Competency

1.
2.
3.
4.

Perform experiment on a single loop d.c.

Use electrical measuring tools.
Draw simple electric circuits.
Repair an alternator and starter motor.

Assessment:
Reference:
Fundamental Automotive Electronics:
Automobile Electrical Electronic systems:
Electronic Diesel Control EDC (Automotive Technology):

V.A.W. Hiller
By Tony Tranter
By Bosch

183

AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS
PROGRAMME: NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
COURSE: AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS
COURSE CODE: MCE 204
CONTACT HOURS: 1-0-2 Hr/Wk
WEEKS
COURSE SPECIFICATION: THEORETICAL
PRACTICAL CONTENTS
CONTENTS
General objective: 1.0 Understand fundamentals of
General objective:
Automotive electronics
WEEK
Specific Learning Teachers
Learning
Specific
Teachers
Learning
Outcome
Activities
Resources
Learning
Activities
Resources
Outcome
White board,
White board,
1.1 Produce
1-3
1.1 Ability to

Explain and

Describe and
markers, v . boards
markers,
simple
define and
build simple
explain
recommended text
functional
explain
electronic
operations of
books, etc.
electronic
operations of
devices, such
diodes,
circuits.
semi conductor
as timers and
rectifier
devices.
pulse triggers
circuits,
(loud speaker)
transistors,
using
amplifiers,
operational
operational
amplifiers,
amplifiers
capacitors and
indicating their
resistors
uses in digital
circuits.

Explain binary
number system
and its use in
digital
electronics.

Discuss logic
circuits and
their use in
digital
computers.

184

Define ICs and

summarize
their
manufacturing
process.
General objectives 2.0: Know Sensors And Actuators
Specific Learning Teachers
Learning
Outcome
Activities
Resources

WEEK

4-6

2.1 Ability to

define and
explain the
operation of
sensors and
actuators.
2.2 Select

sensors
and actuators
for
automotive

applications

Discuss the
automotive
control
applications of
sensors and
actuators.
Explain
electronic
ignition
MAPPING.
Explain the use
in electronic
fuel injection,
electronic
carburetor and
throttle body
fuel injection
(TBFI)
Discuss
ignition and
exhaust gas
recirculator
(EGR)
actuators.

White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, etc.

Specific
Learning
Outcome
2.1 Identify and
select
sensors and
actuators for
automotive
use.

Teachers
Activities

Describe and
use sensors
and actuators
for
automotive
applications.

Learning
Resources
White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, etc, models/
samples.

185

WEEK

WEEK

7-9

General objectives 3.0: Know Typical Digital Engine

Control System
Specific Learning Teachers
Learning
Outcome
Activities
Resources
3.1 Explain
White board,

Discuss
control system
control system markers,
recommended text
input and
signals and
output signals.
specifications. books, etc.
3.2 State control

Discuss al subsystem
systems of the
speculations.
electronic
3.3 Explain fuel
engine control.
EGR,
electronic
spark and
integrated
engine control
systems.
General objectives 4.0: Understand the typical electronic
vehicle motion control systems
Specific Learning Teachers
Learning
Outcome
Activities
Resources
4.1

Describe
typical
automotive
motion
control
systems.

Explain and
identify
vehicle motion
control
systems for
cruise, brake
skid, tyre-slip,
idle-speed,
engine
governor and
transmission
control.

White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, models etc.

Specific
Learning
Outcome
3.1 Identify
component
parts of an
engine
electronic
control
system.

Teachers
Activities

Specific
Learning
Outcome
4.1 Identify
motion
control
mechanisms
on vehicles

Locate all
parts and
components
of the
electronic
control system
of an engine.
Remove and
replace such
components.

Teachers
Activities

Locate,
remove and
replace
control
devices.

Learning
Resources
White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, live engine
etc.

Learning
Resources
White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, live vehicle
and manuals.

186

WEEK

10 -12

General objectives 5.0: Know modern automotive

instrumentations
Specific Learning Teachers
Learning
Outcome
Activities
Resources
5.1 Explain

modern
vehicle
instrumentation
signal
processing,
sampling and
sample period.
5.2 Describe
instrumentation
for fuel
quantity,
coolant
temperature
oil, pressure
and vehicle
speed
measurements.
5.3 Discuss
instrumentation
for electronic
display
devices for
trip
information
and engine
diagnostic

Describe
current
automotive
electronic
instrumentatio
n practice.

White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, life vehicle
etc.

Specific
Teachers
Learning
Activities
Outcome
5.1 Explain

Describe,
vehicle
identify,
instrumentation.
locate, remove
and replace
(where
possible)
modern
vehicle

Learning
Resources
White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, manuals
and life vehicles.

instrumentation
.

187

WEEK

13 -15

General objectives 6.0: Know trends in automotive

electronics
Specific Learning Teachers
Learning
Outcome
Activities
Resources
6.1 Explain trends
in automotive
electronics.

Discuss trends
in motor
vehicle
electronics
illustrating
with
distributor
less ignition
system, vehicle
occupant
protection,
collision
avoidance
radar warning,
low tyre
pressure
warning
system, CRT
display,
electronic
automatic
transmission,
speed
synthesis and
multiplexing.

White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, live
vehicles etc.

Specific
Teachers
Learning
Activities
Outcome
6.1 Describe

Explain and
modern
identify latest
vehicle
automotive
instrumentation
electronic
components
on a life
modern
vehicle.

Learning
Resources
White board,
markers,
recommended text
books, live vehicle,
manuals.

Competency:
1.
Draw simple electronic circuits
2.
Identify sensors and actuators
3.
Select appropriate sensors and actuators for automotive applications
Assessment: coursework 20%, course test 20%, practicals 20%, examination 40%

188