Monash University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Clayton Campus

MAE3408 / TRC3600
Aerospace Control / Modelling and Control

Summary:
Development of linear mathematical models for mechanical, electrical, thermal and fluid, and pressure devices
and systems. Equation sets, transfer functions, block diagrams, signal flow graphs, and state-variable
equations. Solution of models to provide predictions of response. Classical, Laplace transform, matrix, and
computer methods of solution. Assessing the quality of response; stability, speed and shape. Achieving
desired response. Frequency response. Root locus. Introduction to controller design. A self-directed learning
component completes the unit.

Introduction and Objectives:

Aims/objectives
This subject is intended to provide a substantial introduction to the nature and behaviour of simple
components, processes, and subsystems, which are relevant to engineering control. Mechanical, electrical,
fluidic, and pressure devices, and many more are included as examples, so too are elementary complete
control systems. The subject is orientated towards predicting, examining, and assessing system performance
via formation of mathematical models and solution of the models. There will be hands-on instruction in the
use of the digital simulation package MATLAB to solve models. A unified approach to mathematical
modelling via the concepts of Resistance, Capacitance and Inertia/Inductance is emphasised. Therefore, on
the completion of the subject, the students should be able to perform system modelling, develop solution, and
perform assessment of system response and system analysis.

Skills
Through lectures, laboratory work and tutorials students are encouraged to develop skills in the modelling
and analysis of components, processes, and subsystems relevant to control engineering. The subject provides
the base for the 4th year subjects.

Details
The subject occupies 12 weeks of Semester 2. Study week will be free of lectures though scheduled
laboratory and tutorial sessions may remain in place.

Lecturer: Prof. Bijan Shirinzadeh (Room: G27/B31) – TBA, and by appointment

Demonstrators/ Tutors: TBA

It is the students’ responsibility to check the venues and times listed below, as there may be changes to
venues and times imposed by the faculty or availability.
Lecture/(Tutorial/Practicals): Tuesday: 4:00pm-6:00pm@ CL_21 – E1
Thursday: 12:00pm-1:00pm @ CL_21 – E1
Wednesday: 2:00pm-4:00pm @ CL_23 – EH3, and @ CL_21-E1
Laboratory: Friday: 1:00pm-4:00pm (Simulation Lab (Faculty Comp. labs): CL_23/G14-
G15
Week/Content:
1 Introduction. Relevance. Modelling of dynamic systems
2 Physical modelling. Forming continuous linear models of mechanical, electrical, thermal, fluidic,
pressure devices and systems.
3 System response. Free and Forced response. Classical solutions. First and second-order systems
Laplace transforms. Partial fractioning.
4 System response. Quality of responses. Stability. Routh Hurwitz stability criterion.
5 Routh Hurwitz stability criterion. Speed and shape of responses: rise time, settling time, overshoot,
damping. Dynamic performance. Pole-zero map. Pole placement.
6 Frequency response. Amplitude Ratio. Phase Angle. Forms of FR plot. Polar plot.
7 Frequency response. Bode plots of frequency response.
8 Frequency response.
9 State space.
10 State variable (vector-matrix, or state space) models. Solution of state-variables models. State
variables models from equation sets, block diagrams, and transfer functions. Signal flow graph.
11 Root locus.
12 Introduction to controller design – or - Review and summary
13 SWAT

Prerequisites:
1st, 2nd and 3rd level mathematics and statistics subjects as well as engineering mechanics,
dynamics/vibration, and MAE3404 for MAE3408, and TRC3200 for TRC3600.

Course Text/Notes:
Lecture notes and resources on Moodle.

Recommended text(s) and readings:

Nise, N. S., Control Systems Engineering, 2000.
Kuo, B. C., Automatic Control Systems, Seventh Edition, Prentice Hall.
Ogata, K., Modern Control Engineering, Fifth Edition, Pearson
Driels, M., Linear Control Systems Engineering, 1996.
Philips, C. L. and Harbor, R. D., Feedback Control Systems, 1988.

