Programme

The objective of the course is to prepare the student for the hardware-software design issues of industrial automation systems. After a review of the theoretical foundations of automatic controls and an overview of the sensors most commonly used in control systems, an experimental phase is planned through the hardware-software implementation of simple control systems using tools and simulators (Arduino and Matlab). At the end of the course, the student will know the principles of operation and programming of control devices and their main requirements.

1. Industrial Automation
a. Model of a control device
b. Model of an industrial control system
2. Control Devices
a. Requirements for a control device
b. Controllers for general-purpose applications
c. Specialized controllers
3. Fundamentals of Metrology and Electronic Instrumentation. Measurement Errors
4. Elements of Sensors and Transducers
a. Sensor characteristics
b. Motion sensors
c. Temperature sensors
d. Pressure sensors
e. Force sensors
f. Overview of hydraulic actuators
g. Servo actuators
h. Vibration sensors
5. Signal Conditioning and Conversion
a. Review of operational amplifiers
b. Instrumentation amplifier
c. Frequency-to-voltage converters
d. A/D and D/A converters
6. Harmonic Response and Spectral Analysis
7. Industrial PID Controllers
a. Control laws
b. Manual and automatic tuning
c. Digital implementation
8. Automation System Development Cycle
a. Control system development
b. Examples of control architectures
9. Introduction to Arduino Systems
10. Application Examples in Industrial Control

Core Documentation

The teaching materials required for the course include:
- Course handouts
- PowerPoint presentations used during the lessons

Reference Text:
[1] P. Chiacchio e F. Basile, Tecnologie Informatiche per l'Automazione, seconda ed. McGraw-Hill, 2004.
[2] G. Magnani, G. Ferretti e P. Rocco, Tecnologie dei Sistemi di Controllo, seconda ed. McGraw-Hill, 2007.
[3] P. Bolzern, R. Scattolini e N. Schiavoni, Fondamenti di controlli automatici, terza ed. McGraw-Hill, 2008

Reference Bibliography

Reference Text: [1] P. Chiacchio e F. Basile, Tecnologie Informatiche per l'Automazione, seconda ed. McGraw-Hill, 2004. [2] G. Magnani, G. Ferretti e P. Rocco, Tecnologie dei Sistemi di Controllo, seconda ed. McGraw-Hill, 2007. [3] P. Bolzern, R. Scattolini e N. Schiavoni, Fondamenti di controlli automatici, terza ed. McGraw-Hill, 2008

Type of delivery of the course

The course will be held in a traditional manner, with lectures and scheduled exercises.

Attendance

Course attendance is not mandatory

Type of evaluation

The final examination consists of an individual written test with a duration of 2 h, and includes three open-ended questions and evaluation of the laboratory experience. The student must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the concepts acquired during the course. The outcome of the laboratory exercise is binding for access to the written test. The tests each contribute 50 percent of the final grade, so passing either test is not sufficient for passing the exam.