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LP30312: Instrumentation and control

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering (administered by the Learning Partnerships Office)
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1 at Swindon College
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 60%, EX 40%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aims of this unit is to provide students with an understanding of instrumentation systems consequently they will investigate process control systems/controllers and regulating units.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students should be able to:
* Evaluate and analyse a range engineering systems used in control engineering Evaluate techniques and theories used in process control;
* Analyse and evaluate system response characteristics.

Skills:
During this unit students should gain the following skills:
Intellectual
* gathering, processing and critically analysing technical information (F,T,A)
* synthesise and evaluate information in order to formulate outcomes (F,T,A)
* use mathematics to solve complex problems (T, F, A)
Professional
* making appropriate judgements, written presentations (A)
Practical
* developing identification and observational skills to maintain records and contribute to reports (T,A)
* carrying out practical and evaluative investigations of engineering systems (F,A)
Key
* writing reports (A)
* applying analytical techniques (T,A)
* using graphs and tables to present experimental results (F,A).

Content:
This unit focuses on:
* models of engineering systems - construction, operation and mathematical modelling of mechanical, fluid power, thermal and electrical systems.
* Transfer functions - first and second order functions, Laplace transforms
* Analogue measurement systems - signals and their conversion, signal processing and signal conditioning display units
* transfer function manipulation
* standard/block diagrams - open/closed loop control
* negative feedback, proportional and derivative feedback, Nichols chart
* system response - first and second order systems, Fourier transforms and polar plots
* Control action - proportional/integral/derivative control, Zieglar Nichols method, lead and lag compensation.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

LP30312 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Programmes administered by the Learning Partnerships Office
  • UEME-HFB44 : BSc (hons) Engineering Systems (Work-based Learning) (Full-time at Swindon College) - Year 1
  • UEME-HPB44 : BSc (hons) Engineering Systems (Work-based Learning) (Part-time at Swindon College) - Year 2

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.