EGGN 407 - Introduction to Feedback Control

Fall 2004

 

 

Section A

Instructor: Dr. Tyrone Vincent

Office: BB, Room 273

Phone: 303-273-3641

e-mail: tvincent@mines.edu

Office Hours: Monday 10-11, Tuesday TBA, Friday 10-11, Other Times By Appointment

 

Section B

Instructor: Dr. Sanaa Azim

Office: BB, Room 312

Phone: 303-273-3659

e-mail: sazim@mines.edu

Office Hours:     TBA

 

Section C

Instructor: Dr. Amir Chaghajerdi

Office: BB, Room 282

Phone: 303-384-2274

e-mail: achaghaj@mines.edu

Office Hours:     TBA

 

Textbook: Norman S. Nise, Control Systems Engineering, 4th Edition. ISBN 0-471-44577-0

 

Motivation:

            Feedback controls systems can be found in many different industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemical, power, and semiconductor manufacturing. A systems level understanding of dynamic behavior and feedback compensation will be extremely useful when specifying, modifying, or designing such systems. The objective of this class is to give you an introduction to the modeling and analysis of dynamic systems, and to the classical controls techniques used to design control systems and predict performance.


Course Objectives:

 By the end of this class, you should be able to

·       Develop mathematical models for linear dynamic systems (mechanical and electrical)

·       Use time domain and frequency domain tools to analyze and predict the behavior of linear systems.

·       Use time domain and frequency domain techniques to design feedback compensators to achieve a specified performance criterion.

·       Use MATLAB for system analysis and design.

 

Class Web Page:

This course will be using the blackboard system as a repository for important information. You can enter the blackboard system at http://blackboard.mines.edu/. All current CSM students should have a blackboard account. In order to access your account, follow the information at  http://www.mines.edu/academic/computer/faq/q.cgi?Entry=8.003. This page also contains instructions to log into particular courses. You should search for fall2004-EGGN407. Please enroll as soon as possible. Note that you may not yet have a blackboard account if you are a newly transferred student, or if you have not set an e-mail address at https://www.is.mines.edu/stuweb/.

The blackboard system will be an integral part of this course, and it is important that you log into the system regularly. This system will be used to post homework assignments, homework solutions, practice tests, etc, and you will be taking quizzes about once a week using blackboard. In addition, there are several ways of discussing course material with your classmates and myself.

 

Grading:

To guide my choice of a final grade on the course so that you and others can evaluate your expertise of the material, I or the grader will assign points to the assignments that you hand in. These scores are only a guideline to help me choose a grade along the following scale:

 

No understanding of the material – F

Basic facility, and an ability to solve most textbook problems – C

Excellent understanding of the material, able to apply theory to unfamiliar problems – A

D and B will also be assigned as appropriate.

 

The above scale is not exact, but I will also make the following guarantee: If you complete and hand in all of the assignments, you are guaranteed a grade along the following scale:

 

>90% - A

>80% - B

>70% - C

>60% - D

 

The scores for each assignment will be weighted as follows:

 

2 Exams

400 pts (40 %)

Final

200 pts (20 %)

2 Projects

200 pts (20 %)

Quizes

100 pts (10 %)

Homework

100 pts (10 %)

 

1000 pts

           

Homework:

            Homework will be assigned weekly and is usually due on Wednesdays. The homework assignments will be posted on Blackboard in the “class schedule” folder. The homework is designed to give you practice using the concepts introduced in class and in the textbook. As anyone who has played sports or music knows, to become proficient, you need to practice, practice, practice, and control theory is no different. Because discussing new concepts with other people are often helpful in learning, you are encouraged to work in groups on the homework. However, merely copying someone else’s work will not give you the full benefit of the assignment. The computational tool MATLAB will be used extensively in this course. However, unless explicitly directed in the homework assignment, do not use MATLAB to solve the problem. I recommend using MATLAB to check your answers as appropriate only after you have gained an understanding of the material. Because complete solutions are posted on the web, late homework will not be accepted. You may always turn in homework early. Homework will generally be due on Wednesdays, and will be due by 5 p.m. on the due date. You may hand it in in class, or to the box outside your instructors door. Homework will be graded and returned the following week.

 

Because of the large number of students in the course, the homework grading is simplified. The grading on each problem is as follows:

 

Quizzes:

            To help you test your ability on the material, a quiz will be given about once per week. These quizzes will be over material that may extend or have a slight twist to what has been presented in class. You will take the quiz using the blackboard system. You will find the quizzes in the “Assignments” folder.  There will be 10 quizzes, each worth 10 points. There will be no make-up quizzes.

Exams:

          There will be two mid-term exams, and one comprehensive final. In the past, students have requested longer exam times. As a result, exams are scheduled in the common exam block. Note these times and plan accordingly!

1st exam: Thursday, September 23rd, 11:00am-12:30pm, Room TBA.

2nd exam: Thursday, November 11th, 11:00am-12:30pm, Room TBA.

According to school academic policy, common exams have priority over all other activities at that time, except other exams. If you have a class or lab that meets at that time, the instructor is required to allow you to attend the exam and make up the work at another time.

Final Exam: the schedule will be posted on the web. The final exam will not be a common exam, so look for the schedule for your particular section. If you are a senior graduating this semester, congratulations! However, the final exam is not optional. Final grades will be completed in time for graduation.

Make up exams will only be given if an emergency arises. Any changes to these dates and times will be posted on the web. 

 

Projects:

            The projects will involve using the analysis and design techniques developed in this class on a practical system. More details will be forthcoming.

 

MATLAB:

            Some of the homework and project assignments will require the use of MATLAB, a computational engine that is used extensively in control system design, as well as in signal processing, communications, and many other fields. You are responsible for becoming familiar with the MATLAB interface. If you are unfamiliar with MATLAB, I would recommend purchasing an introductory text. You may also find some introductory information about MATLAB in the textbook appendix.

 

Final Caveat:  The information contained in this syllabus is subject to change!