MEC2105 : Control System Technology
- Offered for Year: 2017/18
- Module Leader(s): Dr Michael Lau
- Lecturer: Dr Kwee Lee, Dr Yi Zhou, Dr Edwin Foo
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Singapore
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 15 |
| ECTS Credits: | 8.0 |
Aims
The module aims to equip students having previous knowledge of electro-mechanical systems with the knowledge and understanding of the physical design and principle of operation of a wide variety of sensors and actuator types, which will in turn give them the skills to select and specify which devices are best suited to particular closed-loop control applications.
Outline Of Syllabus
(1) Introduction to elements of control and measurement systems (also a form of mechatronic system): sensors, actuators, interfacing devices and controllers
(2) Nature of signals: analogue and digital; discretization and quantization errors; time and frequency domains; sampling and aliasing issues; conversion and interfacing
(3) Sensors: types, basic operating principles and design and performance specifications; force, strain, position, velocity, acceleration, temperature
(4) Actuators: types and operating principles and design and performance characteristics of electro-magnetic, piezoelectric, Fluid-power
(5) An introduction to controller elements: analogue, digital and discrete
(6) Case Study of industrial systems: automotive, aerospace systems, manufacturing automation, robotics, medical instrumentation and consumer products
(7) Data acquisition Exercise: signal conditioning, signal conversion and data acquisition and control
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | End of Semester examination. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Target non-timetable hours to complete coursework assignment submission |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 36 | 0:30 | 18:00 | Recommended revision for exams, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 15 | 2:00 | 30:00 | Structured presentation of syllabus may include skills demonstration, formative feedback, etc |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 4 | 5:00 | 20:00 | Extended activity (laboratory) to apply taught material, develop professional skills |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Problem classes (“tutorials”) to support independent study and reinforce skills practise |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 150:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures convey the underlying engineering science and the approaches required to apply this to the discipline-specific problems identified.
Tutorials and group learning workshops support the students' self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems posed by the Tutorial Questions.
Practical work enables students to obtain hands-on experience in analysing and designing real engineering problems using hardware and software tools.
The team written assignment helps to broaden the knowledge and understanding of basic measurement principles and application in modern engineering and prepares the student for future continuing professional development.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 60 |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 20 | Lab reports and assessments x3 |
| Report | 2 | M | 20 | Group assignment (max 7.5 hours). |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Examination provides an appropriate way to assess both theoretical understanding and practical problem solving skills under time-constraint as required in industry.
Assignment work enables more realistic engineering problems to be set and may also assess data acquisition and software use skills. The students will be aware of the definitions, SI units and dimensions of physical quantities and be able to apply the broad base of scientific principles, which underpin the characteristics and uses of sensors and actuator types.
Practical work reinforces that theoretical principles can be applied on real equipment.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC2105's Timetable