Aim of the course

The aim of this course is to gain practical problem-solving skills related to the design and implementation of control systems with the use of computer control systems. Laboratory resources enable familiarization with different types of control computers and different areas of application:

  • programmable logic controllers, and systems of visualization of process states;
  • direct digital control - digital servomechanisms;
  • advanced control algorithms associated with the use of specialized software and high-level programming languages - MatLab;
  • microcontrollers: creation of embedded systems in low-level languages;
  • using PCs for control purposes, development of control software in high-level languages;
  • control of manipulators and production lines;
  • control of non-linear objects.

Methodology of working in the laboratory

The laboratory work consists in solving 6 or 7 topic tasks that are individually formulated for particular groups of students consisting of 2 or 3 people.
The stated problem is solved using the following steps:

  • formulation of the problem - general requirements concerning the constructed control system;
  • getting acquainted with the available resources of hardware and software (2 hours in the laboratory);
  • formulation of detailed requirements concerning the constructed control system;
  • realization of the project, and development of the software necessary to implement a given control system (individual work of students);
  • launch and presentation of the developed control system (2 hours in the laboratory);
  • preparation of documentation for the developed system as wel as  a report on the work in the laboratory.

Laboratory Resources

Laboratory resources include in general the following kits:

  • a physical model of a real control object or a fragment thereof;
  • computers of different classes;
  • software for creating and executing control software tailored to the specific object, equipment, and control methodology.

In particular, the laboratory has the following kits and models:

  • lift model controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) connected to a PC with software for creating and running programs in the PLC language and software serving for visualization of the status of the controlled process and operator console, using information gained from the PLC via RS232;
  • digital servo monitored from a PC with software that allows to realize different control algorithms and evaluate the quality control associated with the selected control parameters;
  • helicopter model - equipped with two orthogonally-positioned propellers and a set of angular position and velocity sensors in two axes controlled from a PC. The computer comes with a MatLab software package with a module for real-time control enabling the realization of a number of advanced control algorithms and the tracking of their effectiveness and quality control;
  • gantry crane model that can move load in the 3D space equipped with the appropriate speed and position sensors in each of the control axes supervised by a PC. The computer comes with a MatLab software package with a module for real-time control enabling the realization of a number of advanced control algorithms and the tracking of their effectiveness and quality control;
  • module of light control at an intersection supervised by a microcontroller. At this stand the available PC allows you to create, load and launch control software for microcontroller via an RS232 serial link, and can also be used as a terminal operator console;
  • set of common functional blocks of computer control systems, such as A / D and D / A converters, digital inputs and outputs, operator console elements: microswitches, matrix keyboard, displays, etc. cooperating with a PC. Computer software includes the C compiler for creating all kinds of control applications;
  • set of three interconnected tanks and two pumps, for supplying liquid, and equipped with a set of manual and solenoid valves. The kit is controlled by a specialized operator interface and a PC. This kit enables the identification of a nonlinear control object and the creation of different programms for controling the liquid level in tanks;
  • MENTOR robot / manipulator with six degrees of freedom cooperating with a conveyor belt and a gateway to measure the linear dimension of transported objects. The kit is controlled from a PC with specialized software for editing, running and tracking programms, designed in a specialized robot programming language;
  • model of a production line used for manufacturing a two-component product. The line is controlled by a PLC with a PC used for preparing programs for the PLC and visualizing the state of the process, founded on an industrial HMI software.