Rico A.R. Picone, PhD Courses

Control Systems I MME 561/ME 461

a syllabus

Course description

The feedback control of linear systems using so-called “classical” control theory techniques. Root locus and frequency-response methods are introduced for controlling single-input, single-output (SISO) systems. Stability is evaluated in terms of both root locus and frequency response. PID and lag-lead controllers are discussed extensively. MATLAB-based or Python-based controller design is used throughout the course. Controller hardware instantiation is also introduced. (Adapted from the course catalog.)

General information

Actual office hours (CH 103C)
M,W 2:50–3:50
T,Th 2:20–3:50
Virtual office hours (zoom, make appointment!)
M,W 2:50–3:50
T,Th 2:20–3:50
Virtual office hours appointments
make appointment
Location
Cebula Hall 101
Times
W 5:00–7:50 pm
Website
ricopic.one/courses/me461
Moodle
moodle.stmartin.edu

secrets

Discord

Everyone is required to join the messaging service called “Discord.” We’ll use it to communicate with each other during the semester. The Discord server you need to join is called drico. That’s a signup link. Be sure to join the channel #461/561. Graduate students, also join the #561 channel.

Textbooks

(Ni) Norman S. Nise. Control Systems Engineering. Seventh Edition. Wiley, 2015. (Required. Other editions ok, but homework from Seventh.)

Homebrew texts and notes

Partial texts (with fill-ins) I’m writing will be posted on the Control: an introduction page.

These texts are being constantly revised, so you have two printing options I recommend (both in color!):

  1. Print it yourself.
  2. Have the SMU Computer Resource Center print it as a course note pack.

If you are using a digital tablet for notes, you need not print them.

Throughout the semester, you should be ready to show these (current) in any class session, with threat of 10% quiz grade deductions.

Video pre-class lectures

Before/for every class, there will be one or more video lectures you will be required to watch! See the Schedule. I’ve uploaded them to YouTube. Watch them with the texts printed out (or with your digital tablet), filling in the blank sections as you go.

I recommend subscribing and familiarizing yourself with the playlist for this course.

Schedule

The following schedule is tentative and will be updated as the course proceeds.

day lecture videos week reading due
00 Course introduction,
01.00 Introduction,
01.01 Performance,
01.02 Feedback control system block diagrams,
01.03.1 PID control introduction,
01.03.2 PID controller design example,
01.04 Interactive PID controller design 		1 Ni Ch 1
02.01 Introduction to stability performance,
02.02 Stability from the transfer function,
02.03 Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion 		2 Ni Ch 6 Ass. 1
03.00 Transient response performance,
03.01 Transient response characteristics,
03.02 Exact analytical transient response characteristics,
03.03 Approximate analytical transient response 		3 Ni 4.7, 4.8
03.04 Simulation of transient performance,
04.00 Steady-state response performance,
04.01 Steady-state error for unity feedback systems 		4 Ni Ch 7 Ass. 2
05.00 Root locus analysis introduction
A.01 Complex functions
05.01 Root locus definition
05.02 Sketching the root locus,
05.03 Generating the root locus via a computer 		5 Ni Ch 8 Ass. 3
06.00 Root locus design introduction,
06.01 Gain from the root locus,
06.02 Proportional controller design P,
06.03 Beyond proportional design 		6 Ni Ch 9
06.04 PI controller design,
06.05 Proportional-lag controller design,
06.06 PD controller design 		7 Ni Ch 9 Ass. 4
06.07.1 Proportional-lead controller design,
06.07.2 Proportional-lead controller design example,
06.08 PID controller design,
06.08 PID controller design example,
06.09 Proportional-lead-lag controller design 		8 Ni Ch 9 Ass. 5
Midterm Exam
07.01 Introduction
07.02 Bode plots (up to 25:36)
07.03 Bode plots for simple transfer functions (start at 25:36)
07.03 Bode plots for simple transfer functions (continued)
07.04 Sketching Bode plots
Example 7.4 (hand-written solution)
Example 7.4 (continued, MATLAB solution)
+extra Bode plot sketch example
07.05.1 Nyquist criterion 1 of 3,
07.05.2 Nyquist criterion 2 of 3 sketching plots,
07.05.3 Nyquist criterion 3 of 3 sketch example,
07.06 Stability from the Nyquist plot 		9 Ni Ch 10
07.07 Stability, gain margin, and phase margin from Bode plots,
07.08 Relations between time- and frequency domains 		10 Ni Ch 10
08.01 Frequency response design 11 Ni Ch 11 Ass. 6
Frequency response design TBD 12 Ni Ch 11
09.01.1 State-space control 1 of 3,
09.01.2 State-space control 2 of 3,
09.01.3 State-space control 3 of 3 example,
B.2.1 Phase-variable canonical form 		13 Ni Ch 12 Ass. 7
Introduction to Digital Control and Realization
Sampling
Discrete-Time Systems 		14
Digtial Control Systems
Control Effort
PIDF Controllers 		14 Ass. 8

