Control and Instrumentation

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The fundamentals of classical control design methods, to identify, classify and analyse the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical and computer based techniques
• The principles of instrumentation and measurement systems, which demonstrates the ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support the study of their own engineering discipline
• The mathematical modelling of dynamic, particularly electro-mechanical, systems.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Perform controller designs using lead-lag compensators and state-feedback.
• Understand and analyse the behaviour of nonlinear systems using the phase-plane method and describing functions.
• Transform continuous-time dynamics into discrete-time dynamics for control and instrumentation purposes, and perform discrete-time control analysis/design based on their analogy to continuous-time methods.
• Analyse the stability of a system in the time and frequency domains.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Advance your skills in MATLAB/SIMULINK in modelling and control design
• Construct suitable numerical mathematical models applicable to the design of control systems.
• Design control algorithms for application on real example systems
• Design an instrumentation system to include the integration of sensors, signal conditioning, and digitisation

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Gain skills in applying various control analysis and design tools into real applications through taught control examples and in the coursework.
• Judge the merits of using approximate state-space, frequency response and phase plane models to solve control problems

Section I: Classical control design (6 lectures)

The early part of the course recalls classical analysis and design methods for control systems. Review of root-locus; Stability; Frequency response; Bode plots; Nyquist stability criterion; Lead and lag-compensator design are introduced.

Section II: Discrete-time systems (6 lectures)

Sampling theory and z-transform; Transient response of digital systems; The z-plane and root loci; Stability analysis for discrete-time control systems; Digital controller design; Frequency response.

Section III: State-space analysis and control design (8 lectures)

Examples of time domain modelling in mechanical and electrical systems; Use of state-space and transfer function models, modal analysis, stability, sampled models, controllability, observability, state-space canonical forms; State feedback and pole assignment; Pole-placement design; Ackermann's formula; Multi-variable control design problem; Disturbance rejection.

Section IV: Nonlinear systems analysis and control design (4 lectures)

Nonlinear behaviour and common nonlinearities; the phase-plane method; describing functions; stability analysis.

Section V: Instrumentation (12 lectures)

Introduction to instrumentation; Sensors and Transducers; Signal Conditioning; Analogue to Digital Conversion; System Design; Data and Signal Analysis; Data Acquisition.

The teaching methods employed in the delivery of this module include:

Lectures, tutorial problems, question sheets, worked examples.

The learning activities include:

• Individual reading of background material and course texts, plus work on examples.
• Assignments covering core techniques and principles.
• MATLAB/SIMULINK based exercises.
• Example sheets and worked solutions.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Coursework

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Feedback will be given on coursework. General feedback will also be provided throughout the course, within lectures or communication via Blackboard, email and personal appointment with the module tutors.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.