Unit Outline

In this unit knowledge and skills developed through the engineering course are applied in a team-based environment to the design and implementation of robotic, automation and electrical systems as used in industry. Students will develop microcontroller-based mechatronic systems using kinematic design, motors and motor drivers, analogue and digital I/O, serial interfaces, timer-based systems and asynchronous programming. Students will learn how to design and build power supplies for mechatronic systems using battery and battery monitoring technology, voltage conversion and power budgets.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Analyse requirements for an electrical or mechatronic system to produce a system specification.
2	Design a microcontroller-based mechatronic system which includes sensors and actuators according to the principles of top-down design.
3	Develop functional circuit hardware, microcontroller software and control algorithms for interaction with the physical world.
4	Verify electrical and mechatronic system implementation through experimental measurements and demonstration.
5	Manage a design project through its full cycle with regular monitoring, reflection and improvement.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	ENG233 AND ENG234 AND KAA109

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Assessment tasks have been streamlined to reduce redundancy and improve clarity. The number of assessments has been reduced, and overlapping components have been consolidated. Learning Outcome (ILO) mapping has been updated to ensure better alignment with assessment activities.

Laboratory sessions have been split into two groups to enhance supervision quality, allowing for more focused support and feedback during practical work.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Technical Demonstration	Week 13	20 %	LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Project Report	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO2, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Laboratory Demonstration	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Technical Demonstration

Task Description:

Students project groups present the design and implementation of their project, and address technical questions about their design. Students technical knowledge and individual contribution will be assessed through viva voce.
Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

20 minute demonstration and Q&A

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate that the electrical and mechatronic system implementation meets project requirements.	LO4
2	Present the electrical and mechatronic system implementation of the project with a technical focus.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Project Report

Task Description:

Students will work in groups to design and implement electrical and mechatronic systems. The assessment will be divided into two report submissions:
Interim Design Report (15%): Submitted Week 7, this report will document the initial design. It should include project requirements, scope and assumptions, system overview, preliminary technical design, and initial testing plans. This submission allows for early feedback and iterative improvement.
Final Design Report (25%): Submitted at the end of the semester in Week 12, this report will cover the full design and documentation. It must include comprehensive technical design, implementation details, test cases, results, and conclusions.
Students will be assessed based on the group report and an individual's contribution will be assessed via viva voce. The individual student's overall score will be scaled proportionally to their contribution.
Generative AI use is permitted but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

20 pages total

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select microcontrollers, sensors, actuators and mechatronic controls for incorporation in a design.	LO2
2	Apply electrical engineering principles and software tools to assess design.	LO4
3	Assess the performance of your design experimentally.	LO4
4	Explain verbally technical details of the design or implemented system.	LO2, LO4
5	Reflect on the design process and technical design along with individual contributions to team activities.	LO5
6	Manage practical design of the system through a layered approach.	LO5

Assessment Task 3: Laboratory Demonstration

Task Description:

This assessment consists of three laboratory sessions, each paired with a pre-lab design task, to be completed before lab.

Pre-Lab Design Tasks (3 submissions): Prior to each lab, students will complete a short design task (maximum 1 page), requiring them to propose and justify the subsystem or component relevant to the upcoming lab.

Laboratory Sessions (3 sessions): In each lab, students will build and test the subsystem they designed in the pre-lab task. Students will be assessed on their performance in the lab session (no separate submission required).

Assessments will be based on the appropriate and safe use of equipment, technical understanding demonstrated through responses to supervisor questions, and completion and performance of the implemented system.
Lab 1 Week 3, Lab 2 Week 6, and Lab 3 Week 9.

Generative AI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

3 x 3 hours lab sessions

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answer technical questions relating to the developed circuit hardware, microcontroller software and control algorithms.	LO3
2	Use lab equipment to develop functional circuit hardware, microcontroller software and control algorithms.	LO3
3	Analyse the system level requirements to meet the design objectives.	LO1

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

The minimum requirement for each ILO is as follows:

ILO 1: An average mark of at least 50% across relevant assessments in the Laboratory Demonstration.

ILO 2: An average mark of at least 50% across relevant assessments in the Project Reports.

ILO 3: An average mark of at least 50% across relevant assessments in the Laboratory Demonstration.

ILO 4: An average mark of at least 50% across relevant assessments in the Project Reports and Technical Demonstration.

ILO 5: An average mark of at least 50% across relevant assessments in the Project Reports.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.