Outline

Overview

This unit of study aims to provide experience, confidence and competence in the design and implementation of microprocessor-based products and instruments; to impart a detailed knowledge of the software and hardware architecture of a typical modern microcontroller, and an understanding of the use of these resources in product design; and to provide experience of working in a project team to prototype a realistic product to meet a specification. At the end of this unit students will understand microprocessor system organisation, and the organisation of multiple and distributed processor systems, special purpose architectures (DSPs etc. ) and their application. The student will have a detailed knowledge of the software and hardware architecture of a modern microcontroller. This knowledge will include an in-depth understanding of the relationship between assembly language, high-level language, and the hardware, of the utilisation and interfacing of microcontroller hardware resources, and of the design and development of software comprised of multiple interrupt-driven processes. The student will have the competence to develop prototype microprocessor-based products. Course content will include single processor systems, multiple and distributed processing systems, special purpose architectures (DSPs etc) and their application; real-time operating systems for microcontrollers; standard interfacing of sensor and actuation systems; ADC/DAC, SSI, parallel, CAN bus etc. ; specific requirements for microprocessor-based products; problem definition and system design; tools for design, development and testing of prototype systems; the unit of study will include a project, where groups of students design, develop and commission a microprocessor-based product.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	MTRX2700
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MECH4710
Assumed knowledge ?	Completion of a first course in microprocessor systems, including assembly and C language programming, interfacing, introductory digital and analogue electronics.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Viorela Ila, viorela.ila@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Viorela Ila, viorela.ila@sydney.edu.au
	Ali GOKTOGAN, ali.goktogan@sydney.edu.au
	Donald Dansereau, donald.dansereau@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Giorgio Gunawan, giorgio.gunawan@sydney.edu.au
	Ahalya Ravendran, ahalya.ravendran@sydney.edu.au
	Yiwei Mao, yiwei.mao@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final Exam Take-home short release exam (Type D).	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2: Major Project - Technical Manual Group report - Technical Manual	10%	STUVAC Due date: 21 Nov 2021 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Nov 2021	Major Project duration 6 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 1: Software Exercises - Implementation Programming and hardware prototyping with in-lab demonstration weeks 1-7	20%	Week 07 Closing date: 23 Sep 2021	Several 10 min demos during 7 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 1: Software Exercises - Report Individual report	5%	Week 07 Due date: 26 Sep 2021 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Oct 2021	Software Exercises duration 7 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assignment 2: Major Project - Walkthrough Major project - Design walkthrough	5%	Week 08	5 min pitch
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2: Major Project - Implementation Demonstrate in labs week 13	20%	Week 13 Closing date: 11 Nov 2021	15 min demo of 6 weeks major project.
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Assignment 2: Major Project - Q&A Major Project -Individual Q&A	10%	Week 13 Closing date: 11 Nov 2021	3 min Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = group assignment with individually assessed component ? = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Description

Assignment 1: Software Exercises: These are completed individually and are intended to ensure that all students gain a detailed core of knowledge that will support their work in the Major Project.
Assignemnt 2: Major Project: MTRX3700 Mechatronics 3 is a project-based unit of study. There is strong emphasis placed on understanding the material so that a student can make things work in the lab. Most of the learning will therefore occur in the laboratory, and the assessment weighting of assignment and project work reflects this.
Presentation: An oral presentation is required early in the Major Project development cycle. The intent is to simulate a typical step in product development, where a team must rapidly be formed, a large amount of technical data assimilated and key decisions taken, responsibilities allocated, project planning commenced and a preliminary design presented to the client.
Q&A: After demonstrating the Major Project, each student will individualy answer questions related to the implementation of the Major Project.
Moderation of Group Work Marks: Group marks for Lab Work will be moderated on the basis of individual effort and understanding, as perceived by the Lecturer and Tutor(s) and as self-reported by group members.
Must Pass Both Components: To pass this unit of study it is necessary to obtain a mark of not less than 45% in both the assignment and examination components. If you fail either the assignment component or the exam the maximum mark you can get for the unit of study is 45%.
Detailed information for each assessment task can be found on Canvas.

