ENGR8772 Sensors and Actuators GE

Programming microcontrollers in C, direct and modulated infra red (IR) sensors, absolute and incremental encoders, quadrature encoders, strain gauge, bridge circuits, temperature sensors, Hall-effect sensors, interfacing different sensors to a controller and writing control programs in C, serial communication including wireless, using DC motor and controlling its speed with PWM in both directions, using stepper motors and servomotors.

This topic aims to introduce the students to sensors, processor, and motors, which are the building blocks of most systems including robots. It also covers the interfacing and programming techniques for these components, as well as communicating the information to other systems.

1. Understand various sensors, how they work, and different techniques to use them
2. Understand the use and application of different motors
3. Interface different sensors to a controller
4. Be capable of developing programs in C for microcontrollers to control interfaced modules
5. Have acquired the knowledge of basic serial communications, and be able to communicate between two processors
6. Have learnt using a temperature chip to control the heat inside a system
7. Be able control the speed of DC motors using microcontrollers
8. Have a better understanding of the research directions in sensors and actuators and be able to apply the in a research project