ME 461 Control Systems I

The feedback control of linear systems using so-called "classical" control theory techniques. Root locus and frequency-response methods are introduced for controlling single-input, single-output (SISO) systems. Stability is evaluated in terms of both root locus and frequency response. PID and lag-lead controllers are discussed extensively. MATLAB-based or Python-based controller design is used throughout the course. Controller hardware instantiation is also introduced. (Adapted from the course catalog.)

The feedback control of linear systems using so-called "classical" control theory techniques. Root locus and frequency-response methods are introduced for controlling single-input, single-output (SISO) systems. Stability is evaluated in terms of both root locus and frequency response. PID and lag-lead controllers are discussed extensively. MATLAB-based or Python-based controller design is used throughout the course. Controller hardware instantiation is also introduced. (Adapted from the course catalog.)

General information

Discord

Everyone is required to join the messaging service called "Discord." We'll use it to communicate with each other during the semester. The Discord server you need to join is called drico. That's a signup link. Be sure to join the channel #461/561. Graduate students, also join the #561 channel.

Textbooks

(Ni) Norman S. Nise. Control Systems Engineering. Seventh Edition. Wiley, 2015. (Required. Other editions ok, but homework from Seventh.)

Control Systems Engineering.

Homebrew texts and notes

Partial texts (with fill-ins) I'm writing will be posted on the Control: an introduction page.

Partial

These texts are being constantly revised, so you have two printing options I recommend (both in color!):

  • Print it yourself.
  • Have the SMU Computer Resource Center print it as a course note pack.
  • If you are using a digital tablet for notes, you need not print them.

    Throughout the semester, you should be ready to show these (current) in any class session, with threat of 10% quiz grade deductions.

    Video pre-class lectures

    Before/for every class , there will be one or more video lectures you will be required to watch! See the Schedule. I've uploaded them to YouTube. Watch them with the texts printed out (or with your digital tablet), filling in the blank sections as you go.

    Before/for every class with the texts printed out

    I recommend subscribing and familiarizing yourself with the playlist for this course.

    Schedule

    The following schedule is tentative and will be updated as the course proceeds.

    tentative
    day lecture videos week reading due
    00 Course introduction,
    01.00 Introduction,
    01.01 Performance,
    01.02 Feedback control system block diagrams,
    01.03.1 PID control introduction,
    01.03.2 PID controller design example,
    01.04 Interactive PID controller design
    1 Ni Ch 1
    02.01 Introduction to stability performance,
    02.02 Stability from the transfer function,
    02.03 Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion
    2 Ni Ch 6 Ass. 1
    03.00 Transient response performance,
    03.01 Transient response characteristics,
    03.02 Exact analytical transient response characteristics,
    03.03 Approximate analytical transient response
    3 Ni 4.7, 4.8
    03.04 Simulation of transient performance,
    04.00 Steady-state response performance,
    04.01 Steady-state error for unity feedback systems
    4 Ni Ch 7 Ass. 2
    05.00 Root locus analysis introduction
    A.01 Complex functions
    05.01 Root locus definition
    05.02 Sketching the root locus,
    05.03 Generating the root locus via a computer
    5 Ni Ch 8 Ass. 3
    06.00 Root locus design introduction,
    06.01 Gain from the root locus,
    06.02 Proportional controller design P,
    06.03 Beyond proportional design
    6 Ni Ch 9
    06.04 PI controller design,
    06.05 Proportional-lag controller design,
    06.06 PD controller design
    7 Ni Ch 9 Ass. 4
    06.07.1 Proportional-lead controller design,
    06.07.2 Proportional-lead controller design example,
    06.08 PID controller design,
    06.08 PID controller design example,
    06.09 Proportional-lead-lag controller design
    8 Ni Ch 9 Ass. 5
    Midterm Exam
    07.01 Introduction
    07.02 Bode plots (up to 25:36)
    07.03 Bode plots for simple transfer functions (start at 25:36)
    07.03 Bode plots for simple transfer functions (continued)
    07.04 Sketching Bode plots
    Example 7.4 (hand-written solution)
    Example 7.4 (continued, MATLAB solution)
    +extra Bode plot sketch example
    07.05.1 Nyquist criterion 1 of 3,
    07.05.2 Nyquist criterion 2 of 3 sketching plots,
    07.05.3 Nyquist criterion 3 of 3 sketch example,
    07.06 Stability from the Nyquist plot
    9 Ni Ch 10
    07.07 Stability, gain margin, and phase margin from Bode plots,
    07.08 Relations between time- and frequency domains
    10 Ni Ch 10
    08.01 Frequency response design 11 Ni Ch 11 Ass. 6
    Frequency response design TBD 12 Ni Ch 11
    09.01.1 State-space control 1 of 3,
    09.01.2 State-space control 2 of 3,
    09.01.3 State-space control 3 of 3 example,
    B.2.1 Phase-variable canonical form
    13 Ni Ch 12 Ass. 7
    Introduction to Digital Control and Realization
    Sampling
    Discrete-Time Systems
    14
    Digital Control Systems
    Control Effort
    PIDF Controllers
    15 Ass. 8
    Final Exam 16
    Day Date Topics Reading Due

