Control Systems Engineering

The course contains the following topics, with an emphasis on practical use of digital tools and lab work:

• The Laplace transform and modelling of dynamical systems using ordinary differential equations and transfer functions
• Introduction to nonlinearities and linearisation
• Poles, zeros, time response and characteristics of 1st and 2nd order systems
• Basic stability theory
• Construction and reduction of block diagrams
• Steady state error analysis
• Introduction to root locus and the effect of gain changes
• Analysis and design of P, PI, PD, and PID controllers
• Examples of other control schemes may be introduced, e.g., cascade control, feedforward control, etc.

The course emphasises use of theory and methods in the frequency (Laplace) domain. There may be overlap with topics in the course AIS2102 Dynamical Systems but the latter emphasises theory and methods in the time domain.

Knowledge

• The candidate can describe the purpose of a control system and the basic principles for analysis and design of control systems.
• The candidate can define basic control schemes and explain the main principles and purpose of various components.
• The candidate can explain the connection between ordinary differential equations and transfer function.
• The candidate can explain transient response and steady state response, including concepts such as error, time to peak, rise time, overshoot, settling time, stability, and how these can be specified.
• The candidate can explain how a regulated system is affected when using a P controller, velocity feedback, variants of PID control, and possibly other control schemes, with respect to system performance.

Skills

• The candidate can model basic electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical systems by means of ordinary differential equations and transfer functions.
• The candidate can characterise dynamical systems qualitatively based on properties of the transfer function and quantitatively through mathematical analysis and simulation.
• The candidate can construct and reduce block diagrams for dynamical processes.
• The candidate can tune regulators through practical experiments or mathematical computation, and verify the results through simulation or physical measurements.
• The candidate can compute how disturbances can affect both the controlled and uncontrolled system.
• The candidate can perform basic stability analysis.
• The candidate can use digital tools for all of the above.

General competence

• The candidate can use digital tools for modelling, simulation, analysis and control of dynamical systems
• The candidate can present control problems and solution methods to a technical audience

Learning activities include lectures, tutorials and practical lab/project work. A constructivist approach for learning is endorsed, with focus on problem solving and practical application of theory.