Designing and Building Reliable Automation Systems
IoT and Autonomous SystemsAbout this course
Welcome to the course on Building a Reliable Automation System! In this hands-on program, you'll dive deep into the fundamentals of embedded systems and automation, exploring essential concepts, tools, and techniques to design and build robust automation solutions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, this course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle real-world automation challenges effectively.
Course Duration:
This course spans five weeks, with three sessions per week, each session lasting two hours. The final week will be dedicated to project work, where you'll have the opportunity to apply your newfound skills to practical projects.
What You’ll Learn:
Introduction to IoT and basic electronics
Understanding common development boards and their setup
Exploring various sensors used across different sectors
Understanding different types of motors and motor drivers
Configuring display components such as LCDs and OLEDs
Applying design thinking principles to project development
Who This Course Is For:
This course is suitable for beginners and intermediates who are interested in building a strong foundation in embedded systems and automation. Whether you're an electronics enthusiast, a hobbyist, a student, or a professional seeking to enhance your skills, this course is designed to cater to individuals with varying levels of experience and expertise.
How You’ll Learn:
Through a combination of theoretical lectures, hands-on demonstrations, practical exercises, and project work, you'll engage in immersive learning experiences that foster a deep understanding of core concepts and principles. Interactive discussions, case studies, and real-world examples will further enhance your learning journey, providing you with valuable insights and practical skills applicable to real-world scenarios.
Skills You’ll Learn:
Proficiency in IoT concepts and basic electronics
Hands-on experience with common development boards and sensors
Understanding of motor types and motor driver interfaces
Ability to configure and interface display components
Application of design thinking principles to project development
Project management and problem-solving skills in automation systems
Requirements:
Basic knowledge of electronics and programming concepts (preferred but not mandatory)
Access to a computer with internet connectivity for online learning sessions
Availability for three sessions per week, each lasting two hours, over the course of five weeks
Willingness to engage actively in hands-on exercises and project work
Career Prospects:
Upon completion of this course, you'll be well-equipped to pursue various career opportunities in the field of embedded systems, automation, and IoT. Potential career paths include:
- Embedded systems engineer
- Automation engineer
- IoT solutions architect
- Robotics engineer
- Industrial automation specialist
- Electronics hardware engineer
- IoT product developer
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This session covers the first topic and the second topic, these are the IoT Architecture and Basic Electronics.
In the IoT Architecture lesson, participants will have the opportunity to understand what Internet of Things (IoT) is, and the benefits it brings to society. Participants will also be taken through the stages of IoT, which will enhance their understanding of the working principles of IoT.
The second lesson, Basic Electronics lays the foundation of understanding basic electronics principles essential for designing and building IoT systems. Participants will learn about fundamental concepts such as voltage, current, resistance, and circuit analysis, equipping them with the knowledge to comprehend and manipulate electronic components effectively. Through theoretical and practical exercises, learners will gain proficiency in circuit design, and troubleshooting common electronic circuits.
In this lesson, participants will explore the application of discrete and power components in IoT systems. From resistors and capacitors to diodes and transistors, learners will discover how these components contribute to circuit functionality and performance. Additionally, the lesson will cover power management techniques, including voltage regulation and power supply design, ensuring optimal operation of IoT devices in various applications and environments.
This session is made up of two lessons, these are Basic Computing and Arduino Programming
In Basic Computing, participants will dive into the realm of basic computing and communication protocols essential for IoT connectivity. Learners will explore popular communication protocols such as UART, I2C, and SPI, understanding their principles of operation, advantages, and applications in IoT systems. Additionally, participants will gain practical experience in implementing these protocols using microcontrollers, fostering proficiency in data exchange and device communication in IoT environments.
The Arduino Programming lesson introduces participants to basic coding functions in C++, providing them with the essential programming skills required for IoT system development. From data types and variables to control structures and functions, learners will explore the building blocks of C++ programming, mastering key concepts through coding exercises and examples tailored to IoT applications. By the end of the lesson, participants will possess the knowledge and confidence to write and debug C++ code for implementing IoT functionalities in embedded systems.
This lesson consists of two lessons; Microcontrollers and Microprocessors, and Arduino Uno
In this foundational lesson, which is Microcontrollers and Microprocessors, participants will explore the core concepts of microcontrollers and microprocessors, laying the groundwork for understanding development boards in subsequent lessons. From here, learners will differentiate between microcontrollers and microprocessors, understanding their architectures, functionalities, and applications in embedded systems. This will guide participants in the selection of development boards for their projects.
In the next lesson, which is Arduino Uno, Participants will dive into the world of Arduino Uno, one of the most popular development boards widely used in embedded systems prototyping and automation projects. Through hands-on demonstrations and practical exercises, learners will familiarize themselves with the hardware specifications, pin configurations, and programming environment of Arduino Uno. From blinking an LED to interfacing sensors and actuators, participants will gain practical experience in leveraging Arduino Uno's versatility and ease of use to create innovative IoT solutions and automation prototypes.
