This subject introduces important mathematical methods required in engineering such as manipulating vector differential operators, computing multiple integrals and using integral theorems. A range of ordinary and partial differential equations are solved by a variety of methods and their solution behaviour is interpreted. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.

Topics include: Vector calculus, including Gauss’ and Stokes’ Theorems; sequences and series; Fourier series, Laplace transforms; systems of homogeneous ordinary differential equations, including phase plane and linearization for nonlinear systems; second order partial differential equations and separation of variables.

The aim of this subject is to provide an introduction to modelling the stresses and deformations that occur when axial, torsional and flexural loads are applied to a body in static equilibrium, as well as the translational and rotational motions that eventuate in a body subject to different load applications. This material will be complemented with laboratory and project based approaches to learning.

The subject provides the basis for all the mechanical engineering subjects that follow. The calculations introduced in this subject are the most common type of calculations performed by professional mechanical engineers in all sectors of the industry.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics to be covered include free-body diagrams; equilibrium; force systems; stresses and strains; coordinate systems; statically indeterminate systems; flexure; bending under combine loads; torsion; power transmission; kinematics; relative motion; particle kinetics; impulse and momentum; vibration; rigid body motion; angular impulse and momentum; work and energy.

AIMS

The aim of this subject is to develop an understanding of fundamental modelling techniques for the analysis of systems that involve electrical phenomena. This includes networks models of “flow-drop” one-port elements in steady state (DC and AC), electrical power systems, simple RC and RL transient analysis, and basic functional models for digital systems consisting of combinational logic. This subject is a core pre-requisite for the four subjects that define the Electrical Systems Major in the Bachelor of Science. The subject is also a core requirement for the Master of Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical and Mechatronics).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

Electrical phenomena – charge, current, electrical potential, conservation of energy and charge, the generation, storage, transport and dissipation of electrical power.

Network models – networks of “flow-drop” one-port elements, Kirchoff’s laws, standard current-voltage models for one-ports (independent sources, resistors, capacitors, inductors, transducers, diodes), analysis of static networks, properties of linear time-invariant (LTI) one-ports and impedance functions, diodes, transformers, steady-state (DC and AC) analysis of LTI networks via mesh and node techniques, equivalent circuits, and transient analysis of simple circuits;

Electrical power systems – overview of power generation and transmission, analysis of single-phase and balanced three-phase AC power systems.

Digital systems – electrical encoding of information and the digital abstraction, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, quantization and resolution, switching algebra, combinational logic networks, and transient timing issues.

This material will be complemented by exposure to software tools for the simulation of electrical and electronic systems and the opportunity to develop basic electrical engineering laboratory skills using a prototyping breadboard, digital multimeter, function generator, DC power supply, and oscilloscope.

AIMS

Many engineering disciplines make use of numerical solutions to computational problems. In this subject students will be introduced to the key elements of programming in a high level language, and will then use that skill to explore methods for solving numerical problems in a range of discipline areas.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

• Algorithmic problem solving
• Fundamental data types: numbers and characters
• Approximation and errors in numerical computation
• Fundamental program structures: sequencing, selection, repetition, functions
• Simple data storage structures, variables, arrays, and structures
• Roots of equations and of linear algebraic equations
• Curve fitting and splines
• Interpolation and extrapolation
• Numerical differentiation and integration.

This subject will cover the modelling of a range of physical systems across multiple domains as ordinary differential equations, and then introduce the mathematical techniques to analyse their open loop behaviour.

Topics include:

• Development of low order models of a range of electrical, thermal, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic dynamic systems
• Different representations of these systems (time and, frequency domains) and transformations between them (Laplace, Fourier and Z-transforms)
• Representations of systems – transfer functions, Bode plots, state space, block diagrams, etc
• Identification of linear time invariant systems (least squares identification)
• Relation to time domain properties of open loop responses – stability, oscillations, etc.

MATLAB will be used throughout the course to complement the presented concepts.

The aim of this subject is to equip students with computational tools for solving common physical engineering problems. The focus of the lectures is on archetypical physical engineering problems and their solutions via the effective implementation of classical algorithms.

Indicative content: asymptotic notation, abstract data structures, sorting and searching, numerical integration of ordinary differential equations and two-point boundary value problems, numerical stability and convergence.

