Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Automation and Control Engineering

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate logic functions
• Produce tabular and Karnaugh map designs to implement logic systems
• Examine the use of Class A and Class B amplifiers in modern systems
• Investigate operational amplifier circuits and their application

What you'll be able to do

• Describe the design characteristics of a PLC system
• Describe the operational characteristics of a PLC system
• Design a simple PLC program by considering PLC information
• Design a simple PLC program by considering PLC programming techniques
• Design a simple PLC program by considering PLC communication techniques
• Describe the key elements of industrial robots
• Program industrial robots with straightforward commands to perform a given task
• Investigate the design of a robot within an industrial application
• Investigate the safe operation of a robot within an industrial application

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss the role of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in different engineering contexts, such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.
• Explain the influence of CAD on design and manufacturing processes in areas of specialist practice, considering factors such as accuracy, efficiency, and cost.
• Use 2D CAD software to produce visualisations and technical drawings, demonstrating proficiency in creating accurate and detailed representations.
• Use 3D CAD software to produce visualisations and technical drawings, demonstrating the ability to create complex models and assemblies.
• Present drawings and renderings, for a given project, produced using CAD software, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to industry standards.
• Evaluate the way in which CAD software may integrate into production processes, considering factors such as CAM integration and rapid prototyping.

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate and explain the fundamental differences between data and information, and their respective roles in effective decision-making processes.
• Examine and evaluate the impact of data quality, including accuracy, completeness, and consistency, on the production of reliable information for decision-making.
• Demonstrate and apply appropriate methods for primary data collection, such as surveys and experiments, and secondary data collection, such as literature reviews and database searches.
• Assess and apply various data analysis methods and techniques, including statistical analysis and data visualisation, to meet or exceed customer or organisational requirements and expectations.

What you'll be able to do

• Design combinational logic circuits, such as adders and multiplexers, for suitable applications, considering factors like performance and cost.
• Design sequential logic circuits, such as flip-flops and counters, for suitable applications, considering factors like timing and state management.
• Implement combinational and sequential logic circuits using a hardware description language (HDL) software package, such as VHDL or Verilog, following industry coding standards.
• Test and verify the functionality of combinational and sequential logic designs using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) development board, analysing the results and making necessary adjustments.

What you'll be able to do

• Explain the operation of simple combinational logic circuits
• Analyse the behaviour of simple combinational logic circuits
• Explain the operation of simple sequential logic circuits
• Analyse the behaviour of simple sequential logic circuits
• Describe the technologies used to implement digital electronic circuits
• Evaluate the technologies used to implement digital electronic circuits
• Describe a range of digital sub-systems
• Analyse a range of digital sub-systems to establish the building blocks for larger systems

What you'll be able to do

• Identify the relevance and application of various mathematical methods to a range of conceptualised engineering examples.
• Investigate and apply statistical techniques to interpret, organise, and present data relevant to engineering contexts.
• Use analytical and computational methods to solve engineering problems by relating sinusoidal wave and vector functions to their respective engineering applications.
• Examine how differential and integral calculus can be effectively used to solve a variety of engineering problems.

What you'll be able to do

• Describe the fundamental structures of common engineering materials.
• Identify the most important properties of engineering materials.
• Assess the performance of engineering materials using key indicators.
• Assess the performance of engineering materials considering materials constraints.
• Assess the performance of engineering materials using established database resources.
• Calculate solutions to problems within static mechanical systems, with consideration of constraints on performance.
• Calculate solutions to problems within dynamic mechanical systems, with consideration of constraints on performance.

What you'll be able to do

• Examine scientific data using quantitative methods, applying statistical techniques to analyse numerical data and draw conclusions.
• Examine scientific data using qualitative methods, interpreting non-numerical data to identify patterns, themes, and insights.
• Determine parameters within mechanical engineering systems, calculating values such as force, stress, strain, and velocity.
• Explore the characteristics of engineering materials, describing their physical, mechanical, and chemical properties.
• Explore the properties of engineering materials, investigating their behaviour under different conditions and loads.
• Analyse applications of A.C. circuit theorems, applying them to solve problems and design circuits.
• Analyse applications of D.C. circuit theorems, applying them to solve problems and design circuits.
• Analyse applications of electromagnetic principles, applying them to understand and design electromagnetic devices.
• Analyse applications of electromagnetic properties, applying them to understand and design electromagnetic devices.

What you'll be able to do

• Describe the operational characteristics of industrial robots, including their kinematic structures, degrees of freedom, and working envelopes.
• Define the selection criteria for industrial robots based on specific application requirements, considering factors such as payload capacity, reach, and precision.
• Discuss the applications of industrial robots within various manufacturing industries, providing examples of how they are used to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
• Explain the safety standards associated with industrial robots, including risk assessment procedures, safety devices, and safe operating practices.
• Program an industrial robot for an automated process application, demonstrating the ability to define robot movements, coordinate tasks, and integrate with other equipment.
• Investigate the global economic scope of industrial robots, analysing their impact on manufacturing productivity, employment, and competitiveness.
• Explain the integration of industrial robots into smart factories, describing how they contribute to data collection, process optimisation, and overall system intelligence.

What you'll be able to do

• Investigate the key factors that have led to the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0).
• Describe the characteristics of a smart factory, including its key features and operational principles.
• Review the range of cyber-physical technologies that are shaping Industry 4.0, such as IoT, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
• Analyse the benefits of Industry 4.0 to suppliers, producers, and customers, considering factors such as efficiency, productivity, and customisation.
• Examine the factors that manufacturers need to consider when transitioning from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0, including infrastructure, skills, and security.
• Explore futuristic trends in manufacturing, such as additive manufacturing and advanced robotics.
• Analyse the factors that are shaping Industry 5.0, including human-machine collaboration and sustainability.

