Course Catalogue

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This course provides a theoretical background to classical continuous- and discrete-time control and shows how it is applied to real systems. Topics include frequency-domain and time-domain methods, multi-variable and state-space techniques, discretisation and quantisation of a signal, digital signal processing, aliasing and digital design by emulation.

4 lectures per week

2 tutorial sessions

2 laboratory sessions (2hrs each)

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

None

Control M (ENG5022)

Control System Analysis and Design 4 (ENG4195)

Control System Analysis and Design M (ENG5314)

None

90% Written Exam

10% laboratory report

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This aims of this course are to:

■ provide an understanding of continuous and discrete time control systems;

■ develop linear control systems in the state space and in the frequency domains;

■ introduce multi-variable control methods;

■ set the theory in a practical context by introducing signal processing concepts in the context of digital control and providing techniques for digital control design and implementation in modern digital microcontrollers.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ explain frequency domain, time domain and state space concepts of control systems;

■ use frequency domain design and analysis techniques, including Bode plots, Nyquist diagrams and the root locus method;

■ analyse and design feedback controllers using proportional, integral and derivative (PID) control and pole placement;

■ appreciate the use of MATLAB and Simulink as simulation tools for control system analysis and design;

■ represent continuous and discrete dynamic systems in state space form;

■ implement multi-variable control strategies;

■ model a servo motor system and design, analyse and experimentally evaluate proportional feedback control;

■ explain the basic concepts of digital control;

■ use the z-transform, perform signal analysis and identify the dynamic response of discrete signals;

■ describe the phenomenon of aliasing in sampled data systems, its effects and how to avoid it;

■ design discrete equivalent of continuous controllers by emulation, using different techniques.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.