The subject introduces students to the conceptual engineering design process, with an associated emphasis on realising autonomous mechanical systems. This includes project formulation, ideation, evaluation, and realisation. Project realisation includes physical prototyping and review to assess performance against the initial formulation phase.

The design process incorporates cost benefit analysis with associated socio-economic and human factors, and fault analysis. Autonomous system design includes mechatronic approaches to data-driven system design and regulation.

The aim of this subject is to give participants both practical experience in, and theoretical insights into, elements of engineering innovation.

The subject is intense, challenging, experiential and requires significant self-direction. Participants will work on an innovation project sponsored by a local organisation.

A key theme is that the individual cannot be separated from the technical processes of engineering innovation. The impact of both individual and team contributions to the engineering and innovation processes will be examined in the context of real world challenges.

All project sponsors will require that students maintain the confidentiality of their proprietary information. Some project sponsors will require students to assign any Intellectual Property created (other than Copyright in their Assessment Materials) to the University. The projects may vary in the hours needed for a successful outcome.

Critical Communication for Engineers (CCE) addresses the skills vital for professional success. Problem analysis skills and being able to present solutions effectively to your engineering peers, leaders and the broader community are a powerful combination. These are the focus of CCE.

They are challenging skills to learn—and you will likely work to improve them throughout your career. Effective communication is not merely about how to write a report or to give a formal presentation. Developing a strong argument—having something insightful to communicate—is essential for capturing the attention of an audience. This requires developing good interpersonal skills for gathering information and testing ideas.

The subject is divided into four ‘topics’ presented in sequence through the semester. Each topic is self-contained and dedicated to a different engineering issue. There is an assessment for each topic, meaning that you will be able to apply what you have learned from one topic to the following topics. This way, you will have a lot of opportunities to practise and develop your analytical and communication skills.

This subject aims to give participants theoretical frameworks, practical insights, and preliminary skills to work in their chosen profession in contexts where determining what problem to work on is an important complement to knowing how to solve that problem.

Participants will develop these understandings, insights and skills by working in teams on a strategically-important innovation challenge sponsored by an industry organisation. This subject is similar to Creating Innovative Engineering (ENGR90034), but is designed for students seeking a multi-disciplinary learning experience.

Participants will learn theories of human-centred innovation and apply them in their project. They will learn how to work in teams and use those skills to deliver the project. They will learn to conceptualise their career as an innovation project, and how to apply the innovation skills and theories presented in the subject to their own careers.

The subject is challenging, experiential and requires significant self-direction.

All project sponsors will require students to maintain the confidentiality of their proprietary information. The University will require all students (except those working on projects sponsored by the University itself) to assign any Intellectual Property they create (other than Copyright in their Assessment Materials) to the sponsor of their project.

AIMS

This subject provides an introduction to automatic control systems, with an emphasis on classical techniques for the analysis and design of feedback interconnections. The main challenge in automatic control is to achieve desired performance in the presence of uncertainty about the system dynamics and the operating environment. Feedback control is one way to deal with modelling uncertainty in the design of engineering systems. This subject is a core requirement in the Master of Engineering (Electrical, Electrical with Business, Mechanical, Mechanical with Business and Mechatronics).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

* Modelling for control, linearization, relationships between time and frequency domain models of linear time-invariant dynamical systems, and the structure, stability, performance, and robustness of feedback interconnections;

* Frequency-domain analysis and design, Nyquist and Bode plots, gain and phase margins, loop-shaping with proportional, integral, lead, and lag compensators, loop delays, and fundamental limitations in design; and

* Actuator constraints and anti-windup compensation.

This material is complemented by the use of software tools (e.g. MATLAB/Simulink) for computation and simulation, and exposure to control system hardware in the laboratory.

This subject continues from Engineering Mechanics to deepen the understanding of (momentum-based) Newtonian Mechanics. It focuses on the study of the motion of rigid bodies in 3D space in kinematics, kinetics and finally the Newton Euler approach of obtaining the equation of motion as well as collision of rigid bodies. Extension to multi-body systems is introduced in each concept. System analysis is introduced by focusing on a case study of gyroscopic motion.

Kinematics of rigid bodies:

• Non inertial coordinate systems
• Rotation representation
• Angular velocity and acceleration in non-inertial frame
• Constraints.

