Syllabus for ME 345 — Mechatronics

Fall 2015

News

• (15 Nov 2015 | 10:20 PM) Notes are up for Monday.
• (08 Nov 2015 | 12:46 PM) Homework is up. No quiz this week. Just a midterm Friday that covers the same material as the homework.
• (05 Nov 2015 | 10:22 PM) Notes are up for Friday.
• (01 Nov 2015 | 12:19 PM) Homework is up. Quiz due Wednesday. Notes for Monday already up.
• (29 Oct 2015 | 9:04 PM) Notes are up for Friday. I’ll get the quiz up tonight, and it will be due tomorrow night.
• (25 Oct 2015 | 11:55 AM) Homework is up. Quiz due Wednesday 28 October.
• (17 Oct 2015 | 10:08 AM) Oooo, homework is up. Get it while it’s hot! Quiz due Wednesday 21 October.
• (15 Oct 2015 | 10:43 PM) Friday’s notes are up.
• (12 Oct 2015 | 11:50 AM) Wednesday’s notes are up.
• (08 Oct 2015 | 9:37 PM) Friday’s notes are up!
• (04 Oct 2015 | 7:19 PM) Monday’s notes were already up last week.
• (28 Sep 2015 | 8:49 AM) This week’s homework assignment is up.
• (27 Sep 2015 | 11:10 PM) Monday’s notes are up.
• (25 Sep 2015 | 1:30 AM) Friday’s notes are up!
• (22 Sep 2015 | 11:12 PM) This week’s quiz will be available for 24 hours, starting at midnight. (All of Wednesday.)
• (22 Sep 2015 | 10:36 PM) Notes are up for Wednesday.
• (20 Sep 2015 | 11:41 PM) Notes are up for Monday.
• (19 Sep 2015 | 12:21 PM) This week’s homework is up. Quiz will be due Wednesday night.

Course description

This course is an introduction to the mathematical modeling and design of electrical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems. A system dynamical approach is used, which allows different energy domains to be modeled within a unified framework. Circuit elements covered include resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers. (Adopted from the course catalog.)

General information

Instructor
Rico Picone, PhD
Instructor Email
rpicone (at) stmartin (dot) edu
Office Hours
MWF 10 am–11 am, Cebula 103C
Office Hours
MW 1 pm–2 pm, Cebula 103C
Location
Harned 110
Times
MWF 9:00–9:50 am
Website
ME 345 Website
Moodle
ME 345 Moodle

secrets

Textbooks

Derek Rowell and David N. Wormley. System Dynamics: An Introduction. Prentice Hall, 1997.

Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill. The Art of Electronics. Third Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2015.

Notes

Partial notes will be posted here.

Schedule

The following schedule is tentative. All assignments will be set one week before the due date.

week topics introduced reading assignment due
1 introduction, voltage, current, resistance, signals HH 1.1–1.3 Assignment #1
2 capacitors, general circuit analysis HH 1.4 Assignment #2
3 inductors, transformers HH 1.5, 1.6 Assignment #3
4 impedance, electromechanical devices, switches, connectors HH 1.7, 1.8, & 1.9 Assignment #4
5 diodes, diode circuits, energy and power flow in state-determined systems RW Ch. 1 & Sec. 2.1 Assignment #5
6 one-port elements RW Sections 2.2–2.4 Assignment #6, Midterm #1
7 generalization of one-port elements RW Ch. 3 Assignment #7
8 formulation of system models RW Ch. 4 Assignment #8
9 state equation formulation RW Ch. 5 Assignment #9
10 state equation formulation RW Ch. 6 Assignment #10
11 energy-transducing system elements RW Ch. 6 Assignment #11
12 transistors and op-amps HH 2.1, 2.2, 4.2, & 4.3 Assignment #12
13 operational methods for linear systems RW Ch. 7 Assignment #13, Midterm #2
14 system properties and solution techniques RW Ch. 8 Assignment #14
15 first- and second-order response RW Ch. 9 Assignment #15
16 finals week Final Exam

Assignments

Assignment #2 ( solutions to selected problems )

• Do HH Exercises 1.1, 1.2, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.37, and 1.38.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment #3 ( solutions to selected problems )

