Computing for Control Systems

(3-0-0-3)

CMPE Degree: This course is Not Applicable for the CMPE degree.

EE Degree: This course is Not Applicable for the EE degree.

Lab Hours: 0 supervised lab hours and 0 unsupervised lab hours.

Technical Interest Group(s) / Course Type(s): Systems and Controls

Course Coordinator:

Prerequisites: None.

Catalog Description

Introduction to real-time computing, distributed computing, and software engineering in control systems. The particular requirements of control systems will be presented.

Course Outcomes

Not Applicable

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

Not Applicable

Topical Outline

Introductory Topics in Controls
- Principles of Feedback Control
- Standard Control Architectures

Implementation Issues
- Stability and Effect of Time Delays
- Common I/O models
- Sensor Processing

Advanced Control Concepts
- Hybrid Systems

Introductory Topics in Software Engineering
- Software Reuse
- Object-Oriented Controls
- Component-Based Design

Real-Time Computing for Controls
- Threads and Processes
- Scheduling
- Intertask Communication Methods
- Real-Time Operating Systems

Distributed Computing for Controls
- Network Communication Protocols Suitable for Controls
- Interprocess Communication Models
- Networked Control Systems

Case Studies -- Application of these techniques to process control, robotics, and uninhabited autonomous vehicles.

Projects will be given that include some of the following topics: implementing a multi-threaded control system using a real-time operating system, running control code distributed over a network, designing control of mobile robots using a distributed computing architecture.