Course Title: Mechatronics & Control

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Mechatronics & Control

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)


Course Coordinator: Prof Liuping Wang

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2100

Course Coordinator Email: liuping.wang@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 10, Level 8, Room 8 (City Campus)

Course Coordinator Availability: by email only


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This is a 3rd Year level course of fundamental importance to several engineering disciplines.

To enrol in this course, you are required to have successfully completed the course MATH2161 Mathematics for ECE, an equivalent course or provide evidence of equivalent capabilities.

You are expected to be familiar with linear differential equation models of simple electrical circuits and systems (as covered in Year 1 and Year 2 courses, EEET2249 Circuit Theory and EEET1316 Electrical Engineering 1).

You should have the capability to solve simple linear differential equations by applying Laplace Transform techniques.

Familiarity with the use of MATLAB for solving general engineering problems (as covered in the Year 1 course EEET2248 Engineering Methods) will be an advantage.


Course Description

Mechatronics has surfaced as a philosophy of design based on the integration of mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software engineering. Many of today’s machines and processes are the result of this novel approach and owe their enhanced performance, flexibility and proper operation to the application of some form of electronic or computer control.

This course emphasises the centrality of information processing and control in mechatronic systems, introduces the various facets of control system technology, and covers basic system analysis and design methodology as applied to feedback control systems.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

You will gain or improve your capabilities in:

Technical competence: application of physical laws to develop mathematical models of dynamic phenomena.

Problem solving and decision making: with emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work, this course prepares you to be able to analyse and modify engineering systems in a systematic manner, with an ability to predict and to shape the outcomes.

Communication and working in teams: Your capabilities will be improved through group work in laboratory assignments, and through the presentation of written and verbal reports

Independent and life-long learning: You will be directed, throughout the course, to read specific sections of the prescribed text book and to attempt a number of self-assessment questions. You will also be encouraged to obtain information from on-line resources and others and undertake self-directed study.


On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Apply mechatronic concepts in the design of machines and processes.

• Model, analyse and design feedback control systems for a variety of applications.

• Practically implement feedback control using analogue/digital electronic hardware.

• Use MATLAB & TOOLBOXES for system design and simulation


Overview of Learning Activities

Lectures will introduce you to the key concepts and theories and will explain the topics previous students have had most difficulty learning.

Tutorials and online quizzes are used to build your critical thinking and problem solving ability.

Laboratory work gives you the opportunity to connect theory to practice and enhance your understanding of the difficult concepts.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through “myRMIT Studies”. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided. Students will also use laboratory equipment and computer software within the School during project and assignment work.

It is recommended that you have your own copy of the prescribed text book. Often you will be required to read specified material and do specified problems from the prescribed text book. Mainly, problems from the prescribed text book will be discussed during the tutorials

During the course, you will be directed to many websites to enhance your knowledge and understanding of difficult concepts.

For each laboratory, an instruction sheet will be given in advance so that you can prepare for the laboratory work before coming to the class.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment in this course comprise both formative and summative evaluations.

Formative evaluations will be based on laboratory work, tutorials, and online quizzes.

Summative evaluation will be a written examination at the end of the semester.