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Control and Project Preparation - ELE00090H

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Andrew Pomfret
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module is a transition module incorporating material from one previous ten-credit module (Control) plus ten credits of work preparing for the BEng final project.

Control component:

This module provides an introduction to feedback control of linear systems, and how it can be used to provide stability or to obtain a particular response characteristic from a system. The techniques covered have a wide range of applications, including to mechanical systems such as robots, and to electronic systems such as audio amplifiers.

Project preparation component:

The project preparation component will enable you to begin work on your final year individual project. You will do a literature review appropriate to the problem domain of your project and produce a project plan for the substantive project module in the remainder of the year.

Professional requirements

We need to specify the exam type - it is Open Exam 1B

Related modules

All aspects of Control component teaching are shared with the two other Control+ transition year modules.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

Control component

Subject content aims:

  • To provide a fundamental introduction to the analysis and design of simple analogue controllers for linear, time-invariant, continuous dynamic systems

  • To extend basic control concepts and apply them to more complex problems, with a view to industrial and real-world applications

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in the selection and application of appropriate numeric and algebraic techniques

Project preparation component

Subject content aims:

  • To introduce the problem domain for the student’s individual final-year project

  • To develop a project plan for accomplishing the project

Graduate skills aims:

  • To develop skills in the literature review and project planning

Module learning outcomes

Control component

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Know how to apply the Laplace transform in the development of transfer functions for a range of simple dynamic systems

  • Describe the problems of control system implementation in a real-world context

  • Be able to analyse transfer functions and present the properties of the systems they represent in terms of control objectives

  • Be able to design simple control systems to achieve a set of desired control objectives

  • Be able to use software tools, based upon the MATLAB environment to support control system analysis and design

  • Be able to design active control components such as compensators and PID controllers to achieve desirable control objectives

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to explain and evaluate advanced technical concepts concisely and accurately

  • Be able to select, adapt and apply a range of mathematical techniques to solve advanced problems

  • Have developed skills in problem solving, critical analysis and applied mathematics

Project Preparation Component

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to explain the context, needs, constraints and criteria of their project

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

  • Be able to design, explain and defend a coherent project plan and know how to adapt it to changing circumstances.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Report		 N/A 50
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Control and Project Preparation - Open exam 1B		 2 hours 50

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Report Reassessment		 N/A 50
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Control and Project Preparation - Open exam 1B		 2 hours 50

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Statement of Feedback

Formative Feedback

  • Homework problem sheets will be provided and marked in workshops.

  • Lab sessions will provide the opportunity to ask questions and receive verbal help and feedback about your progress in developing practical skills.

  • Practice exercises for the continuous assessments will be provided, allowing you to check your progress throughout the module.

  • Questions can be asked at any time, and will be answered as soon as possible.

Summative Feedback

For the exam, marks will be provided.

For the report, individual feedback will be provided.

Indicative reading

For the control component, notes and readings will be provided in class.

For the project component, readings will depend on the chosen project


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.