This session is also made up of two lessons, this is the Arduino Nano and the ESP32 board.
Building upon the knowledge gained from the Arduino Uno lesson, participants will explore the compact yet powerful Arduino Nano development board. Through interactive demonstrations and guided exercises, learners will discover the similarities and differences between Arduino Nano and Arduino Uno, understanding how to set up and program Arduino Nano for various embedded system applications. From small-scale projects to space-constrained designs, participants will learn to leverage the compact form factor and capabilities of Arduino Nano to create efficient and reliable automation solutions.
In this final lesson, which is the ESP32 participants will delve into the advanced features and capabilities of the ESP32 development board, known for its integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Through hands-on experimentation and real-world examples, learners will explore the unique functionalities of ESP32, including wireless communication, web server hosting, and IoT application development. Additionally, we will look at the steps needed to configure the ESP32 to the Arduino IDE.
This module consists of two lessons; introduction to sensors and sensors used to determine location and position.
In this introductory lesson, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of sensors and their role in embedded systems and automation. Through theoretical discussions and practical examples, learners will explore the principles of sensor operation, including sensing mechanisms, transduction methods, and output signal types. Additionally, participants will delve into the classification of sensors based on their applications, accuracy, and environmental conditions, laying the foundation for in-depth exploration of specific sensor types in subsequent lessons. We will also be exploring how to use online simulators such as Tinkercad and Wokwi to build circuits.
In the second lesson, Sensors that tell location and position, participants will focus on sensors utilized for location and position determination, such as GPS modules, ultrasonic sensors and adjustable infrared sensors. Learners will learn to configure and calibrate these sensors for accurate positioning and navigation in embedded systems and IoT applications.
This session consists of three lessons; sensors that are used in the agricultural field, sensors that are used to tell environmental parameters and sensors that are used in the health industry. In the first lesson, participants will explore sensors tailored for agricultural applications, including soil moisture sensors. Through interactive sessions and real-world examples, learners will discover how to deploy these sensors in precision agriculture systems for monitoring environmental conditions, optimizing irrigation schedules, and maximizing crop yield. In the second lesson, participants will delve into sensors used for environmental parameter sensing, such as temperature, humidity, air quality and gas sensors. Learners will learn to configure and deploy these sensors for real-time monitoring of air and water quality, pollution levels, and environmental hazards. In the final lesson, participants will explore sensors tailored for healthcare applications, including heart rate monitors and body temperature sensors. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, learners will discover how these sensors enable patient monitoring, personalized healthcare delivery, and early disease detection.
The final session for this module is made up of two lessons: waterproof sensors and general-purpose sensors.
In the first lesson, participants will focus on sensors designed for marine environments, such as waterproof temperature sensors, PH sensors, and salinity sensors. Learners will learn to select, install, and calibrate waterproof sensors for monitoring oceanographic parameters, navigation systems, and marine life habitats. From offshore energy exploration to marine research, participants will explore the diverse applications of waterproof sensors in maritime industries.
In this final lesson, participants will explore general-purpose sensors versatile enough to be applied across various industries and applications. These include load cell, joystick modules, fingerprint sensors and keypad matrix. Through practical experiments and project-based learning, participants will explore innovative ways to integrate general-purpose sensors into automation systems, enhancing efficiency, and responsiveness across diverse domains.
In this session, participants will explore the essential components of actuators and drivers vital for converting electrical signals into mechanical motion in embedded systems and automation applications. Participants will delve into the characteristics and applications of DC motors, servo motors, and stepper motors, understanding their operational principles and performance characteristics. Additionally, participants will learn about various motor drivers, including the L298 motor driver, L293D motor driver, and relay module, gaining insights into their functionalities, interfacing techniques, and control mechanisms. Through hands-on demonstrations and practical exercises, participants will learn to select, configure, and control actuators and drivers effectively, enabling the creation of dynamic and responsive automation systems across diverse industries and applications.
In this lesson, participants will explore the integration of display components, focusing on configuring LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) and OLEDs (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) to microcontrollers. Participants will learn the principles of interfacing these display technologies with microcontrollers, understanding communication protocols, pin configurations, and display libraries. Participants will gain proficiency in setting up and controlling LCDs and OLEDs to showcase data, graphics, and user interfaces in embedded systems and automation projects. By the end of the lesson, participants will possess the skills to design and implement visually engaging displays, enhancing the usability and functionality of their automation systems.
In this final module, participants will be introduced to the design thinking framework, a human-centered approach to innovation and problem-solving. Participants will explore the key principles of design thinking, including empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration. Participants will engage in real-world challenges, applying the design thinking methodology to identify user needs, generate creative solutions, and prototype innovative products or services. By fostering a mindset of curiosity, experimentation, and empathy, this lesson empowers participants to tackle complex problems and drive meaningful change in their embedded systems and automation projects. Through guided facilitation and hands-on exercises, participants will gain practical experience in applying design thinking techniques to develop user-centric solutions and enhance the reliability and effectiveness of their automation systems.