CONTROL - 2021/2

Module code: ENG2123

Module Overview

Second year common module in control for MES students.

Control in its application spans across all areas of engineering and beyond. This module provides fundamentals of linear, time-invariant control system analysis in both time and frequency domain, as well as respective controller design.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

MONTANARO Umberto (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 115

Tutorial Hours: 11

Captured Content: 24

Module Availability

Semester 2

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Introduction: terminology, the concept of control, the feedback control mechanism, selected dynamic models of mechanical, electrical and process systems;

Laplace transform: definition, derivation of simple Laplace Transforms; operational properties, inverse Laplace Transform; first shift theorem, unit step functions, second shift theorem; application to solution of systems of linear differential equations. Impulse function, transform of period functions, convolution theorem;

Process modelling: Concept, the transfer function and its characteristics, the system response from the transfer function, the block diagram and system simplification;

Linear system analysis in the time domain: Response of the first-order system, steady-state error, response of the second order system, system response versus pole location, response of the time-delayed systems;

Design of control systems in time domain: Closed loop vs. open loop systems, general requirements of control systems, automatic controllers (P, PI, PD and PID), tuning of PID controllers;

Sensors and actuators: Sensors, actuators, sensors in control systems, actuators in control systems;

Frequency domain analysis: Concept, frequency response, Bode diagram representation, the first-order system, the second-order system, characteristics of bode plot, bode plot of the transfer functions with zeros.

 

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
School-timetabled exam/test ONLINE (OPEN BOOK) TEST (1 HOUR) 20
Examination ONLINE (OPEN BOOK) EXAM 80

Alternative Assessment

Alternative assessment: A coursework-equivalent to the in-semester test will be offered as an alternative assessment

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematical methods associated with control systems as well as the ability to analyse and design particular systems in the final examination. The inter-semester test amplifies awareness and ability to devise control concept and to analyse systems from their response.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:


  • In-semester test   [Learning outcomes 2, 3]              (1 hr)        (20%)

  • Examination         [Learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5]      (2 hrs)      (80%)



Formative assessment and feedback


  • Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials

  • Formative feedback on multiple choice tests are given verbally and available on SurreyLearn to provide feedback on understanding control systems analysis and simple design. 


Module aims

  • A systematic understanding and critical awareness of the importance of control in engineering;
  • A knowledge of dynamic system analysis;
  • A knowledge of the techniques used to design linear and time-invariant control systems;
  • An understanding of transform methods for solving engineering problems.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 UK-SPEC Specific Learning Outcome codes: SM1b/m, SM2b/m, P2, EA1b, EA2, EA3b Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to: provide, identify and compose: the specification of the dynamics and control requirements of systems; the general concept, the types and the structure of control hardware; (SM1b, P2, EA1b)  K K
002 Effectively interpret and employ definitions of common terms including feed-forward, feedback, linear and non-linear models, and time and frequency domain; (SM1b/m) – K, P KP
003 Select and use appropriate Laplace Transform techniques and results in solving control problems and initial value engineering problems; (EA2)  K K
004 Formulate simple dynamic models rigorously, tune a controller using rules of thumb, employ Laplace transform and represent dynamics as block diagrams; (EA3b) – C C
005 Recognise the importance and relevance of process dynamics and control, especially the behaviour of linear, time invariant and single loop feedback systems. (P2) – T,P PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Introduce principles of control systems analysis and design through theory and worked examples. This is mainly delivered through lectures and tutorial classes with independently worked out examples.

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • 3 hours lecture per week x 11 weeks

  • 1 hour tutorial x 11 weeks


Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG2123

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons) 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering MEng 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons) 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Automotive Engineering (Dual degree with HIT) BEng (Hons) 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Mechanical Engineering MEng 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Aerospace Engineering MEng 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biomedical Engineering BEng (Hons) 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Biomedical Engineering MEng 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.