Course detail

Automation

FSI-6AAAcad. year: 2026/2027

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the main concepts of automation and control systems.

The first part of the course makes the students familiar with the logic circuits. It presents logic functions, logic elements, combinational and sequential logic circuits. This includes minimizing logic functions (using Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, and the Quine-McCluskey method) and designing logic circuits for verbally specified tasks. 

The second part includes the foundations of linear continuous systems analysis using the impulse response and step response function of feedback control systems. Mathematical preliminary is the Laplace transform. This part covers the basic feedback theory and stability, accuracy and quality of regulation, which, depending on the type of controlled system, implies the choice of the type of controller and the method of designing its parameters.

The third part of the course includes the foundations of digital control. The mathematical basis consists of difference equations and their solution using Z-transform. In analogy to linear continuous systems, the concepts of impulse and step response functions and frequency characteristics, system stability verification, and digital controller design methods are introduced. 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. RNDr. Ing. Miloš Šeda, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automation and Computer Science (ÚAI)

Entry knowledge

Fundamental concepts in mathematics including the solution of the system of differential equations . Fundamental concepts in physics (particularly dynamics) and electrical engineering.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

In order to be awarded the course-unit credit students must prove 100% active participation in laboratory exercises and elaborate a paper on the presented themes. 
Attendance and activity at the seminars are required. One absence can be compensated for by attending a seminar with another group in the same week, or by the elaboration of substitute tasks. Longer absence can be compensated for by the elaboration of compensatory tasks assigned by the tutor.

The exam is written and the examples cover all three theoretical areas from the lectures.

Aims

The aim of the course is to gain basic knowledge of automatic control theory and computer modelling and the ability to analyze logical, linear continuous and discrete systems and design their control according to the required function with regard to stability, accuracy, and quality of regulation, in logical systems with the aim of minimizing the number of elements used.

Study aids

Presentations of lectures (available in e-learning) and examples solved in exercises, including modelling in the LogoSoft and MATLAB/Simulink environment.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Dorf,R.C.-Bishop,R.H.: Modern Control Systems,Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, New York 1995, ISBN 0-201-845559-8 (EN)
Franklin, G.F., Powell, J.D. and Emami-Naeini, A.: Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 2002. ISBN 0-13-098041-2. (EN)
Kuo,B.C.: Automatic Control Systems,Prentice-Hall International Editions, Sixth Edition, New Jersey 1991, ISBN 0-13-053505-2 (EN)
Morris, K.: Introduction to Feedback Control. Academic Press, London, 2002. ISBN 0125076606. (EN)
Ogata,K.: Modern Control Engineering, Prentice Hall, fourth edition, New Jersey 2002, ISBN 0-13-043245-8 (EN)
Švarc, I., Matoušek, R., Šeda, M., Vítečková, M.: Automatizace-Automatické řízení, skriptum VUT FSI v Brně, CERM 2011. (CS)

Recommended reading

Raymond T. Stefani, Bahram Shahian, Clement J. Savant, Gene H. Hostetter: Design of Feedback Control Systems. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN-10: 0195142497 (EN)
Švarc, I., Matoušek, R., Šeda, M., Vítečková, M.: Automatizace-Automatické řízení, skriptum VUT FSI v Brně, CERM 2011. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-MAI-P Bachelor's 3 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme B-ZSI-P Bachelor's

    specialization STI , 3 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Ing. Miloš Šeda, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction to automation. Logic control, logical functions, Boolean algebra laws, formulation of Boolean functions, minimisation using Boolean algebra laws, Karnaugh's maps and the Quine-McCluskey method.
  2. NAND, NOR, combinatorial logical circuits, sequential logical circuits, programmable logic controllers. Design of logic circuits based on verbal specifications (combinational, e.g., automatic lighting in the hallway and automatic ventilation in the bathroom; sequential, e.g., elevator, control of railroad crossing gates).
  3. Examples of mechanical, electrical, and hydromechanical systems and their description by differential equations (mass, spring, damper, translational and rotational motion; R, L, C; tanks with inflow and outflow). Continuous linear regulation circuit, regulation principle, external and internal description, differential equation and its solution using the Laplace transform, Laplace transfer, poles and zeros.
  4. Impulse response function and impulse characteristic, unit step response function and unit step characteristic, classification of regulation elements. Frequency transfer, frequency response in complex plane and logarithmic coordinates, transport delay. Block diagram algebra.
  5. Controllers, regulation circuit, characteristic equation, stability of linear continuous system (necessary and sufficient condition of stability), algebraic stability criteria.
  6. Frequency stability criteria, accuracy of regulation (steady-state analysis).
  7. Cascade regulation.
  8. Quality of regulation, Ziegler-Nichols method, Whiteley standard forms, tuning of controllers using unit step response characteristic of controlled system, synthesis of regulating circuit.
    9. Discrete regulation circuit, sampling circuit (A-D converter), data-hold circuit (D-A converter), difference equation, Z-transform.
  9. Z-transfer, discrete impulse response function and characteristic, discrete unit step response function and characteristic, frequency transfer, frequency characteristic in complex plane.
  10. Block diagram algebra of discrete systems, digital controllers (positional and incremental algorithm), stability of discrete regulation circuit (general condition).
  11. Controllers with two degrees of freedom.
  12. Informative extension of automation – scheduling of manufacturing processes and robot motion planning in environments with obstacles.

Laboratory exercise

4 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Ing. Miloš Šeda, Ph.D.

Syllabus

8. Laboratory exercise (laboratory of programmable controllers, laboratory of electrical equipments).
9. Continuous-time linear control (Ziegler-Nichols method applied to a circuit with a DC motor.

Computer-assisted exercise

22 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Ing. Miloš Šeda, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Logic control (algebraic minimisation of logical functions, block diagrams, Siemens LOGO!Soft).
2. Logic control (formulation in words, truth table, minimisation using Karnaugh's map, combinatorial logical circuits - simulation).
3. Logic control (sequential logical circuits – simulation).
4. Continuous linear control (differential equation, transfer, impulse response and unit step response function, impulse and unit step characteristic, simulation in MATLAB.
5. Continuous linear control (frequency transfer, frequency characteristic in complex plane, frequency characteristics in logarithmic coordinates, simulation).
6. Continuous linear control (block diagram algebra, controllers, simulation).
7. Continuous linear control (regulation circuit, stability criteria of regulation circuit, Ziegler-Nichols method in simulation version).


10. Continuous linear control (Ziegler-Nichols method in numerical version).

11. Continuous linear control (accuracy of regulation (steady-state analysis), quality of regulation).
12. Test in written form.
13. Credit, reparation of test.