Rigid Body Kinetics

• Kinetics of rigid bodies:
• Inertia tensor, principle axis
• Parallel axis theorem.

Newton-Euler Approach to obtaining equation of motion.

Collision of Rigid Bodies:

• Impulse-momentum principle
• Collision of point masses (particles)
• Collision of unconstrained rigid bodies
• Collision of constrained rigid bodies.

Gyroscopic motion.

AIMS

This subject provides a practical introduction to the design of microprocessor-based electronic systems. The lectures and project work will expose students to the various stages in an engineering project (design, implementation, testing and documentation) and a range of embedded system concepts.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered may include: digital computer architecture, example microprocessor architectures, pipelining and caching, system-level programming in assembly language and C for a specific microprocessor; bus standards and protocols, bus interfacing, interrupt servicing; operating systems concepts, multi-tasking, resource management and real-time issues; interfacing to the analog world via analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters; standard software tools, including compilers and debuggers, schematic and PCB layout with an emphasis on design for high speed switching circuits.

This material will be complemented by exposure to standard software tools, including compilers and debuggers, schematic and board layout software. The subject will include a level of industry engagement, to provide broader examples of engineering projects, through guest lectures.

This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practice Hurdle (EPH).

This subject continues from Dynamics to deepen the students’ understanding of Engineering Mechanics, specifically focusing on Analytical Mechanics:

• Kinematics and Generalised Coordinates.
• Virtual Work and Virtual Displacement, Generalised Force.
• Energies: Kinetic, Potential.
• Lagrange approach: dealing with constraints.
• Lagrange’s Approach to obtaining equation of motion.
• Comparison to Newton-Euler Approach.
• Hamiltonian Mechanics.
• Linearisation of system dynamics about equilibrium points (system stability about equilibrium points.

AIMS

This subject provides an introduction to modern control theory with a particular focus on state-space methods and optimal control. The role of feedback in control will be reinforced within this context, alongside the role of optimisation techniques in control system synthesis. This subject is a core requirement in the Master of Engineering (Mechatronics).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:
State-space models - first-order vector differential/difference equations; Lyapunov stability; linearisation; discretisation; Kalman decomposition (observable, detectable, reachable and stabilisable subspaces); state-feedback and pole placement; output-feedback and observer design in both continuous-time and discrete-time.
Optimal control - dynamic programming; linear quadratic regulation in both continuous-time and discrete-time. Model predictive control in discrete-time; moving-horizon with constraints.

AIMS

This subject develops a fundamental understanding of the concepts behind and tools used for the analysis and design of analog and digital electronic systems. This is one of four subjects that define the Mechatronics Systems major in the Bachelor of Science and it is a core requirement of the Master of Engineering (Mechatronics).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

Analog systems - time-domain differential equation models of RLC networks, initial conditions, transient response, transfer functions, frequency response, passive filters, impedance functions, two-port networks and dependent sources and matrix circuit representations, op-amp models.

Digital systems – encoding information and digital data processing, CMOS realisation of basic logic gates, timing contracts, acyclic networks, switching algebra, combinational logic synthesis, cyclic networks and memory, finite-state machines, metastability, synchronous timing and synchronisation, data-processing paths, control logic and stored-program machines.

Aspects of these topics will be explored through laboratory work involving simulation tools and hardware experiments.

AIMS

The aims for this subject is for students to develop an understanding of approaches to solving moderately complex problems with computers, and to be able to demonstrate proficiency in designing and writing programs. The programming language used is Java.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered will include:

• Java basics
• Console input/output
• Control flow
• Defining classes
• Using object references
• Programming with arrays
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism and abstract classes
• Exception handling
• UML basics
• Interfaces
• Generics

AIMS

Machine Learning is the study of making accurate, computationally efficient, interpretable and robust inferences from data, often drawing on principles from statistics. This subject aims to introduce students to the intellectual foundations of machine learning, including the mathematical principles of learning from data, algorithms and data structures for machine learning, and practical skills of data analysis.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Indicative content includes: cleaning and normalising data, supervised learning (classification, regression, linear & non-linear models), and unsupervised learning (clustering), and mathematical foundations for a career in machine learning.

