Mechatronics: Sensors, Actuators, and Control Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering mechatronic system categories, sensors, transducers, signal processing circuits, actuators, and control systems based on the lecture reviewer.

Photoelectric Proximity Sensor

A non-contact sensor that detects the presence or distance of an object by emitting and receiving light.

Digital Controller / Microcontroller

The core processing and control unit of a mechatronic system that executes programmed instructions.

Category 1

A mechatronic category consisting of a standard mechanical system without integrated electronic control.

Category 3

A mechatronic category that involves retrofitting an existing mechanical system with electronic components or adding microelectronic control units to enhance its functionality.

Category 4

A mechatronic category featuring the simultaneous co-design of mechanical, electronic, and control systems, capable of autonomous operation and adaptation to environmental changes.

Mechatronics

An engineering field involving the simultaneous integration of mechanical engineering, electronics, computer systems, and control engineering.

Sensitivity

A sensor parameter representing the ratio of the change in output signal to the corresponding change in input quantity.

Hysteresis

The maximum difference in sensor output readings for the same input when approached from increasing and decreasing directions.

Resolution

The smallest change in the measured quantity that can be detected by a sensor.

Piezoelectric Accelerometer

A sensor that uses piezoelectric crystals to generate an electrical signal proportional to applied dynamic force caused by acceleration.

Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT)

An inductive transducer using one primary coil and two secondary coils to measure linear displacement.

Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)

A temperature sensor that uses a fine metallic wire or film, typically platinum, whose electrical resistance changes with temperature.

Capacitive Displacement Sensor

A sensor operating on the principle of changing capacitance to measure small displacements or detect nearby objects.

Hall Effect Sensor

A solid-state sensor that generates a transverse voltage when an electric current-carrying semiconductor is exposed to a perpendicular magnetic field.

Strain Gauge

A passive resistive transducer that changes its electrical resistance when subjected to mechanical strain.

Thermocouple

A temperature sensor consisting of two dissimilar metals joined together that generate a voltage due to a temperature difference.

Incremental Optical Encoder

An optical sensor that uses a rotating slotted disk and a light source to produce pulses for measuring angular displacement and rotational speed.

Thermistor

A temperature-sensitive semiconductor device that changes its electrical resistance significantly with temperature.

Absolute Encoder

A rotary position sensor that provides a unique digital code for each angular position, allowing position determination without counting previous rotations.

Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)

An electronic circuit or device that converts digital binary values or numerical values into corresponding continuous analog voltage or current signals.

Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

An electronic circuit that converts a continuous analog sensor signal into a multibit binary number that can be processed by a microcontroller.

Signal Conditioning Unit

A functional subsystem that amplifies, filters, isolates, or modifies raw sensor signals before further processing.

Aliasing

A phenomenon occurring when a signal is sampled at an insufficient frequency, causing high-frequency components to appear as lower frequencies.

Low-Pass Filtering

An electronic filtering process that allows low-frequency signals to pass while attenuating signals above a specified cutoff frequency.

Serial Peripheral Interface

SPI; a digital communication standard.

Actuators

Devices that convert electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy into mechanical motion or force.

Closed-Loop Control System

A control system that continuously compares the actual output with the desired input and uses feedback to correct errors.

Flyback Diodes

Semiconductor components that protect electronic drive circuits from voltage spikes generated when current through inductive loads is interrupted.

H-Bridge Motor Driver

A motor driver circuit using four electronic switches arranged in an H-shaped configuration to control the direction of current through a DC motor.

Open-Loop Control System

A control system that operates based on preset input commands without using feedback to correct its output.

Brushless DC Motor (BLDC)

A type of DC motor that uses electronic commutation instead of mechanical brushes and may use permanent magnets on its rotor.

Stepper Motor

A motor that rotates in precise, discrete angular increments in response to electrical input pulses.

Solenoid Valve

An electromechanical device using an energized electric coil to control fluid or gas flow by opening, closing, or redirecting flow paths.

Hydraulic Cylinder / Actuator

A fluid-power actuator that converts hydraulic pressure into linear mechanical force and displacement.

Servo Motor

A rotary actuator combining an electric motor, a feedback sensor, and a control circuit to achieve precise position or speed control.

Category 2

Traditional mechanical devices with internal drive mechanisms replaced by electronic/electrical components (e.g., digital cameras, digital watches, electronic weighing scales, electronic door locks, digital thermostats).