This calendar outlines the sessions for the course including the relative timing of the lectures (L), recitations (R), problem sets, and exams. Recitations typically met in between the first and second lecture of every week. The two quizzes were held on the same day as the recitations and replaced the second lecture for the week. Problem sets were due weekly on the third session of the week with some fluctuation due to holidays
| SES # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| L1 | Why automatic control? Categorization of control systems | |
| L2 | Block diagrams, the effect of feedback | |
| L3 | Modeling principles | |
| R1 | Feedback diagram problems | |
| L4 | Block diagram manipulations, Mason’ rule | |
| L5 | Dynamic response of closed-loop systems | Problem set 1 due |
| L6 | Time-domain specifications | |
| R2 | Step response problems | |
| L7 | Effect of zeros | |
| L8 | The Routh criterion | Problem set 2 due |
| R3 | Routh array problems | |
| L9 | Effect of noise, steady-state errors | |
| L10 | PID control | Problem set 3 due |
| L11 | The root locus method | |
| R4 | Root locus problems | |
| L12 | Root locus rules | |
| L13 | Root locus rules, lead compensation | Problem set 4 due |
| L14 | Lag compensation | |
| L15 | Zero degree root locus | Problem set 5 due |
| L16 | Frequency response design | |
| R5 | Root locus problems | |
| Quiz 1 | ||
| L17 | Bode plot problems | Problem set 6 due |
| L18 | Bode plots (cont.) | |
| R6 | Bode diagram problems | |
| L19 | Complex poles and zeros, unstable poles, and non-minimum phase zeros | |
| L20 | The Nyquist stability criterion | Problem set 7 due |
| L21 | The Nyquist stability criterion (cont.) | |
| R7 | Nyquist plot problems | |
| L22 | Nyquist with poles on imaginary axis | |
| L23 | Stability margins, Bode gain-phase theorem | Problem set 8 due |
| L24 | Bode compensation | |
| R8 | PD controller design problem | |
| L25 | Lead compensation | |
| L26 | Lag compensation (cont.) | Problem set 9 due |
| R9 | Lead compensator design problem | |
| L27 | NMP systems | |
| L28 | The Nichols chart | Problem set 10 due |
| L29 | Digital control, the z-transform | |
| R10 | Compensation strategy design problem | |
| Quiz 2 | ||
| L30 | The z‐transform, design by emulation, the Tustin transform | |
| R11 | Nichols plot problem | |
| L31 | Compensator design examples, time delay of ZOH | |
| L32 | Discrete design | Problem set 11 due |
| L33 | The w-transform | |
| R12 | Discrete-time controller design problem | |
| L34 | Design examples, pre‐warping, direct design | |
| L35 | Higher harmonic control | Problem set 12 due |
| R13 | Discrete-time controller design problem and review | |
| Final exam |
