The Mechatronics Revolution: Fundamentals and Core Concepts (edX)

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.

What you'll learn

- Recognize and describe the elements of a microcontroller as well as the operating principles of motors, sensors, and circuits commonly used in mechatronic devices

- Create basic programs for microcontrollers using interrupt-driven programming

- Design and implement microcontroller programs that read from sensors and achieve appropriate actuator commands

- Implement a mechatronic device using actuators, sensors, and a microcontroller command processor

Syllabus

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