Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with knowledge of the main challenges and techniques in the design of electronic systems in the automotive field. The student will learn how to apply electronic design techniques to automotive control problems developing a project in MATLAB and SIMULINK environments.
In particular, the student will learn 1. What are the principal automotive electronic systems 2. How to model and simulate a continuous/digital systems in MATLAB/SIMULINK. 3. To automatically generate C or VHDL code for Microcontrollers or FPGAs. 4. To develop a group project activity on a simple automotive system based on microcontrollers.
Prerequisites
Basics concepts about electrical circuits, electronics, signal theory and programming.
Course unit content
The course is dedicated to the description of techniques useful for the electronic design of automotive systems. The aim is to explore the potential of common software tools to support electronic design, as regards the system design, hardware connection, modeling and simulation, and code generation. For this purpose, MATLAB/SIMULINK will be exploited as an example of flexible tool for complex designs. Students will gain experience with some of the techniques illustrated by developing a simple automotive system design.
Topics include:
1. Introduction to electronic automotive systems
2. MATLAB/SIMULINK system design, modeling and simulation
3. Hardware connection and code generation
4. New Product Development Project Management tools, typical of automotive engineering department, part of the ISO IATF 16949: APQP – Advanced Product Quality Planning; PPAP – Production Part Approval Process; QFD – Quality Function Deployment; FMEA – Failure Mode Effects Analysis
Full programme
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Bibliography
William B. Ribbens, Understanding Automotive Electronics, 8e, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2017. ISBN: 978-0-12-810434-7
Teaching methods
The topics covered will be illustrated through slides and exercises. The slides used and the exercise texts and solutions will be published on the Elly platform. Moreover, during the course the students will carry out, under the teacher’s guidance, laboratory design activities aimed at developing a simple automotive system based on microcontrollers.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final examination consists of a written report on both the project activity and project management task assigned by the lecturers. An oral presentation is also required.
The ability to apply technical knowledge effectively, to develop the project within the working group and the quality of the presentation (both oral and written) will be evaluated to obtain the final grade. The activities will be considered sufficient when the minimum objectives set by the teacher have been implemented. For an excellent mark the student must demonstrate to be able to carry out some tasks in an autonomous and independent way.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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