MCE 102 Introduction to Mechatronics - Note 2

Vocabulary flashcards defining the levels of evolution, key elements, and types of systems within mechatronics based on the MCE 102 lecture notes.

Primary Level Mechatronics

A level that incorporates I/O devices such as sensors and actuators that integrate electrical signals with mechanical action at basic control levels, such as electrically controlled fluid valves.

Secondary Level Mechantronics

A level that integrates microelectronics into electrically controlled devices, with cassette players as a primary example.

Third Level Mechatronics

A level known as a smart system that incorporates advanced feedback functions and uses microelectronics, microprocessors, and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC).

ASIC

An acronym for Application Specific Integrated Circuits, used in the control strategy of Third Level Mechatronics.

Fourth Level Mechatronics

A level that incorporates intelligent control and introduces intelligence and fault detection and isolation (FDI) capability systems.

FDI

An acronym for fault detection and isolation, which is a capability introduced in Fourth Level Mechatronics.

Observers

Software sensors that physically represent the measured values of a system.

Information Processing

A process usually done by a microprocessor that determines actions needed to affect the state variables of a system based on input variables from sensors.

Actuators

Devices in a mechatronic system that carry out the implementation of actions determined by the information processing.

System

An element which has an input and an output, where the primary consideration is the relationship between the output and input rather than the internal mechanics.

Measurement System

A system used for making measurements that takes the quantity being measured as input and produces the value of that quantity as output.

Thermocouple

A specific type of temperature sensor cited as an example in measurement systems.

Signal Conditioner

A component that takes the signal from a sensor and manipulates it into a condition suitable for display or for use in exercising control.

Control System

A system used to control its output to some particular value or particular sequence of values, such as an air conditioner.

Open Loop Control System

A simple and stable system where an input signal directs a control element to respond and produce an output without a feedback mechanism.

Closed Loop Control System

A system that uses a sensor to monitor output and compares it with the expected result to take appropriate control actions to adjust the input signal.

Feedback

A special feature of a closed loop control system where the output of the system is used to adjust the input signal.