Block E – Electromechanics (since A.Y. 2024-25)

Block E - Electromechanics

—> This Block is conceived for students willing to cover the main aspects of mechanics and electronics exclusively. Students with a background other than Engineering Sciences or Systems Engineering, Electronics, or Mechanics might be interested in choosing this block.

Year sem SPECIFIC SUBJECTS – Block E
CFU SSD class hours
1 I INNOVATIVE MATERIALS WITH LABORATORY 6 ING-IND/21 60
1 II MECHANICS OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES 6 ICAR/08 60
1 II ELECTRONIC INTERFACES 6 ING-INF/01 60
2 II CONTROL OF ELECTRICAL MACHINES 6 ING-INF/04 60
    TOTAL ECTS
24    

1st Year – I semII sem

2nd Year  – I sem – II sem (A.Y. 2025-26)

Electronic Interfaces (block B-opt – E) (since 2022-23)

Electronic Interfaces (block B-opt – E) (since 2022-23)
1 YEAR II semester  6 CFU
Christian Falconi A.Y. 2022-23 (since)
Code: 80300103
SSD: ING-INF/01

FORMATIVE OBJECTIVES

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The goal is to teach the fundamental principles and tools for designing electronic interfaces.
The contents of the course have general validity, but the focus will be on electronic interfaces for mechatronics.
The course is oriented toward design.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Students will need to know and understand the fundamental principles and tools for the analysis and design of electronic interfaces.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Students will have to demonstrate that they are able to design electronic interfaces.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
Students will be able to evaluate the design of electronic interfaces.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
The students, in addition to illustrating the fundamental principles and tools for the design of electronic interfaces, must be able to explain each design choice.

LEARNING SKILLS:
Students must be able to read and understand scientific texts and articles (also in English) concerning electronic interfaces.

PREREQUISITES

Thévenin equivalent circuit.
Norton equivalent circuit.
Laplace transform
Fourier transform

Syllabus:

Fundamentals on electronic devices.
Equivalent circuits (mechanic systems, thermal systems,…).
Diode circuits.
Transistor circuits.
Nullors.
Operational amplifiers (op amps).
Universal active devices.
Non-idealities of op-amps and other universal active devices.
Op-amp circuits.
Simulations of electronic circuits (SPICE).
Electronic interfaces.
Circuits for mechatronics (design examples).

Control of Electrical Machines (B-C-E) –> CONTROL OF ELECTRICAL MOTORS AND VEHICLES (B-C1-C2-E) (25-26)

CEM
2 YEAR II semester 6 CFU
Cristiano M. Verrelli A.Y. 2021-22 to A.Y. 2024-25
 

 

A.Y. 2025-26 (new name CONTROL OF ELECTRICAL MOTORS AND VEHICLES )
Code:8039782
SSD: ING-INF/04

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course aims to provide a unified exposition of the most important steps and concerns in mathematical modeling and design of estimation and control algorithms for electrical machines such as:
– permanent magnet synchronous motors
– permanent magnet stepper motors
– synchronous motors with damping windings
– induction (asynchronous) motors
– synchronous generators.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students should be able to gain profound insight into the fundamental mathematical modeling and control design techniques for electrical machines, which are of interest and value not only to engineers engaged in the control of electric machines but also to a broader audience interested in (nonlinear) control design.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students should be able to deeply understand mathematical modeling through nonlinear differential equations, stability and nonlinear control theory concepts, and design of (nonlinear) adaptive controls containing parameter estimation algorithms (important for applications). Students should be able to apply the related knowledge to learning control of robotic manipulators and cruise/yaw rate control of electric vehicles.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students should be able to identify the specific design scenario and apply the most suitable techniques. Students should be able to compare the effectiveness of different controls while analyzing theoretical/experimental advantages and drawbacks.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students should be able to use a single notation and modern (nonlinear) control terminology. Students should be able to exhibit a logical and progressive exposition starting from basic assumptions, structural properties, modeling, control, and estimation algorithms. Students are also expected to be able to read and capture the main results of a technical paper concerning the topics of the course, as well as to effectively communicate in a precise and clear way the content of the course. Tutor-guided individual projects (including Maple and Matlab-Simulink computer simulations and lab visits) invite intensive participation and exchanging ideas.