    Assignments

    Assignment 1

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Co Ch 01 Problems tabernacle, psalmody, calvous, telesis, postulant, mascaron.
  • Co Ch 02 Problems saginate, spleniculus.
  • Nise Problems 6.5, 6.17, 6.23, and 6.31.
  • Additional problems for grad students: Nise Problems 6.52, 6.56.
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution, pword: xfJdpEu7F9diYwW193n5W
  • Assignment 2

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Nise Problems 7.3, 7.5, 7.16, 7.18, and 7.45 (you'll have to read Section 7.6 for this one).
  • Additional problems for grad students: Nise Problems 7.48 and 7.62.
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution, pword: QMQUJuUi9cOi3joj5H1RY
  • Assignment 3

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Co Ch 5 problems burritosteve and dunnage.
  • Nise Problems 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.11, and 8.18.
  • Additional problems for grad students: Nise Problems 8.55, 8.57, 8.58.
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution, pword: Ln8yl3aL35IMMwACJt7C5
  • Assignment 4

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Nise Problems 9.1, 9.2, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8.
  • Additional problems for grad students: Nise Problems 9.37 (skip b, in d use Simulink if you want but Matlab or Python is fine), 9.39 (typo: "$G_1$" is $G_p$).
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution, pword: aB4ExC8Jb7m29oSp
  • Assignment 5

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Co Ch 06 Exercise diurnation.
  • Nise Problems 9.25 and 9.27.
  • Additional problems for grad students: 9.50, 9.52 (ignore table just do the P, PD, and PID designs), and optionally 9.57.
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution, pword: VX1ynsP91bzFFGeI4hTFQ40
  • optionally

    Assignment 6

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Nise Problems 10.4 (compare to Python/MATLAB bode plots), 10.5, 10.6, 10.8, 10.10, 10.11, and 10.12.
  • Additional problems for grad students: 10.14 and 10.15.
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution, pword: MHWO3pb4X1GCcZQ7Tbg7D
  • Assignment 7

  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Co Ch 08 Exercise libricide.
  • Nise Problems 11.3, 11.4, 11.8, 11.14.
  • Additional problems for grad students: Nise Problem 11.26.
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Solution.
  • Assignment 8

  • Nise Problems TBD.
  • Additional problems for grad students: TBD
  • Take the weekly homework quiz.
  • Do the assigned reading.
  • Assignments

    No assignments found.

    Graduate students

    Graduate students will be given additional problems each homework assignment and on the exams. Typically these will be relatively challenging and require more time than the others. For the homework assignments, these will not be part of the quizzes; instead, each graduate student will compile their work throughout the term into a single document. Each week an assignment is due, email me the latest version (they'll be checked for progress but not graded until the end of the term). At the end of the term, by the time the final exam is due, submit the document with all your work on these problems via email to me.

