Overview
This unit will enable you to develop an advanced understanding of digital control techniques applied in industrial control systems. The unit will introduce you to Z-transforms and Z Domain analysis of control systems through transformations. You will design and implement digital filters. You will learn discrete state space modeling and analysis of control systems. The unit will also equip you with knowledge of optimal control techniques such as linear quadratic and Kalman filtering. You will also learn about important digital control implementation techniques such as controller anti-windup and bumpless transfer. You will be required to successfully complete a digital control systems design team project. Online students will be required to attend a compulsory residential school in order to complete the laboratory experiments. Prior knowledge of the basic concepts of electrical circuit analysis, signals and linear systems, and control systems is assumed.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from In class
Students appreciated the physical presence of the unit coordinator during the residential schools.
This practice should be continued.
Feedback from SUTE
Students expected more interactions during the online delivery.
Frequent interactions during online delivery is recommended.
Feedback from SUTE
Students expected clear unit requirements.
The unit requirements should be emphasised not only in Week 1 but also throughout the term.
Feedback from SUTE
Students expected useful learning materials.
The learning material should be linked to practical applications in Digital Control Systems.
Feedback from SUTE
Students expected useful feedback.
Students should be provided with detailed feedback on their graded assessments.
Feedback from SUTE
Students expected useful knowledge/skills.
Learning outcomes in the unit should be emphasised to the students.
Feedback from SUTE
Students had difficulty understanding the unit’s relevance to their degree.
The alignment of learning outcomes and assessments with the graduate attributes should be emphasised to the students.
- Apply Z-transforms and Z Domain analysis of control systems through transformations
- Design and implement various digital filters
- Model, analyse stability and design control systems in discrete state space
- Apply advanced optimal control techniques in industrial control systems
- Design and implement digital control systems considering stakeholder requirements
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings, risk assessments, and Work Health and Safety requirements using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology, and symbols
- Scope, plan, manage and successfully complete engineering projects autonomously and in teams with responsible, ethical, and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 0% | |||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 10% | |||||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 30% | |||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 20% | |||||||
| 5 - Online Test - 40% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||||
| 4 - Research | |||||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Textbooks
Digital Control System Analysis and Design
Fourth Edition (2015)
Authors: Phillips, C. L., Nagle. H. T., and Chakrabortty, A.
Pearson
ISBN: 9781292061887 (pdf); 9781292061221 (paperback)
Digital Control
(2007)
Authors: Moudgalya, K. M.
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
ISBN: 9780470517109 (online); 9780470031445 (paperback)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- MATLAB and Simulink Suite Software
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.hettiwatte@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Modelling of Sampled Data Systems
Chapter
Chapter 3 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Linear Systems
Chapter
Chapter 2 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 3 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Z-Transforms
Chapter
Chapter 2 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 4 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Z-Transforms
Chapter
Chapter 2 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 4 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Frequency Domain Analysis
Chapter
Chapter 7 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 5 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Transfer Function Based Controller Design - Structures and Specifications
Chapter
Chapter 8 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 7 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Proportional, Integral, Derivative Controllers
Chapter
Chapter 8 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 8 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
ASSIGNMENT: Make your individual submission to the link provided in Moodle site as a single PDF file.
Assignment Due: Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Pole Placement Controllers
Chapter
Chapter 9 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Linear Quadratic Gaussian Control
Chapter
Chapter 11 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 13 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
State Space Techniques in Controller Design
Chapter
Chapter 9 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 14 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Lab Report: Make your team submission to the link provided in Moodle site as a single PDF file.
Laboratory/Residential School and Lab Reports Due: Week 10 Friday (23 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
State Space Techniques in Controller Design
Chapter
Chapter 9 (Phillips, et al)
Chapter 14 (Moudgalya)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Team Project: Make your team submission to the link provided in Moodle site as a single PDF file.
Team Project Due: Week 11 Friday (30 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Exam
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
ONLINE TEST is scheduled during this week.
Online Test Due: Exam Week Monday (16 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
1 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment is designed to check the basic knowledge of the students about the control systems.
Although there is no minimum pass mark to continue studying this unit, for the students who score
lower marks in this assessment, additional support will be arranged to bring their fundamental
knowledge up to speed with the expectations of this unit. The content of this assessment will be based
on the fundamental knowledge of control systems which students must have acquired during their
undergraduate studies. The test date will be announced in advance and will be within Week 03 of the
term.
Students will know the test outcomes soon after completion.
There will be several questions in the test and you need to answer the questions within a limited time. You can attempt
the test only once. There is no grade for this class test, only pass/fail.
- Apply Z-transforms and Z Domain analysis of control systems through transformations
2 Written Assessment
This assignment is designed to assess the learning outcomes of this unit. The assignment will have 4 to 8 problems
associated with first five weeks of learning in this unit. The students will work individually and make individual
submissions.
Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
We strive to release the assessment marks in 2 weeks after the due date
Each answer to a question in this assignment will be assessed for the criterion accuracy and correct results and given a
mark as specified in the assessment that will be published in the unit Moodle site.