LEARNING SKILLS: Being enough skilled in the specific field to undertake the following studies characterized by a high degree of autonomy.

TEXTS

R. Marino, P. Tomei, C.M. Verrelli, Induction Motor Control Design, Springer, 2010.
Latest journal papers.

VERIFICATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE

Verify the knowledge and skills acquired by the student on the topics covered by the program. The intermediate exams, the final written tests, and the oral exam will consist of questions related to the topics covered by the program of the course. The questions are aimed at ascertaining the student’s knowledge and his/her reasoning skills in making logical connections between the different topics.

The final vote of the exam is expressed out of thirty and will be obtained through the following graduation system:

Not pass: important deficiencies in the knowledge and in the understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent mistakes and limited critical and judgmental capacity, inconsistent reasoning, inappropriate language.

18-21: the student has acquired the basic concepts of the discipline and has an analytical capacity that comes out only with the help of the teacher. The way of speaking and the language used are almost correct, though not precise.

22-25: the student has acquired the basic concepts of the discipline in a discrete way; he/she knows how to discuss the various topics; he/she has an autonomous analysis capacity while adopting a correct language.

26-29: the student has a well-structured knowledge base. He/She is able to independently adopt a correct logical reasoning;  notations and technical language are correct.

30 and 30 cum laude: the student has a complete and in-depth knowledge base. The cultural references are rich and up-to-date while being expressed by means of brilliant technical language.

ELECTRONICS OF IOT AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

ELECTRONICS OF IOT AND EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

 

2 YEAR 1 semester 12 CFU
Patrick LONGHI (3cfu)
Giancarlo ORENGO (3cfu)
Gian Carlo CARDARILLI (4cfu)
Luca DI NUNZIO (2cfu)
since A.Y. 2019-20
M-5519 – ELECTRONICS OF IOT (6cfu)
M-5520 – DESIGN OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS FOR MECHATRONICS (6cfu)
Code: 8039795
SSD: ING-INF/01

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the course are:
1) to provide the tools to carry out a radio link assessment in a real application context.
2) learn the fundamental parameters of the antennas used in IoT applications
3) provide the tools to interpret the electrical diagram of the RF front end of a typical trans receiver.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Provide the fundamental tools to understand the most advanced and updated content from publications, magazines, forums, blogs, etc., to always be updated on the state of the art.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Practical radio link budget, electronic noise evaluation on receiver behavior, installation effects of the antennas, understanding of key parameters of commonly used antennas in the targeted scenario, analysis of an RF transceiver block diagram

AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT:
With the enormous amount of information that is available today to developers of IoT applications, the course seeks to develop the ability of the student to select the highest quality and most validated content.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
The final test is based on an oral exam in which the student illustrates a part of the module

LEARNING ABILITY:
The course aims to develop in the student the ability to independently learn new and constantly updated content because the knowledge acquired today soon becomes obsolete.

SYLLABUS:

(Longhi):

Introduction to radiating elements and their key parameters.
Ideal and practical link budget.
The effect of noise in electronic receivers, figures of merit and mathematical modelling. Receiver G/T.
Practical aspects of IoT RF systems
RFID
Radiating elements key parameters, gain, directivity, HPBW, nulls, radiation pattern, polarization, and input impedance. Some practical cases: the mono/di-pole family, microstrip antennas, parabolic reflector, wearables
Introduction to RF transceiver systems and key-components (switches, HPA, LNA, mixers, frequency generators).

