ME 425/525, EE 425/525: Mechatronics
Spring Semester 2008
College of Engineering
Idaho State University
Tu – Th 3:30 – 4:45 pm
Rend 103
Syllabus1
Course Description
Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates Mechanical, Electronics, Control and
Computer Engineering in the design of systems and products. The course deals with basic
kinematics, sensors, actuators, measurements, electronics, microprocessors, programmable logic
controllers, feedback control, robotics and intelligent manufacturing. PREREQ: ENGR 340,
ENGR 342 and MATH 360.
Instructor / Coordinator
Alba Perez, Assistant Professor
Colonial Hall, 3
Phone: 282 5655
Email: perealba@isu.edu
Textbook
Clarence W. de Silva: “Mechatronics: An Integrated Approach”. CRC Press.
This book is a very complete reference book. Its emphasis is in the integration of mechanical
and electrical systems. However, the book does not cover in detail the description of robotic
systems that will be an important part of the course. Because of this, alternative textbooks are
included here. These textbooks can be borrowed from the instructor.
Other Reference Textbooks
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1
Martin, F.: “Robotic Explorations”. Ed. Prentice Hall. This is a “hands on” book, useful
as a manual for choosing sensors, mechanical components, for ideas on interfacing, etc.
You can borrow this book from me for one day.
Siegwart, R. and Nourbakhsh, I.: “Introduction to Autonomous Mobile Robots”. The
MIT Press. This book contains both theory and applications and may be useful if you
decide to design a mobile robot as your final project.
Craig, J.: “Introduction to Robotics”. Addison-Wesley. This book is a very good book to
understand the basics of robot kinematics and dynamics.
Prepared by Alba Perez

Tsai, L.W.: “Robot Analysis”. Ed. Wiley. This is a more advanced book to cover topics
of serial and parallel robot manipulators.
Course Goals – Targeted ME Program Outcomes
As an introduction to the study of mechatronics, this course heavily emphasizes on robot
kinematics, dynamics and control, sensors and actuators, component interconnection and specific
aspects of mechatronics systems design. After completing this course, the students will have
achieved,
a) Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering: Be able to analyze
the motions and forces associated to robotic and other complex mechanical systems and
to design basic control strategies for them.
c) Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic
constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,
manufacturability, and sustainability: Be able to integrate mechanical, electronics, control
and computer engineering in the design of mechatronics systems. Gain experience in the
complete design, building, interfacing and actuation of a mechatronic system for a set of
specifications.
e) Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems: Be able to analyze the
effects of component interconnection and the overall behavior of mechatronics systems.
g) Ability to communicate effectively: Learn to present design projects through written and
oral means.
j) Knowledge of contemporary issues: Gain exposure to recent research results in
mechatronics and robotics.
k) Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice: Be able to use computer tools for system analysis and data acquisition,
and to program microcontrollers.
Computer Tools
Some project assignments may require the use of computer software. Maple or Matlab can be
used for the mathematical derivations and for simulations. LabView or Matlab may be used for
the final project., as well as programmable microcontrollers The programs are available at the
engineering computer labs. The students can use the computers and material in the LEL24 lab for
developing the final projects.
Final Projects
There will be a course project where the students will be able to apply and integrate the
knowledge gained during the course. The projects will be developed by teams of two students and
will consist of the design, setup and implementation of a mechatronics system.
Grading
There will be one midterm (20% of the grade) and one final exam (35% of the grade). The course
workload will include the final project (45% of the grade) and some homework assignments.
Course Topics and Tentative Course Outline
In order to understand the topics presented in this course, previous knowledge of the following
topics is required: linear algebra, multi-variable calculus, static force analysis, dynamics, basic
motion analysis, fundamentals of electrical circuits and devices and measurement systems.
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Days
Topic
Reading
Jan 15,
Jan 17
Jan 22,
Jan 24
Jan 29,
Jan 31
Feb 5, 7
Feb 12,
Feb 14
Feb 19,
Feb 21
Feb 26, 28
Mar 4,
Mar 6
Mar 11,
Mar 13
Introduction to mechatronics
NO CLASS
Introduction to dynamic models
Dynamic model representation
Dynamic model representation.
Lab 1: Microcontrollers.
Analysis of robot manipulators
Analysis of robot manipulators.
Parallel robots.
Analysis of mobile robots.
Path planning.
Analog sensors.
Digital sensors.
MIDTERM I
Lab 2: sensors.
Component interconnection and
performance specification.
Robot dynamics
SPRING BREAK
Robot dynamics.
Actuators.
Actuators.
Lab 3: Motor control.
Control systems and implementation.
Robot control.
Case studies.
FINALS WEEK
Ch. 1
Mar 18, 20
Mar 25, 27
Apr 1, 3
Apr 8, 10
Apr 15,
Apr 17
Apr 22, 24
Apr 29,
May 1
May 6, 8
Assignments
Ch. 2
Project assign. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 11
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Homework 1
Ch. 3, handouts
Project assign. 2
Ch. 6
Homework 2
Ch. 7
Ch. 4, 5
Project assign. 3
Ch. 3
Homework 3
Ch. 3, handouts
Ch. 8, 9
Ch. 8, 9
Project assign. 4
Ch. 12
Ch. 12, 13,
handouts
Homework 4
Project due.