Students

ELEC3024 – Control Systems

2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ray Eaton
ray.eaton@mq.edu.au
Leonardo Callegaro
leonardo.callegaro@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
((ELEC2040 or ELEC240) or (MTRN2060 or ELEC260)) and (MATH2055 or MATH235) and (ELEC2070 or ELEC270)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit develops fundamental knowledge and skills in the area of control design and analysis of dynamic systems. Topics covered include: an introduction to control system design process and applications; mathematical modelling of electrical and mechanical systems in the frequency domain; performance and stability analysis of single-input single-output linear control systems; design of feedback control systems using root locus and frequency response techniques; an introduction to digital control systems; and design of digital versus analogue control systems. This unit uses problem/team based learning approach, where students have to choose a project topic and their team members. Each team performs the modelling, analysis, control design, and simulation of the control system related to their project. Simulink/MATLAB and a control board are used to implement a real-time digital control system.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Describe a control system’s design process and control systems analysis
  • ULO2: Develop appropriate mathematical models of electrical and mechanical systems to be controlled in the frequency domain
  • ULO3: Analyse the performance and stability of single-input single-output linear control systems
  • ULO4: Design feedback control systems using tools such as MATLAB & Simulink to achieve specific performance requirements
  • ULO5: Characterise the behaviour of elementary feedback control systems using microcontroller based experiments

General Assessment Information

Grading and Passing Requirement for Unit

  • In order to pass this Unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the Unit (i.e. obtain a passing grade P, CR, D, or HD).
  • For further details about grading, please refer below in the policies and procedures section.
  • If you receive special consideration for the oral presentation and demonstration of the Project, a supplementary conventional exam will be scheduled by the faculty during a supplementary exam period, typically about 3 to 4 weeks after the normal exam period. By making a special consideration application for the oral presentation and demonstration of the Project you are declaring yourself available for a conventional exam during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to applying. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Hurdle Requirements

  • Students must attend and participate in at least 6 of the 7 weekly PC Labs (Weeks 1-7) to pass this unit.
  • Students must attend and participate in at least 5 of the 6 weekly Project Labs (Weeks 8-13) to pass this unit.

Late Submissions and Re-submissions

  • Late report submissions will attract a penalty of <10/100, 10%> marks per day. Extenuating circumstances will be considered upon lodgement of an application for special consideration.
  • Re-submissions of work are not allowed.

Students are reminded of the University policies regarding assessment, academic integrity and disruption to studies.

Requests for extension on assessable work are to be made to the Unit Coordinator but will only be considered in the event of illness or misadventure.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Pre-Class Quiz (Lectorials) 10% No Weeks 2-7
Assignments (PC Labs) 20% No Weeks 2-7
Class Quiz (Lectorials) 20% No Week 8
Assessment (Project) 50% No Weeks 13-14

Pre-Class Quiz (Lectorials)

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Weeks 2-7
Weighting: 10%

 

Students are expected to go through the iLearn content, understand the theory and attempt the online quiz each week prior to attending the class activities of that week.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe a control system’s design process and control systems analysis
  • Develop appropriate mathematical models of electrical and mechanical systems to be controlled in the frequency domain
  • Analyse the performance and stability of single-input single-output linear control systems

Assignments (PC Labs)

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weeks 2-7
Weighting: 20%

 

Evaluation of Lab activity during first part of the semester. This evaluation focuses on students ability to solve problems and perform modelling, design and implementation of control systems using MATLAB/Simulink.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop appropriate mathematical models of electrical and mechanical systems to be controlled in the frequency domain
  • Analyse the performance and stability of single-input single-output linear control systems
  • Design feedback control systems using tools such as MATLAB & Simulink to achieve specific performance requirements

Class Quiz (Lectorials)

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%

 

A quiz is scheduled right after the mid-semester break. The quiz will assess both factual knowledge and problem solving.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe a control system’s design process and control systems analysis
  • Develop appropriate mathematical models of electrical and mechanical systems to be controlled in the frequency domain
  • Analyse the performance and stability of single-input single-output linear control systems

Assessment (Project)

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 13-14
Weighting: 50%

 

This is the major assessment of this Unit. It will consist of 3 individual assessments and 1 team assessment, as follows: - Individual assessments: ◦ Oral presentation and demonstration of the project; ◦ Peer assessment regarding the actual contribution of each team member; ◦ Evaluation of project log book of each team member. - Team assessment: ◦ Project report to be submitted in iLearn by each team.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe a control system’s design process and control systems analysis
  • Develop appropriate mathematical models of electrical and mechanical systems to be controlled in the frequency domain
  • Analyse the performance and stability of single-input single-output linear control systems
  • Design feedback control systems using tools such as MATLAB & Simulink to achieve specific performance requirements
  • Characterise the behaviour of elementary feedback control systems using microcontroller based experiments

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

UNIT WEBSITE

  • The iLearn website for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/.
    • Note! All information and communications relevant to this Unit will be via the iLearn website.

TEXTBOOK

LECTORIALS

  • There will be a Lectorial (3 hours) for every week in the first part of the semester (Weeks 1-7). The Lectorial will comprise of: - discussion session on fundamental knowledge. - many practical examples. - interactive problem solving involving the students.
  • Lectorials are a combination of traditional lecture and tutorial teaching modes and are designed to improve student engagement inside/outside classes.
  • The Lectorials are organised in a flipped classroom fashion.
  • Outside class
    • links to E-Text specific sections, brief videos and/or lecture notes are posted in iLearn each week.
    • students are expected to read these E-Text sections, try to solve any given examples, and watch any videos and/or read any posted notes prior to attending the Lectorials.
  • Inside class
    • brief discussion sessions on fundamental principles.
    • plenty of practical examples.
    • interactive problem solving involving students.

LABORATORIES

  • PC Lab activities take place once a week (Weeks 1-7) according to the Unit schedule.
    • Note! Students must enrol in one of the three available weekly Lab sessions.
  • Interactive PC Labs use MATLAB/Simulink software platform to assist with the modelling and design of control systems.

PROJECTS

  • Project activities take place once a week (Weeks 8-13) according to the Unit schedule.
    • Note! Teams must enrol in one of the available weekly Project sessions.
  • The team Project is the core component of this Unit. The Projects cover practical aspects of control theory to be used in future Electrical, Electronics and Mechatronics units.
  • Students are required to form teams and choose one project topic from a given list of projects.
    • Note! When forming teams, students should agree in which weekly Project session they want to enrol.
    • All Project activities are performed in teams.

TECHNOLOGY

  • The laboratory work will rely on the use of MATLAB/Simulink software platform.
  • The software is available through AppStream and/or on Faculty PCs.
  • Each team will be given an Arduino kit for the second half of the semester to perform experimental activities.

COMMUNICATIONS

  • Students are reminded the University will communicate all official notices by email to official MQ student's account. Students should read their @student.mq.edu.au email regularly or forward it to an account they check regularly.
  • All announcements and other communications regarding this Unit will be via iLearn platform.

WEB RESOURCES

Unit Schedule

Refer to iLearn website for a detailed Unit schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

This Unit has been revised compared to previous offering as follows:

  • Pre-Class Quizzes prior to Lectorials (Weeks 2-7)
  • Single main Quiz after Lectorials end (Week 8)

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook