M E 597D – Advanced Mechatronics
http://www.mne.psu.edu/brennan/ME597D/
(M.S. Word version here)
Spring 2007
M W F 10:10P - 11:00P
320 Reber, Advanced Mechatronics Lab
Door Code: __ __ __
Instructor:
Office: 318
Office hours: MWF
Textbook: (none, but see references below).
Prerequisite: ME 440 or equivalent, basic familiarity with circuits
What is Novel about this Class: Lab Based – lots of hardware, Problem-Based Learning, Unstructured
What is Hard about this Class: Lab Based – lots of hardware, Problem-Based Learning, Unstructured
References:
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Tamal Bose, Digital Signal and Image Processing. Wiley Interscience, 2004.
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Other Useful
Resources:
Website for Introduction
to Mechatronics and Measurement Systems, by
Class Topics: This class will facilitate hands-on investigation and learning of mechatronic systems via a problem-based approach. The course material will consist of lectures, lab activities, and major projects focused on the myriad areas of mechatronics. These will be separated into five areas:
1. Programming Real-Time Systems
2. Signal Interfaces (A/D and D/A, signals,
etc.)
3. Hardware Interfaces (Actuators and Sensors)
4. System Modeling and Control
5. Human to Hardware Interfaces
Due Dates: Homework assignments are due 2 weeks after the assignment is given.
Lab prelabs are due the start of each lab. No late submissions allowed.
Lab checkoffs are due by the second class meeting after the lab begins (e.g. you have three lab periods to complete the assignment).
Final Project (Last 6 weeks of class): A major project will be expected of the students at the completion of the semester demonstrating a mechatronic systems integration showing mastery in the following areas:
- Programming
- Circuit fabrication
- Sensor and hardware interfacing
- Control systems and/or signal processing
- GUI design and presentation
The projects can be conducted in teams, with a topic chosen at the beginning of each semester. Tentatively, the following idea is being considered: The class constructs 2 entries into the 15th Annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition, http://www.igvc.org/ . These entries compete against each other in a mock-course at the end of the semester, and also go on to compete at the national level.
Grading: In accordance with the policy of this University, all students are encouraged to attend every class period. The lecture content will follow the laboratory assignments in an obvious manner, so failure to attend a lecture will be a severe handicap in the lab. The final project should represent the entire content of the class and is representative of a final exam grade.
Check-off on all labs 20%
Homework and Pre-labs 40%
Final Project 30%
Quizzes 10%
Policy on cheating (University policy statement)
Academic integrity is the pursuit
of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. The
University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal
integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help
create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits
of their efforts. Academic integrity
includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of
falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate
the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the
worth of work completed by others. The academic integrity web site for the
(Cheating issues specific to this class):
Students are encouraged to work together on homework assignments; however, original solutions are required. For homework, the threshold of cheating is defined as follows: If the person grading the assignments is able to identify students who have worked together by their solutions or specific aspects of their solution approach, then the solutions are not original! A homework or other assignment where cheating is found will automatically be given a zero grade
Copying of information from websites without proper citation is considered cheating. Any copying of information without proper citation will result in a zero grade for the assignment. Particularly blatant copying (i.e. an entire assignment) will result in referral to the college for an honor violation and automatic deduction of a minimum of one letter grade.
Useful Links:
This course (and latest syllabus):
http://www.mne.psu.edu/brennan/ME597D%20Mechatronics/
AUVSI, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International,
Website for the Introduction to Mechatronics and Mechatronic Systems,
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/mechatronics/
Electronics in Meccano,
The Embedded Muse, short newsletters dedicated to embedded systems, great articles!
http://www.ganssle.com/gnewsletter.htm
Parts List for your electronics box:
Circuit Ideas
RS232 Display board
Hand-held logic probe
Null/Pass-through serial cable tester
Tankbot Final Project
Items