Programming mechatronics

This lesson comprises eight (8) master classes focusing on:

• Mechatronic hardware
• Mechatronic software
• Hardware control algorithms
• Prototyping of mechatronic system

Content:

Understanding mechatronic hardware and software

• Outline applications of mechatronic systems in a variety of specialised fields
• Identify the hardware requirements to run a program and the effect on code development, including:
  • assessing the relationship of microcontrollers and the central processing unit (CPU)
  • the influence of instruction set and opcodes
  • the use of address and data registers
• Identify and describe a range of sensors, actuators and end effectors/manipulators within existing mechatronic systems, including:
  • motion sensors
  • light level sensors
  • hydraulic actuators
  • robotic grippers
• Use different types of data and understand how it is obtained and processed in a mechatronic system, including diagnostic data and data used for optimisation
• Experiment with software to control interactions and dependencies within mechatronic systems, including:
  • motion constraints
  • degrees of freedom
  • combination of subsystems
  • combination of sensors, actuators and end effectors to create viable subsystems
• Determine power, battery and material requirements for components of a mechatronic system
• Develop wiring diagrams for a mechatronic system, considering data and power supply requirements
• Determine specialist requirements that influence the design and functions of mechatronic systems designed for people with disability

Designing control algorithms

• Develop, modify and apply algorithms to control a mechatronic system
• Explore the algorithmic patterns, code and applications for open and closed control systems
• Outline the features of an algorithm and program code used for autonomous control

Programming and building

• Design, develop and produce a mechatronic system for a real-world problem, including:
  • software control
  • mechanical engineering
  • electronics and mathematics
• Implement algorithms and design programming code to drive mechatronic devices
• Develop simulations and prototypes of a potential mechatronic system to test programming code
• Design, develop and implement programming code for a closed loop control system
• Apply programming code to integrate sensors, actuators and end effectors/manipulators
• Implement specific control algorithms that enhance the performance of a mechatronic system
• Design, develop and implement a user interface (UI) to control a mechatronic system
• Create and use unit tests to determine the effectiveness and repeatability of each component’s control algorithm