AIMS

The subject will introduce the basics of computer networks to students through a study of layered models of computer networks and applications. The first half of the subject deals with data communication protocols in the lower layers of OSI and TCP/IP reference models. The students will be exposed to the working of various fundamental networking technologies such as wireless, LAN, RFID and sensor networks. The second half of the subject deals with the upper layers of the TCP/IP reference model through a study of several Internet applications.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include: Introduction to Internet, OSI reference model layers, protocols and services, data transmission basics, interface standards, network topologies, data link protocols, message routing, LANs, WANs, TCP/IP suite, detailed study of common network applications (e.g., email, news, FTP, Web), network management, and current and future developments in network hardware and protocols.

AIMS

This subject deals with principles of sensing, sensor networking and multiple sensor data fusion. It provides an appreciation of challenges in designing and implementing wired and wireless sensor based solutions in a range of applications.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include:

• Sensors (construction and characteristics)
• Filtering of sensor outputs (up to Kalman filtering options)
• Sensor networks (communication between sensors, how to arrange/coordinate large #s of sensors)
• Multisensor data fusion (SLAM, KF or equivalent)
• Case studies.

AIMS

This subject is intended to give students an overview of the present state-of-the-art in industrial motion control and the likely future trends in control design. Students will be exposed to and have practical experience in the design and implementation of advanced controllers for various motion control problems.

Advanced modelling and control topics will include system identification, modelling and compensation of friction and other disturbances, industrial servo loops, model-based and model-free controller design, and adaptive control. Applications will be drawn from industrial, medical and transport automation (eg robots, machine tools, production machines, laboratory automation, automotive and aerospace by-wire systems).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Advanced modelling and control topics will include system identification, modelling and compensation of friction and other disturbances, industrial servo loops, model-based and model-free controller design, and adaptive control. Applications will be drawn from industrial, medical and transport automation (eg robots, machine tools, production machines, laboratory automation, automotive and aerospace by-wire systems).

AIMS

The subject aims to introduce the students to the automation technologies, specifically: robotics and process automation. The use of robots and automated systems in carrying out various tasks will be discussed and the fundamental computational techniques associated with the operation of a robotic manipulator and a general automated system will be introduced. The subject will familiarise the students with the roles, strengths, and capabilities of robotics and automation technologies, as well as how to achieve the said capabilities.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Robotics: manipulator kinematics, including inverse and direct kinematics, manipulator velocity and static forces, trajectory planning, manipulator dynamics, linear control of manipulators and robot designs and robotic programming.

The subject involves undertaking a substantial group project (typically in groups of three students) requiring an independent investigation on an approved topic in advanced engineering design and / or research. Each project is carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff and where appropriate an industry partner.

The emphasis of the project can be associated with either:

• A well-defined project description, often based on a task required by an external, industrial client. Students will be tutored in the synthesis of practical solutions to complex technical problems within a structured working environment, as if they were professional engineering practitioners; or
• A project description that will require an explorative approach, where students will pursue outcomes associated with new knowledge or understanding, within the engineering science disciplines, often as an adjunct to existing academic research initiatives.

It is expected that the Capstone Project will incorporate findings associated with both well-defined professional practice and research principles and will provide students with the opportunity to integrate technical knowledge and generic skills gained in earlier years.

The project component of this subject is supplemented by a lecture course dealing with project management tools and practices.

Note: Students are to take Engineering Capstone Project Part 1 and then subsequently continue with Engineering Capstone Project Part 2 in the following semester. Upon successful completion of this project, students will receive 25 points credit.

Please refer to ENGR90037 Engineering Capstone Project Part 1 for this information.

AIMS

The subject will introduce the basics of computer networks to students through a study of layered models of computer networks and applications. The first half of the subject deals with data communication protocols in the lower layers of OSI and TCP/IP reference models. The students will be exposed to the working of various fundamental networking technologies such as wireless, LAN, RFID and sensor networks. The second half of the subject deals with the upper layers of the TCP/IP reference model through a study of several Internet applications.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include: Introduction to Internet, OSI reference model layers, protocols and services, data transmission basics, interface standards, network topologies, data link protocols, message routing, LANs, WANs, TCP/IP suite, detailed study of common network applications (e.g., email, news, FTP, Web), network management, and current and future developments in network hardware and protocols.

