Electronic and Automotive Engineering MSc

The module is structured to give students (i) an appreciation of the issues encompassing the move to lower emission road transportation, (ii) an understanding of the technical and economic aspects of new vehicle drive-train technologies and (iii) the ability to make informed design decisions associated with the integration of more-electric systems for road vehicle traction and control.

This module has been designed to build on your skills in modelling, designing, processing and simulating a range of analogue and digital systems. To support you in this the module reviews the hardware and software aspects of virtual instrumentation (VI). You’ll have the opportunity to use graphical and C/C++ programming languages using PC’s and interface cards as the hardware platform. Industry standard software tools (such as LabVIEW) will also be explored to help design and simulate real systems.

This is an innovative module which delegates will find not only challenging but also very rewarding as it will extend the way they think about management excellence and research application. Through interactive module content, based upon the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence, you will be guided through the theory and practice of professional development and research. Through the use of a number of diagnostic instruments and application tools, you will be able to benchmark your leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills, thereby providing a firm foundation for reflective career planning through portfolio development. On completion, you will be equipped to manage your career through to professional registration and have the ability to lead complex research projects. This activity will be supported by seminars led by experts in the field of research and development from academia and industry, prior to the delivery of equally weighted group and individual project assessments.

The module aims to equip you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary to design, model and simulate electromechanical systems and their control via power electronic converters, for example, servo motion control applications in machine tools, robotics and automated production equipment. Mechanical loads, types, modelling and interaction with an electromagnetic machines will be discussed along with thermal design and management. Measurement, data acquisition and system control / management platforms and protocols. Energy efficiency and the move to “more electrified” systems across the industrial, automotive, aerospace and marine sectors will be studied.

The project provides the opportunity to undertake a major programme of advanced independent work. It requires you to investigate a chosen topic and achieve specified technical goals through good planning and the application of analytical, problem-solving and design skills. The project is developed in collaboration with either an industrial company or within one of the research groups in the School. Your supervising tutor will monitor progress and provide guidance in various aspects of the project including preparation of the final report.

Option Modules

The module compares the design of asynchronous and synchronous controllers, error correction codes and error detection strategies for high reliability systems using Hardware Description Language (HDL) tools. It then develops an understanding of electronic testing and Design For Testability (DFT), covering both Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and board test. It develops abilities in the design of test strategies and in the application of DFT techniques to enhance testability.

Computers are extensively used in monitoring and controlling process plants. Many of the modern instruments contain a small computer chip called microcontroller. These computer chips are normally hidden in instruments and many other products such as mobile phones, cars, cameras, printers, toys etc. This module introduces the principle of computer chips and demonstrates how they can sense their surrounding environment by receiving signals from a variety of transducers and control the attached actuators such as lights and motors according to a specified control strategy. You will design and develop efficient ‘C’ programs in practical sessions and download them onto development boards containing many sensors and actuators. This will allow you to see your programs in action. The module is assessed by one assignment.

The module is concerned with the principles of modern communication systems and their application in wireless communication networks, in particular the Internet of Things. It begins with a basic overview of communications techniques as used in wireless applications. It then reviews existing wireless sensor, and related, technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WirelessHart and LoRaWAN comparing their performance metrics and application areas. The role of wireless communication technologies in the Internet of Things and similar application areas will be discussed.

You will undertake a Major Research Project which is supervised by a member of staff. Every effort is made to obtain an industrial based project but all projects are real and relevant.

20% of the study time on this course is spent in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc.You will be taught through a series of lectures, tutorials, practical's in labs and independent study. Assessment will include coursework and peer review and reflect the emphasis of the course on the ability to apply knowledge and skills.

Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.Assessment will include coursework and peer review and reflect the emphasis of the course on the ability to apply knowledge and skills.

Feedback (either written and/or verbal) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on final coursework is available on request after the publication of results

Further information

The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.