The Assignment will be checked for accuracy and correct results, including:
- Correct application of mathematics and arithmetic
- Answers clearly identified
- Correct results
In addition, the assignment as a whole will be assessed against the following criteria:
Evidence of correct procedures:
- All necessary steps in analysis are present on correct order
- Clear presentation of mathematical and arithmetical working linking given details of the problem to the results obtained
- Evidence of checking results (mathematical, graphical, logic-common sense)
Evidence of understanding of the topic:
- Explanation of choices made in the analysis (why is procedure required, why this particular procedure)
- Interpretation of results, eg limitations, direction of vectors, etc.
Professional presentation:
- The work (job) is clearly identified (problem, date, analyst)
- Clear statement of each problem and its details and requirements
- Logical layout of analysis
- Appropriate use of diagrams
- Correct use of terminology, conventions
- Clear, concise use of English in the presentation
- Referencing as appropriate
- Apply Z-transforms and Z Domain analysis of control systems through transformations
- Design and implement various digital filters
3 Portfolio
This compulsory assessment item is the project component of the unit. Students will carry out this in teams. Complete
details of a digital control design project will be provided in unit Moodle site in the beginning of the term. Students will
be carrying out the project in teams through out the term and submit a professionally done team report. The teams are
supposed to attend a debriefing meeting in the mid-way of the project execution. Final reports that must be prepared as
one submission per team and submitted by the deadline given in the Schedule.
NOTE: A team comprises a maximum of three students.
Week 11 Friday (30 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Feedback will be provided through unit Moodle site.
Marks for the project will be given out of 100 based on the quality of each project activity; i.e. Debriefing Meeting (10%),
Project Report (80%), Peer Assessment (10%). The marking schemes for each of those will be published in the unit Moodle
site.
- Model, analyse stability and design control systems in discrete state space
- Apply advanced optimal control techniques in industrial control systems
- Design and implement digital control systems considering stakeholder requirements
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings, risk assessments, and Work Health and Safety requirements using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology, and symbols
- Scope, plan, manage and successfully complete engineering projects autonomously and in teams with responsible, ethical, and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.
4 Practical Assessment
Residential Schools (laboratories) will be conducted physically (face to face) on two different days at MEL and ROK campuses. See the handbook and Moodle site for the schedule.
Laboratories are a group activity, groups need to be formed early in the term and all group members need to participate in any preliminary task(s) prior to the conduction of the laboratory sessions. They must be actively involved during the conduction of the laboratory exercise and contribute to the generation of the laboratory report. Detailed laboratory report format information is provided on the unit Moodle site.
NOTE: A group consists of maximum of three students.
Week 10 Friday (23 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
We strive to release the assessment marks in 2 weeks after the due date
Marking of the team reports will be done according to the following criteria.
- The accuracy and relevance of information
- Application of knowledge
- Language and grammar used in answering questions
- Proper referencing of sources of information
- Inclusion of all relevant Equations, images, data and tables, and the quality of presentation and layout
- The marking scheme will be published on unit Moodle site together with Laboratory instruction sheets
- Design and implement digital control systems considering stakeholder requirements
- Document and communicate professional engineering information, including computer-based simulations and drawings, risk assessments, and Work Health and Safety requirements using appropriate electrical engineering standards, terminology, and symbols
- Scope, plan, manage and successfully complete engineering projects autonomously and in teams with responsible, ethical, and professional attitude regarding the role of engineers.
5 Online Test
The Online Test is an individual assessment task conducted via the unit Moodle site and during the University
examination period. The questions will appear on the unit Moodle site during the Online Test time period. The test will be open book
and students can use any printed or electronic material as references. The answers should be handwritten and scanned
after the test and uploaded by the given deadline. The test duration is three hours and an additional half an hour is given for
uploading the answer sheet. The exam covers all contents of the unit from Week 1 to 12. Students are required to solve
between 5 and 10 questions to demonstrate the theoretical knowledge they have gained in this unit. Student must use
blank A4 papers to write the answers and the final answer sheet must be submitted through the Online Test link in
Moodle as a single pdf file.
In order to pass, students must score at least 50% of the allocated marks for the Online Test.
Exam Week Monday (16 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
The exact date and time of the Online Test will be announced via the unit Moodle site
Each question in the Take Home Exam will be assessed separately for the criterion accuracy and correct results and
given a mark from zero to 100 marks. Marks will be awarded based on the accuracy and correct results, including:
- Correct application of mathematics and arithmetic
- Answers clearly identified
- Correct results
In addition, the assignment as a whole will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Evidence of correct procedures
- All necessary steps in analysis are present in correct order
- Clear presentation of mathematics and arithmetic workings linking given details of the problem to the
results obtained - Evidence of checking results (mathematical, graphical, logic-common sense)
- Evidence of understanding of the topic
- Explanation of choices made in the analysis (why is the particular procedure required?)
- Interpretation of results, e.g., limitations, direction of vectors
- Professional presentation
- The work (job) is clearly identified (problem, date, analyst)
- Clear statement of each problem and its details and requirements
- Logical layout of analysis
- Appropriate use of diagrams
- Correct use of terminology, conventions
- Clear, concise use of English in the presentation
- Referencing as appropriate
- Design and implement various digital filters
- Model, analyse stability and design control systems in discrete state space
- Apply advanced optimal control techniques in industrial control systems
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
