This module gives you insights into control engineering, a critical element enabling many electrical and mechanical applications such as electric home appliances. It is a fundamental component of becoming an electrical professional and builds on your prior year-1 modules of EN1211 (Engineering Mathematics and Computation), and  fundamentals modules EN1215 and EN1216 (for the Network Analysis and Mathematical Applications content). It will see you equipped with the necessary skills to go on to study the final year module EN3057 (Automatic Control).   

The module will provide an introduction to the principles of control engineering such that you appreciate essential elements within control systems, understand the basic operation and characteristics of such systems and have the ability to analyse, model and design a range of engineering systems. 

LO1: Recognise the practical uses and limitations of control systems;

LO2: Explain basic concepts and terminology of control systems; 

LO3: Comprehend the design process of general control systems.  

LO4: Examine how control systems are put together and analyse control systems formed by essential electrical and mechanical components (AHEP4 – C1, C3, C12, C13); 

LO5: Apply simple control block diagrams, form and evaluate models of first and second-order systems (AHEP4 – C3); 

LO6: Appreciate the role of feedback and controllers in system stability and system performance improvement (AHEP4 – C3). 

The Engineering Council sets the overall requirements for the AHEP (Accreditation for Higher Education Programmes). It is the standard used by the UK engineering profession to assess the competence and commitment of individual engineers and technicians and is in its 4th iteration. Link: ahep-fourth-edition 

The module will be delivered in the Spring semester through a blend of face-to-face classes (guided study, tutorials, and feedback), and online learning material (including pre-recorded lectures, numerical examples and sample tutorial problems).  These are used to explain the principles of control engineering and to develop your understanding of the analysis and design of such systems and their relevance in engineering applications. 

You are expected to undertake all the tutorial sheets issued throughout the module, expected to perform practical and computer-aided classes to broaden your understanding of engineering problems. These sessions will help you towards meeting the learning outcomes. 

Subject-Specific Skills: 

• Determine transfer functions of simple control systems from differential equations;  

• Determine transfer functions of simple control systems from experimental data;  

• Predict the transient and frequency responses of simple systems from their transfer functions;  

• Analyse system behaviour in time and frequency domains;  

• Determine stability and evaluate system errors;  

• Predict responses of systems via standard solutions;  

• Perform simple design calculations for a variety of systems.  

Professional & Practical Skills (AHEP4): 

• C1 Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study 
  • M1 Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering 
• C3 Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed 
  • M3 Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed 
• C12 Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems 
  • M12 Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems 
• C13 Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations 
  • M13 Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations 

Transferable/Employability Skills (Graduate Attributes): 

• Collaboration Skills: 

  • C1: Contribute positively and effectively when working in a team, having an impact from the outset 
  • C2: Demonstrate enthusiasm and the ability to motivate themselves, and positively influence others in meeting agreed responsibilities 
  • C3 - Be respectful of the roles of others and acknowledge the limits of their own skills/experience 

• Effective Communicators: 

  • EC1: Listen to and take account of the views of others 
  • EC2: Communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences 
  • EC3: Contribute to discussions, negotiate and present with impact 
  • EC4: Deliver, accept and act on constructive feedback 
  • EC5: Take a professional approach to communication, including their own online/social media profiles, and be alert to how words and actions may be interpreted by others 

• Ethically, socially and environmentally aware: 

  • ESA1: Consider own personal and professional ethical, social and environmental responsibilities, and act as global citizens 
  • ESA2: Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability and competence 

• Independent and critical thinkers 

  • ICT1: Identify, define and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in evaluating sources of information 
  • ICT2: Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding 
  • ICT3: Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures 

• Reflective & Resilient 

  • RR2: Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change 
  • RR3: Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts 

SUMMATIVE ASSSSMENT  

The module is assessed through two summative assessments:  

• a two-hour formal written examination scheduled during the Spring Semester Examination period, which covers LOs 1,2,3 and 6  

• and two coursework reports for two laboratory classes. (LOs 4,5,6)  

The written examination allows the students to evaluate their knowledge of the learning outcomes of the whole module. The formal examination paper consists of four questions, of which the students are required to attempt all.  
The labs are designed to ensure the students’ recognition of real feedback control systems’ operation and prediction of responses. One class is a virtual session to use the software MATLAB/Simulink to design a closed-loop control system, and the other is a physical session to control and operate a conveyor system. The classes are supported by the laboratory handbook developed to aid students’ appreciation of the control systems. Assessment is performed through two coursework reports after the labs.   

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT  

Students will have access to support and feedback on progress on their coursework within the timetabled sessions.  

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

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. 

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

The opportunity for reassessment in this module will be set at component level. The remit of the reassessment will be set by the module leader mapped against the module learning outcomes.   

Introduction to control systems 

Basic form of open and closed loop systems, effect of introduction of feedback.  

Derivation of transfer functions of simple systems. 

Use of transfer function elements to establish the system block diagram.  

Block diagram manipulation. 

Transient response of first and second order systems using Laplace methods. 
 
Use of standard data sheets. Introduction to root locus. Effect of root position on transient response. 
 
Steady state frequency of first and second order systems, polar plots and Bode plots of these systems. Estimation of parameters of first and second order systems from either transient or frequency responses. Bode and phase plots for combinations of elements. Filters. Characteristic equation: position of roots of characteristic equation. 
 
Systems improvement: by use of PID controllers, and feedback effect on stability and static accuracy. 
 
Introduction to Computer Aided Control System Design (CACSD)