Students will learn how a processor is built from fundamental logic gates. Learning how a processor works under the hood will help students become better programmers. Electronics fundamentals will be covered, including digital logic, Ohm’s Law, schematics and integrated circuits. The use of oscilloscopes and other electrical equipment will also be covered, including soldering and circuit construction techniques (programming with solder). Students will implement an assembly instruction set on a 4-bit μController they design.

Students will explore the use of materials and design of simple mechanical systems using CAD software and rapid prototyping technologies. Topics include design for manufacturing, power transfer, and choice of materials in designs.

Embedded programming is a key component of any high-fidelity robotics product, as well as many high-tech maker-based platforms. This course will work through the details of component, assembly, and complex product-based embedded programming solutions, with an emphasis on Arduino hardware. Students will learn to understand the elements of real-world problems and be able to translate those problems into a structured list of requirements, scope elements, and ultimately—programming.

Student teams will design, implement and evaluate software for an autonomous mobile robotic platform. Real-world environment design considerations will be addressed throughout the design process. The level of autonomy must be clearly defined, taking into consideration asynchronous events and sensor input. Appropriate architecture selection will be a major component to the design, as dictated by performance requirements outlined in the project objectives. Topics that relate to the design will also be studied, including data structures used in the implementation of intelligent machines.

Students will explore the computer control of both fixed-wing and rotorcraft aerial vehicles. Topics will include flight mechanics, electronic control of flight, control base stations, and important software techniques for controlling flying vehicles.

Students will learn basic mechanical design, PCB layout and common mechanical control methods. Mechanical design topics include basic mechanical drafting, mechanical design, design analysis and rapid prototyping. PCB layout topics include schematic capture, design for electromagnetic interference, CRC design rules and surface-mount layout. Control topics include an introduction to controls theory, PID control methodology and adaptive control systems.