(G.Orengo):

Summary of Digital Electronics: digital encoding of information, binary (fixed and floating point), hexadecimal and ASCII; operators and main logic circuits, registers and memories, programmable devices. Prototyping boards for IoT (Arduino, Rasberry), Systems on Chip (SoC), architecture of a microcontroller, description of the Arduino Uno board. Programming languages ​​(assembly, compiled, interpreted), structure of an Arduino sketch (libraries, setups, loops, functions, interrupts), programming elements in C (variables, math and logical operations, cycles, conditional statements). Use of digital and analog I/O ports (A/D conversion, PWM output). Synchronous and asynchronous serial communication modes, wired (USB) and wireless with Bluetooth, RF and WiFi modules. Remote control of electronic modules (sensors, dc stepper and servo motors, LED/LCD displays etc.) from portable devices (Windows, IoS), through applications developed in Processing and Python, and mobile (Android), through Apps developed with the MIT App Inventor platform. Internet protocols for device local/remote control through WiFi modules connected as access points/clients to web platforms or public/private cloud servers controlled by laptops and/or mobile devices.

(G.Cardarilli):

– Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems
– Wireless and mobile communications
– The Sensors
– Low power processing
– IoT and machine learning applications
– Future developments in the field of IoT and embedded systems

 

CONTROL OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

CONTROL OF MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
2 YEAR
1 semester 9 CFU
Riccardo MARINO Since 2019-20
Code: 8039823
SSD: ING-INF/04

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Ability to understand scientific papers on the control of mechanical systems

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

Knowledge of dynamic modeling of mechanical systems. Knowledge of basic feedback control techniques for single input single output systems and of decoupling techniques for multi input multi output nonlinear systems

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

Ability to simulate using Matlab Simulink complex controlled mechanical systems

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:

Ability to evaluate stability, robustness, and performance of a control system

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Ability to present and discuss an autonomous design project

LEARNING SKILLS: Ability to fully understand a scientific paper on the control of mechanical systems

SYLLABUS:

BASIC CONTROL TOOLS
Bounded- input bounded- output linear systems. Pole placement theorem for controllable and observable linear systems. Luenberger observers for observable systems. Design of dynamic compensators for linear systems. Integral feedback control to reject constant disturbances. PID control. System inverses for minimum phase linear systems. The combination of feedback and feedforward control actions.
ADVANCED CONTROL TOOLS
Linear approximations of nonlinear control systems about operating conditions. The definition of region of attraction for an operating condition. Output feedback compensators with integral actions to control nonlinear systems about a given operating condition. Liapunov matrix equations to determine quadratic Liapunov functions and assess the region of attraction. The definition of the sensitivity transfer function and its properties. The gang of four: sensitivity, complementary sensitivity, load sensitivity and noise sensitivity functions. How to determine the robustness of a control loop using the gang of four functions. Bode’s integral formula and the limitations imposed by unstable open loop poles. Youla parametrization to design stable compensation. Kalman filters, Riccati equations and robust control design.

CONTROL DESIGN FOR MULTIVARIABLE NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
Relative degree for a single input single output nonlinear system. State feedback control design for input-output linearization. State feedback linearization when the relative degree is equal to the state space dimension. The definition of nonlinear inverse systems. Relative degrees or decoupling indices for multivariable (multi-input, multi-output) nonlinear systems. The definition of the decoupling matrix. State feedback control design for input-output linearization when the decoupling matrix is full rank using the Penrose pseudoinverse. State feedback linearization when the sum of relative degrees is equal to the state space dimension and the decoupling matrix is full rank.

CASE STUDIES OF NONLINEAR MECHANICAL CONTROL SYSTEMS
Control of bycicles, robots, vehicles and aircrafts

POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE MOBILITY (ex Internal Combustion Engines)

POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE MOBILITY (ex Internal Combustion Engines)
1 YEAR (Block C)

2 YEAR (Blocks A|B|D|E)

II semester  9 CFU
Stefano CORDINER (6/9 cfu)
Lorenzo BARTOLUCCI (3/9 cfu)
A.Y. 2021-22

Internal Combustion Engines

Since A.Y. 2022-23

POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE MOBILITY

Code: 80300079
SSD: ING/IND/08
(by Mechanical Engineering)

