Syllabus

Introduction

In this course unit, students will learn about the application of domotics in industrial facilities. They will explore the benefits and challenges of domotics and gain a deep understanding of the components and architecture of building automation systems (BAS) and industrial control systems (ICS). Students will also learn about the types of sensors and actuators used in industrial domotics, communication protocols for industrial facilities, and the integration of domotics with building management systems (BMS). In addition, students will gain an understanding of the importance of HMI design principles and maintenance to ensure the effective use of domotics in industrial facilities. Through hands-on exercises and case studies, students will gain practical experience in the installation, calibration, and maintenance of sensors, actuators, and BAS/ICS. This course unit is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, install, and maintain domotics systems in industrial facilities to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Total Hours

This course unit covers 100 hours, from which 14 hours lectures, 28 hours lab work, and 58 hours individual study and work.

General Objective

The general objective of the course on Domotics of Industrial Facilities is to teach students how to design, program, and integrate automation systems in industrial facilities, with a focus on optimizing energy consumption and improving the efficiency of industrial processes. The course covers various topics such as building automation systems, HVAC control, lighting control, security and access control, industrial communications protocols, and data analytics, among others. Through hands-on lab exercises, students learn how to program and control different automation systems and integrate them into a centralized domotics system.

Specific Objectives / Learning Outcomes

The specific objectives of the course Domotics of Industrial Facilities are:

  • Understand the basic principles of domotics and how it can be used in industrial facilities.
  • Learn about the different components of a domotics system, including sensors, actuators, controllers, and communication protocols.
  • Gain practical experience in programming and controlling various types of domotics systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting control systems, and security and access control systems.
  • Learn how to optimize energy consumption in industrial facilities using domotics systems.
  • Develop troubleshooting and maintenance skills for domotics systems.
  • Understand how to integrate domotics systems with other industrial control systems, such as SCADA systems.
  • Learn how to interface domotics systems with cloud-based platforms.
  • Gain knowledge of data analytics and its application in monitoring and optimizing industrial processes using a domotics system.
Professional Competencies

The professional competencies for the course on Domotics of Industrial Facilities include:

  • Understanding the concepts and principles of domotics in industrial facilities and their benefits and challenges.
  • Understanding the architecture, installation, and maintenance of Building Automation Systems (BAS).
  • Understanding the selection, installation, and calibration of industrial sensors and actuators.
  • Understanding common communication protocols used in industrial domotics and their selection criteria.
  • Understanding the components, architecture, and security considerations of Industrial Control Systems (ICS).
  • Understanding the principles and implementation of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design in industrial facilities.
  • Understanding the integration of domotics with Building Management Systems (BMS) and their maintenance and optimization.
Cross Competencies

Cross competencies, also known as transferable skills, are skills and abilities that can be applied across different contexts and industries. The cross competencies developed through the course on Domotics of Industrial Facilities include:

  • Problem-solving: the ability to analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions.
  • Communication: the ability to convey technical information to a variety of audiences in a clear and concise manner.
  • Collaboration: the ability to work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
  • Adaptability: the ability to adjust to changing circumstances and learn new skills as necessary.
  • Technical skills: proficiency with various software and hardware tools used in building automation systems, sensors and actuators, and communication protocols.
  • Critical thinking: the ability to analyze and evaluate information to make informed decisions.
  • Safety and risk management: knowledge of safety and risk management principles to ensure the safety of people and the facility.
  • Project management: the ability to plan, execute, and monitor projects to ensure timely and successful completion.
  • Ethics and professionalism: understanding of ethical and professional standards that are essential for working in the field of industrial domotics.
Alignment to Social and Economic Expectations

Socially, the course aims to train professionals who can contribute to improving the safety, efficiency, and comfort of industrial facilities, while also considering the impact of domotics on the well-being of workers and the surrounding community. This includes understanding the social and ethical implications of automation and the responsibility of professionals in ensuring safe and fair practices.

Economically, the course aligns with the goals of increasing economic competitiveness in the global market. This involves training in the latest technologies and techniques for industrial automation, as well as promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the field of domotics. Additionally, the course aims to address the skills gap in the Romanian workforce by providing relevant training that meets the needs of employers in the industrial sector.

Evaluation

Assessment Methods for the Course on Domotics of Industrial Facilities:

To evaluate the lectures portion of the course, we will use the following assessment methods:

  • Class participation and engagement: Students are expected to ask questions, participate in discussions, and demonstrate a strong understanding of the material.
  • Quizzes or tests: These will be given throughout the course to assess students’ understanding of key concepts and theories.
  • Presentations: Students will be required to give a presentation on a topic related to domotics of industrial facilities, demonstrating their ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
  • Written assignments: These include case studies, allowing students to apply the concepts they have learned to real-world situations.

