This module provides an introduction to the principles of control and instrumentation and enables you to appreciate all elements within such systems. You will also be able to understand the basic operation and characteristics of such systems and have the ability to perform basic analysis and design for acceptable control performance.

1. Apply the basic concepts and terminology of measurement and control systems in practical applications 
2.  Evaluate the characteristics of measurement systems and limitations in practical applications 
3. Assess the characteristics of transducers and choose an appropriate transducer for an application     
4. Build up process models, differential equations by following laws of physics, and apply Laplace transforms 
5. Analyse system stability and design control for acceptable control performance .
6. Predict system time response, first and second order systems, at a step input or a ramp input 

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face teaching (such as lectures, guided study, tutorials, and formative feedback sessions), and online learning material (such as recorded lectures, quizzes, numerical examples and sample tutorial problems). These are used to explain the principles of control and instrumentation and to develop the students’ understanding of the analysis and design of such systems and their relevance in engineering applications. 

Students are expected to undertake by themselves all the tutorial sheets issued though tutorials. Successful completion of all the tutorial sheets will help the students towards meeting the learning outcomes. 

Throughout the module, you will develop graduate attributes in independent and critical thinking.  

You will also develop the following subject specific skills: 

1. Understand characteristics of sensors/transducers 

           i)  Mechanism, signal transmission, conditioning and conversion 

           ii) Frequency response, amplitude ratio and phase shift angle 

2. Build up open-loop system  

          i)  Apply laws of physics to build up process models, differential equations 

     ii) Take Laplace transform to the model and form the open-loop transfer function concerned 

3. Build up closed-loop system 

          i)   Configure feedback control considering measurement systems, expressed in a closed-loop block diagram 

          ii)  Analyse characteristics of sensors, incorporating into the feedback path  

     ii)  Determine closed-loop transfer functions 

4. Design control system and analyse stability 

          i)   Design a controller for specific requirement in the application 

          ii)  Analyse system behaviour via parameters in the transfer function and ‘s’ plane plots 

          iii) Assess the system stability via the Routh-Hurwitz  criterion and pole locations  

You will also develop your practical skills in:  

5. Model and control systems 

     i)   Set up the initial conditions in the process modelling 

     ii)  Linearise nonlinear elements 

          iii) Laplace transform  

          iv) Manipulate block diagrams for control design and response prediction 

6. Predicting system response 

          i)   Inverse Laplace transform, algebra manipulation of transfer functions being needed 

          ii)  Predict the system response in time domain  

          iii)  Evaluate steady-state errors at step input and ramp input 

This module is assessed through two summative components. 

1. A 30-minute class test. The class test is held in the middle of the Spring semester and is worth 10% of the module mark. The class test is computer-based and composed of 6 questions. It is designed to allow you to demonstrate initial progress in relation to Learning Outcomes 1, 4 and 6. Answers to the test are provided and reviewed afterwards to reinforce the learning outcomes. 

1. A two-hour written examination (LO 1-6). The examination is held during the Spring Semester Examination Period and is worth 90% of the module mark. The examination consists of five questions, and one question is compulsory. You are required to attempt three questions totally.  

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

The re-assessment for this module will consist in a 2-hour written examination, worth 100%. 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. The re-assessment for this module will consist in a 2-hour examination, worth 100%.  

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

Introduction to control systems 

• Dynamic modelling  

• 't' domain to 's' domain, Laplace transforms 

• Open-loop and closed-loop block diagrams, first and second order systems 

• Manipulation of transfer functions and block diagrams 

• Effect of feedback and disturbances 

• Control design following specific performance requirement, PID controller 

• Characteristic equation, location of poles, stability, Routh criteria 

• System time response, transient and steady-state 

• S plane plots 

• Steady state accuracy and errors 

Introduction to instrumentation 

• Basic measuring systems and transducer methods 

• Wheatstone bridges, sensibility  

• Signal transmission, conditioning and conversion