PREREQUISITES: Technical Physics, Fluid Machinery

FORMATIVE OBJECTIVES

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course aims to provide students with in-depth scientific training to correctly address the problems of designing, choosing and managing new propulsion systems for sustainable mobility starting from current solutions with internal combustion engines as well as creating the conditions for the development of innovative and low environmental impact solutions. To this end, students will develop in-depth knowledge of the operating principles of propulsion systems for transport and will learn simulation procedures for their verification and sizing. Finally, particular attention is dedicated to the most recent technological development of internal combustion engine technology aimed at overcoming current limits in terms of emissions and efficiency and defining innovative scenarios for sustainable mobility.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Course aim is to provide the students with tools for the analysis of the performances and the evaluation of proper design solution for internal combustion engines and their core components. At the end of the course, the student will be able to independently understand the functional link between design variables and the performance of internal combustion engines also in case of innovative design,

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The course, through the analysis of specific problems and quantitative data, is aimed at providing the tools for analysis and evaluation of the effects of different design choices. The theme of energy efficiency and pollution reduction are at the heart of the teaching organization. The student will be able to interpret and propose design solutions, even innovative ones, adapted to the specificity of the problems that are presented to him.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
By studying theoretical and practical aspects of engine design and critically assessing the influence of different design variables, the student will be able to improve his judgment and proposal in relation to design. and the management of internal combustion engines.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
The presentation of the theoretical and application profiles underlying the operation of internal combustion engines will be carried out to allow the knowledge of the technical language of the appropriate specialist terminology; The development of communication skills, both oral and written will also be stimulated through classroom discussion, participation in seminary activities and through final tests.

LEARNING SKILLS:
The learning capacity, even individual, will be stimulated through numerical exercises, the drafting of papers on specialized topics, the discussion in the classroom, also aimed at verifying the actual understanding of the topics treated. The learning capacity will also be stimulated by integrative educational aids (journal articles and economic newspapers) in order to develop autonomous application capabilities.

SYLLABUS:

Legislation evolution on Internal Combustin Engines. Definition of the performance of the propulsion systems and their operating characteristics in relation to the mission, driving cycles. Generalities on reciprocating internal combustion engines: Characteristics and classification, thermodynamic and performance analysis of reciprocating internal combustion engines.
Air supply for 4-stroke engines: volumetric efficiency and its evaluation; Design elements of intake systems: quasi-stationary effects; valve sizing; influence of other engine parameters; Variable Valve Actuation systems. 2-stroke engines: construction schemes; Non-stationary phenomena in intake and exhaust ducts: inertia and wave propagation; variable geometry systems; calculation models; Supercharging.
In cylinder charge Motion: Turbulence; swirl, squish, tumble; stratified charge engines.
Traditional and alternative fuels; Properties of motor fuels. Generalities: combustibles; stoichiometric air; calorific value Gaseous fuels: natural gas, hydrogen and mixtures. bio-ethanol, bio-diesel and DME. Characteristics and their use in engines: technical solutions, performance and emissions.
Fuel supply Premixed combustion engines; Non-pre-mixed combustion engines.
Combustion : Analytical elements of combustion; thermodynamics of combustion processes; calculation of the chemical composition and of the adiabatic equilibrium temperature ; transport phenomena ; chemical kinetics.
Pollutant emissions and abatement systems; Emissions: formation mechanisms, effects on health and the environment, measurement of emissions; influence of engine parameters; Innovative combustion solutions, Advanced Thermodynamic Cycles. Sustainable mobility. Operating principles of hybrid vehicles: series and parallel solution; motors a.c. and electrical employees; regenerative braking; lithium batteries, performance and prospects. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, i.c. engines “range extender”. Innovative control logics for optimal powersplitting between the different energy sources. Electric vehicles, characteristics and prospects. Numerical simulation tools will be presented for all course topics

ATTENDANCE

Course attendance is strongly recommended. During the course, students are invited to interact with the Professor during the class or office hours for any clarification or insight in specific topics related to the program.