Assessment Feedback

Students can expect feedback for this Unit of Study through discussion during lectures and laboratory sessions, through participation in the Ed discussion forum, and through written comments on assignments.
Students can provide feedback to the Lecturers and Tutors by discussion during lectures or tutorial/ laboratory sessions, and by submitting comments and questions to the Ed discussion forum.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades as set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

Standards Based Assessment

Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS for Pass and FA for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Coursework Policy 2014

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Students are expected to commit to at least 5 hours per week of independent study in addition to timetabled activities.	Independent study (60 hr)
Week 01	Introduction, hardware overview, demonstration	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 01	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 02	PIC18F452 core hardware and instruction set	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Instruction set and assembler	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 04	Peripheral hardware	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	C compiler, relocation and linking;Mixed C and assembly language	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 06	Software design	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Uncommitted	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Individual work on Software Exercises	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Hardware prototyping	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Presentation of Major Project design walkthrough	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 09	Real-time operating systems	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Group work on the Major Project	Project (3 hr)
Week 10	Memory hierarchy; Pipelining; Multiprocessor systems	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Group work on the Major Project	Project (3 hr)
Week 11	RISC processors and DSPs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Group work on the Major Project	Project (3 hr)
Week 12	Communications	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Group work on the Major Project	Project (3 hr)
Week 13	Uncommitted	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Major Project evaluation	Project (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Note: Students are expected to have a personal copy of the PIC18FXX2 Data Sheet, which will be available for purchase at PublishPartner.

Microchip Technology Inc (2008). PIC18FXX2 Data Sheet.
Peatman, J. (2003). Embedded design with the PIC18F452 Microcontroller. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand and plan for the process of incremental implementation, recognising the importance of project management, teamwork, software/hardware co-design, and iterative development by members of a development team.
LO2. Find electronic components suitable for a particular purpose, and to locate and understanding manufacturers` datasheets.
LO3. Design and prototype the hardware and software comprising a microcontroller-based system.
LO4. Reason logically about microcontroller system behaviour to isolate faults, and to use modern development systems and laboratory equipment to debug microcontroller software and hardware problems at the component level.
LO5. Understand in detail the software and hardware architecture of a modern microcontroller, including the relationship between assembly language, high-level language (C) and the hardware, the utilisation and interfacing of microcontroller hardware resources, and the design and development of software incorporating multiple interrupt-driven elements.
LO6. Understand microprocessor system organization, the organization of multiple and distributed processor systems, special purpose architectures (DSPs etc.) and their applications.
LO7. Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between CISC, RISC and DSP processors, understanding the reasons for their evolution and adoption in specific designs.
LO8. Understand and select appropriately between various alternatives for data communications within a mechatronic system.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Hardware for the software exercises will be issued before week 2 of semester so that all (RE and CC) students have access.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic lectures will be delivered via a combination of videos and Zoom sessions. In-person attendance at lab sessions is preferred, but arrangements will be made for remote work if this is nescessary.

For those attending labs in person, we have made some adjustments to how the Mechatronics Lab is managed:

You will only have access to the lab during your scheduled lab sessions.
A record of attendance will be kept for contact tracing if required.
You must maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others whenever possible.
We have limited student numbers in each lab session to allow this physical distancing to be maintained.
The use of hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes before and after using Lab facilities is mandatory.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) in the form of face masks is strongly recommended. Please acquire face masks and bring them to all your classes in the Mechatronics Lab starting from Week 1.
Obey all Lab signage including guidelines for sanitising workstations and hardware, PPE, and procedures for entry and exit.
If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home.

The COVID situation is still evolving: please monitor email closely for any changes in policy.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MTRX3700: Mechatronics 3

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect