Major Changes and Additions

• The topic of microcontroller programming and interfacing has been expanded and integrated more throughout the book.
• New threaded design examples appear throughout the book. The designs are presented incrementally as pertinent material is covered in the book.
• A new, detailed case study, involving myoelectyric control of a robotic arm, has been added.
• Visual icons are included throughout the book marking cross-references to extensive online resources including video demonstrations, MathCAD examples, laboratory exercises, and Internet links to useful information.
• The book website has been expanded and improved and is now closely integrated with the textbook.
• The data acquisition chapter has been expanded and modernized, and it includes a brief introduction to LabView.
• A new section introduces control theory and its application to mechatronic systems.
• A supplemental laboratory manual with exercises is now available and coordinated with textbook material.
  

Minor Changes

• Corrected all errors found in the second edition.
• Improved wording and descriptions throughout the book.
• Expanded the introduction to mechatronic systems by including and discussing photographs and video clips of various examples.
• Added labeled photographs of actual components throughout the book.
• Added more end-of-chapter questions throughout the book.
• Expanded and improved the design procedure for microcontroller-based system design.