Programming mechatronics#
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