Assignments

Assignment 1

Assignment 2

Assignment 3

Assignment 4

Assignment 5

Assignment 6

Assignment 7

Assignment 8

Graduate students

Graduate students will be given additional problems each homework assignment and on the exams. Typically these will be relatively challenging and require more time than the others. For the homework assignments, these will not be part of the quizzes; instead, each graduate student will compile their work throughout the term into a single document. Each week an assignment is due, email me the latest version (they’ll be checked for progress but not graded until the end of the term). At the end of the term, by the time the final exam is due, submit the document with all your work on these problems via email to me.

Homework, quiz, & exam policies

Homework & homework quiz policies

Homework will be “due” on the Friday friday of the week it appears on the schedule, but it will not be turned in for credit (except for grad student exercises). However — and this is very important — each week an assignment is due a quiz will be given on Friday that will cover that week’s homework.

Quizzes will be available on moodle each Friday (about noon), and must be completed by midnight. Late quizzes will receive no credit.

Working in groups on homework is strongly encouraged, but quizzes must be completed individually.

Exam policies

The exams will be take-home. If you require any specific accommodations, please contact me.

No exam may be taken early. Makeup exams require a doctor’s note excusing the absence during the exam.

The final exam will be cumulative.

Grading policies

Total grades in the course may be curved, but individual homework quizzes and exams will not be. They will be available on moodle throughout the semester.

Participation and Homework Quizzes
30%
Midterm Exam
35%
Final Exam
35%

secrets

Participation grades depend on (a) watching the video lectures before class, (b) filling in your notes, and (c) engagement in class discussions.

Academic integrity policy

Cheating or plagiarism of any kind is not tolerated and will result in a failing grade (“F”) in the course. I take this very seriously. Engineering is an academic and professional discipline that requires integrity. I expect students to consider their integrity of conduct to be their highest consideration with regard to the course material.

What is academic integrity? Saint Martin's University is a community of faculty, students and staff engaged in the exchange of ideas in the ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. Essential to our mission is a focused commitment to scholarly values and intellectual integrity, and a respect for the ideas, beliefs and work of others. This commitment extends to all aspects of academic performance. All members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their conduct and their exercise of responsibility to themselves and toward other members of the community. As an expression of our shared belief in the Benedictine tradition, we support the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual nurturing of students.

What is academic dishonesty? Saint Martin's University defines academic dishonesty as violating the academic integrity of an assignment, test and/or evaluation of any coursework. This dishonest practice occurs when you seek to gain for yourself or another an academic advantage by deception or other dishonest means. You have a responsibility to understand the requirements that apply to particular assessments and to be aware of acceptable academic practice regarding the use of material prepared by others. Therefore, it is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies surrounding academic dishonesty as these may differ from other institutions.

Acceptable use of AI in coursework

Any use of technology that misleads a reviewer in assessing the student's mastery of a specific set of skills or knowledge is a type of intellectual dishonesty, that is, a type of cheating. Students who are unsure about the appropriateness of using an artificial intelligence tool (or “AI”) should check with the instructor before using it. This includes the use of tools that generate text, images, video, code, and other works. If you are permitted by your instructor to use one or more AI tools in producing your work, you should disclose the use of that tool. You should say which tool you used and how you used it. Then if you use specific AI generated content (text, images, videos, audio, code, and so on) you should cite it in the style (APA, MLA, and so on) specified by your instructor.