Laboratory/Tutorials/Assignments – the following are subject to change when required:

Each student must attend one 2-3 hour Digital Simulation Session. Attendance and satisfactory performance
in the Digital Simulation Laboratory session is compulsory – i.e. all students must complete this digital
simulation laboratory session. Progress and achievement will be assessed and noted on the day. Students may
also be required to independently study topics (not covered within the lectures) as part of the self-learning
requirement for the unit. Students may use the Tutorial/Practical sessions to discuss subject difficulties with
the demonstrators/tutors. Practice sessions will be run throughout the semester. Assignments (x4) will be
distributed/collected/marked throughout the semester.

Assessment:
60% Final Exam (3 hours)
40% Assignments/(PracsTutes)/Lab (Assignments=32%, Practical/Tutorial Classes+Lab=8%)
100% TOTAL

Important Notes: Late assignments will not be accepted. A student's percentage mark will be the sum of
results from the above. Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous
assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of
50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a
maximum of 45% in the unit. Further, there is a hurdle (compulsory) for the computer laboratory.
 Important Notes
(Read carefully and refer to this during the semester regularly)

The overall objectives of this unit are for the students to obtain knowledge and skills in (i.e. learn) the
following:
 modelling of systems and thus development of mathematical formulation describing such systems
 the methodologies for obtaining solutions to predict the response – to perform analysis in time
domain, Laplace domain, etc.
 the methodologies and formulations to assess the quality of a system’s response – i.e. to perform
stability analysis of systems
 the methodologies and formulations to obtain a desired dynamic performance of such systems
 the methodologies and formulations for analysis in frequency domain
 the methodologies and formulation for root locus technique, leading to controller design technique
 the methodologies to represent systems in state space and their solutions

The specific and more detailed objectives for this unit include the following:
1. Understand the significance and relevance of systems and associated control in engineering.
2. Appreciation for mathematical formulations to develop accurate linear models through classical and state space
modelling techniques describing systems with single-input single-output (SISO) and multi-input and multi-output
(MIMO).
3. Gain knowledge of system’s response through the use of analytical techniques, such as classical solution, Laplace
transforms, state space, etc.
4. Understand the concept of stability and its importance for systems analysis and control.
5. Gain knowledge of dynamic performance of a system, including selection of system parameters to achieve the
desired response, and further analysis through techniques such as frequency response.
6. Understand the effects of non-linearity in systems and limitations of the use of linear models.
7. Gain knowledge of experimental/computer-based (such as MATLAB) techniques.
8. Ability to develop mathematical models for devices and systems for the purpose of response and dynamic
behaviour analysis.
9. Ability to obtain system’s solution and response using classical method, Laplace transforms method, and state
space method.
10. Ability to determine the stability of a system utilising S-plane and Routh-Hurwitz technique.
11. Ability to analyse dynamic performance of systems in the time and frequency domains using the Bode plot, root-
locus, and polar plot.
12. Ability to continue learning about systems modelling and control techniques beyond the content provided in this
course.
13. An appreciation of the unified concept of Resistance, Capacitance and Inertia/Inductance to perform physical
modelling of mechanical, fluidic, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
14. An appreciation for the need to represent, predict and analyse the system and its response and dynamic
performance, and convey these through pictorial representations such as block diagrams, signal flow graphs, etc.
15. An appreciation of non-linear effects and the use of linear models as approximation.

Methods of feedback in this unit include the following:

1. The tutorials must be used by students to seek assistance (and feedback) from the tutors and unit
coordinator on tutorial problems/work. It is essential that students discuss their work including
assignments (where applicable) with the tutors and unit coordinator. The above are the most
important feedback methods.
2. Further, once you receive your assignments back, if you have any questions regarding the assignment,
you seek out the tutor or unit coordinator and discuss these. It is your responsibility.