ECE 486 (Control Systems) - Spring 2019 - Syllabus

Course description

This is a first course in feedback control of dynamic systems. A design oriented approach is stressed. Computer based analysis, combined with an accompanying laboratory, provide a realistic setting for mastering several important design methodologies. Concurrent development of basic concepts in lecture and homework provides a foundation for continued study of advanced topics and newly emerging methods. Students come from a wide range of disciplines since control is an interdisciplinary topic.

Course objective

The official course goals can be found at the ECE department's course profile.

Course outline

• Dynamic models and dynamic response (4 weeks)

  • Modeling examples, differential equations, impulse response, transfer functions, poles and zeros, state space models, feedback.

• Root locus techniques (3 weeks)

  • Evans’ root locus method, dynamic compensation.

• Frequency response techniques (5 weeks)

  • Bode plots, Nyquist stability criterion.

• State feedback design (2 weeks)

  • State space models, similarity transformations, controllability, linear pole placement, estimator design.

Team

Discussion/Recitation

• Instructor: Roy Dong

  • email: roydong at illinois dot edu

  • office: 142 CSL

  • office hours: Tuesdays 11am to 12noon; Fridays 10:30am to 11:30am

• Homework TA: Yu Mao

  • email: yumao4 at illinois dot edu

  • office hours: Mondays 1pm to 3pm in 4034 ECEB

• Homework TA: Wenbin Wan

  • email: wenbinw2 at illinois dot edu

Lab

• Lab manager: Dan Block

  • email: d-block at illinois dot edu

  • office: 3005 ECEB

• Lab TA: Yinai Fan

  • email: yfan17 at illinois dot edu

• Lab TA: Zhenghe Shangguan

  • email: zhenghe3 at illinois dot edu

• Lab TA: Usman Syed

  • email: usyed3 at illinois dot edu

Prerequisites

ECE 210 (Analog Signal Processing) is a mandatory prerequisite for this course. The concepts covered in ECE 486 build a great deal on the material in ECE 210.

In particular, the lectures will immediately presume familiarity with:

• frequency responses

• convolution

• impulse responses

• sampling

• system stability

• Laplace transforms

• transfer function

• methods for solving differential equations

• filter design

If you do not satisfy these prerequisites, send me an email outlining your background with the material listed above, as well as why you wish to take ECE 486. It may be possible for you to maintain enrollment in the course, but I cannot guarantee anything.

Grading

Your course grade will be the weighted average of these five components:

Homeworks

Homeworks are due at the beginning of class. No late homeworks will be accepted.

You may drop your lowest homework grade. This dropped homework is meant to account for any personal events or extenuating circumstances that may arise. No exceptions, extensions, or other variations will be given; if something happens that greatly interferes with your ability to complete assignments this semester, grading will be determined by the university's policy on such extenuating circumstances.

Labs

Labs will begin meeting Week 2 (starting Jan. 21st) of the semester.

You must obtain the lab manual from the ECE Store (1031 ECEB) prior to the first meeting of the lab.

Although you will have 24-hour access to the labs, lab attendance is expected and graded.

For further details, see the lab page on the course website.

Exams

The midterm exams will occur during the course's regular time slot. The final exam will occur during the time slot determined by the Registrar.

A more detailed, up-to-date breakdown of the course timing, including exam dates, can be found at https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece486/sp2019/lec.html

Course resources

Textbooks/materials

The main textbook for the course will be:

• Franklin, Powell, and Emami-Naeini, Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, Prentice Hall.

  • As of Spring 2019, the most up-to-date edition of this book is the 8th edition. Previous editions should, for the most part, be fine, as the material will not be substantially different.

Another optional reference for the course's material is:

• Aström and Murray, Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers.

  • This book is available for free online in Wiki form: http://www.cds.caltech.edu/~murray/amwiki/index.php/Second_Edition

As mentioned previously, you must obtain the lab manual from the ECE Store (1031 ECEB) prior to the first meeting of the lab.

Course expectations

I expect all students to contribute to a supportive learning environment and a cooperative community. We are all here to learn, and, I'd like to emphasize this: help each other learn. Students are expected to be civil and respectful.

Throughout the course, you may freely ask questions at any time. There are no stupid questions, and everyone should feel comfortable asking anything during the class. However, I may request that discussions related to such questions be shifted to either office hours or Piazza if there is not enough in-class time to fully resolve any questions.

Academic integrity

All students are subject to the university's academic integrity policies. A quick reference guide, as well as links to the official student code, can be found at: https://provost.illinois.edu/policies/policies/academic-integrity/students-quick-reference-guide-to-academic-integrity/

I do not expect academic integrity will be an issue, but it is worth discussing briefly. If you find that you are struggling with the material in the course, do not hesitate at all to reach out to me. Send me an email, drop by my office hours, see me after class, post on Piazza, slip a note under my office door, whatever. One should not feel like they must resort to cheating in my class.