AIMS

Machine Learning is the study of making accurate, computationally efficient, interpretable and robust inferences from data, often drawing on principles from statistics. This subject aims to introduce students to the intellectual foundations of machine learning, including the mathematical principles of learning from data, algorithms and data structures for machine learning, and practical skills of data analysis.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Indicative content includes: cleaning and normalising data, supervised learning (classification, regression, linear & non-linear models), and unsupervised learning (clustering), and mathematical foundations for a career in machine learning.

AIMS

This subject involves students undertaking professional work experience at a Host Organisation’s premises. Students will work under the supervision of both a member of academic staff and an external supervisor at the Host Organisation.

During the period of work experience, students will be introduced to workplace culture and be offered the opportunity to strengthen their employability. Students will undertake seminars covering topics that will include professional standards of behaviour and ethical conduct, working in teams, time management and workplace networking.

AIMS

This subject is intended to give students an overview of the present state-of-the-art in industrial motion control and the likely future trends in control design. Students will be exposed to and have practical experience in the design and implementation of advanced controllers for various motion control problems.

Advanced modelling and control topics will include system identification, modelling and compensation of friction and other disturbances, industrial servo loops, model-based and model-free controller design, and adaptive control. Applications will be drawn from industrial, medical and transport automation (eg robots, machine tools, production machines, laboratory automation, automotive and aerospace by-wire systems).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Advanced modelling and control topics will include system identification, modelling and compensation of friction and other disturbances, industrial servo loops, model-based and model-free controller design, and adaptive control. Applications will be drawn from industrial, medical and transport automation (eg robots, machine tools, production machines, laboratory automation, automotive and aerospace by-wire systems).

AIMS

The subject aims to introduce the students to the automation technologies, specifically: robotics and process automation. The use of robots and automated systems in carrying out various tasks will be discussed and the fundamental computational techniques associated with the operation of a robotic manipulator and a general automated system will be introduced. The subject will familiarise the students with the roles, strengths, and capabilities of robotics and automation technologies, as well as how to achieve the said capabilities.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Robotics: manipulator kinematics, including inverse and direct kinematics, manipulator velocity and static forces, trajectory planning, manipulator dynamics, linear control of manipulators and robot designs and robotic programming.

Upon completion, students are expected to gain an overview of a major branch of artificial intelligence known as computational intelligence or soft computing, and their applicability to mechatronic systems. Students are expected to practice some of the methods they learn on real and synthetic data and appreciate the strengths and limits of the approaches they learn.

A variety of topics in computational intelligence are expected to be covered, with selections to be made from 1) neural networks including generative networks, deep neural networks and convolution neural networks, 2) learning methods including unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning and semi-supervised learning, 3) appreciation of other Computational Intelligence methods: fuzzy systems and evolutionary algorithms and 4) an introduction to stochastic dynamic programming and its relationship to AI. Mechatronic applications in broader terms and case studies from other relevant areas of engineering will be discussed.

This subject aims to provide Master of Engineering students with broad based fundamental concepts of the neuroscience of human movements, the impact of injuries on movement capabilities and the current state of the arts of health care delivery to human movement impairments. It also aims to challenge the students to draw from their engineering training to address the interdisciplinary problem. The subject therefore seeks to bridge the gap between engineering and the neuroscience of human movement impairments. It also trains the students in the critical thinking in assessing the research literature.

This subject will be jointly taught by instructors from the clinical sciences and engineering. The indicative content includes

• A systems overview of the central nervous system (CNS), with a focus on its ability to elicit motor function
• An system analysis approach of the impact that common impairments of the CNS (including acquired and traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury) has on this system
• A review of current clinical practices used to address these impairments, including treatment and assessment
• The state of the art assistive and rehabilitative technologies currently used within clinical practice
• An engineering analysis and design exercise to investigate novel methods for exploring, identifying, quantifying or treating neurological movement impairment using technologies.

The focus of the generation of movement brings narrows the technological scopes to the area of movement sensing, corresponding biosignal sensing and processing (EMG, EEG), assistive and rehabilitation devices and robotics, physical human-robot interaction and wearable robotics

AIMS

The subject aims to provide an understanding of the principles on which the Web, Email, DNS and other interesting distributed systems are based. Questions concerning distributed architecture, concepts and design; and how these meet the demands of contemporary distributed applications will be addressed.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered include: characterization of distributed systems, system models, interprocess communication, remote invocation, indirect communication, operating system support, distributed objects and components, web services, security, distributed file systems, and name services.

