Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The module is based on knowledge achieved from the courses in Non-linear Control and Reliability and System Identification and Diagnosis.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Have knowledge about the electronics in industrial processes
• Be able to identify, model and control uncertain and varying industrial processes
• Have knowledge about the methodology used for applying industrial electronics
• Have insight in how to apply reliable electronics to keeping reliable operational performance
• Be able to implement industrial electronics for advanced closed-loop control solutions, for instance model predictive control (MPC) and artificial intelligence

Skills

• Be able to design a complete embedded system operating with industrial electronics
• Be able to design hardware and software which successfully can stabilize complicated processes during uncertain and varying conditions applying artificial intelligence
• Be able to design efficient controllers for disturbance rejections
• Be able to implement hardware applications related to industrial electronics
• Be able to synthesize, document and bring entire systems (hardware and software) to working condition, when the operating conditions are uncertain

Competences

• Be able to design industrial electronics based on the design specifications
• Independently identify and analyse complicated industrial processes
• Independently understand the concepts of predictive and adaptive control strategies and artificial intelligence application for industrial processes
• Be able to control the working and development process within the project theme, and be able to develop feasible solutions within optimisation, control, and/or diagnostic within advanced control of industrial electronics
• Be able to show entrepreneurship to define and analyse scientific problems in the area of optimisation, control, and/or diagnostic within advanced control of industrial electronics, and based on that make and state the reasons for decisions made
• Be able to set up innovative ideas within the area of optimisation, control, and/or diagnostic within advanced control of industrial electronics
• Independently be able to continue own development in competence and specialisation
• Be able to follow more sophisticated literature, or state-of-the-art, within the topic of optimisation, control or diagnostic within advanced control of industrial electronics
• Be able to implement and test the developed controllers with the purpose of verifying the hypothesis, as well as draw conclusions based on the achieved result

Type of instruction

Problem based project organised work in groups.

The project can be made in cooperation with external partners and the project can be a disciplinary project, a cross disciplinary project or a part of a multi-disciplinary project, where several groups from the department do different parts of a larger project. Finally, the project can also be a part of a so-called MEGA project also in cooperation with industry, where several project groups from more departments are participating, each doing their part of the large project to find a total solution.

The project work must be documented by a scientific paper (max. 8 pages) accompanied by a project summary report. The project summary report should elaborate the project details and conclusions. The maximum length of the summary report (report without appendices) is 50 pages. For more information see semester description in Moodle.

The scientific paper will be presented at a conference arranged within the Department of Energy, prior to the project examination.

The project must include an application that includes a power electronic converter, a power source and embedded system. The operating principles for the system must be described and a control problem is formulated including key specifications. A dynamic simulation model is made taking the relevant dynamics into account. Different advanced control methods like predictive, adaptive, and robust control strategies  or use of artificial intelligence are designed, analysed and evaluated by means of the simulation model. At least one method is selected for practical implementation in a real system incorporating hardware and software and a real‐time digital advanced control system based on a digital signal processor or a microcontroller.  Finally, the whole system is tested and the developed control strategies are evaluated with the purpose of verifying the hypothesis, as well as drawing conclusions based on the achieved result.

If there are special technical or scientific documentation requirements, the student documents the project work in a project report, which can be prepared individually or in a group within the project theme. However, the student’s special preferences for the semester must be approved by the Study Board in advance.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 20 ECTS project module, the work load is expected to be 600 hours for the student.

Exam

Prerequisite for enrollment for the exam

• It is a pre-condition that the student has submitted a scientific paper and presented the scientific paper at an internal conference prior to the project examination.
• In case of a re-exam, the student will have to present the scientific paper in front of a committee made up of the supervisor and at least one internal adjudicator.

Exams