What you'll be able to do

• Identify the instrumentation systems used in process control
• Identify the instrumentation devices used in process control
• Investigate industrial process control systems
• Analyse the control concepts used within an industrial process
• Analyse the technologies used within an industrial process
• Apply predicted values to ensure stability within a control system

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss and analyse the evolution of the Internet, identifying major technological advancements and significant transitions in its usage patterns.
• Evaluate the suitability of different network protocols, such as TCP/IP and HTTP, to meet specific application requirements, referencing relevant industry standards and best practices.
• Produce detailed network designs that effectively meet customer requirements, ensuring they conform to industry best practices for performance, scalability, and security.
• Analyse the various security threats faced by computer networks, including malware, phishing, and denial-of-service attacks, and communicate effective mitigation strategies to protect network infrastructure and data.

What you'll be able to do

• Explain the design characteristics of a mechatronic system, including its key components and their interactions.
• Explain the operational characteristics of a mechatronic system, detailing how it functions and achieves its intended purpose.
• Design a mechatronic system specification that meets the requirements of a given application, considering factors such as performance, cost, and reliability.
• Examine the operation of a mechatronics system using simulation software to model its behaviour and predict its performance.
• Examine the function of a mechatronics system using modelling software to analyse its response to different inputs and conditions.
• Identify faults within a mechatronic system by using diagnostic techniques and tools to pinpoint the source of the problem.
• Correct faults in a mechatronic system by implementing appropriate repair or replacement procedures to restore it to proper working order.

What you'll be able to do

• Identify the roles of a professional engineer, outlining their responsibilities and duties within an organisation.
• Identify the responsibilities of a professional engineer, detailing their accountability for their work and its impact.
• Identify the competences of a professional engineer, describing the skills, knowledge, and abilities required for effective performance.
• Describe the regulatory frameworks that govern the work of the professional engineer, including relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Describe the legislative frameworks that govern the work of the professional engineer, including relevant acts of parliament and legal requirements.
• Describe the ethical frameworks that govern the work of the professional engineer, including codes of conduct and principles of professional behaviour.
• Review the role of communication in the development of professional engineers, emphasising the importance of clear and effective communication skills.
• Review the role of team working in the development of professional engineers, highlighting the benefits of collaboration and cooperation.
• Review the role of leadership in the development of professional engineers, exploring different leadership styles and their impact on team performance.
• Discuss how professional engineers can develop holistic approaches to the sustainability of manufacturing processes, considering environmental, social, and economic factors.

What you'll be able to do

• Describe the design principles of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems, considering factors such as architecture and components.
• Explain the operation of PLC systems, detailing the sequence of events and processes involved in their functioning.
• Evaluate the selection criteria for PLC systems based on specific application requirements and performance characteristics.
• Explore the concepts and standards related to Functional Safety within PLC systems, including risk assessment and safety integrity levels.
• Develop a PLC program for an automated process system, demonstrating the ability to implement control logic and sequencing.
• Review the methods by which PLCs exchange information with other devices, such as sensors, actuators, and supervisory systems.
• Analyse how PLCs process signals from various input devices and generate appropriate output signals to control automated processes.

What you'll be able to do

• Discuss key aspects of software evolution and development in the context of engineering applications
• Design a programming solution for an engineering problem, considering relevant constraints and requirements
• Implement a programming solution for an engineering problem using appropriate programming languages and tools
• Perform testing of the programming solution to meet defined requirements and to ensure high quality outputs

What you'll be able to do

• Illustrate the applications of statistical process control when applied in an industrial environment, providing examples of how it can be used to monitor and improve processes.
• Illustrate how statistical process control can improve efficiency, demonstrating its ability to reduce waste, improve quality, and increase productivity.
• Analyse cost effective quality control tools, evaluating their effectiveness and cost-benefit ratio.
• Determine the role of standards in improving efficiency, explaining how they can streamline processes and reduce errors.
• Determine the role of standards in meeting customer requirements, demonstrating how they can ensure products and services meet customer expectations.
• Determine the role of standards in opening up new opportunities for trade, explaining how they can facilitate international commerce and access to new markets.
• Analyse the importance of total quality management in manufacturing environments, explaining its principles and benefits.
• Analyse the importance of continuous improvement in manufacturing environments, explaining its principles and benefits.

What you'll be able to do

• Explore potential renewable energy resources, including an evaluation of current storage and generation technologies.
• Determine the optimum combination and efficiencies of different renewable energy technologies for a specific location, considering factors such as resource availability and environmental impact.
• Conduct a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis to determine the most viable option between renewable and conventional energy sources, considering economic and environmental factors.
• Explain the socio-economic, legislative, and environmental factors involved in the consideration and selection of alternative approaches to renewable energy resources and technologies.

What you'll be able to do

• Develop fundamental knowledge of analogue electronic communication systems, including modulation techniques and signal processing.
• Analyse digital communication techniques, including encoding, multiplexing, and error correction.
• Assess transmission channels and applications, considering factors such as bandwidth, noise, and interference.
• Investigate the design of Data Networks, including network topologies, protocols, and security considerations.
• Evaluate the performance of different communication systems based on key metrics such as data rate, reliability, and latency.
• Apply appropriate communication techniques to solve practical engineering problems.