ME2801 Introduction to Control Systems

This course presents classical analysis of feedback control systems using basic principles in the frequency domain (Bode plots) and in the s-domain (root locus). Performance criteria in the time domain such as steady-state accuracy, transient response specifications, and in the frequency domain such as bandwidth and disturbance rejection are introduced. Simple design applications using root locus and Bode plot techniques will be addressed in the course. Laboratory experiments are designed to expose the students to testing and evaluating mathematical models of physical systems, using computer simulations and hardware implementations. ME2801 and EC2300 are equivalent courses. This course can be offered as an online course.

Prerequisite

AE2440 or EC2440 or SE2440 or equivalent.

Corequisite

MA2121

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

2

Statement Of Course Objectives

  • Model simple systems by differential equations, block diagrams, and transfer functions.
  • Construct the state-space representation of a linear dynamic system.
  • Describe the behavior of a linear system by its time history response to various inputs.
  • Recognize the problems a naval engineering system might have in terms of accuracy, relative stability, speed of response.
  • Understand the basic principles of feedback stabilization.
  • Design a control law for a simple system based on the knowledge of the actions of proportional, derivative and integral controllers with respect to transient response and steady-state error.
  • Carry out a PID (proportional-plus-integral-plus-derivative) controller design and optimize (or improve) it for increased robustness.
  • Produce a root-locus plot of a system in the complex plane, and examine its stability.
  • Apply the concepts of lead, lag, and lead-lag compensation for stabilizing or improving the dynamics of a system and estimate the increase of system's performance.

 

Course Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to:

  • Develop a set of analytical/mathematical tools: Laplace transforms, transfer functions, time-domain and s-domain metrics, root locus, etc.
  • Apply these tools to model simple systems.
  • Design classical feedback controllers (PID) to improve stability and performance.
  • Describe what feedback is and why it might be used.
  • Be well oriented with MATLAB.
  • Design their own PID compensators.
  • Determine whether they like “controls”.