Mechanics of Materials and Structures (block A-E)

Mechanics of Materials and Structures (block A-E)
1 YEAR II semester  6 CFU
Andrea Micheletti

Edoardo Artioli

A.Y. 2021-22 (9 cfu)
Andrea Micheletti A.Y. 2022-23 (6 cfu)
Code: 80300064
SSD: ICAR/08
(by Engineering Sciences)

FORMATIVE OBJECTIVES

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goal of this course, composed of two Modules, is to provide the student with basic knowledge of the mechanics of linearly elastic structures and of the strength of materials. By completing this class successfully, the student will be able to compute simple structural elements and reasonably complex structures.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
– compute constraint reactions and internal actions in rigid-body systems and beams subjected to point/distributed forces and couples
– compute centroid position and central principal second-order moments of area distributions
– understand the formal structure of the theory of linear elasticity for beams and 3D bodies
– analyze strain and stress states in 3D bodies
– compute the stress state in beams subjected to uniaxial bending, biaxial bending, eccentric axial force
– understand the behaviour of beams subjected to shear with bending and torsion
– understand how to compute displacements/rotations in isostatic beam systems, how to solve statically underdetermined systems, how to apply yield criteria, and how to design beams against buckling

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will apply the knowledge and understanding skills developed during the course to the analysis of practical problems. This includes the analysis of linearly elastic structures and structural members in terms of strength and stiffness.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The student will have to demonstrate his awareness of the modeling assumptions useful to describe and calculate structural elements, as well as his critical judgement on the static response of elastic structures under loads, in terms of stresses, strains, and displacements.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: The student will demonstrate, mostly during the oral test, his capacity of analyzing and computing the static response of linearly elastic structures, as well as his knowledge of the underlying theoretical models.

LEARNING SKILLS: The student will get familiar with the modeling of structures and structural elements in practical problems, mostly during the development of his skills for the written test. This mainly concerns beams and three-dimensional bodies.

PREREQUISITES: The student should have already attended the basic courses of calculus, geometry, and physics.
It is required that the student has good skills with regard to differential and integral calculus, linear algebra and matrix calculations.

SYLLABUS:

Together with the other Module of this course, the following topics are covered.

Review of basic notions of vector and tensor algebra and calculus.
Kinematics and statics of rigid-body systems.
Geometry of area distributions.
Strain and stress in 3D continuous bodies and beam-like bodies.
Virtual power and virtual work equation for beams and 3D bodies.
One-dimensional beam models: Bernoulli-Navier model, Timoshenko model, constitutive equations, governing differential equations.
Constitutive equation for linearly elastic and isotropic bodies, material moduli.
Hypothesis in linear elasticity, equilibrium problem for linearly elastic beams and 3D bodies.
Three-dimensional beam model: the Saint-Venant problem, uniaxial and biaxial bending, eccentric axial force, shear and bending, torsion.
Elastic energy of beams and 3D bodies, work-energy theorem, Betti’s reciprocal theorem, Castigliano’s theorem.
Yield criteria (maximum normal stress, maximum tangential stress, maximum elastic energy, maximum distortion energy).
Buckling instability, bifurcation diagrams, load and geometry imperfections, Euler buckling load, design against buckling.
Basic notions on the finite element method and structural analysis software.

NANOTECHNOLOGY

NANOTECHNOLOGY
1 YEAR II semester  6 CFU
Antonio Agresti (3cfu)
Francesca De Rossi (3cfu)
A.Y. 2021-22
Antonio Agresti (3cfu)
Fabio Matteocci (3cfu)
A.Y. 2022-23
A.Y. 2023-24
Antonio Agresti A.Y. 2024-25
Code: 8039791
SSD: ING-INF/01

