Control Systems Individual Assignment Page 1 of 4

Control Systems

Instructions
1. This assignment is to be carried out individually.
2. Use relevant software to perform the simulation of the system
3. The technical report has to be submitted in hard copy (printed and bound), together with
the soft copy of the report, simulation and presentation on a CD.

Learning Outcomes
ON COMPLETION OF THIS ASSIGNMENT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO
DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Model a control system and perform basic analysis of its behaviour - MQF1, MQF6
2. Use fundamental techniques to interpret and characterize basic control systems.-
MQF1
3. Use relevant software in testing and interpreting control response and performance.-
MQF1, MQF6

Diploma Part 2 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology & Innovation 201608
Control Systems Individual Assignment Page 2 of 4

Background
Ground based vehicles are mechanical systems that encounter vibration over a wide frequency
range. This vibration, if transmitted to the vehicle and the passenger, can cause detrimental
effects on humans and structural damage to the vehicle. Over the years many automotive
designers have been working to achieve effective attenuation of vibration whilst maintaining
adequate ride handling and comfort. One way is to design a good vehicle suspension system.
The suspension system works by means of spring and damping actions which effectively isolate
the passenger from the road vibration. An example model for a suspension system is given in
Figure 1

ms
zs

ks cs

zo

Figure 1 Vehicle suspension system

where
ms = sprung mass
cs = damping constant
ks = spring stiffness
zs = sprung mass displacement
zo = ground displacement

Diploma Part 2 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology & Innovation 201608
Control Systems Individual Assignment Page 3 of 4

Tasks To Be Carried Out

Part A: Mathematical Modeling - 20 marks

In this part, you are required:
i) Derive differential equation for the physical model shown in Figure 1.
ii) Obtain the transfer function of the system by means of Laplace transform or block
diagram.

Part B: System Response - 35 marks

Section 1:
By using relevant software, analyse the system response to these two inputs. Use appropriate
values for the simulation variables.
i) Step input
ii) Impulse input

Section 2:
Discuss the responses obtained in Section 1 and also discuss the response behavior when;
i) The value of the spring stiffness is changed.
ii) The value of the damping is changed
iii) The value of the mass is changed.

Part C: Presentation - 15 marks

The presentation will last approximately 15 minutes in which you will explain the your results.

Diploma Part 2 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology & Innovation 201608
Control Systems Individual Assignment Page 4 of 4

Report Writing – 30 marks

The report must contain the following essential sections:
 Cover Page
 Content Page
 List of Figures Page
 List of Tables Page
 Introduction
 Physical modeling
 Mathematical modeling
 System response analysis
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 References
 Citation and Referencing using the Harvard Name System of Formatted
(http://iskillzone.uwe.ac.uk/). Information which requires references but not properly cited
will be considered as suspected plagiarism.

Important
This assignment must be completed as an individual piece of work; you must not discuss your
solution with any of your colleagues. Students who collude with colleagues and present copied work
will fail the assignment. All assignment reports must be computer generated.

Diploma Part 2 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology & Innovation 201608