Section 8.1. Mechatronics is a synergistic application of mechanics, electronics, control engineering, and computer science in the development of electromechanical products and systems, through integrated design. A mechatronic system consists of sensors and transducers, actuators, and controllers. In developing a mechatronic system, modeling, analysis, integrated design, deployment, testing and refinement tasks are carried out. This section addresses Characteristics of a Mechatronic System, Motivation for Mechatronic Design, and Modeling Needs in Mechatronics.

Section 8.2. Mechatronics develops a unifying framework for modeling multi-domain (mechanical, electrical, thermal, fluid, etc.) systems which is capable of incorporating multi-functional devices into the framework. For this purpose, the concept of Through Variables and Across Variables are introduced in this section. An Across Variable is measured across the element. An Across Variable can be considered as Velocity, Voltage, Temperature, and Pressure in mechanical, electrical, fluid, and thermal systems, respectively. A Through Variable remains unchanged through the element. A Through Variable can be defined as Force, Current, Heat Transfer Rate, and Fluid Flow Rate for mechanical, electrical, fluid, and thermal systems, respectively.

Section 8.3. The objective of control is to make a (dynamic) system to behave in a desired manner, according to some performance specifications. All control systems involve a controller and a process. Control systems can be pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical or electrical or a combination of them. Components of this block diagram are described below. In this section, Performance of control systems, and relation to Vehicle agility are discussed. Cyber physical systems for vehicles' control systems are also addressed in this section.

Section 8.4. A Self-powered Dynamic System is defined as a dynamic system powered by its own excessive kinetic energy, renewable energy or a combination of both. The technologies explored are associated with self-powered devices (e.g. sensors), regenerative actuators, and energy harvesting. The particular area of work is the concept of fully or partially self-powered dynamic systems requiring zero or reduced external energy inputs. The concept, theory and application of Self-powered Dynamic Systems is presented in this section. Optimal Uncertainty Quantification is introduced in this section as a powerful analysis tool.

Section 8.5. Mechatronic systems are complex and require multiple technologies in multiple domains. Sequentially designed components of existing “mixed” systems are not optimally matched. There is potential for improvement through concurrent and optimal design integrating several domains. This is the motivation for mechatronics design. Mechatronic Design Quotient (MDQ) approach is explained in this section as an efficient tool for design of mechatronic systems.