Development Of A Universal Controller For Pedagogical Applications Involving Data Acquisition, Data Logging, And Control

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a novel, low cost, microcontroller-based system that enables students to interface a variety of sensors and actuators to their laptop computers in a laboratory or studio classroom environment. The system could potentially find application throughout the engineering curriculum at Union College beginning with the freshman Introduction to Engineering course, a required course for engineering students in all majors. At the junior and senior levels it is designed to support laboratories in Dynamics of Systems and Mechatronics Design. Finally, as a stand-alone controller, it could potentially be applied to numerous mechatronic student projects including the International Virtual Design Studio (IVDS), the Robotics Club, the SAE Walking Machine Challenge as well as several capstone design projects each year.