Case of Study for Classical Control Theory Course Using Information and Communication Technologies

The objective of this article is to show with a case of study how the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be used to support the process of teaching the relative complex theory of Control. In this case we show how the interactive Matlab/Simulink software represents a valuable tool to visualize graphically a control process. This visualization helps the engineering students to understand the complex concepts of the control theory. To show the ICT advantages and a proposal of how they can be used via Matlab/Simulink a case of study, based on the speed control of a Series DC Motor, is presented. Two approaches, the Ziegler-Nichols and Bode-shape methodologies, and the interpretation of the PID as a one-step-ahead predictor are presented together with a robust analysis based on the Nyquist stability criteria. The Series DC Motor represents an appropriate example because it is non-linear and therefore it is suitable to explain the concepts of linearization, linear dynamics analysis, and the design and implementation of linear robust controllers like the classical PID controller.