Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Mechatronic Engineering

*This course is now closed for applications for 2025 entry.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: HHH6 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .

Course unit details:
Nonlinear and Adaptive Control

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN40252
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

  • Characteristics of nonlinear behaviour, linearized models.
  • Phase-plane methods; approximate construction of state trajectories.
  • Describing functions; use in predicting oscillations.
  • Stability theory, Lyapunov functions; methods of construction and use K-Y lemma; circle criteria.
  • Compensation for nonlinearities; feedback linearization.
  • Integrator backstepping and iterative backstepping design.
  • Model reference control and model reference adaptive control of linear systems; adaptive laws and stability analysis.
  • Robust issues in adaptive control, dead-zoon and sigma modifications in adaptive laws.
  • Adaptive control of nonlinear systems and adaptive backstepping.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
EEEN64401 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
State-Space and Multivariable Control EEEN60109 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Linear Systems Theory EEEN40221 Co-Requisite Compulsory
Students taking EEEN40252 in Semester 2 must study EEEN40221 Linear Systems Theory in Semester 1

Aims

The course unit unit aims to:

  • Enable the stability and performance analysis and design of nonlinear systems and controllers.
  • Enable the use of control schemes which adapt to unknown and/or slowly varying systems

Learning outcomes

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

ILO 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the principal structures used for adaptive control systems.

ILO 2: Design adaptive controllers, for linear and nonlinear systems.

ILO 3: Use backstepping design for control of nonlinear systems.

ILO 4: Apply the describing function method to nonlinear feedback systems.

ILO 5: Use the relevant simulation tools, and apply parameter estimation methods, in other areas.

ILO 6: Obtain locally linearized models for nonlinear dynamic systems.

ILO 7: Demonstrate knowledge of the effects of non-linearities on the operation of control systems.

ILO 8: Show an understanding of methods for reducing nonlinear effects in control systems.

ILO 9: Implement adaptive control schemes for engineering systems.

ILO 10: Simulate nonlinear control systems using Matlab and Simulink.

Assessment methods

Unseen Written Examination

Four questions, each with 25 marks.  Answer all questions

Length of examination: 2 hours

Calculators are permitted in this examination

The maximum mark for this examination forms 70% of the total unit assessment

Course Work Not Based On Laboratory Attendance

coursework 1: Control design for nonlinear systems and simulation studies

Submission date: Friday Week 2, 2nd semester

The maximum mark for coursework1 forms 15% of the total unit assessment

Coursework 2: Adaptive control design for nonlinear systems and simulation studies

Submission date: Friday Week 3, 2nd semester

The maximum mark for coursework2 forms 15% of the total unit assessment

Feedback methods

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Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 30
Tutorials 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 114

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Alexander Lanzon Unit coordinator
Zhenhong Li Unit coordinator
Zhongguo Li Unit coordinator

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