535.642.81 - Control Systems for Mechanical Engineering Applications

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites

Students are encouraged to have taken 535.441 Mathematical Methods for Engineers

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into 14 Modules. The Modules can be accessed by clicking Modules on the course navigation menu. Modules are divided into an Overview & Objectives, Content, and Assignments. Students are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting.

Modules will open on Wednesdays at 12am (Day 1) and run through the following Tuesday (Day 7).

Course Topics

• Introduction to Control Systems
• Inverse La Place Transforms
• Mathematical Modeling of Dynamic Systems
• Mathematical Modeling Mechanical and Electrical Systems
• Characterizing Transient and Steady-State Response
• Control System Design by Root-Locus Methods
• Frequency Response Analysis
• Polar Plots and Nyquist Stability Criterion
• Control System Design in Frequency Domain
• Lag- Lead Compensator Design in Frequency Domain

Course Goals

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of dynamic system modeling, stability analysis, frequency- and time- domain analysis and control compensation design techniques. Numerous applications will be studied over the course of the semester to ensure students have a broad exposure to relevant system applications in the field of dynamic systems, stability and control.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Articulate seminal concepts in the history of control-theory and converse in the vernacular of control theory and dynamic systems modeling.
• Develop mathematical models of various dynamic systems including mechanical-, electrical-, and fluid-flow- systems and move confidently between different mathematical representations such as differential equations, state-space systems, transfer functions, and block-diagrams.
• Predict, analyze and characterize the response of dynamic systems using time-domain (transient and steady-state behavior) and frequency-domain figures of merit.
• Articulate the differences between various types of feedback control design techniques (including proportional, derivative, integral and PID control), predict how different components in the topology can influence transient and steady-state behavior and manipulate system representations to analyze the system’s response to external influences such as command response, disturbance rejection, and system uncertainty.
• Apply time and frequency domain techniques such as root-locus analysis, Bode analysis, and Nyquist stability analysis to evaluate the performance and robustness of open- and closed- loop systems.
• Translate user specified requirements into time- and frequency- domain design criterion and develop suitable control compensation to alter the system’s stability and time- and frequency- domain characteristics to satisfy the design criterion.

Textbooks

Ogata, K. (2009). Ogata’s Modern Control Engineering (5th ed.). Prentice Hall.

• ISBN: 0136156738
• ISBN-13: 9780136156734

Required Software

MATLAB

You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB (2006 or higher) with the Control Systems Toolbox. You can purchase a MATLAB Student Version, which includes the Control Systems Toolbox, directly from Mathworks.

Go to http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_version/.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 6 - 10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 1–2 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, viewing annotated slide presentations (approximately 2–3 hours per week), participating in online discussion (approximately 1–2 hours per week), and completing assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week).

This course will consist of four basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (Module Discussions) (5% of Final Grade Calculation)

Each student is responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of day 4 for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness).

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.

Your instructor will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions.

Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Timeliness (50%)
2. Critical Thinking (50%)

Students will receive a score of 0 – 100 on each Module discussion and the final discussion score will be the average over all discussions for the semester.

Assignments are provided from Appendix B of the Textbook. Each problem in the assignment will be graded for accuracy and effort. The overall assignment will be scored on a scale of 0 to 100% with each problem in the assignment having a weight commensurate with the number of problems in the assignment (e.g., 4 problems are 25% each). The final Assignment average will bear 40% of the final grade calculation.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade when submitted a week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). No homeworkwill be accepted after the release of the solution set without prior coordination with the Instructor.

The midterm exam will be available in Module 7 and the final exam will be available in Module 14.

Students will have one week to complete each exam and they will be due by 5PM of Day 7 during the Module they were released. Students may use the course text to complete the exams.

Each problem on the exam is provided a weight (number of points). Problems will be graded on accuracy and effort. Partial Credit is provided. For each problem, you must show all work as answers only will receive a grade of zero.

Grading Policy

Student assignments are due according to the dates identified in each I will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 10-12 Homeworks will be assigned depending on the number of classes; the lowest graded homework will be dropped.

Your final grade will be based on the final criteria weighting:

At the end of the semester each student's total score will be calculated. Final letter grades will be based on clustering of students' numeric scores. The highest grouping of students will receive an A+, followed by the next reasonable grouping. Significant negative deviations from the majority of the class will result in lower letter grades as appropriate.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.