Control Systems

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

200 hours

One of:

None

None

Anti-requisites for this subject are:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

AIMS

This subject provides an introduction to automatic control with an emphasis on classical techniques for the analysis and design of feedback interconnections. Automatic control systems, and feedback interconnections more generally, arise in diverse areas of science and engineering. The basic problem in automatic control is to achieve desired behaviour in circumstance where knowledge of the system dynamics and/or the operating environment is uncertain. Such modelling uncertainty is inevitable in engineering design and feedback is a key to dealing with it. This subject is a core requirement in the Master of Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, and Mechatronics).

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

• Modelling for control – dynamical systems and the structure, stability, performance and robustness of feedback interconnections;
• Frequency-domain analysis and design – Nyquist and Bode plots, gain and phase margins, loop-shaping with proportional-, integral-, lead-, and lag-compensators, loop delays, and fundamental limitations in single-input-single-output control system design; and
• Actuator constraints and anti-windup compensation.

This material is complemented by the use of software tools (e.g. MATLAB/Simulink) for computation and simulation, and exposure to operational control systems in the laboratory.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO's)

Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:

1. Qualitatively and quantitatively describe the benefits of feedback in engineering systems
2. Apply fundamental frequency-domain techniques in the analysis and design of linear feedback control systems, as they arise in a variety of contexts
3. Use software tools to simulate and design the linear behaviour of automatic control systems.

• One written examination, not exceeding three hours at the end of semester, worth 70%
• Continuous assessment of submitted project work completed in small groups (2-3 students), not exceeding 20 pages over the semester (approximately 25-30 hours of work per student), worth 20%
• A one-hour mid-semester test, worth 10%.

Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the written exam to pass the subject.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO's) 1 and 2 are assessed in the final written examination, the mid-semester test, and the submitted reports for two projects.

ILO 3 is assessed as part of submitted project work and in-class discussions.

TBA

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Upon completion of this subject, students will have developed the following skills:

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large

Credit may not be obtained for both:

• ELEN30001(431-324)Control1(classical control)and ELEN90055 Control Systems
• MCEN30008 Control Systems1 and ELEN90055 Control Systems

LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

The subject is delivered through lectures and workshop classes that combine both tutorial and hands-on laboratory activities.

INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

Students are provided with lecture slides, worked problem sets, project specifications, and reference text lists.

CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

Exposure to industry standard engineering design automation tools through laboratory activities