Control Systems Engineering – Opportunities for Learning

Control System is used to modify the behavior of a system so it behaves in a specific desirable way over time. Control system is used whenever quantities such as speed, altitude, temperature, or voltage must be made to behave in some desirable way with time.

we describe a general process for designing a control system. A control system consisting of interconnected components is designed to achieve a desired purpose. To understand the purpose of a control system, it is useful to examine examples of control systems through the course of history.

We also discuss the notion of a design gap. The gap exists between the complex physical system under investigation and the model used in the control system synthesis. The iterative nature of design allows us to handle the design gap effectively while accomplishing necessary trade-offs in complexity, performance, and cost in order to meet the design specifications. 

Finally, we introduce the Sequential Design Example: Disk Drive Read System.

This example will be considered sequentially in each chapter of this book. It represents a very important and practical control system design problem while simultaneously serving as a useful learning tool Engineering is concerned with understanding and controlling the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of humankind. Control system engineers are concerned with understanding and controlling segments of their environment, often called systems, to provide useful economic products for society. The twin goals of understanding and controlling are complementary because effective systems control requires that the systems be understood and modeled. Furthermore, control engineering must often consider the control of poorly understood systems such as chemical process systems. The present challenge to control engineers is the modeling and control of modern, complex, interrelated systems such as traffic control systems, chemical processes, and robotic systems. Simultaneously, the fortunate engineer has the opportunity to control many useful and interesting industrial automation systems. Perhaps the most characteristic quality of control engineering is the opportunity to control machines and industrial and economic processes for the benefit of society.

Control engineering is based on the foundations of feedback theory and linear system analysis, and it integrates the concepts of network theory and communication theory. Therefore control engineering is not limited to any engineering discipline but is equally applicable to aeronautical, chemical, mechanical, environmental, civil, and electrical engineering. For example, a control system often includes electrical, mechanical, and chemical components. Furthermore, as the understanding of the dynamics of business, social, and political systems increases, the ability to control these systems will also increase.

A control system is an interconnection of components forming a system configuration that will provide a desired system response. The basis for analysis of a system is the foundation provided by linear system theory, which assumes a cause–effect relationship for the components of a system.

There is a need for trained engineering students / professionals in the automotive, aerospace, automation industry.