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International Textbook on Mechatronics Teaching Published
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A new textbook, Applied Mechatronics, now offering programs in applied
mechatronics has been published by Oxford University Press, New York.
The book, written by two AUB specialists in the field of mechatronics,
A. Smaili and F. Mrad, was reviewed prior to publication at 26 universities
in North America and has already been adopted for teaching in many universities
internationally.
Smaili spent six years in the Mechanical Engineering Department at AUB
before moving in 2006 to the Hariri Canadian University in Mechref, where
he is chairman of the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department.
Mrad, is a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
of AUB.
The two authors, who co-teach this interdisciplinary course, highlight
the information needed by students to focus on material new to them. Designed
for a first course in mechatronics, the text contains numerous practical,
classroom-tested examples, experiments, and simulations and presents material
in a format that lends itself to collaborative, project-based learning.
The book strikes a sensible balance between theoretical treatments of
subject matter and practical implementation. Software and hardware interface
of switches, displays, sensors, and actuators are emphasized throughout
the book and many practical design examples are given.
Basic tools to interface various circuit blocks are presented, and a brief
review of the fundamentals of circuits, analog and digital electronics,
and operational amplifiers is included. Microcontroller technology is
specifically discussed and different kinds of sensors and electric actuators
are covered. Real-world applications of mechatronic devices and simulations
of classical and intelligent control schemes are also included. A case
study that integrates the numerous skills needed for project realization
is included as well.
A companion website offers great facilities for instructors and students,
including lectures and a solution manual (www.oup.com/us/smailimrad).