    Homework, quiz, & exam policies

    Homework & homework quiz policies

    Homework will be “due” on the Friday friday of the week it appears on the schedule, but it will not be turned in for credit (except for grad student exercises). However — and this is very important — each week an assignment is due a quiz will be given on Friday that will cover that week’s homework.

    Quizzes will be available on moodle each Friday (about noon), and must be completed by midnight. Late quizzes will receive no credit.

    Working in groups on homework is strongly encouraged, but quizzes must be completed individually.

    Exam policies

    The exams will be take-home. If you require any specific accommodations, please contact me.

    No exam may be taken early. Makeup exams require a doctor's note excusing the absence during the exam.

    The final exam will be cumulative.

    Grading policies

    Total grades in the course may be curved, but individual homework quizzes and exams will not be. They will be available on moodle throughout the semester.

    Participation and Homework Quizzes 30% Midterm Exam 35% Final Exam 35%

    secrets

    Participation grades depend on (a) watching the video lectures before class, (b) filling in your notes, and (c) engagement in class discussions.

    Correlation of course & program outcomes

    In keeping with the standards of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, each course is evaluated in terms of its desired outcomes and how these support the desired program outcomes. The following sections document the evaluation of this course.

    Desired course outcomes

    Upon completion of the course, the following course outcomes are desired:

  • Students will understand the fundamentals of classical control theory.
  • Students will be able to construct, understand, and use a root locus plot for controller design.
  • Students will be able to construct, understand, and use Bode and Nyquist plots for controller design.
  • Students will understand controller stability.
  • Students will understand and be able to design PID-based and gain-lag-lead-based controller design.
  • Desired program outcomes

    In accordance with ABET's student outcomes, our desired program outcomes are that mechanical engineering graduates have:

  • an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  • an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  • an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  • an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  • an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  • an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
  • Correlation of outcomes

    The following table correlates the desired course outcomes with the desired program outcomes they support.

    desired program outcomes
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7
    desired course outcomes 1

    Academic Honesty/Professionalism

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    What is Academic Dishonesty?

    Saint Martin's University defines academic dishonesty as violating the academic integrity of an assignment, test and/or evaluation of any coursework. This dishonest practice occurs when you seek to gain for yourself or another an academic advantage by deception or other dishonest means. You have a responsibility to understand the requirements that apply to particular assessments and to be aware of acceptable academic practice regarding the use of material prepared by others. Therefore, it is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies surrounding academic dishonesty as these may differ from other institutions.

    The Acceptable Use of AI in Coursework

    Any use of technology that misleads a reviewer in assessing the student's mastery of a specific set of skills or knowledge is a type of intellectual dishonesty, that is, a type of cheating. Students who are unsure about the appropriateness of using an artificial intelligence tool (or "AI") must check with the instructor before using it. This includes the use of tools that generate text, images, video, code, and other works. If you are permitted by your instructor to use one or more AI tools in producing your work, you must disclose the use of that tool. You should say which tool you used and how you used it. Then if you use specific AI generated content (text, images, videos, audio, code, and so on) you must cite it in the style (APA, MLA, and so on) specified by your instructor.

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    Recognizing and embracing diversity is an essential part of academic life and learning. At Saint Martin's, our Catholic mission and Benedictine charism call us to welcome and embrace all who enter our university. We promote the transcendent dignity of the human person and commit ourselves to fostering an inclusive and global learning environment. Our respect for persons means we welcome the similarities and differences that comprise our students, faculty, and staff; we open ourselves to the profound change that different cultures, traditions, and beliefs can have on our practice of community; and we educate students to transform our world for peace and justice. We support our students in their navigation of university life, addressing issues of conflict through the ARC Reporting System (Accountability, Responsibility, and Community) to restore community. Saint Martin's offers multiple offices and resources to promote diversity across campus. The Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. John P. Hopkins, is available at jhopkins@stmartin.edu. All are welcome in the Dignity Center Lounge, located in Harned Hall, 207.

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    Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Support Services (DSS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through DSS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but are not limited to mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DSS at 360-438-4580 or smu.dss@stmartin.edu. DSS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DSS. It is the policy and practice of Saint Martin's University to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state laws.

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