Access and accommodations

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Support Services (DSS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DSS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but are not limited to mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DSS at 360-438-4580 or dss.testing@stmartin.edu or smu.dss@stmartin.edu. DSS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DSS. It is the policy and practice of the Saint Martin's University to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Sexual misconduct/sexual harassment reporting

Saint Martin's University is committed to providing an environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. There are Title IX/sexual harassment posters around campus that include the contact information for confidential reporting and formal reporting. Confidential reporting is where you can talk about incidents of sexual harassment and gender-based crimes including sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. This confidential resource can help you without having to report your situation to the formal reporting process through the Dean of Students – Ms. Melanie Richardson, Associate VP of Human Resources – Ms. Cynthia Johnson, Public Safety – Ms. Sharon Schnebly, or the Office of the Provost – Dr. Tanya Smith-Brice, unless you request that they make a report. Please be aware that, in compliance with Title IX and under the Saint Martin's University policies, educators must report incidents of sexual harassment and gender-based crimes including sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. If you disclose any of these situations in class, on papers, or to me personally, I am required to report it.

University sanctioned activities

If you are absent from class due to university-sanctioned activities, such as sports, it is your responsibility to request that the absence be excused; otherwise, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Absent students are responsible for catching up with the class, and if any assignments are due on the day of the absence, it is your responsibility to turn in the assignments on time (prior to class). Assignments may be submitted as an attachment to email.

Counseling and Wellness Center

There may be times, as a college student, when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and your daily life. The Counseling and Wellness Center supports students by addressing mental and emotional well-being with FREE and confidential services. To schedule an appointment, call 360-412-6123 or email counselingcwc@stmartin.edu or stop by the CWC (1st floor St. Raphael Center).

If you would rather not go to the CWC or need support in the evenings and weekends, please consider using the TimelyCare app (timelycare.com/smusaints) to speak with a mental health provider, free, 24/7, from your phone or computer.

Religious Accommodation

Saint Martin's University, in honor of the sacredness of the individual, and being deeply rooted in the Catholic Benedictine tradition of higher education, values the many religious and spiritual practices of our campus community. Saint Martin's University supports our students in their ongoing journey of becoming. In compliance with Washington State Law RCW 28B.137.010, Saint Martin's University reasonably accommodates students for reasons of religious observances.

Center for Student Success

The Center for Student Success offers free academic services for all Saint Martin's students. The Center provides subject-area peer tutoring in science, technology, nursing, engineering, math, business, accounting, economics, world languages and other subjects. At the Writing Center, students meet with writing tutors to discuss their academic, personal, and professional writing. The Advising Center works with students on academic advising, connecting with campus support resources, transition and self-exploration guidance, personalized academic improvement plans, learning workshops, and support for changing majors. Disability Support Services is also located in the Center for any student with a disability who needs accommodations. For more information on the Center for Student Success, or to sign up for a tutoring, advising, or DSS meeting, see the website: stmartin.libcal.com/appointments.

Correlation of course & program outcomes

In keeping with the standards of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, each course is evaluated in terms of its desired outcomes and how these support the desired program outcomes. The following sections document the evaluation of this course.

Desired course outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the following course outcomes are desired:

  1. Students will understand the fundamentals of classical control theory.
  2. Students will be able to construct, understand, and use a root locus plot for controller design.
  3. Students will be able to construct, understand, and use Bode and Nyquist plots for controller design.
  4. Students will understand controller stability.
  5. Students will understand and be able to design PID-based and gain-lag-lead-based controller design.

Desired program outcomes

In accordance with ABET’s student outcomes, our desired program outcomes are that mechanical engineering graduates have:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Correlation of outcomes

The following table correlates the desired course outcomes with the desired program outcomes they support.

desired program outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
desired course outcomes 1 ✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔
✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔
✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔
✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔
✔ ✔ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ✔