48560 Automation Studio
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksRequisite(s): 41277 Control Design OR 48540 Signals and Systems
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Autonomous control systems play an essential role in modern society. They can be found in residential, medical, industrial, and scientific applications -- from a simple room temperature control to a sophisticated control system to govern a distant space-probe to visit and study remote worlds. Therefore, the benefits that control systems provide are vast including, social, economic, environmental, and scientific benefits.
This studio subject focuses on aspects of control engineering design. The overall aim of this studio is to provide a rich and attractive practice-based learning environment for electrical engineering students to deeply learn and become professionally competent in control engineering. Students work from concept stage to realisation of product, thus, striking balance between theory and practice. To realise these aims, this studio focuses on the methods of reflective design practice, teamwork, mentoring, and deep learning techniques, including immersion in difficult problems. The subject allows students to move towards senior roles in teams, expects students to become accomplished in reflection, and demonstrate application of control engineering skills, with an accent on design, and simulation-based and practical validation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Model and analyse dynamic systems for control purposes (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Propose, design and validate suitable control strategies to create an autonomous control system that conforms to given specifications. (C.1) |
| 3. | Identify model uncertainties and/or disturbances that can affect the control system performance in order to enhance robustness. (D.1) |
| 4. | Translate theoretical control designs into control algorithms to achieve a practical implementation of the developed autonomous control system. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
Teaching and learning strategies
This is a studio-based subject that duplicates industrial and research development practices suited to small projects. In small self-managed teams, students are guided through the early stages of team formation and agile project planning before adopting greater autonomy for the remainder of the project. Teams are aided and guided by tutors, knowledgeable about and, experienced in, control engineering.
To encourage peer learning all teams formally critique the work of another team at significant stages during the project life cycle. To encourage high technical standards, high achievement and peer learning, all teams develop a system from specified requirements but are free to decide how those requirements can be implemented to achieve more beneficial solutions.
Students are strongly encouraged to attend tutorial sessions to learn common knowledge in control engineering. The tutorial sessions are designed as building blocks of learning during which time tutors provide weekly feedback about progress, intended activities and achievements to date. Students will reflect on the progress they are making during the session and document this reflection in their final report.
Formal assessment of the project outcomes and deliverables occurs at mid-session and end of session. Early session team formation and ongoing skill development activities provide opportunities for continuous feedback about essential team and technical skills progress.
Content (topics)
• System modelling based on Euler-Lagrange and identification methods
• System analysis in time- and frequency-domain.
• Continuous-time control system design
• Discretisation of continuous-time controllers
• Representation of a controller as a control algorithm
• Discrete-time control system design
• Study of classic phase lead-lag compensators and PID controllers
• Study state-variable feedback controller
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Project requirements and solution design rationale
| Intent: | To demonstrate the ability to propose and justify a feasible solution design |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 5% |
| Length: | 10 minute presentation |
Assessment task 2: Interim project demonstration
| Intent: | To demonstrate knowledge of feedback control, including modelling, analysis, control design and computational simulation |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 15% |
Assessment task 3: Final project demonstration
| Intent: | To demonstrate practical skills in implementation of control strategies, including the design process and performance evaluation of real-world dynamic systems under control |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 15 min presentation |
Assessment task 4: Final project report
| Intent: | To demonstrate understanding of the challenges and requirements of autonomous control systems design |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 10,000 words (per group) |
Assessment task 5: Assignments
| Intent: | To demonstrate theoretical knowledge of feedback control design |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 2000 words per assignment |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
- Nise NS, “Control Systems Engineering”, 7th Edition, John Wiley, 2015
- Franklin, G. F., Powell, J. D., & Emami-Naeini, A., “Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems,” 7th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2015
Recommended texts
- Dorf, & Bishop, “Modern Control Systems,” 13th Ed., Pearson, 2016
- Ogata K, Modern Control Engineering, Prentice-Hall, 2010
- Astrom K. J., Wittenmark, B., “Computer Controlled Systems”, 2011
- Goodwin, Graebe, & Salgado, “Control System Design,” Prentice Hall, 2001
Other resources
Matlab http://www.mathworks.com
Online video lectures: Control Systems Engineering: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g53tqrBjIgc
Online video lectures: All Control System Lecture Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRvVDoQJjYI&list=PLUMWjy5jgHK3j74Z5Tq6Tso1fSfVWZC8L