To evaluate the lab work portion of the course, we will use the following assessment methods:

  • Completion of lab exercises: Students will be required to complete a set of exercises throughout the lab work to demonstrate their understanding of the key concepts and their ability to apply them.
  • Group projects: Students will work in groups to develop exercises related to domotics of industrial facilities, demonstrating their ability to collaborate and apply their knowledge in a practical way.

Assessment Criteria for the Course on Domotics of Industrial Facilities:

The following are the assessment criteria for the lectures in the course on domotics of industrial facilities:

  • Knowledge and Understanding: Assessment of the student’s ability to comprehend and apply the concepts, theories, and principles of domotics of industrial facilities.
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills: Assessment of the student’s ability to analyze and evaluate complex problems related to domotics of industrial facilities and make informed decisions based on available data.
  • Communication Skills: Assessment of the student’s ability to communicate ideas, theories, and solutions related to domotics of industrial facilities in a clear, concise, and effective manner.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration Skills: Assessment of the student’s ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with others to achieve common goals in domotics of industrial facilities.
  • Application of Technology: Assessment of the student’s ability to apply appropriate technologies and tools to implement domotics of industrial facilities.

The following are the assessment criteria for the lab work in the course on domotics of industrial facilities:

  • Technical Skills: Assessment of the student’s ability to apply the technical skills and knowledge acquired in the course to implement domotics of industrial facilities solutions.
  • Quality of Work: Assessment of the student’s ability to produce high-quality work that meets the requirements and standards set for domotics of industrial facilities.
  • Creativity and Innovation: Assessment of the student’s ability to think creatively and apply innovative solutions to design domotics of industrial facilities solutions.
  • Attention to Detail: Assessment of the student’s ability to pay close attention to details and ensure that the domotics of industrial facilities solutions are accurate, complete, and well-documented.
  • Time Management: Assessment of the student’s ability to manage their time effectively and deliver completed lab work within the specified timeframe.

Quantitative Performance Indicators to Assess the Minimum Level of Performance (mark 5 on a scale from 1 to 10)

Quantitative performance indicators to assess the minimum level of performance (mark 5 on a scale from 1 to 10) for the lectures on the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities include:

  • Attendance and participation in class discussions – The student should attend at least 80% of the lectures and actively participate in class discussions.
  • Homework and Quizzes – The student should complete all homework assignments and quizzes with a minimum score of 60%.
  • Midterm Exam – The student should achieve a minimum score of 50% on the midterm exam.

Quantitative performance indicators to assess the minimum level of performance (mark 5 on a scale from 1 to 10) for the lab works in the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities include:

  • Lab attendance and participation – The student should attend and participate in all scheduled lab sessions.
  • Lab reports – The student should submit all lab reports on time, with a minimum score of 60% on each report.
  • Lab assignments – The student should complete all lab assignments with a minimum score of 60%.
  • Lab exams – The student should achieve a minimum score of 50% on the lab exams.

Quantitative performance indicators for the final exam to assess the minimum level of performance in the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities course unit:

  • Completion of a minimum number of lecture-related questions correctly: The student should answer at least 70% of the total questions correctly.
  • The student should demonstrate a clear understanding of the key concepts and principles related to the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities, with a minimum score of 50% on multiple-choice or short-answer questions.
  • The student should be able to analyze and evaluate real-world case studies related to the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities, with a minimum score of 50% on case study analysis questions.
  • The student should be able to apply the concepts and principles learned in the course to solve practical problems related to the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities, with a minimum score of 50% on problem-solving questions.
  • The student should be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing and synthesizing information related to the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities, with a minimum score of 50% on essay questions.
  • The student should be able to communicate their ideas and solutions related to the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities effectively, with a minimum score of 50% on communication-based questions.
  • The student should demonstrate an understanding of the tools and methodologies used in the design of domotics systems in industrial facilities, with a minimum score of 50% on matching or labeling questions.
  • The student should be able to evaluate the benefits and challenges of using domotics systems in industrial facilities and provide recommendations for improvement, with a minimum score of 50% on essay questions.
  • Evidence of the ability to apply learned concepts and principles to practical scenarios, as demonstrated by the number of correctly answered application-based questions.
  • Overall exam performance, measured in terms of the total number of correct answers and expressed as a percentage of the total exam score. A minimum score of 50% or above is set as the benchmark for a mark of 5.
    Lectures

    Unit 1: Introduction to Domotics in Industrial Facilities (2 hours)

    • Overview of domotics in industrial facilities
    • Benefits and challenges of domotics
    • Examples of domotics in industrial facilities

    Unit 2: Building Automation Systems (BAS) (2 hours)

    • Introduction to BAS
    • Components and architecture of BAS
    • BAS installation and maintenance

