The Mechatronics Revolution: Fundamentals and Core Concepts

The Mechatronics Revolution is upon us. Never before has it been easier to build robotic devices and computer-controlled machines. The confluence of low-cost embedded computers, sensors, and actuators has made experimentation and prototyping easier than ever. Course modules will explore the mechatronics design process, fundamentals of microcontrollers, embedded systems programming, actuator control, and sensor interfacing. Through several hands-on labs, students will solidify their knowledge of core mechatronics concepts and gain real-world experience building their own mechatronic systems. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge they need to harness the Mechatronics Revolution.

To complete the lab assignments in the course, students must purchase the mechatronics lab kit, TI-RSLK-Mechkit (available on Mouser.com for $119). Purchase of the kit or its components is required for all students on the Verified track. The kit provides all the materials needed to complete the lab assignments and build a small robot. Currently Mouser does not deliver to a few specific regions and countries such as Nigeria. Students who cannot purchase the kit from Mouser can purchase the parts included in the kit separately from other vendors as described here.

Audit students who do not wish to complete the labs but want to follow the lectures may optionally purchase the TI MSP432 Launchpad development board for $19.99. This will allow students to practice microcontroller programming skills as demonstrated in the course videos.

Module 1: Overview of Microcontrollers

• Topic 1: What is Mechatronics?
• Topic 2: Introduction to Microcontroller Technology

Module 2: Circuits and Electrical Components

• Topic 1: Basic Circuit Concepts
• Topic 2: Semiconductor Circuit Elements
• Topic 3: Example Circuits for Mechatronic Devices

Module 3: Microcontroller Fundamentals

• Topic 1: Integer Math
• Topic 2: C Programming for Microcontrollers
• Topic 3: General-Purpose Input Output
• Topic 4: Interrupt-Driven Programming
• Topic 5: Clocks and Timers

Module 4: Motors and Servos

• Topic 1: Actuators for Mechatronic Systems
• Topic 2: Brushed DC Motors
• Topic 3: Pulse Width Modulation and Servo Control

Module 5: Sensors and Microcontroller Interfacing

• Topic 1: Sensors for Mechatronic Systems
• Topic 2: Analog-to-Digital Conversion
• Topic 3: Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART)
• Topic 4: I2C and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
• Topic 5: Examples of Sensor-Microcontroller Integration

Module 6: Building Mechatronic Systems

• Topic 1: Building a Hexapod Robot
• Topic 2: Building a Line Following Robot