Control and Automation
Week 1: Introduction to Automation and Control
Dr Morteza Mohammadzaheri
[Link]@[Link]
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What we cover?
21 lectures in the course
1. Introduction to Control and Automation- 1 session
2. Lectures on system dynamics and continuous control – 14 sessions
3. Theory of Measurement- 1 session
4. PLC Programming including its assessment - 4 sessions
5. Midterm- 1 session
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References
• Process Control: Modeling, Design, and Simulation (International Series in the
Physical and Chemical Engineering Sciences) 2nd Edition, by B. Bequette, 2023.
• Norman S. Nise, Control Systems Engineering, 7th edition Global Edition, Wiley,
2017
• Lecture Notes
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Assessment
assessment share
Midterm 15% All topics covered by midterm date
excluding software skills
Final 50% All topics excluding software skills
MATLAB 5% MATLAB for control
Exam
PLC Exam 20% With your computers in the class
Quizzes 10% Excursion Session are mostly Quiz
Session
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Fundamentals of Control and Automation
Automation: Minimising human inputs in operation of systems
How?
Control: To cause systems to behave in the desired manner, normally
without direct human involvement (needs algorithm and hardware)
Behaviour: Outputs of a system.
What?
Output: Variables of interest
e.g. temperature in heat treatment, cutting tool speed in machining
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Fundamentals of Control and Automation
Desired behaviour (output): Reference or setpoint (if it is fixed)
How to reach/maintain?
Control Input(s): Variables (or manipulating variables) which
affect outputs and can be changed/defined
e.g. input electric power in heat treatment or current to the
motor in machining
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Fundamentals of Control and Automation
Types of Control
Sequential Control, the control system executes a predefined sequence of
operations based on specific conditions or events, i.e. mostly IF THEN rules
Continuous Control, the control system regulates/tracks system output in
real-time through continuous change of input (manipulating) variables
A Sequential Control may include Continuous Control systems as its
elements , e.g. run a motor is a speed motor control task
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Fundamentals of Control and Automation
More on Sequential Control
Sequential Control is in the category of discrete-event control (responding to
discrete events, such as sensor activations, button presses, or system conditions
rather than continuous signals). Control input are generally 0 or 1.
A sequential control algorithm is designed merely based on logic
A continuous control algorithm is designed based on mathematical models or
other types of the knowledge about system’s nature (dynamics)
Applications of Sequential Control in Automation & Industry
Manufacturing: Assembly lines, robotic arms.
Process Control: Batch processing in chemical plants.
Embedded Systems: Home appliances, washing machines.
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Fundamentals of Control and Automation
Open Loop Sequential Control
Signal: a number ( in the form of electrical voltage, air or
fluid pressure) representing a quantity
Quantity, e.g. temperature, current, torque, speed
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Open Loop and Closed Loop Control Systems
Controller: A device hosting an algorithm which determines the
control command (a signal). The most common sequential
controller is Programmable Logic Controller or PLC.
Actuator: Any device which receives control command(s) and act
accordingly. They often need extra energy in addition to the
energy received from the control command. Examples are
motors, pumps, valves and electric heaters.
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Fundamentals of Control and Automation
Closed Loop Sequential Control
Sensor: converts a quantity to a signal.
Noise: a portion of sensor output unrelated to the measured quantity
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Continuous Control
Continuous Control: Control in real-time, control input may
change continuously within a range (not only 0 or 1)
Open Loop Control System: Only reference is used to determine the value of
control input.
Open Loop
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Continuous Control Systems
Closed Loop Control System: Both reference and the measured
output are used to determine the value of the control input.
Closed Loop
Control Theory: Determining control input(s) to cause the
output(s) of a system to match the reference(s)
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Any Questions?
Thank you
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