KD6031 - Instrumentation and Control of Dynamical Systems

You will experience a wide range of learning and teaching approaches in this module. The theoretical basis of the subject will be presented in the lectures and seminar sessions and the module will be taught on a problem driven basis that promotes your autonomous learning. A key component of the module is technology enhanced learning through the use of relevant software packages such as Matlab and Simulink. Experience of these packages will directly increase your employability skills. Knowledge acquired from lectures and seminars will be applied through practical work, particularly in the development of computer programs which is highly valued by industry and strongly applicable to careers in research.

Seminars will be given in a computer-based environment and allow you to both familiarise themselves with simulation software and design, simulate and evaluate control and instrumentation systems. Such a setting provides an opportunity for formative assessment.

Summative assessment is composed of a formal report and a written closed book examination. The report is based on computer modelling that is appropriate to this level. You are provided with written feedback on the report and in a plenary format designed to promote dialogue around the assessment. You will also receive feedback on the examination.

In addition to direct contact with the module team during lectures and seminars, you are encouraged to develop your curiosity by making direct contact with the module team either via email or the open door policy operated throughout the programme. You will also be regularly referred to supporting resources including relevant texts and multimedia relevant to the module. References to these resources will be made available through the e-learning portal and in lectures and seminars.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Determine which control algorithms fit better to a control problem assessing their limitations (UKSpec 3rd Ed. SM1m, SM3m, EA2m, EA4m)

2. Apply appropriate engineering procedures to design a particular control system based on design specifications (UKSpec 3rd Ed.SM3m, D2m, D4m)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Predict and appraise the performance of control algorithms using appropriate tools, providing practical solutions from specification for a control or instrumentation system. (UKSpec 3rd Ed. D3m, D4m, D7m)

4. Critically analyse the accuracy of measurement systems (UKSpec 3rd Ed. EP4m, EP8m)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Organise and critically appraise experimental data through a laboratory report. (UKSpec 3rd Ed. D6m,)

Formative assessment within this module is performed in the seminar sessions as problems and puzzles are solved interactively. Example case studies may also be used in the seminar session as examples of key topics. Within the lecture content some formative assessment will be performed in the format of simple quizzes to determine what has been understood.

The summative assessment of the module is composed of the following:
1. Laboratory report (weighted 20%) addressing LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
2. Closed book written examination (weighted 80%) addresses LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Feedback is provided to students individually and in a plenary format both written and verbally to help students improve and reflect on their own learning.

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Control is about changing or modify the behaviour of a system, by some external means or actions, so that it behaves in a desired way and this regardless of any perturbation acting on the system. A system can be anything from a car, to airplane or a chemical reactor or simple your room. For example if you want to change your room temperature (behaviour), then you have to turn your heater on or off (action) depending on whether it is cold or hot. In this module you will learn how to control various physical systems by designing and applying the appropriate control actions. For this you will first learn how to mathematically models systems, how to analyse them, how to derive the most appropriate controller for that system. You will also learn how to test your controller performance by simulation and practically implement the controller using the proper instrumentation methods.