Mechatronics integrates mechanical systems, electronics, sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to build intelligent physical systems. In this course, a central focus is the ability to measure physical quantities (like temperature, force, or position), analyze the resulting data, and ultimately implement feedback control systems.
To accomplish this, we rely on data acquisition and embedded control platforms. These devices serve as the interface between the physical world and our software systems, allowing us to collect measurements, drive actuators, and implement logic or control loops. Early labs focus on basic signal acquisition and visualization; later labs introduce real-time processing and closed-loop control.
The following sections introduce the hardware platforms available in our lab for these tasks.
In this course, we use two types of data acquisition (DAQ) devices: the NI myRIO and the NI myDAQ. Both allow us to measure signals and interact with hardware through LabVIEW. While they share some overlapping functionality, their capabilities and intended applications differ.
The myRIO is a compact, embedded real-time input/output device with an onboard FPGA. It is designed for advanced applications that require feedback control, such as autonomous systems, robotics, and real-time signal processing. While we won’t be using it for closed-loop control until the final lab of the course—when we drive a DC motor—the myRIO will be used throughout the term to:
The myRIO interfaces with LabVIEW through a USB connection and provides multiple analog input/output and digital I/O channels. Its real-time processing and precision make it ideal for capturing fast or noisy signals.
Documentation: NI myRIO User Guide
The myDAQ is a lower-cost, portable data acquisition device intended primarily for introductory measurement tasks. It interfaces with LabVIEW and provides:
The myDAQ is suitable for capturing simple voltage signals, performing low-speed measurements, and working with basic circuits. It does not have real-time processing or FPGA capabilities, and is not intended for control applications.
Because the myDAQ uses the same LabVIEW software environment, students can prototype and test code on the myDAQ—even outside of the lab—and then run the same code on a myRIO for more advanced experiments.
Documentation: NI myDAQ User Guide
In addition to the myRIO and myDAQ, there are a variety of other embedded platforms. These devices can perform similar sensing and control functions, but they are typically programmed using Python, C/C++, or other general-purpose programming environments—not LabVIEW.
Popular platforms, some of which we have in the lab, include:
Raspberry Pi — A low-cost, general-purpose single-board computer. Useful for data logging, basic sensor interfacing, and networking applications. Can run full Linux OS and support Python-based control or measurement scripts.
BeagleBoard AI-64 — A more powerful Linux-based single-board computer with advanced I/O, real-time capabilities, and support for machine learning tasks. Suitable for advanced embedded systems work.
Arduino — A family of microcontroller boards (e.g., Uno, Mega) with a simplified C++ programming environment. Commonly used for prototyping circuits, reading analog/digital sensors, and generating control signals. Excellent for low-level experimentation.
NVIDIA Jetson Nano — A single-board platform optimized for edge computing and AI applications. Supports GPU-accelerated workloads, image processing, and machine learning. Can also be used for robotics and sensor integration using Python or C++.
While we will not use these platforms in the core labs, you are encouraged to explore them for your own projects or design competitions. Many of the concepts we study (e.g. sampling, filtering, control) apply regardless of the specific hardware.