Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Control systems engineering is at the heart of most of the modern electrical and mechanical systems that you will encounter in your careers as practicing engineers. The unit provides theoretical and practical understanding of control systems to enable you to better apply and design engineering technologies. The unit is introduced in the third year of the course, where you have sufficient mathematical and analysis skills to understand the theory and to apply the theory in practice. Knowledge of ENB205 Electrical and Computer Engineering or ENB243 Linear Circuits and Systems is assumed.

Aims

The unit introduces the formal techniques that underpin all of modern control systems engineering. After completing this course, you will be able to apply control systems engineering theory, how to model simple dynamic systems, and how to design feedback control systems.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you will be able to:
1. Develop mathematical models of mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems.
2. Calculate and estimate the stability measures, error measures and time response measures from the analysis of mathematical models of some simple engineering systems.
3. Design and report the development of practical controllers and compensators in feedback control systems to achieve the desired behaviour.

Content

Introduction to control systems; Modelling of mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems: Use of MATLAB for control systems: Time response of control systems: Reduction of inter-connected systems: Stability in control systems and steady state errors; Root Locus technique of analysis and design of control systems.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Mode of Teaching
Total hours per week: 5
Lectures: 2 hours per week
Tutorial: 1 hour per week
Computer Lab: 1 hour per week
Laboratory: 6 hours over semester

The teaching of control systems engineering requires a careful blend of theory and practice. The unit needs to introduce several new principles and theories that are unfamiliar to you. Each principle requires repeated engagement from different perspectives for you to gain sufficient understanding to apply the theory in appropriate practice. The unit uses a three pronged approach to engaging you with the principles of control systems engineering:

1. Interactive lectures: Lectures are used to provide an introduction to material, and demonstrate immediate application of the material with small focussed problems. Principles are introduced, discussed and dissected in the lecture, treating each principle deeply.

2. Problem based tutorials: Tutorials focus on problems that bring together material from multiple units. Early material is reinforced as necessary, and used as a foundation for learning the new material. Principles are integrated with material from previous modules and grounded in application scenarios. Computer labs are used to refine and verify hand calculated answers.

3. Practical experience: Practical work is conducted in two structured experiments that provide exposure to industrial control equipment. The experiments step through the principles of operation of the equipment and link the theoretical elements of the lectures and tutorials to industrial practice.

Assessment

Summative feedback
Assessment will be based on practical performance (20%), a review quiz (20%) and a final exam (60%). Practical performance will be based on a report written about the experiments that you perform during the semester. The theory performance is assessed in a class quiz in the middle of semester, and in the final exam. Both theory tests use questions that require synthesis and application of knowledge across multiple modules. The quiz and exam will place emphasis on understanding rather than memorisation.Formative feedback
You are given in the tutorials which will allow self assessment of performance and formative assessment by tutorial staff. Practical performance will be self-assessed against performance expectations for practical work, and further formative assessment by practical demonstrators. The mid-semester quiz gives you unequivocal feedback on your understanding of the critical early modules of the unit, before moving on to more advanced material.

Assessment name: Practical Report
Description: Perform two practicals related to control system technology and prepare related practical reports.
Relates to objectives: 1. Develop mathematical models of mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems
2. Calculate and estimate the stability measures, error measures and time response measures from the analysis of mathematical models of some simple engineering systems.
3. Design and report the development of practical controllers and compensators in feedback control systems to achieve the desired behaviour
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: The exam will require students to solve a selection of problems related to the control system material developed in this unit.
Relates to objectives: 1. Develop mathematical models of mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems
2. Calculate and estimate the stability measures, error measures and time response measures from the analysis of mathematical models of some simple engineering systems.
3. Design and report the development of practical controllers and compensators in feedback control systems to achieve the desired behaviour
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination period

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: The mid-semester quiz (conducted in the lecture).
Relates to objectives: 1. Develop mathematical models of mechanical, electrical and electromechanical systems
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Textbook: Norman S. Nise, Control Systems Engineering, Sixth Edition, John Wiley, 2011.
Computer software: MATLAB, MATLAB Control Systems Toolbox

QUT Blackboard web site for unit ENB301

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of the academic and technical staff of the School. In any laboratory practicals you will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes). You will undergo a health and safety induction before the commencement of the practical sessions and will be issued with a safety induction card. If you do not have a safety induction card you will be denied access to laboratories.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 18-Oct-2012