EEE8152 : Digital Control Systems
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Matthew Armstrong
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 8.0 |
Aims
To provide the students with an understanding of the fundamentals of Digital Control theory and the theroetical and practical principles for design. To provide guidelines of current trends in the field. To provide advanced understanding of adaptive principles
Outline Of Syllabus
Introduction to Digital Control Fundamentals
Sampled signals, linear difference equations and discrete transfer functions, sample and zero order hold operations, quantisation effects, block diagrams, stability analysis techniques, signal analysis and dynamic response, discrete time specifications and their correlation with time and frequency domains, discrete equivalents to continuous transfer functions, different loop structures, regulation and serving functions.
Digital Control Designs using Classical Methods
Discrete time implementations of classical design methods, digital PID controller, root locus design technique, frequency response based designs, introduction to direct design methods.
Design using Modern Methods
z- plane specifications pole placement based design, introduction to minimum variance design concept, deadbeat objective and concept of control ripple. Serving versus regulation objectives. Practical implementation considerations.
Introduction to discrete state- space representation – e.g system matrix representation, observable, controllable and diagonal representation forms and their relationship to transfer function forms. Simple control law designs - using pole placement objective, introduction to concept of state estimation, design of state estimator and analysis of effect on control loop.
Advanced material drawn from: introduction to nonlinear dynamics, LMI, stochastic estimation (Kalman Filter), adaptive/self-tuning control, system identification and parameter estimation
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 36 | 0:20 | 12:00 | Non-Synchronous (recorded) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Revision for, and completion of, final examinations |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 75:00 | 75:00 | Reviewing lecture notes, recommended subject related reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 16 | 2:00 | 32:00 | Present-in-Person (PiP): Matlab exercises Non-Essential |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Tutorials, and completion of Self Directed Learning exercises |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 36 | 0:20 | 12:00 | Student reflection on Recorded Lecture Materials (equal time to delivery) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Synchronous (live) Non-Essential |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
There is a combination of lectures and practical sessions using CAD packages like Matlab/Simulink. Through this combined approach, students will be able to better understand and apply the concepts of advanced digital control systems. Tutorials provide students with the opportunity to apply knowledge and confirm the taught concepts. Tutorials typically align with the expectations of the examination. Self Directed Learning exercises provide students with the opportunity to explore complex problem based learning exercises using Matlab/Simulink. Self Directed Learning exercises also typically align with the expectations of the examination.
All face-to-face activities can be replaced with online synchronous sessions supported by non-synchronous recordings if the public health situation requires it.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 75 | 90 minute Closed Book Examination |
| Digital Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 25 | 24-hour open book practical exam using Matlab |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N/A |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 2 | M | 24-hour open book test: Examination Practice |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Practical Examination reflects the innovative combined teaching style and consists of a 24-hour open book exam. The examination requires students to have a formal knowledge of the basic principles of digital control systems, and a formal knowledge of using Matlab/Simulink in the design of advanced digital control systems. Whilst the format of the examination is the same for all students, each paper contains student specific design parameters. This yields a unique solution and conclusion set for each candidate.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE8152's Timetable