• Do HH Exercises 1.14, 1.15, and 1.16.
• Special Problem #1. For the RC circuit in HH Figure 1.41B, perform a complete circuit analysis to solve for $V_{out}(t)$ if $V_{in}(t) = A\ \sin{\omega t}$, where $A \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given amplitude and $\omega \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given angular frequency. Let $v_c(t)|_{t=0} = v_{c0}$, where $v_{c0} \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given initial capacitor voltage. Hint: you will need to solve a differential equation for $v_C(t)$.
• Special Problem #2. In the previous problem, find $i_C(t)$.
• Special Problem #3. For the circuit diagram below, perform a complete circuit analysis to solve for $v_o(t)$ if $V_{s}(t) = A\ \sin{\omega t}$, where $A \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given amplitude and $\omega \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given angular frequency. Let $i_L(t)|_{t=0} = 0$ be the initial inductor current. Hint: you will need to solve a differential equation for $i_L(t)$.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment #4 ( solutions to selected problems )

• Make sure you read Section 1.7.7. It will help for the rest of the problems.Í
• Do HH Exercise 1.30 (use impedances).
• Special Problem #1. For the RC circuit in HH Figure 1.41B, solve for the steady state $V_{out}(t)$ if $V_{in}(t) = A\ \sin{\omega t}$, where $A \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given amplitude and $\omega \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given angular frequency. Use impedances!
• Special Problem #2. From the previous problem, find the steady state $i_C(t)$ using impedances.
• Special Problem #3. For the circuit diagram below, solve for the steady state $v_o(t)$ if $V_{s}(t) = A\ \sin{\omega t}$, where $A \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given amplitude and $\omega \in \mathbb{R}$ is a given angular frequency. Use impedances!
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment #5 ( solutions to selected problems )

• Re-read Secion 1.2.6.A of The Art of Electronics.
• HH 1.20.
• Special Problem #1: Examine the spec sheet on the real world Zener diode 1N4732A, determine its dynamic resistance $R_{dyn}$ at 4.7 V, and compute $\Delta V_{out}$ for the Zener regulator in Figure 1.16 using this diode.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Resources

Class resources will be posted here throughout the semester.

Homework, quiz, & exam policies

Homework & homework quiz policies

Weekly homework will be “due” on Fridays, but it will not be turned in for credit. However — and this is very important — each week a quiz will be given on Friday that will cover that week’s homework.

Quizzes will be available on moodle each Thursday (as early as I can get them up), and must be completed by Sunday (before midnight). Late quizzes will receive reduced credit.

Working in groups on homework is strongly encouraged, but quizzes must be completed individually.

Exam policies

The midterm and final exams will be in-class. If you require any specific accommodations, please contact me.

Calculators will be allowed. Only ones own notes and the notes provided by the instructor will be allowed. No communication-devices will be allowed.

No exam may be taken early. Makeup exams require a doctor’s note excusing the absence during the exam.

The final exam will be cumulative.

Total grades in the course may be curved, but individual homework quizzes and exams will not be. They will be available on moodle throughout the semester.

Homework quizzes
20%
Midterm Exam #1
25%
Midterm Exam #2
25%
Final Exam
30%
secrets

Cheating or plagiarism of any kind is not tolerated and will result in a failing grade (“F”) in the course. I take this very seriously. Engineering is an academic and professional discipline that requires integrity. I expect students to consider their integrity of conduct to be their highest consideration with regard to the course material.

Correlation of course & program outcomes

In keeping with the standards of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, each course is evaluated in terms of its desired outcomes and how these support the desired program outcomes. The following sections document the evaluation of this course.

Desired course outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the following course outcomes are desired:
1. students will have a clear and thorough understanding of concepts, principles, and methods of modeling mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical systems;
2. students will be familiar with the operation and input and output characteristics of the following electrical circuit elements:
• resistors,
• capacitors,
• inductors,
• diodes,
• transistors, and
• operational amplifiers;
3. students will understand the designs of basic circuits;
4. students will be able to model electrical and mechanical systems with a unified modeling technique;
5. students will be able to construct state-space models (including state equations) of electrical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems;
6. students will be able to analyze the characteristics of system models;
7. students will be able to solve for first- and second-order linear (time-invariant) system responses;
8. students will be able to solve for general linear (time-invariant) system responses;
9. students will understand the larger contexts of electro-mechanical system dynamics, especially with regard to technology development and society; and
10. students will be able to communicate what they are learning and its broader contexts.

Desired program outcomes

The desired program outcomes are that mechanical engineering graduates have:
1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
7. an ability to communicate effectively;
8. the broad education necessary to understanding the impact of engineering solutions in a global and social context;
9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
10. a knowledge of contemporary issues; and
11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Correlation of outcomes

The following table correlates the desired course outcomes with the desired program outcomes they support.
 ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 2 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 3 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 4 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 5 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 6 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 7 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 8 ✔ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ 9 ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌ 10 ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ‌