Overview
This course develops the integrated design, implementation, and evaluation of mechatronic and automated systems combining mechanical structures, electrical circuits, sensors, actuators, embedded controllers, software, and feedback control. Students study system architecture, modeling, analog and digital signals, signal conditioning, data acquisition, microcontrollers, programming, timing, interrupts, communication protocols, and human-machine interfaces.
The course covers sensors for position, speed, force, pressure, temperature, light, and proximity; actuators and motor drivers; power electronics; open- and closed-loop control; block diagrams, feedback, stability, proportional-integral-derivative control, calibration, filtering, tuning, and sequence control. Automation content includes PLCs, ladder logic, finite-state machines, robotics, industrial networking, machine safety, fault detection, interlocks, and cybersecurity awareness. Laboratory and project work culminates in a functioning automated prototype supported by schematics, code, control logic, test procedures, performance data, and a design report.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate mechatronic system requirements, architectures, interfaces, and constraints for specified applications.
- Model mechanical, electrical, sensing, actuation, and control elements using appropriate analytical and computational methods.
- Select and justify sensors, actuators, motor drivers, controllers, communication interfaces, and power components.
- Implement embedded programs incorporating timing, interrupts, data acquisition, communication protocols, and human-machine interfaces.
- Analyze open- and closed-loop systems using block diagrams, feedback concepts, stability criteria, and performance measures.
- Design and tune proportional-integral-derivative control, filtering, calibration, and basic state or sequence control strategies.
- Integrate PLC or equivalent industrial control methods, ladder logic, finite-state machines, robotics elements, interlocks, and fault detection.
- Diagnose hardware, software, communication, and control faults using systematic test and troubleshooting procedures.
- Validate automated system performance through documented experiments, reliability and maintainability assessments, and quantitative analysis.
- Synthesize a functioning automated prototype and communicate its schematics, code, control logic, test procedures, results, safety provisions, and design decisions in a professional report.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 3 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | System requirements and architecture assignment | 10.00% |
| Quiz | Foundations and component selection quizzes (5 × 2%) | 10.00% |
| Test | Systems modeling, embedded control, and automation test | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Laboratory integration portfolio | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Automated prototype and demonstration | 30.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 20.00% |
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
