A comprehensive look into the applications of modeling and simulation methodologies in the design of mechatronic systems is provided in this interesting book.

It is well known that the modeling and simulation of mechatronic systems is difficult, due to the very different domains involved, and to variable methods of description. This book is concerned with the problem of modeling and simulating mechatronic and micromechatronic systems on the basis of hardware description languages (HDLs). HDLs are used as the tools to achieve this goal because anything that can be modeled using an HDL can also be simulated. The purpose of the book is to support the design of mechatronic systems by the use of simulations. To this end, it covers the entire breadth of modeling for mechatronic and micromechatronic systems using HDLs.

The book contains nine chapters. After an introduction, the second chapter addresses the principles of modeling and simulation for electronics and mechanics. Particular importance is attributed to the verification and validation of models. This chapter forms the basis for the consideration of electro-mechanical systems in the next chapter.

The third chapter describes state-of-the-art techniques for the modeling and simulation of mechatronic and micromechatronic systems. It differentiates between three groups of techniques: model transformation, modeling in a domain-independent form, and simulator coupling.

Chapter 4 supplies the most important constructs of digital and analog HDLs. In this way, it provides the basis for the investigation of the inclusion of software and mechanics using HDLs.

Chapters 5 and 6 discuss methods for the consideration of software and mechanics in HDLs. Methods for the modeling of multibody mechanics and continuum mechanics are highlighted.

Chapters 7 and 8 demonstrate the use of HDLs in the design of mechatronic systems, based on six examples. The author helps the reader to understand the benefits of using HDLs for the design of mechatronic systems with the modeling and simulation of a semi-active wheel suspension system, an internal combustion engine with a drive train, a camera winder, and a disk drive. These examples would have been more comprehensible, however, if more detail had been provided on HDL models. Perhaps a full case study should have been presented in detail as an appendix.

Finally, the ninth chapter summarizes the work, and highlights its most important conclusions.

Each chapter begins with an introduction and ends with a summary. This provides readers with a quick overview of each chapter’s contents that they can scan to see if it is of interest. At the end of the book, there is a detailed list of the references cited; an appendix containing lists of the symbols, trademarks, and abbreviations used; and an index.

This book represents a very rare presentation: a compendium of knowledge in various science and engineering domains, such as mechanics, electronics, and information technology. The text makes the transition to a unified approach by highlighting the most important modeling strategies for the domains involved, and describing their representation in digital and analog HDLs.

Thanks to its clear and concise contents and illustrative figures, the book is a pleasure to read. I believe that it could help students, engineers, and researchers to gain a better insight into the design applications of the modeling and simulation of mechatronics, robotics, and other electro-mechanical systems. Although the authors could have extended the length of this book with further case studies, I am pleased to see the first appearance of such a work. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in mechatronics, especially those who are looking to add the synergy of HDLs to mechatronic systems design.