Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work Integrated Learning Programmes Division

M.Tech. Automotive Engineering

Course Title AUTOTRONICS

Course No(s) AEL ZG533
Credit Units 5
Credit Model
Instructor-in-Charge S Raghuraman
Version Number 2.0
Date 28/07/2023

Course Objectives:
 An introduction to the applications of mechatronics in Automobile systems.
 Introduction to the various mechatronics building blocks like the System modelling, Signal sensing
and conditioning, Control system engineering, Electrical and mechanical actuation systems etc.
 Learning about Sensors and Transducers, Operational Amplifiers, Hydraulic and Pneumatics,
Dynamic response of systems, System transfer function, Frequency response, and closed loop
controllers.

Text Book(s):
T1 Automotive Mechatronics by Konrad Reif , Springer Vieweg Edition
T2 Mechatronics by W. Bolton, 4th Edition, Pearson

Reference Book(s) & other resources:

R1 Understanding Automotive Electronics – 8th Edition, William B.Ribbens
R2 Control Systems by W. Bolton, Newnes

LEARNING OUTCOMES
LO1 Apply mechatronics in the field of Automotive systems

LO2 Acquire concepts of signal sensing and conditioning, control and decision making and output
actuation.

LO3 Illustrate working of various sensors and transducers, system modelling and dynamic response,
open and closed loop controllers, electrical and mechanical actuators.

LO4 Develop hydraulic and pneumatic systems

Experiential Learning Components:
1. Lab: Virtual lab (MATLAB) and Remote lab
2. Case study: None
3. Work integrated Learning Exercise: None
4. Design work/Field work: None

Content Structure:

Contact List of Sub-Topics Reference

Hour Topic Title
 Introducing Mechatronics, Concepts of signal T2- Ch.1
1-2 Introduction measurement, control and output actuation
 Application examples
Electricity  Resistor, inductor, capacitor, Semiconductor R1
and devices
3-4
Electronic  Diodes, transistors, Field effect transistors , Logic
fundamentals gates
 Automotive sensors – Basics and Overview T1- Pages
5-6 Sensors  Sensor measuring principles 144-234

 Engine speed, Manifold air pressure, Accelerator T1- Pages

pedal, Yaw rate sensors, 246-289 /
7-8 Sensors type  Temperature, Knock, acceleration, Lambda oxygen R1-
sensors Chapter 5
 Rain/Light, Torque sensors
 Operational amplifiers basics T2- Ch.3,
Signal
9-10  Summing, difference, integrating, differentiating,
conditioning
logarithmic type
 Wheatstone bridge, Zener diode, Low and High T2- Ch.3
Signal pass filters
11-12
conditioning  Analog to Digital (ADC) and Digital to Analog
(DAC)
System  Mechanical and Electrical systems T2- Ch.10,
13-14
modelling  Hydraulic and Thermal systems
Dynamic  First and second order systems, their performance T2-
15-16 response of measures Ch12/13
systems  Transfer function - Basics
17 Review Session
Feedback /  Feedback loops T2-
18-20 Closed loop  Open and closed loop Ch13/15
controllers  Closed loop controllers (PID strategies)
Electronic  Engine performance terms R1-
21-24 Engine  Electronic fuel control systems Chapter 4
controls
25-28 Actuators  Electric actuators, Electromechanical types T1- Pages
  Fuel injectors, Exhaust gas recirculation 290-304;
 Variable valve timing, Electric motor R1-
 Brushless DC motor, Ignition systems Chapter
247-270,
 Basics of hydraulics, types of valves T1- Pages
29-30 Hydraulics  Automatic brake functions, Electronic braking 396-410,
force distribution
Review
31-32
Session

Project Activity/ Experiential Lab:

Sr No Lab Details/ Project Details Access

01 Simulink On-ramp – 4 hours of certificate completion Through Platifi portal or
02 Virtual Lab: MATLAB software: – 6 hour of Lab Lecture and 6 Locally installed software
hours of practice

Evaluation Scheme:
Legend: EC = Evaluation Component; AN = After Noon Session; FN = Fore Noon Session
Evaluation Name Type (Open Weight Duration Day, Date,
Component (Quiz, Lab, Project, Mid- book, Closed Session, Time
term exam, End semester book,
exam, etc.) Online, etc.)
Theory- Quiz/Assignment Online 10% To be announced
EC - 1 MATLAB Simulink onramp Online 5% To be announced
Virtual lab assignment Online 15% To be announced
Mid-Semester Test Closed Book 30% 2 hours Sunday,
EC - 2
24/09/2023 (AN)
Comprehensive Exam Open Book 40% 2½ Sunday,
EC - 3 hours 26/11/2023 (AN)

Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics in Contact Hours: 1 to 16

Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics
Important links and information:
Elearn portal: https://elearn.bits-pilani.ac.in
Students are expected to visit the Elearn portal on a regular basis and stay up to date with the latest
announcements and deadlines.
Contact sessions: Students should attend the online lectures as per the schedule provided on the Elearn
portal.
Evaluation Guidelines:
1. EC-1 consists a Quiz/Assignment/ Project along with Onramp course, Virtual lab and On-site lab.
Performing the physical experiments available only in the on-site lab at Hyderabad campus is
mandatory. Announcements will be made on the portal, in a timely manner.
2. For Closed Book tests: No books or reference material of any kind will be permitted.
3. For Open Book exams: Use of books and any printed / written reference material (filed or bound)
is permitted. However, loose sheets of paper will not be allowed. Use of calculators is permitted
in all exams. Laptops/Mobiles of any kind are not allowed. Exchange of any material is not
allowed.
 4. If a student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Exam due to genuine exigencies, the student
should follow the procedure to apply for the Make-Up Test/Exam which will be made available
on the Elearn portal. The Make-Up Test/Exam will be conducted only at selected exam centres on
the dates to be announced later.
It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self-study schedule
as given in the course handout, attend the online lectures, and take all the prescribed evaluation
components such as Assignment, Mid-Semester Test and Comprehensive Exam according to the
evaluation scheme provided in the handout.

Instructor in-charge
(AE ZG511)