(to be updated for A.A. 24-25)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The first part of the Nanotechnology course introduces thin film depositions using both physical and chemical vapour depositions. The main objective is the knowledge of the potential and limits of the different thin film depositions in the nanotechnology field. Particular attention is destinated to the deposition technique used in micro and nanoelectronics based on semiconductors using top-down and bottom-up approaches. The interaction of both approaches has been discussed with the student in order to share the importance of multidisciplinary knowledge (physics, chemistry and engineering) where the nanotechnology field is based. The final part of module 1 is destinated to the introduction of the case study of the course about the thin film fabrication of an emergent photovoltaic technology: the perovskite solar cells. In particular, the study of the optoelectronic properties of the materials and the fabrication of several device architectures is important to understand the important role of the manufacturing design in thin film photovoltaic technologies destinated at the industrial level.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Regarding the first module, at the end of the course, the student will have a clear overview of the main deposition technique studied and applied in nanotechnology for different application fields.
Regarding the second module, at the end of the course, the student will know the main characterization techniques for nanostructured materials and electronic and optoelectronic devices till nanometric size.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
The student will be able to recognize the applicability areas for the various characterization and realization techniques at nanometric scales. She/He will also be able to apply the knowledge and understanding developed during the course to study and understand recent literature.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
The transversal preparation provided by the course implies
1) the student’s capability to integrate knowledge and manage complexity
2) the student’s ability to deal with new and emerging areas in nanotechnology application to energy and nanoelectronics.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
The student will be able to clearly and unequivocally communicate the course content to specialized interlocutors. He will also be able to communicate the main physico-chemical characteristics of nanostructured materials and to indicate the most appropriate deposition/processing technique of these materials to technical interlocutors (example: other engineers, physicists, chemists) but not specialists in the field of electronics or devices. The student will also have a sufficient background to undertake a thesis/research work in modern nanotechnology laboratories.

LEARNING SKILLS:
The structure of the course contents, characterized by various topics apparently separated but connected by an interdisciplinary and modular vision, will contribute to developing a systemic learning capacity that will allow the student to approach in a self-directed or autonomous way to other frontier problems on nanotechnology application to energy and nanoelectronics. Furthermore, the student will be able to read and understand recent scientific literature.

 

SYLLABUS

 

First Module: 1 Prof. Antonio Agresti (3 cfu)

1) Quantum Mechanics and p-n junction

2 )Solar Cells: main electrical characterization techniques

3) Absorbance and Fluorescence Spectroscopy

4) Electron scanning microscopy (SEM)

5) Electron transmission microscopy (TEM)

6) Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)

7) Atomic force microscopy (AFM)

8) Kelvin Probe Microscopy (KPFM)

9) Raman spectroscopy

10) Bi-Dimensional Materials

 

Second module – Prof. Fabio Matteocci (3cfu)

 

1) Introduction to nanotechnology and thin film properties;
2) Thin Film Deposition: the importance of vacuum and plasma;
3) Thermal Evaporation: Working mechanism, material properties, deposition parameters and applications;
4) DC and RF Sputtering: Working mechanism, material properties, deposition parameters and applications;
5) Pulsed Laser Deposition: Working mechanism, material properties, deposition parameters and applications;
6) Chemical Vapour Deposition: Working mechanism, material properties, deposition parameters and applications;
7) Atomic Layer Deposition: Working mechanism, material properties, deposition parameters and applications;
8) Solution Processing: Spin coating, Screen Printing, Blade Coating, Slot die coating;
9) Patterning Procedures: Photolithography and Laser Ablation;
10) Introduction to Perovskite Solar Cell: Working mechanism, material properties, deposition techniques, up-scaling process and applications;
11) Building Integration Photovoltaics;

VLSI CIRCUIT AND SYSTEM DESIGN

VLSI
1 YEAR II semester  9 CFU
Luca DI NUNZIO (9 cfu) A.Y. 2021-22
Luca DI NUNZIO (5 cfu)

Vittorio MELINI (2 cfu)

Sergio SPANO’ (2 cfu)

since A.Y. 2022-23
Code: 8039166
SSD: ING-INF/01

PREREQUISITES:

It is strictly suggested to take the “Digital Electronics” exam before attending this course. You can contact Prof. Luca DI NUNZIO for any doubts regarding the topic.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The VLSI CIRCUIT AND SYSTEM DESIGN course aims to teach the basics of combinational and sequential circuits that represent the basic blocks of any modern digital system. In addition, the course will provide the basic concepts of the VHDL language

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

At the end of the course, the student will learn the basic concepts of combinational and sequential circuits that are the basis of any system and the basic concepts of the VHDL language useful for the design of digital systems

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

Ability to analyze the characteristics of digital circuits with particular emphasis on timing and power consumption.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:

The student will understand the acquired knowledge independently and critically to be able to connect and integrate the various aspects related to the design of digital systems

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

The student must be able to communicate their knowledge acquired during the course in clear, correct, and technical language.

