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Unit outline_

MTRX3760: Mechatronic Systems Design

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study follows a systems engineering approach to the integration of hardware and software components to form mechatronic systems. Methodologies for object-oriented design: Classes and interfaces, encapsulation, composition, inheritance, polymorphism; UML class diagrams; Design patterns, templating, smart pointers, streams, containers, overloading. Sensors: Taxonomy, calibration, fusion, sources of error; Serialisation and data streams. Project Management: Process models, incremental development, design for debug; Coding standards and review, revision control, build and test automation. Hands-on practice: C++, Linux and GNU software tools, standard libraries, ROS robotics middleware. Students will complete a major project working in groups to design and implement a complex mechatronic system.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
AMME2000 and MTRX2700
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Donald Dansereau, donald.dansereau@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Donald Dansereau, donald.dansereau@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
Supervised final exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO1
Small continuous assessment Lab Exercise 1
Code design and implementation plus short report
10% Week 02 One week
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO1 LO2 LO5
Small continuous assessment Lab Exercise 2
Code design & implementation, plus short report
10% Week 04 Two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO7 LO1 LO5
Small continuous assessment Lab Exercise 3
Code design & implementation, plus short report
10% Week 06 Two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO1 LO2 LO5
Assignment group assignment Project 1
Code design & implementation, plus report
10% Week 08 Two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO3 LO1 LO2 LO5 LO4
Assignment group assignment Project 2
Design & implement complex system: demo, code, report
20% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
Four weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7 LO3 LO1 LO2 LO5 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Lab Exercises: Students individually complete system design and coding tasks to demonstrate application of the fundamental system design and applied C++ programming skills covered cumulatively in lectures. Students submit both code and a brief report communicating key design choices. 
  • Project 1: In groups, students complete a simple ROS-based mechatronic system design and implementation. Student groups submit both code and a brief report communicating key design choices and documenting the project.
  • Project 2: In groups, students complete a moderately scaled ROS-based mechatronic system design and implementation. Student groups submit code, a brief report communicating key design choices and project outcomes, and demonstrate their work and address an interactive Q&A session during their final lab session.
  • Final Exam: The final exam is a supervised 2-hour exam.
  • Due Date and Time: Lab Exercises and Project 1 reports are due prior to the student’s scheduled lab session in Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 (Weds/Fri sessions) or Weeks 3, 5, 7, and 9 (Monday sessions). Project 2 reports are due at 11:59pm Friday of Week 13. Project 2 must be demonstrated in the group’s scheduled lab session in Week 12 (Weds/Fri sessions) or 13 (Monday sessions).
  • Student Laptops / Computers: It is helpful for students to have access to laptops / computers outside of scheduled lab time that are capable of running the software used in this unit: Ubuntu 22.04 and ROS2 Humble. Installation instructions will be provided ahead of semester via Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Note that labs are due a week after your lab session, before the start of your next lab session.

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

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.

Group marks for Project Work will be moderated on the basis of individual effort and understanding, as perceived by the Lecturer and Tutor(s). Sparkplus may be used for self and peer feedback for group activities and marks may be adjusted based on Sparkplus results.

To pass this unit of study it is necessary to obtain a mark of not less than 45% in both the (assignment + project) and examination components. Otherwise, the maximum mark that will be awarded is 45%.

Students who borrow hardware as part of this unit must return the hardware in working condition. Failure to cooperate in returning hardware may result in the student’s final results being withheld.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of exceptional standard.  Work demonstrates mastery of the concepts and principles covered in class, as well as initiative and ingenuity in applying concepts to new situations. Work shows pointed and critical analysis of material as well as thoroughness and thoughtfulness. Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the unit material and its relevance in a wider context.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of superior standard.  Work demonstrates initiative, complex understanding and original analysis and application of subject matter in context; shows critical understanding of the principles and values underlying the unit of study.  In particular, students who aim for a Distinction and higher will have to accomplish the requirements of a Credit and should be able to:

  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of material beyond the immediate scope of the lecture material.
  • Generalise and apply concepts to more complicated scenarios.
  • Analyse complex mechatronic systems, and apply a systems engineering approach in order to develop and demonstrate working systems following principled design practices.
     

