Intelligent electronic design for mechatronic systems

• Main Author: El-Nakla, Samir
• Other Authors: Bradley, David
• Published: Abertay University 2004
• Subjects: 621.38150285
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.404643

Mechatronics requires the integration of a range of technologies from mechanical engineering, electronics and software, often with conflicting requirements. This problem is particularly complex with respect to the electronic parts of a mechatronics system where there are currently no computer-based tools available to support and assist designers during the early stages of the design process. Recognising this, the thesis was initially defined and developed based on the decomposition of a mechatronic system into its different system components using Functional Decomposition and top down approach. This led to the development and implementation of a computer-based system at lower level and which is used to assist in the design of electronic systems, which themselves form a part of a larger or mechatronic system. Filter design was chosen as an exemplar for the purpose of demonstrating the approach used, which will also enable and support the reflection of the strategy onto other electronic systems. The system can be developed to the point of providing an expert system that support users who are either experienced or inexperienced in filter design. It can also provide help, assistance and advice to the user. Filter design knowledge has been acquired from related experts and sources such as texts and represented and coded appropriately. A range of different filter designs are stored in a well-designed database that the design can be retrieved from when needed using strategy based on a combination of Case Based Reasoning and rules. The final part of the project is concerned with the definition of means by the methodology can be linked to other system domains to generate an overall design and to manage the transfer of information, including constraints and conflicts, between levels within the design process by means of a Data Dictionary. A major aim of the demonstrator tool in addition to providing help and support to users is to achieve timesavings and enhance the cost effectiveness of the design process. Also it can ease the communication between different technology-groupings in a mechatronic design team. What has been achieved is an increased understanding of the decomposition of the mechatronic system and of the interrelationships between the technical domains. At the lower levels the emphasis is on the electronic components of a mechatronic system, and of how the development of the chosen exemplar can be used as a basis from which the overall electronic system can be developed and linked to the mechatronic system.