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Laboratorio di Automazione
Automation Laboratory
Andrea Bonci

Seat Ingegneria
A.A. 2016/2017
Credits 9
Hours 72
Period I
Language ENG

Prerequisites
Elements of automatic control, elements of programming, elements of electronics

Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The course enables students to acquire advanced knowledge on microcontroller's embedded systems design, to manage stand-alone or automated systems. This knowledge, by integrating the knowledge gained in the computer lessons, and automatic foundations, will gain a clearer understanding of the engineering multidisciplinary context, with reference to the aspects specifically related to: automation systems, IT, electronic technologies, and embedded systems design
CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
In order to acquire the ability to design, to innovate and to develop automation systems, the student must be able to correctly interpret the programming issues of autonomous systems already analyzed in other courses that are commonly addressed in engineering practice. This ability will come out through a series of vocational skills, such as: 1. the ability to appropriately choose the embedded microcontroller system, with all the calculation and potential interfacing, so that it provides the required performance; 2. the ability to program an embedded device also at the firmware level; 3. the ability to properly interpret the results of laboratory testing analysis, working in teams with other elements involved in the study of the problem.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS:
The resolution of design issues, which will be done in groups, and that will lead to the drafting of a report, will help to improve the the student's degree of independence of judgment, the ability to communicate that also stems from teamwork, and the ability to learning and to draw conclusions.

Program
Contents (front lecturing 18 hours) This course deals with the design of embedded control systems. A specific micro controller is examined in detail as an example of embedded controller. In this analysis the resources incorporated and integrated with this micro controller are showed. Analog to digital conversion, PWM outputs, Timers, Serial communications and Wireless comunications are presented as functional blocks for real time controllers. Exercises (classroom and laboratory 54 hours) For all the items are provided both classroom and laboratory activities. Guided exercises about programming of embedded devices have been planned during the classroom activities. Students are invited to develop a project on a topic of the course. All projects have a hardware realization, the electronics of the I/O interface will be analysed. Students will learn how to analyse data-sheets of interface devices with the micro controller in order to allocate processor resources and to define driver electronics. The course also addresses design, control, programming of automatic systems as well as navigation problems of auonomous systems; it provide the background knowledge for the design of small automatic systems and atonomous robotic systems and provide the necessary tools to operate autonomously in indoor or outdoor environments applying state-of-the-art on navigation and control algorithms based on embedded technology. During the course, the basics of embedded microcontroller are firstly treated, along with their application to control. Than, different of the more important types of technologies used for sensing and to control autonomous systems is introduced. Finally, the field of application and programming of an embedded microcontroller will be investigated, basically equipping an autonomous system designed and maded in our laboratory. These topics provide the link to real applications and to the state of the art in embedded robotics and autonomous systems.

Development of the examination
LEARNING EVALUATION METHODS
oral is on the course contents and on the individual laboratory activity.

LEARNING EVALUATION CRITERIA
During the oral discussion of the design task, hhe student must to During the oral discussion of the project, the student will present and discuss the technical report of the project developed and the activities carried out in the laboratory demonstrating that he/she has the knowledge and methodological skills and technology for the design and implementation of control and automation of autonomous systems. To successfully pass the test, the student will demonstrate: - to understand how to implement, independently, basic techniques of programming of the main devices of embedded micro-controllers - to know how to prepare a technical report.

LEARNING MEASUREMENT CRITERIA
to the project will be assigned a score from 0 to 30. The evidence is sufficient only if the score is greater than or equal to 18.

FINAL MARK ALLOCATION CRITERIA
The vote will be awarded by an assessment of the technical report and oral discussion about the project developed. The student will be able to achieve up to a maximum of 20 points in the project. The oral exam will consist of questions concerning the activities of a project, or arguments in class. The question will be evaluated with a score ranging from 0 to 10 points. The praise will be given to students who, having achieved the highest rating, have demonstrated complete mastery of the subject and clarity of exposition.

Recommended reading
James M. Conrad, Alexander G. Dean “EMBEDDED SYSTEMS, AN INTRODUCTION USING THE RENESAS RX62N MICROCONTROLLER“ edition 201, available on web site (http://www.cesr.ncsu.edu/agdean/Books/RENESAS%20RX62N%20MICROCONTROLLER.pdf), lecture slides are made available by the teacher in electronic format.

Courses

• Ingegneria Informatica e dell'Automazione (Corso di Laurea Triennale (DM 270/04))