Simulation, Design, and Implementation Based Undergraduate Research in Control Systems: Nonlinear Before Linear

Volume 9: Engineering Education and Professional Development ◽

10.1115/imece2008-69222 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Dale B. McDonald ◽

Idir Azouz ◽

Carrie-Anne Taylor

Keyword(s):

Nonlinear Control ◽

Control Systems ◽

Research Program ◽

Undergraduate Research ◽

Undergraduate Curriculum ◽

Linear Control Systems ◽

Simulation Design ◽

Engineering Research ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

Systems Research

A typical undergraduate curriculum introduces linear control systems concepts only, often in a single elective course. This curriculum structure introduces challenges to student involvement in control systems research as nonlinear concepts are the focus of the majority of such efforts. With undergraduate participation in engineering research steadily increasing, nonlinear control concepts must be introduced prior to formal classroom study of linear systems. Given this reality, we propose an intense and relatively brief research program, consisting of three distinct phases. The program objective is to present a targeted educational experience in nonlinear control theory based upon the design and implementation of control laws developed for a particular nonlinear system class. Given significant interaction between the student and the faculty mentor, we believe that an excellent opportunity in undergraduate education and research will be realized, despite the student’s initial unfamiliarity with nonlinear control systems concepts. A research program consisting of three phases is proposed and initial technical results are presented to facilitate a candid discussion of the issues that may prevent undergraduate participation in research and to detail the manner in which many of these obstacles were overcome.

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A Classroom Experience in Control Systems Following an Intensive Nonlinear Control Design Research Project: Two Perspectives

Volume 7: Engineering Education and Professional Development ◽

10.1115/imece2009-12610 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Carrie-Anne Taylor ◽

Dale B. McDonald

Keyword(s):

Nonlinear Control ◽

Control Systems ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Design Research ◽

Linear Control ◽

Linear Control Systems ◽

Research Project ◽

Systems Research ◽

Direct Student ◽

Faculty Mentors

It has been well documented in the engineering education literature that introductory linear control systems courses present unique pedagogical challenges. Similarly, it has been reported that engaging undergraduate students in control systems research is challenging. The control of nonlinear systems is the focus of much research; Therefore, a paradox exists; research programs involving undergraduate students are often conducted in a “nonlinear before linear” fashion. Prior research by the authors approached this paradox by investigating whether a meaningful research project in nonlinear control systems could be conducted. While the author and co-author were willing to execute this research (despite the intense time commitment), this type of project is not sustainable long-term unless the significant time invested results in Item 1) illumination of new pedagogical techniques that generalize to each student in the linear control systems course (not just participants in the research project). This manuscript will describe in detail Item 1). Given the student and faculty mentors experience in the nonlinear controls research project and the student’s experience in the linear control systems course, pedagogical insights gained through this endeavor will be detailed by the faculty member. These are meant to close the loop of instructor assessment of the course during preparation for future offerings. Therefore, the undergraduate student directly provides an accounting of the experiences throughout the research program and introductory control systems course. The result is a proposed pedagogical approach to be implemented by three distinct methodologies. Methodology (1) Traditional lecture format, Methodology (2) Targeted physical or hands-on experiences where students are exposed to a controlled system/process commonly seen in industry, and Methodology (3) Direct student participation in the design of certain aspects of course materials.

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Nonlinear control systems - A brief overview of historical and recent advances

Nonlinear Engineering ◽

10.1515/nleng-2016-0077 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jamshed Iqbal ◽

Mukhtar Ullah ◽

Said Ghani Khan ◽

Baizid Khelifa ◽

Saša Ćuković

Keyword(s):

Nonlinear Control ◽

Control Systems ◽

Modern Technology ◽

Linear Control Systems ◽

Nonlinear Control Systems ◽

Control Laws ◽

Analysis And Design ◽

Design Specifications ◽

Historical Role

AbstractLast five decades witnessed remarkable developments in linear control systems and thus problems in this subject has been largely resolved. The scope of the present paper is beyond linear solutions. Modern technology demands sophisticated control laws to meet stringent design specifications thus highlighting the increasingly conspicuous position of nonlinear control systems, which is the topic of this paper. Historical role of analytical concepts in analysis and design of nonlinear control systems is briefly outlined. Recent advancements in these systems from applications perspective are examined with critical comments on associated challenges. It is anticipated that wider dissemination of this comprehensive review will stimulate more collaborations among the research community and contribute to further developments.

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