Study information

Mechatronics - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEMechatronics CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG3012 MODULE CONVENERUnknown
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)

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes.  The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module and identified in brackets below. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

  1. 1. Analyse system response of amplitude linearity, bandwidth and phase linearity (C&M1,2) 

  1.  
    2. Design analogue signal conditioning circuits through passive and active methods (C&M1,2) 

  1.  
    3. Understand general sensor and actuator specifications: sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution, accuracy, and others, and developing knowledge of sensing and actuation principles: resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, thermal, optical, piezoelectric, and others (C&M1,2) 


  1. 4. 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 (C&M1,2,5) 

  1.  
    5. Understand DC motor torque production and back electromotive force generation, as well as DC and AC motors' speed, torque, and power characteristics, to select motors for your designs. (C&M1,2, 13) 

  1.  

  2. 6. Understand the concept of energy harvesting, power management, wireless sensors, and their integration and applications (C&M1,2) 
     

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

 
7. Build integrated mechatronic systems with sensors and actuators using microcontrollers and programming in C within the design process (C&M1,2,5) 
  
 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge: 

 
8. Monitor your own progress with writing technical reports through practical sessions (C&M1,2,12,16) 
 
9. Be able to design new and innovative systems to solve real engineering problems (C&M1,2,5,6,13) 

  
*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 1-9 (C&M 1, 2, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16))  Examination Mark
Coursework 25 5 hours 8 (C&M 1, 2, 12, 16)  Written feedback in marked reports
Practical - 5 implementations 5 10 hours 8, 9 (C&M 1, 2, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16)  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%) 1-9 (C&M 1, 2, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16))  Referral/Deferral Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework and/or exam in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. 

Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single written exam worth 100% of the module. As it is a referral, 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 Tuesday 1st October 2024
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.