Course syllabus - Control Theory

Objectives

Theory of dynamical systems and control methods are essential for engineers in a variety of disciplines. The applications are diverse and include among other things, chemical systems, air and land vehicles, electric machines, robotic and mechatronic systems. The purpose of this course is to provide fundamental knowledge in analysis and modeling of linear dynamical systems, and methods for designing and implementing a proper feedback control loop, based on a given performance specification.

Learning outcomes

After completed the course, the student will be able to: 
1. Model simple physical systems on the form of linear differential equations 
2. Transform system transfer functions between the time and frequency domains 
3. Make the stability analysis of the modeled system, and learn how the system reacts to external inputs 
4. Calculate and understand the importance of zeros, poles, gains, and their role in the frequency response 
5. Understand the advantages of the feedback control loop concept, and develop feedback linear controllers, implementing them in the form of differential equations

Course content

Modeling and analysis of dynamic systems. Laplace transform. Transfer functions. Poles, zeros, gain. Time response, frequency response, Bode plot and bandwidth. Stability analysis. Feedback principle, closed systems. Controllability and observability. State space feedback design. Design in the frequency domain, Nyquist diagrams, phase and amplitude margin. PID controllers. Antiwindup. Digital control systems, zeta transform, stability analysis. Modeling and simulation of control systems in Matlab.

Specific requirements

Single Variable Calculus 7.5 credits, Programming 7,5 credits and Electronic Systems 7,5 credits, or corresponding. 
In addition, Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3.

Examination

Examination (TEN1), 7.5 credits, marks Fail (U) 3, 4 or 5 (examines all learning outcomes)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps 7.5 hp with ELA404 Control Theory and ELA407 Control Theory.