, stress/strain, thermocouple sensors, accelerometers and others
  • Actuators: DC motor torque production and back electromotive force generation; DC, AC and stepper motors and other types
  • Energy harvesting systems: energy harvesting, power management, wireless sensor and their integration
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 33 Guided Independent Study 117 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 22 Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 11 Tutorials
Guided Independent Study 117 Independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

None

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 25 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams 5
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam - closed book 70 2 hours 1-12, 14 Examination Mark
Coursework 25 5 hours 13, 15 Written feedback in marked reports
Practical - 5 implementations 5 10 hours 16, 17 Verbal feedback

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Written exam - closed book Written exam (100%) 1-12, 14 Referral/Deferral Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by a single written exam only worth 100% of the module. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 14th May 2019 LAST REVISION DATE Monday 15th May 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Mechatronics, automation, control, microcontrollers, sensors

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.