This course provides a balanced introduction to the theory, simulation, hardware, and software elements of mechatronics. Planned project activities enable students to integrate measurement, control, computer hardware, and software components to develop prototype mechatronics systems.

Lecture topics include:

1. Mechatronics essentials and design process
2. Electro-mechanical systems fundamentals
3. Analog/digital sensors and actuators including selection criterion, signal conditioning, and power electronics
4. Control interfacing and computing hardware
5. Interfacing sensors/actuators with control hardware
6. Computer-aided mechatronics system analysis and design software
7. Integrated mechatronics design

The structured experiments include a selection from:

1. Microcontroller hardware and programming introduction
2. Microcontroller power, I/O protection, interface, and buffering requirements
3. Digital input interfacing e.g., switch, phototransistor, and conductivity probe
4. Digital output interfacing e.g., LED, relay, and solenoid
5. Measuring analog variations in physical variables such as light, temperature, sound, liquid level, and displacement using an A2D converter
6. Interfacing analog actuators such as motors, speakers, and pumps using IC-based and resistive ladder network-based D2A converters including linear/pulse-width-modulation (PWM) power amplification
7. Serial I/O communication with specialty equipment e.g., radio frequency transceiver, speech board, and compass
8. Measurement, data logging, automation, and control