CODE | SCE5103 | ||||||||||||||||
TITLE | Continuous-time Control Systems | ||||||||||||||||
UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
DEPARTMENT | Systems and Control Engineering | ||||||||||||||||
DESCRIPTION | The study-unit presents methodologies and tools for the modelling, analysis and control of continuous-time linear dynamic systems. Both classical transfer function and modern state-space approaches are considered. After a brief introduction to control systems engineering, the unit covers: transfer function and state-space models of physical dynamic systems; a set of theoretical concepts and tools to study and analyse the stability and behaviour of control systems, in both time and frequency domains; and the theory, design, and implementation of lead-lag compensators, PID controllers, and state-space regulators, trackers and observers. Study-Unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are to: - introduce the field of Automatic Control Systems via a number of real-life applications; - present techniques for obtaining transfer function and state-space models of physical dynamic systems composed of electrical, mechanical, thermal and hydraulic components; - present theoretical tools for the analysis of linear open and closed-loop continuous-time systems, in both the time and frequency domains. These include: state-space analysis, transient response, steady-state errors, root-locus analysis, Bode and Nyquist plots, Routh's and Nyquist stability criteria, stability margins, and other related concepts; - present the theory, design and implementation of a number of control methods for linear continuous-time systems. These include: lead-lag compensation, PID control, state-feedback control with state-observers. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - describe fundamental concepts and terminology related to Control Systems; - obtain transfer function and state-space models for continuous-time, linear time invariant systems; - apply appropriate tools to analyse the behaviour/performance of continuous-time linear open and closed-loop dynamic systems in the time and frequency domains; - select an appropriate control design methodology to address a given problem. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - apply the presented theoretical concepts and tools to solve problems related to continuous-time feedback systems; - design closed-loop control laws (lead-lag, PID and state-feedback) for linear time invariant continuous-time systems, to meet some given performance specifications; - simulate and evaluate the behaviour of linear control systems using Matlab/Simulink; - implement the designed control systems physically, using analogue electronic circuitry and Matlab/Simulink-based real-time computational hardware; - test, evaluate and fine-tune the designed automatic control systems. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts - Ogata K., 2009. Modern Control Engineering (5th Ed.), Pearson. - Ogata K., 2007. MATLAB for Control Engineers (1st Ed.), Pearson. Supplementary Readings - Golnaraghi F., Kuo B.C., 2009. Automatic Control Systems (9th Ed.), Wiley. - Ogata K., 2003. System Dynamics (4th Ed.), Pearson. |
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STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Ind. Study, Lect, Practicum, Project, Tutorial, On | ||||||||||||||||
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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LECTURER/S | Aiden Bezzina |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |