Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE SCE3113

 
TITLE Automatic Control Systems 3

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Systems and Control Engineering

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces techniques for the analysis and design of automatic control systems. Both continuous-time and discrete-time scenarios are considered. The design of analogue lag, lead and lag-lead compensators, as well as the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller operating in continuous-time, is presented from a root-locus approach.

This is followed by an analysis of the characteristics of computer controlled systems operating in discrete-time, based upon the z-Transform. Techniques for the design of PID and emulation-based digital controllers (Bilinear Transformation) are also presented.

Study-unit Aims:

The aims of the study-unit are to:
- present the use of passive lag, lead and lag-lead compensators for control of systems in continuous-time,
- apply the root-locus approach for the design of lag, lead and lag-lead compensators,
- present the use of Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control,
- apply the Ziegler-Nichols method and root-locus based techniques for the design of PID control,
- introduce the concept of computer controlled systems,
- illustrate the analysis of computer controlled systems in the discrete-time domain and the z-domain,
- present the digital PID control algorithm and its design,
- present the use of the Bilinear Transform for the design of emulation-based digital control.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- identify the type of controller which is required to satisfy a given closed-loop system specification,
- describe the effect of standard types of controller on the performance of a given closed-loop system,
- distinguish between the use of continuous-time and discrete-time analysis when presented with a control-design problem,
- analyze the behaviour of a closed-loop system when presented with the dynamics of the individual subsystems within the loop.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- apply the root-locus approach to design an appropriate controller when presented with a performance specification for a given closed-loop control system operating in continuous-time,
- apply the Ziegler-Nichols approach to design a PID controller for a given closed-loop control system operating in either continuous-time or discrete-time,
- apply the Bilinear Transform to design an appropriate controller when presented with a performance specification for a given closed-loop control system operating in discrete-time.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:
(availability at the Library or otherwise is indicated against each entry)

(1) Franklin G.F., Powell J.D. & Workman M., 2006. Digital Control of Dynamic Systems (3rd Ed), Ellis-Kagle Press. ISBN 0-97-912260-0 (available)

(2) Kuo B.C., 1995. Automatic Control Systems, Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-304759-8 (available)
or
Ogata K., 1990. Modern Control Engineering, Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-589128-0 (available)

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: SCE2213

Co-requisite Study-unit: SCE3101

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Practicum & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Report SEM1 No 15%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 85%

 
LECTURER/S Natasha Padfield

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit