| Unit name | Feedback Systems and Automatic Control |
|---|---|
| Unit code | AENG30022 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Steve Burrow |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Engineering Mathematics 2 (EMAT20200) |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Control is a fundamental concept in aerospace engineering: the Wright brothers’ key invention in achieving sustained flight was a set of aerodynamic surfaces that a pilot could use to control the aircraft. The principle of automatic control is to replace human pilot with an engineered system. A classic example of this is the autopilot, which was invented to reduce pilot fatigue on long flights by automatically controlling the heading and altitude of the aircraft. Similar automatic control systems are required to fly multi-rotors (as it is impossible for a human to control the rotors simultaneously), rockets (as they typically respond too quickly for a human’s reaction times), and a range of other modern aerospace systems. During this unit you will learn how to design these kinds of automatic controllers, building on the mathematical theory of systems and feedback.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit builds on some of the topics you have learned in Engineering Mathematics, including content on complex numbers, ordinary differential equations, numerical methods, and integral transforms (e.g. the Laplace Transform). Following on from this unit, you will be well equipped to tackle more advanced topics in aerospace dynamics and control.
An overview of content
This unit is split into two main sections. The overall theme of the first section is feedback, and in this section the students will learn how to recognise and analyse negative-feedback loops and understand their importance in engineering systems. In the second part, the students will learn how to extend these ideas to design automatic controllers for relevant engineering systems.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will be able to analyse and design automatic feedback control systems for aerospace applications, which forms an essential skillset for aerospace engineers.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Formative Assessment
In addition to example sheets, students will complete a self-directed exercise on linear systems using a dedicated software library (Simulink), and apply controller design in practise on a simple multi-rotor system (Quansers).
Summative Assessment
[30%] – January timed assessment (ILO 1 – 2)
[70%] – Summer exam (ILO 2 – 5)
When assessment does not go to plan
The resit assessments take the same form of the original assessments.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. AENG30022).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
