IRMGR42218 Advanced Control Engineering (Autumn 2021)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Master in Green Energy Technology (Elective).

Recommended requirements

General knowledge of physics and differential equations, Fourier and Laplace transform.

Lecture Semester

Third semester (autumn).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge:

The student

• has advanced knowledge of mathematical models of dynamic systems described by differential equations

• has advanced knowledge of stability in linear systems, and methods for analyzing stability in feedback systems with a regulator

• has advanced knowledge of digital signal processing, Shannons sampling theorem, Z-transformation, invers transformations, stability in the Z.plane, digital filters, and Root locus analysis

• has knowledge regarding regulators that are most commonly used in industry.

 

Skills:

The student

• can model time discrete systems, analyze and regulate

• can optimize the regulation of multivariate systems

• can design/synthesize regulators for use on processes with known models

• can conduct independent development projects and control of processes with the aid of regulators/PLS

• can analyze interdisciplinary control engineering problems.

General competence:

The student can work in interdisciplinary teams.

Content

The course will provide the student with an advanced insight in how to use differential equations to model different physical processes in mechanical, chemical and electrical systems. These systems transfer energy through the motion of mechanical parts, by fluids, gasses and electrical charge. The laws of energy conservation govern all these systems. This demands advanced interdisciplinary knowledge from different engineering disciplines. After being taught how to model different advanced control systems, the students will learn how to simulate the behavior of control systems when they are subjected to different signal inputs, and to predict the conditions that makes these systems stable and unstable. An unstable system may, through positive feedback of output signals start to oscillate violently, causing bridges to be ripped apart and electrical power systems to burn down. Predicting such behavior is vital for the survival of buildings and bridges and is done by analyzing the frequency response of the system with the help of Laplace and Fourier transforms. Learning about mathematical block diagrams makes us able to build complex control systems that will suppress interference and act in predicted ways. The students will also learn digital signal processing and the use of control systems computers called PLS, and the implementation of the PID regulator.

Forms of teaching and learning

The course will be taught as a combination of lectures, seminars and project/laboratory work.

Workload

250-300 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

4 Laboratory group exercises/projects in control engineering.

Examination

Individual written exam 3 hours. All written aids and calculator are permitted.

 

Grades from A to F, where A is the best grade, E is the lowest passed grade, and F is failed.

Examiners

One internal and one external examiner.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

If the student fails the written exam, they can re-take this exam maximum two more times. A resit will be arranged in January the following semester. The students do not need to redo the coursework requirements in order to re-take the written exam.

Course evaluation

The course will be evaluated by a standardized electronic form.

Literature

Last updated 05.10.2018. The reading list may be subject to change before the semester starts.

• Bolton (2003), Mechatronics: Electronic Control Systems in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Pearson Education

• Burns (2001), Advanced control engineering, Butterworth-Heinemann