The worldwide automotive industry is currently witnessing rapid innovative developments day by day. The developments encompass every aspect of the automobile such as materials, manufacturing, design, performance, handling, fuel efficiency and pollution control and so on.
One of the common factors in most of these developments is deployment of electronic controls for controlling the mechanical systems of in an automobile. The use of electronics in controlling the engine, transmission, brakes, steering and other systems within the automobile render the systems work efficiently, perform better, and be flexible in their operation. In addition, electronics also increase prospects of development of features/systems which are otherwise not possible purely by mechanical means.
During this module, various conventional systems such as power plant, transmission, steering, braking, suspension and other systems have been discussed in terms of their construction, working and integration with other systems in a vehicle. Limitations of each of the systems and how electrical and electronics based controls can improve the performance and safety of operation are highlighted.
The assignment is intended to test the knowledge gained by the students on the concepts discussed during lectures, laboratory demonstrations and through self study. It is also intended to test student's ability in applying the knowledge gained to synthesize and recommend the systems for a specific application.