This course equips students with essential tools frequently used to impart intelligence to a variety of systems. After reviewing examples of smart systems found in consumer/industrial products, the course provides introduction to theoretical/algorithmic tools of smart systems. Applications of these tools in the design and development of smart systems are illustrated. Students are expected to gain expertise in at least one aspect of smart systems. Simulation and hardware projects enable students to develop prototype smart products.

Lecture topics include:

1. Smart systems essentials and design process
2. Optimization theory
3. Signal processing
4. System identification
5. Estimation and control theory
6. Condition monitoring and fault diagnostic
7. Neuro-systems
8. Decision systems
9. Integrated smart system design

 

The structured experiments for microcontroller include a selection from:

1. Signal conditioning
2. Interfacing sensor/actuator-on-a-chip e.g., digital-timer, -thermometer, and -potentiometer
3. Measuring analog variations in physical variables by using appropriate resistive sensors in an RC-circuit and measuring the time to charge/discharge the capacitor
4. Interfacing analog actuators through a D2A conversion process using PWM in an RC-circuit
5. Interfacing 7-segment LED display and liquid crystal display (LCD) for smart gaming
6. Developing smart sensors by integrating microcontroller, signal processing, and estimation theory, e.g., making a speed sensor for a rotating disc using an infrared photo transmitter-emitter pair
7. Flexible manufacturing using workcells, robotic manipulators, and vision sensors
8. Robotics: behavior decomposition, environmental interaction, and remote control
9. Legged robot
10. Biologically inspired robots: biomimicry, insectronics, etc.
11. Reinforcement learning