ENEL321-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Control Systems

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

System modelling. Continuous-time dynamics. Time domain and frequency domain analysis. Feedback control. Control system performance and robustness. Control system design techniques.

This course is an introduction to the design and analysis of control systems. A control system is a system that commands another system in a way that ensures that the overall system does what we want it to. A simple example is a thermostat controlling a heater to ensure that a room doesn't get too hot or too cold, but much more sophisticated kinds of control systems exist. A good understanding of control systems is useful in the design of electric power systems (generator excitation control, tap-changing transformers, etc.), aircraft (autopilots and flight control), rockets and spacecraft (altitude control), cars (cruise control, engine control, etc.), robots (position and speed control), and in many other application areas.

To control a system so that it does what we want we first need to understand how the system responds to different command inputs. The course begins by looking at how to mathematically model different kinds of systems, and how to analyse and simplify models using tools such as the Laplace Transform. We then introduce feedback control systems, which are systems in which the controller continually checks that the controlled system is doing what it is supposed to do and modifies its commands to ensure the desired result occurs, making the controller robust to uncertainties in the system model and disturbances in the environment. We look at several different techniques for understanding and improving the stability and performance of feedback controllers, as well as common types of controller designs such as the classic PID controller.

Practical work includes a project designing and implementing a PD roll controller for a rocket in a small Vertical Wind Tunnel.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:

  • LO1: Use mathematical methods to describe and analyse single input, single output (SISO) and complex control systems (WA1, WA2)

  • LO2: Assess the stability and steady state performance of control systems (WA1, WA2)

  • LO3: Interpret and solve continuous time systems using classical control methods (WA2, WA4)

  • LO4: Apply and reflect on modern computer design tools and experimental techniques to design, simulate, and verify the performance of real-world control and emerging systems in a team environment (WA2, WA4, WA5, WA8, WA11)

  • LO5: Communicate the design of control systems, including using PID schematics (WA9)
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Restrictions

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 11:00 - 12:00 E6 Lecture Theatre (16/2)
E6 Lecture Theatre (23/2-23/3, 20/4-25/5)
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 14:00 - 15:00 A3 Lecture Theatre
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 16:00 - 17:00 Rehua 005
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 15:00 - 16:00 Elec 109 Automation Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
02 Monday 13:00 - 14:00 Elec 109 Automation Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
03 Monday 16:00 - 17:00 Elec 109 Automation Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
04 Monday 14:00 - 15:00 Elec 109 Automation Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
05 Tuesday 12:00 - 13:00 Elec 109 Automation Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
06 Tuesday 13:00 - 14:00 Elec 109 Automation Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
Lab B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
02 Wednesday 09:00 - 11:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
03 Thursday 09:00 - 11:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
04 Thursday 14:00 - 16:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
05 Thursday 16:00 - 18:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
06 Thursday 11:00 - 13:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
07 Wednesday 11:00 - 13:00 Elec 104 Power Electronics Lab
16 Mar - 22 Mar
Presentation A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 Elec 210 Electronics Lab
16 Feb - 22 Feb
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 14:00 - 15:00 Rehua 009
16 Feb - 15 Mar
23 Mar - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May

Course Coordinator

Christopher Hann

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Test one 25%
Laboratory Report 10%
Test two 25%
Final Exam 40%

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Chris Hann; ENEL321 Course Notes ; (On the ENEL321 LEARN Page).

Recommended Reading

Franklin, Gene F. , Powell, J. David, Emami-Naeini, Abbas; Feedback control of dynamic systems ; Seventh edition; Pearson, 2015 (Earlier editions are also acceptable).

Palm; Modeling Analysis and Control of Dynamic Systems ; 2nd; Wiley, 2001.

Stefani, Savant, Shahian, Hestetter et al; Design of Feedback Control Systems ; 3rd; Saunders College Publishing/Harcourt Brace, 1996.

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Scaling of marks

In order to maintain consistency across courses and fairness for students, scaling of raw marks occurs. In the Faculty of Engineering, target course GPAs are calculated based on the performance of the cohort of students in their courses in the previous year. Scaling of the raw total course marks is normally performed so that when converted to grades (using UC Grade Scale) the outgoing GPA is in line with the target GPA for a course. Scaling up or down can occur.
The Grading Scale for the University: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/study-support-info/study-related-topics/grading-scale

Artificial Intelligence Tools

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for each of the assessments in ENEL321 is summarised below. No AI use is allowed in the tests and exam because these are closed-book invigilated assessments. Students are always responsible for the accuracy of the submitted works, regardless of which tools are used.

Assessment Item and Permitted use of AI:

Laboratory Report: Generative AI Tools Are Permitted for Certain Parts of This Assessment
Tests: Generative AI tools cannot be used for this assessment.
Exam: Generative AI tools cannot be used for this assessment.

Generative AI Tools Are Permitted for Certain Parts of This Assessment:

In this assessment (Lab Report), you are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) for the purpose of proof reading and editing the document, and for gathering and summarising knowledge. No other use of generative AI is permitted. To assist with maintaining academic integrity, you must appropriately acknowledge any use of generative AI in your work. Please include a Statement of AI use (if no AI tool has been used, then this must also be stated) and a listing of all prompts provided to the AI tool, clearly indicating which AI tools were used and how they contributed to your assessment.

Late submission of work

Lateness Penalties

For the Lab Report and Assignment, a lateness penalty of 10% (in absolute terms) per day or part day late will be deducted from the original mark, unless a valid reason is given. For example, an assignment with a nominal mark of 83% submitted 0-24 hours late will receive a mark of 73%, and submitted 24-48 hours late will receive 63%.

Mahi ā-Ākonga | Workload (expected distribution of student hours, note 15 points = 150 hours):

Contact Hours

Lectures: 36 hours
Tutorials: 12 hours
Workshops: 0 hours
Laboratories: 12 hours

Independent study

Review of lectures: 36 hours
Test and exam preparation: 30 hours
Assignments: 12 hours
Tutorial preparation: 12 hours
Laboratory calculations: 0 hours

Total 150

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,190.00

International fee $6,488.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .

All ENEL321 Occurrences

  • ENEL321-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026