AIMS

Mobile devices are ubiquitous nowadays. Mobile computing encompasses technologies, devices and software that enable (wireless) access to services anyplace, anytime, and anywhere. This subject will cover fundamental mobile computing techniques and technologies, and explain challenges that are unique to mobile computing. In particular, the development of software for mobile devices requires hands-on experience that cannot be captured using simulation environments or emulators. Mobile device have limited computing power and restrictions on the communication bandwidth, latency and network availability. Equally important, mobile device are also confined by their input mechanisms and their output capabilities such as screen size and resolution. This subject will enable students to develop mobile phone applications and provide them with hands-on experience.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

• A survey of mobile operating systems and development environments; including a discussion of Android and iOS
• Development of interfaces for mobile devices and dealing with different input modalities
• Wireless messaging fundamentals such as push and pull, as well as messaging services such as SMS and MMS and their implementation
• Wireless personal area network standards such as Bluetooth, UWB (ultra-wide band) and ZigBee
• Fundamentals of wireless wide area networks (WWAN) and 4G standards such as LTE and WiMAX enabling wireless broadband access, and the underlying code-, frequency- and time-based multiplexing techniques
• Architectures for thin clients
• Routing in mobile ad-hoc networks and vehicular ad-hoc networks
• RFID (radio frequency identification), in particular how to interrogate RFID tags and anti-collision, and how to maintain security and privacy
• In- and outdoor positioning techniques (GPS) for mobile devices, as location-based services are seen to be one of the key emerging application areas in mobile computing
• Location privacy in mobile computing applications
• Mobile agents, i.e., software programs that can migrate between different hosts.

AIM

This subject develops the theoretical and practical tools required to understand, construct, validate and apply models of standard electrical and electronic devices. In particular, students will study the theoretical and practical development of models for devices such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, motors, batteries, diodes, transistors, and transmission lines. In doing so, students will gain exposure to a variety of fundamental fields in physics, including electromagnetism, semiconductor materials and quantum electronics. This material will be complemented by exposure to experiment design and measurement techniques in the laboratory, the application of models from device manufacturers, and the use of electronic circuit simulation software.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

Vector calculus for device modelling, Maxwell’s equations, physics of conductors and insulators, passive device models (including for resistors, capacitors and inductors), lumped and distributed circuit models for wired interconnections (including treatment of signal integrity and termination strategies), semiconductors and quantum electronics, static and dynamic models for p-n junctions diodes and bipolar junction transistors.

AIMS

This subject provides an in-depth coverage of transistor (MOSFET and BJT) devices and their use in common circuits. In particular, students will study topics including: transistor operating modes and switching; principles of CMOS circuits; transistor biasing; current-source/emitter-amplifiers; low-frequency response; followers; class B amplifiers; current limiting; current sources and mirrors; differential pairs; feedback in amplifiers and stability; operational amplifiers; operational amplifier circuits; and voltage regulation. This material will be complemented by exposure to circuit simulation software tools and the opportunity to further develop circuit construction/test skills in the laboratory.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Design-focused field-effect and bipolar elementary transistor models, and design of elementary amplifier stages and biasing circuits. Static and dynamic behaviour of amplifier circuits including frequency response, feedback and stability, slew-rate and clipping. Operational amplifiers and opamp based circuits; voltage regulators, references and voltage converters. Verification of electronic circuits using simulation.

AIMS

This subject aims to equip students with the skills to undertake abstract and concrete design tasks at an intermediate level, taking into account the wider engineering environment and the ability to select suitable manufacturing processes to realise their designs. As a result, students will also be able to modify products and processes to improve their performance.

This subject will consider the design of machine elements and introduce the manufacturing processes to produce these elements. It will present concurrent design of systems and products; computer-based techniques for geometric modelling and materials selection. The impact of variability in manufacturing will be accounted for in approaches to uncertainty in design, including tolerance technology. It will provide project-based experience in the use of conceptual design techniques and in the management of larger open-ended, team-based design tasks.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

• Fundamentals of materials selection, shape efficient structures and Cambridge Materials Selector.
• Design of springs, columns, pressure vessels, contact loading, bolted joints and pinned and welded joints.
• Nature of quality in design, Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), tolerance technology, and design for manufacturing, assembly and disassembly.

