Year:11/12
Department:Engineering
Level:Part I
Learning Hours:80
Credit Points:8
Weight:0.2
Course Convenor:Dr CJ Taylor
Status:Live
Assessment Rules
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CMod description
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Control is about making engineering devices work
efficiently and safely. This module gives students the ability to program to a
level where they are able to solve everyday engineering problems, such as
controlling the movement of a robot arm. It includes work on the fundamentals
of structuring and writing a computer program, as well as experience at
interfacing with practical engineering systems such as a motor. The module
will be particularly relevant to students with an interest in robotics,
computing and control.
Curriculum Design: Outline Syllabus
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Introduction to feedback.
Open-loop and closed-loop.
Control terminology and objectives.
Mathematical models.
Model for vehicle speed.
1st Order systems.
Introduction to Transfer Functions.
Block diagram analysis.
Integral action.
Proportional + Integral control.
Control of a DC motor.
Control of ventilation rate.
Ramp metering control on motorways.
Control of robot joint angle.
Introduction to advanced control methods.
Introduction to Labview.
Introduction to Matlab/Simulink. Curriculum Design: Pre-requisites/Co-requisites/Exclusions
back to topNormal entry requirements for Part I Engineering modules.
Educational Aims: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topControl is about making engineering devices work efficiently and safely. This module gives students the ability to program to a level where they are able to solve everyday engineering problems, such as controlling the movement of a manufacturing or construction robot. It includes work on the fundamentals of structuring and writing a computer program, as well as experience at interfacing with practical engineering systems such as a motor. The module will be particularly relevant to students with an interest in robotics, computing and control.
Educational Aims: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
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In addition to subject-specific aims, Part I modules in Engineering aim to develop students' ability to analyse engineering problems, create and design solutions to meet simple engineering needs, understand the social and engineering context of their studies, think and argue critically, and plan and organise their own work.
Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
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On completing this module, students should be able to plan and implement the development of a practically-useful computer program. They will have the ability to use functions, arrays and pointers, and will be able to manipulate strings, format the input/output and carry out basic mathematical calculations. They will be able to use these skills to control an engineering system such as a robot arm, by interfacing their program with appropriate data logging cards and control actuators.
Learning Outcomes: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to topAssessment: Details of Assessment
back to top100% coursework (10% weekly homework; 45% end-of-module test based on the control lectures; 45% practical work).
Curriculum Design: Select Bibliography
back to topGF Franklin, JD Powell and A Emami-Naeini, Feedback control of dynamic systems (3/e), Addison Wesley, 1994.
Bradley Jones, Peter Aitken, Teach Yourself C in 21 Days (5/e), Sams, 1999.
Mike McGrath, C programming in easy steps, Computer Step, 2002.
