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.

Corequisites: 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

Student Outcomes

In the parentheses for each Student Outcome:
"P" for primary indicates the outcome is a major focus of the entire course.
“M” for moderate indicates the outcome is the focus of at least one component of the course, but not majority of course material.
“LN” for “little to none” indicates that the course does not contribute significantly to this outcome.

1. ( Not Applicable ) An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. ( Not Applicable ) 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. ( Not Applicable ) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. ( Not Applicable ) 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. ( Not Applicable ) 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. ( Not Applicable ) An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. ( Not Applicable ) An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Strategic Performance Indicators (SPIs)

Not Applicable

Course Objectives

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.