AIMS

As a result of satisfactorily participating in this subject, students should be able to undertake design tasks at an intermediate level, considering performance under uncertain system integrity due to fatigue and wear, and have the ability to design or select suitable ameliorating solutions.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics covered in this subject may include: general concepts of function, integrity, value, quality, efficient use of resources in the synthesis of solutions to design problems; specific mechanical elements such as gears and other common means of power transmission, and their design; development of understanding, in the engineering paradigm, of general concepts such as: function, integrity, value, quality, the efficient use of resources in the synthesis of solutions to design problems.

Students will also be exposed to -

• Design for fatigue: characteristics of fatigue fracture, two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) stress conditions
• Management of the design process: initial appreciation, information flows and networks, characteristics of manufacturing processes affecting product design
• Cumulative damage hypothesis
• The Weibull distribution
• Design for wear: surface phenomena and tribology; its application to bearings and seals
• Quantitative measures of reliability.

This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practice Hurdle (EPH).

EPH is a mandatory requirement for completing the Master of Engineering.

This subject introduces performance, stability and control of a range of aerospace vehicles. It will cover the modelling of aerospace physical systems as ordinary differential equations, and then introduce mathematical techniques to analyse and control their behaviour.

The topics covered in this subject include:

• The fundamentals of flight dynamics for flight vehicles in the atmosphere. This will describe the flight dynamic models and stability of flight vehicles.
• The fundamentals of spacecraft dynamics for six degree of freedom space vehicles. This will describe basic orbital mechanics and the translation and rotation of rigid bodies.
• Other key topics that will be considered are control and estimation methods to stabilize flight and orbital vehicles, an introduction to inertial navigation systems and vertical take-off and landing aircraft models.

MATLAB will be used throughout the course to complement the presented concepts.

This subject is concerned with the modelling and analysis of vibrating systems. It provides tools to analyse a range of systems in which vibration occurs, including the vibration of systems in which aerodynamic forces are also important (aeroelasticity).

The topics covered in this subject are:

The vibration of a single mass-spring-damper system. This will include the calculation of its natural frequency, its free vibration, and its response to forcing.

The vibration of mass-spring-damper systems with multiple degrees of freedom. This will include calculation of the system’s natural frequencies and mode shapes, its free vibration, and its response to forcing.

The vibration of continuous systems in engineering applications. This will include the vibration of strings and beams (for which there is one spatial dimension); and the vibration of membranes and plates (for which there are two spatial dimensions).

Aeroelasticity and its relevance in aerospace applications. We will consider the simultaneous influences of mass, stiffness and aerodynamic forces and how they can combine to give rise to aeroelastic phenomena. We will look in particular at the conditions under which i) divergence and ii) flutter can occur.

This subject will cover the aerodynamics and thermodynamics of aircraft gas turbines and rockets and provide the tools to design and evaluate the performance of jet engines.

Topics include:

• Understanding the requirements and background of jet engines, in particular how the requirements translate to the design of an engine.
• An overview of the key aerodynamical aspects of aircraft relevant to the propulsion system and how jet engines create thrust.
• Engine performance parameters. These are discussed in the context of thermal, cycle and propulsive efficiencies.
• Principles and layouts of jet engines. Different classes of engines will be looked at, such as turbojets, turbofans, and bypass ratios, turbine inlet temperature will be discussed.
• Fundamentals of compressible flow relevant to jet engines will be discussed, including stagnation quantities and choked nozzles.
• Dimensional analysis and non-dimensional variables of engines.
• How to configure compressors and turbines, with consideration of blade profiles, flow coefficient, cooling and losses.
• Rocket propulsion: what are the performance parameters and what are the benefits of staging?

This subject provides a project-based learning experience to design and develop a proof-of-concept prototype mechanical device that addresses a need for a person living with disability. Projects are defined by real-life challenges provided by people with a lived experience of disability who also help mentor teams. The goal is to engage in human-centred design thinking that is socially, technically and financially sensible and that delivers products that are feasible, desirable and viable. Topics covered include human-centred design principles, the design thinking approach to problem solving, life as a person with disability and engineering ethics.