LEARNING SKILLS:

Ability to critically approach a digital circuit design problem, know how to manage it, and find implementation solutions using the VHDL language

SYLLABUS:

(L. DI NUNZIO)

Digital electronics basic concepts
Floating-point and fixed-point numeric representation formats
Combinatorial circuits: encoders, decoders, multiplexers
Sequential circuits: flip flops, latch registers, counters, memories
Introduction to VHDL: entity and architecture, levels of abstraction, HDL design flow, combinatorial and sequential processes, objects in VHDL test bench
Practical activities of circuit design in VHDL

(S. SPANO’)

Central unit
ALU
System registers
Address logic
System buses
Scheduler
Branching of instructions
Interrupts
Bus synchronization
RAM memories
ROM memories
Flash memories
CAM memories

 

ROBOT MECHANICS

ROBOT MECHANICS
1 YEAR (Blocks B|C)
2 YEAR (Blocks A|D|E)
1 semester 9 CFU
Marco Ceccarelli (6/9 cfu)

Matteo Russo (3/6 cfu)

A.Y. 2021-22

A.Y. 2022-23

Matteo Russo A. Y. 2023-24
A.Y. 2024-25
Code: 8039785
SSD: ING-IND/13

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will provide students with the knowledge and tools needed to model and analyse robotic manipulators in terms of mechanical performance. Students will learn how to design, evaluate, and control industrial and service robots.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will learn to analyse robotic systems by modelling their kinematics and dynamics and thus finding their key operational parameters. Furthermore, the student will learn how to design a manipulator from its operational requirements, such as workspace, velocity, and payload.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student will apply this knowledge to design, model, and evaluate robots with examples of use cases. Once identified the joints and bodies that compose a robot, the student will be able to numerically characterize its operation and mobility. Furthermore, the student will be able to critically select a robot type for a given manipulation task.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The student will demonstrate their understanding of robot operation by developing and presenting a practical use case, in which they will examine autonomously and critically the challenges behind robot design and application.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: During the course, students discuss key topics, working on a written project on manipulation analysis of their own choice. Project results are then presented at the end of the course.

LEARNING SKILLS: During the course, students are involved in the lecture for a continuous stimulus to verify their understanding of robot mechanics. The knowledge acquired during the course is also verified in the final project on manipulation analysis.

REQUIREMENTS: The student should have already attended the fundamental courses on calculus, geometry, and physics. The understanding of rigid body mechanics and basic programming skills (MATLAB) are required, as well as knowledge of mechanism design and analysis.

PROGRAMME:

  1. Architecture and classification of industrial and service robots
    1. Definitions: kinematic chains, joints, mobility
    2. Manipulation analysis
    3. Types of manipulators
  2. Kinematics
    1. Reference frames
    2. Denavit-Hartenberg notation
    3. Forward kinematics
    4. Inverse kinematics
    5. Jacobian and singularities
    6. Workspace
    7. Path planning
  3. Statics and dynamics
    1. Equilibrium
    2. Equation of motion
    3. Grasp mechanics
  4. Other designs
    1. Actuation technologies
    2. Parallel robots
    3. Compliant robots
    4. Soft and continuum robots

EXAM:

The exam is divided into a written and oral test. The written test consists of three exercises regarding practical use-cases of industrial and service robots. In alternative, a project report developed during the course can be evaluated. In the oral test, the student will discuss with a critical perspective robot functioning. In alternative, the developed project on manipulation analysis can be presented and discussed.