    Unit 3: Industrial Sensors and Actuators (2 hours)

    • Types of sensors and actuators used in industrial domotics
    • Sensor and actuator selection criteria
    • Installation and calibration of sensors and actuators

    Unit 4: Industrial Communication Protocols (2 hours)

    • Overview of communication protocols in industrial domotics
    • Common communication protocols used in industrial facilities
    • Selection criteria for industrial communication protocols

    Unit 5: Industrial Control Systems (ICS) (2 hours)

    • Introduction to ICS
    • Components and architecture of ICS
    • ICS security and safety considerations

    Unit 6: Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in Industrial Domotics (2 hours)

    • Introduction to HMI
    • HMI design principles for industrial facilities
    • HMI implementation and maintenance

    Unit 7: Integration of Domotics with Building Management Systems (BMS) (2 hours)

    • Overview of BMS
    • Integration of domotics with BMS
    • BMS maintenance and optimization
    Lab Work

    Unit 1: Introduction to Domotics of Industrial Facilities (2 hours)

    Objective: Familiarize students with the lab equipment and software used in the course

    • Overview of the lab equipment and software
    • Introduction to the lab environment and safety protocols
    • Basic lab exercises using the equipment and software

    Unit 2: Building Automation Systems (BAS) (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to program and control a Building Automation System (BAS)

    • Overview of BAS components and operation
    • Introduction to BAS programming languages
    • Programming exercises using a BAS simulator

    Unit 3: Sensors and Actuators in Domotics (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to integrate sensors and actuators in a domotics system

    • Overview of sensors and actuators used in domotics systems
    • Introduction to sensor and actuator interfaces
    • Integration exercises using a microcontroller board

    Unit 4: HVAC Control in Industrial Facilities (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to program a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system

    • Overview of HVAC system components and operation
    • Introduction to HVAC programming languages
    • Programming exercises using a HVAC simulator

    Unit 5: Lighting Control in Industrial Facilities (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to program a lighting control system

    • Overview of lighting control system components and operation
    • Introduction to lighting control programming languages
    • Programming exercises using a lighting control simulator

    Unit 6: Security and Access Control in Industrial Facilities (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to program a security and access control system

    • Overview of security and access control system components and operation
    • Introduction to security and access control programming languages
    • Programming exercises using a security and access control simulator

    Unit 7: Industrial Communications Protocols (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to integrate communication protocols in a domotics system

    • Overview of industrial communication protocols
    • Introduction to communication protocol interfaces
    • Integration exercises using a microcontroller board

    Unit 8: Interfacing with SCADA Systems (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to interface a domotics system with a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system

    • Overview of SCADA system components and operation
    • Introduction to SCADA system programming languages
    • Integration exercises using a SCADA system simulator

    Unit 9: Cloud-based Domotics Systems (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to integrate a domotics system with a cloud-based platform

    • Overview of cloud-based domotics systems
    • Introduction to cloud-based platform programming languages
    • Integration exercises using a cloud-based platform simulator

    Unit 10: Advanced HVAC Programming (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students advanced programming techniques for HVAC systems

    • Overview of advanced HVAC programming concepts
    • Introduction to advanced HVAC programming languages
    • Advanced programming exercises using a HVAC simulator

    Unit 11: Energy Efficiency in Industrial Facilities (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to optimize energy consumption in industrial facilities using domotics systems

    • Overview of energy efficiency concepts and tools
    • Introduction to energy optimization programming languages
    • Optimization exercises using a domotics system simulator

    Unit 12: Data Analytics in Industrial Facilities (2 hours of class work and 6 hours of individual work)

    Objective: Teach students how to use data analytics to monitor and optimize industrial processes using a domotics system

    • Overview of data analytics concepts and tools
    • Introduction to data analytics programming languages
    • Data analytics exercises using a domotics system simulator

    Unit 13: Troubleshooting and Maintenance of Domotics Systems (2 hours)

    Objective: Teach students how to troubleshoot and maintain domotics systems

    • Overview of common issues and challenges with domotics systems
    • Introduction to troubleshooting and maintenance techniques
    • Troubleshooting and maintenance exercises using lab equipment

    Unit 14: Building Control via Mobile App (2 hours of class work and 6 hours of individual work)

    Objective: Teach students how to develop a mobile app that can control a building’s lighting and HVAC systems.

    • Introduction to mobile app development tools and frameworks (e.g., Flutter, React Native)
    • Overview of lighting and HVAC control systems
    • Introduction to protocols and interfaces for controlling lighting and HVAC systems (e.g., Modbus, BACnet, or MQTT)
    • Development of a mobile app that can control lighting and HVAC systems using a simulated interface
    Supporting Infrastructure

    To run the activity for this course unit, students will have the possibility to work in the Domotics Lab from the Regional Center of Excellence in Creative Industries.