MSc Advanced Control and Systems Engineering / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Control Fundamentals

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN64401
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIT

  • Laplace transform and inverse Laplace transform
  • Analysis of single-input single-output control structures, including open-loop, closed-loop, feedforward and two-degree-of-freedom control structures.
  • Analysis of step/impulse responses of first and second order dynamic systems
  • Design and tuning of proportional control, PI control, PD control and PID control
  • Interpretation of root locus
  • Frequency response, including direct measurement of responses
  • Nyquist plot and the Nyquist stability test
  • Understanding of gain margin and phase margin and their representation on both Bode plots and Nyquist plots
  • Design of phase lead and phase lag feedback compensators using Bode plots and Nichols charts.
  • Case studies including mechanical and electrical systems
  • Analysis of open and closed loop systems in Matlab and Simulink

 

Aims

The course unit aims to:

  1. Give all students a common starting point in the topic of control systems by covering classical techniques for the analysis and design of feedback control systems
  2. Enable students to analyse the response of dynamic systems in Matlab
  3. Give students a sound understanding of classical robustness measures

 

 

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Developed

Assessed

ILO 1

Describe the principal features of SISO linear systems and determine the time response of SISO linear systems to input signals.

x

x

ILO 2

Analyse and illustrate the frequency response of SISO linear systems and the impact of changes in the control parameters on closed loop systems,

x

x

ILO 3

Determine the stability of specific open and closed loop systems

x

x

ILO 4

Design and implement proportional, phase lead and phase lag control systems

x

x

ILO 5

Analyse the control system performance for reference tracking and disturbance rejection

x

x

ILO 6

 Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of complex control systems.

x

x
ILO7

Reflect the effectiveness of individual and teamwork.

 x x

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 80%

Coursework: 

1 software-based laboratory will be assessed after lab (students submit MATLAB code via Blackboard).

1 hardware-based laboratory will be assessed by marking a report.

Feedback methods

Feedback is provided two weeks after report submission.

Recommended reading

1 K. J. Astrom and R. M. Murray. Feedback Systems; an introduction for scientists and engineers. Princetown University Press, 2008.

2 G. F. Franklin, J. D. Powell and A. Emami-Naeni. Feedback control of dynamic systems (6th edition). Pearson, 2010.

3 R. C. Dorf and R. H. Bishop. Modern Control Systems (12th edition). Pearson, 2011.

4 N. S. Nise. Control Systems Engineering (6th edition). Wiley, 2011.

5 B. Lurie and P. Enright. Classical feedback control: with Matlab and Simulink (2nd edition). CRC Press, 2011.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 30
Practical classes & workshops 16
Tutorials 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 98

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Alessandra Parisio Unit coordinator
Long Zhang Unit coordinator

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