Control and Systems Engineering

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Apply time and frequency domain techniques for the analysis of linear systems of any order.
• Analyse and design simple linear control systems.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use software for the design and analysis of control systems.

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• The techniques used to design and analyse the performance of control systems.
• The relevance of frequency-domain analysis in different aspects of engineering.
• The principles of linear systems control theory

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use mathematical software for design and simulation.
• Use the Laplace and Fourier Domains to analyse problems.

All students study block 1.

Block 1 (All cohorts)

• Revision of Laplace transform
• Response to sinusoidal inputs and Bode plots
• Asymptotics for Bode plots
• From frequency response to transfer function
• Block diagrams, including noise and disturbance
• Stability
• Feedback for stability
• Sensitivity to parameter variations
• Sensitivity to disturbance
• Steady-state error
• Transfer functions and Characteristic Equations: Definitions
• s-plane and time-based transient response
• Controllers acting on error (P, PI, PD and PID)
• Root locus
• Root locus and controller design in the s-plane
• Polar frequency response
• Stability in frequency domain: mapping contours between planes
• Nyquist stability
• Compensators
• Linear system models from Bode plot analysis

Block 2 is Programme dependent EEE students choose either 2A or 2B.

2A for students registered on ETE degrees,

2B for students registered on EPE, MTE, AEE degrees,

2C for students registered on Biomedical Engineering.

Block 2A Electronics - An introduction to digital control/embedded system controllers/self tuning controller implementation.

Digital implementation of controllers.

• Brief overview of discretisation and quantisation
• Sample and hold operations
• Difference equations

Digital PID Controllers

• Standard/Incremental Forms
• Tuning approaches

Self-tuning Control

• Advantages/disadvantages
• Honeywell self-tuning system (SOAS)
• Self-tuning PID control

Block 2B Electrical, Mechatronics, Aerospace Electronics - Modelling of Multiple DOF mechanical systems:

One Degree of Freedom Systems.

• Application of Laplace transform and state space methods to mechanical systems.
• Analysis of dynamic response and role of Damping (Viscous and Coulomb) Base Excitation,
• Displacement Transmissibility Vibration Isolation.

Two Degree of Freedom Systems.

• Modelling of two degree of freedom systems in state space form.
• Physical interpretation of solutions.
• Free Vibration and Normal Modes, Co-ordinate Coupling and Principal Co-ordinates, Forced Vibration, Damping, Impedance Matrix, Vibration Absorber.
• Decoupling using Modal Matrix.

Multi Degree of Freedom Systems.

• Orthogonality, Modal Space Matrix Methods, Approximate Frequency Analysis, e.g. Rayleigh’s, Dunkerley’s Methods Lagrange’s Equations.

Block 2C Biomedical Engineering - Biomedical Application of control theory and signal processing

Mathematical Modelling

• Generalised System Properties
• Linear models of Physiological Systems
• Example: Linear Model of Lung Dynamics
• Example: Linearised Model of Skeletal Muscle
• Computer Analysis and Simulation

Static Analysis of Physiological Systems

• Determination of the Steady-State Operating Point
• Steady-state Analysis using Simulink
• Example: Regulation of Cardiac Output
• Example: Regulation of Glucose
• Example: Chemical Regulation of Ventilation

Time-Domain Analysis of Linear Control Systems

• Respiratory Mechanics: Open-Loop vs Closed-Loop
• Simulink Application: Neuromuscular Reflex Motion

Frequency-Domain Analysis of Linear Control Systems

• Frequency Response of Respiratory Mechanics
• Frequency Response of Circulatory Control
• Frequency Response of Glucose-Insulin Regulation

Stability Analysis

• Stability Analysis of Respiratory Mechanics
• Stability Analysis of the Pupillary Light Reflex
• Model of Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, module website, directed reading and tutorials.

Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study, preparation for timetabled activities, tutorials, along with formative assessments in the form of problem sheets.

Students work on their practical skills and technical understanding in technical laboratories.

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.