Study information

Control Engineering - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEControl Engineering CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG3018 MODULE CONVENERProf Tim Dodwell (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 180
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The advancement of technology during the 20th century put control engineering on the map - and it plays a critical role in everything from simple household washing machines to high performance fighter aircraft. This module will give you a fundamental understanding of control engineering. It starts by providing the necessary mathematical foundation; including Laplace transform techniques and theorems, for modelling and analysing the dynamics of engineering systems. You will learn about the modelling of engineering systems, including mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical systems, using differential equations and transfer function analysis. Furthermore, you will analyse the fundamental concept of feedback and its impact on system dynamics. You will study the performance of closed loop systems from a time domain and frequency domain perspective. Classical approaches to studying closed loop systems will be introduced including root-locus, Nyquist and Bode diagram methods. The module introduces you to the fundamentals of proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, which you will use to analyse and design control engineering systems. The lectures are supported by computer laboratories for modelling and simulation of systems using the Control Engineering toolbox in Matlab.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module introduces the concepts of feedback and stability for single input single output systems. It exposes you to standard control concepts and calculations in both the time and frequency domain. The module will introduce the concepts of gain and phase margins and the H-infinity norm, for assessing the robustness of closed loop systems to modelling uncertainty. A detailed analysis of proportional, integral and derivative controllers for single input single output control loops will be explored. The aim is to present several analytical, numerical and graphical techniques to analyse and design control systems for single input single output systems. It also provides an introduction to the Control Engineering toolbox in Matlab for use as a design tool to realise and evaluate the performance of control systems.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

ILO #

Intended Learning Outcome

AHEP* ILO - MEng

AHEP ILO - BEng

ILO #1            

 

Exemplify, through analytical and simulation work, knowledge and understanding of basic concepts required for the analysis and interpretation of systems dynamics

 SM2m, SM3m, SM5m SM2p, SM3p

ILO #2

Illustrate, through analytical and simulation work, knowledge and understanding of the power and limitations of feedback systems

SM4m, SM5m, SM6m,

EA2m, EA3m

 EA2p, EA3p

ILO #3

Derive simple performance specifications for closed-loop systems and analyse simple examples using analytical and simulation techniques

 SM2m, SM3m, EA4m  

ILO #4

With limited guidance, use computational tools to design and analyse control systems

 EA5m, EA6m D3p

ILO #5

Show improved ability to interpret data in terms of mathematical models;

 D3m, D6m D6p

ILO #6

Exhibit improved computational skills

   D4p, G1p

ILO #7

Reveal improved analytical design skills

   SM2p, SM3p

*Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) ILOs for MEng and BEng Degrees


 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
 
1: A review of transfer functions of linear systems;
 
2: Block diagram manipulation;
 
3: Open and closed-loop control systems;
 
4: Time delays
 
5: Sinusoidal response of linear systems;
 
6: Nyquist plots;
 
7: Bode diagrams;
 
8: Sensitivity of control systems to parameter variation;
 
9: Disturbance rejection;
 
10: Transient response;
 
11: Steady-state error;
 
12: The stability of linear feedback systems;
 
13: Routh Hurwitz criterion;
 
14: Coprime factorization of transfer functions;
 
15: Youla parameterizations of all stabilizing controllers.
 
16: Nyquist Stability criterion;
 
17: Root locus plots;
 
18: Three-term PID controller;
 
19: PID control and Ziegler-Nichols tuning: 
 
20: Gain and phase margins;
 
21: The H-infinity norm and its interpretation
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 32 Guided Independent Study 118 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 22 Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 5 (alternate weeks) Tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 4 (alternate weeks) Laboratory
Guided Independent Study 118  

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

None.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 25 Written Exams 75 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam 75 2 hours 1-3 Exam Mark
Coursework - Individual 25 15 hours 4, 5, 6, 7 Model solutions

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Written exam Exam (100%, 2 hours) 1-3 August Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As the module is assessed by the examination and coursework, the ref/def assessment will be by examination. The candidates will be awarded the ref/def examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE:

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 8th January 2021 LAST REVISION DATE Friday 8th April 2022
KEY WORDS SEARCH None defined.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.