Module overview
This module will first be offered in the 2021/22 academic year.
This module provides knowledge and understanding of electronics systems of modern road vehicles. Students will become familiar with electro-mechanical and electronic components and systems and will be able to design and improve systems aiming to enhance driving safety, performance, and ecology.
Linked modules
Pre-requisite: FEEG2004
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Power and data flow in a vehicle electronic system.
- The engineering principles of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
- Control and advanced driver-assistance systems in modern vehicles.
- Understanding the contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied: the characteristics and working principles of sensors, actuators, and electronic control units of modern vehicles.
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- C1/M1 Apply knowledge of linear algebra, vehicle dynamics and control theory in solving problems related to vehicle dynamics control design and analysis. C2/M2 Analysing differential equations and state-space models of closed loop vehicle dynamics to understand whether the vehicle’s lateral dynamics will be stable or unstable, and whether it meets any design criteria. C3/M3 Deriving differential equations and state-space models of lateral vehicle dynamics in open and closed loop, and discussing limitations of the model due to the modelling assumptions. C6/M6 Apply systems approach to design and evaluate longitudinal collision avoidance system.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Listening, identifying learning needs, evaluating sources and data, interpretation of data, problem solving, problem analysis
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply quantitative and computational methods to design and improve vehicle control systems, using advanced problem solving skills to establish rigorous and creative solutions, that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problems, including production, operation, maintenance and disposal
- Understanding of, and an ability to apply, an integrated or systems approach to solving automotive mechatronics problems
- Work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain and quantify the effect of this on design, ability to work with technical uncertainty
- Use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
- Identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components of automotive electronic systems
Syllabus
An introduction to automotive mechatronics, including:
- Sensors for automotive applications (e.g. temperature, acceleration, pressure, etc.)
- Electric and hydraulic actuators for automotive applications.
- Wiring architectures, information bus & power bus, Control Area Network (CAN)
- Safety systems, e.g. Antilock Brake Systems, Traction and Stability Control systems.
- Driving automation, e.g. steer-by-wire, torque vectoring.
- Advanced driver-assistance systems, (e.g. Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Collision Warning, Lane change assistance, or others)
- Introduction to Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include
- Lectures including examples and guest lectures
- Demonstrations and video material when appropriate
- Solutions to assigned problems
Learning activities include
- Individual reading of background material and course texts.
- Coursework: Virtual prototyping of a control system simulation (e.g. development of a vehicle stability control system in Simulink)
- Lab: test of a control system with Hardware in the Loop (HIL) technology
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Wider reading or practice | 30 |
Tutorial | 4 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 14 |
Lecture | 26 |
Completion of assessment task | 40 |
Revision | 30 |
Supervised time in studio/workshop | 6 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Bosch Professional Automotive Information (2014). 3.Bosch Professional Automotive Information: Automotive Mechatronics: Automotive Networking, Driving Stability Systems, Electronics.
W. B. Ribbens (2012). Understanding Automotive Electronics.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 50% |
Examination | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External