Credit

65 - 74

Competent work.  Evidence of initiative in learning, sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context.  Engages critically and creatively with the material and attempts synthesis and application of material.  Goes beyond solving of simple problems to seeing how material in different parts of the unit of study relate to each other by solving problems drawing on concepts and ideas from other parts of the unit of study.  In particular, students who aim for a Credit will have to accomplish the requirements of a Pass and should be able to:

  • Relate between the various components of the course and understand their interaction in terms of design and integration of mechatronic systems.
  • Understand the taxonomy and limitations of key components of mechatronic systems.
  • Understand and apply the principles of object oriented design to design basic mechatronic systems.
  • Implement mechatronic systems using industry-standard tools including C++, Linux, the standard libraries, and ROS robotics middleware.
     

Pass

50 - 64

Work of acceptable standard.  Work meets basic requirements in terms of reading and research and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter.  Able to solve relatively simple problems involving direct application of particular components of the unit of study.  In particular, students who aim for a Pass should be able to:

  • Understand the principles of object oriented design.
  • Analyse an existing mechatronic system and the underlying system design choices.
  • Synthesise and communicate basic system designs using standard tools including UML class diagrams.
  • Make basic use of standard tools in Linux, C++, and ROS robotics middleware.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Labs and projects will not be accepted more than a week after the due date.

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. The OOP paradigm Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 02 1. Inheritance, UML; 2. Polymorphism Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 1. Project management; 2. STL Containers Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 04 1. Modern C++xx, pointers; 2. Object-oriented design Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 1. ROS introduction; 2. ROS publishers and subscribers Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 06 1. ROS simulation and visualisation; 2. STL iterators, algorithms, templating Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 1. ROS messages and interfaces; 2. Streams and overloading Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 08 1. Namespaces and nesting; 2. ROS transforms and debugging Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 09 1. Sensors; 2. Software design patterns Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 10 1. ROS services and actions; 2. ROS components and composable nodes Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 11 1. ROS localisation and mapping; 2. ROS computer vision and perception Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 1. ROS navigation and planning; 2. Threading Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 13 1. Exam Review A; 2. Exam Review B Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Weekly Hands-on assignments and projects completed in the mechatronics teaching lab. Computer laboratory (33 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Independent reading and research, preparing for lectures by watching and understanding prerecorded material, completing practice questions, completing lab exercises and projects. Independent study (45 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. design object-oriented software by partitioning the program into classes and implementing it in C++
  • LO2. design and document software using modelling tools
  • LO3. design, plan for, and execute a significant software project in a team
  • LO4. design and implement software using contemporary robotic operating system middleware
  • LO5. develop the capacity to think creatively and independently about new design problems
  • LO6. manage time and complete technical work in a timely manner
  • LO7. work collegially and effectively in a shared laboratory environment

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

In response to feedback we have reduced the number of labs and increased their weighting to moderate and better reflect the amount of work required. We have undertaken significant turtlebot hardware maintenance and upgrades to provide a smoother experience. We have upgraded to the more recent and relevant ROS2 robot operating system middleware. We have introduced an updated example linking the C++ fundamentals to ROS2 and the Turtlebot. We have introduced more systematic marking and meta-marking approach to provide more consistent and timely feedback. We have rescheduled labs and projects to better spread the load throughout the semester and to ensure feedback is available to be acted upon before the next assignment is due. We have expanded learning outcomes to include timely completion of work and working collegially in the lab. Lack of 24 lab access is consistently identified as a sore point, and we will continue to advocate that it be granted.

Work, health and safety

Students are always expected to follow university and lab guidelines to maintain safety, including monitor email closely for any changes in policy.

Students are required to complete an online lab safety induction prior to entry into the lab.

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.