* To provide the theoretical knowledge required to analyse and design aircraft control systems. * To develop the students' ability to analyse and solve aircraft control problems with the assistance of computer software and through writing computing code.

* Review of flight dynamics models * Basic control theory, such as transfer functions, block diagrams, state space representations for MIMO systems, the root locus technique * Open loop control: response to initial conditions and response to controls * Closed loop control: autopilots with displacement and velocity feedback, stability augmentation systems with velocity feedback and full state feedback. * Use of MATLAB to model and analyse aircraft control systems; development of customised scripts to solve specific problems. * Frequency domain techniques, Bode plots, Nyquist stability criterion, Nichols charts, compensators. * Introduction to optimal control * Advanced applications in aircraft control: roll attitude autopilots, altitude hold control systems, velocity hold control systems, instrument landing, lateral stability augmentation, optimal control with constraints on maximum roll angle or aileron deflection.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: * Explain concepts in basic control theory and apply them to the solution of aircraft control problems. * Demonstrate understanding of advanced stability issues such as limit cycles and inertial coupling and the influence of atmospheric inputs (assignments and written exam) * Solve problems related to frequency response methods (assignments and written exam) * Solve problems on advanced control topics such as optimal control (assignments and written exam) * Design aircraft control systems for applications such as roll attitude control, altitude hold, velocity hold, instrument landing, lateral stability augmentation, and optimal control with constraints on maximum roll angle or aileron deflection (assignments and written exam) * Write computer code in MATLAB addressing all of the issues above (assignments and written exam)

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: * Appreciate, value and understand more deeply, previously-learned mathematical techniques such as Laplace transforms, Fourier transforms, numerical integration, matrix analysis, and eigenvalue analysis, through practical application to a problem of great interest to them (assignments and written exam) * Appreciate societal issues of control systems for minimisation of fuel consumption, and safety issues such as system redundancy, robustness to external inputs, and human-machine interaction (assignments and written exam) * Question and appreciate the assumptions involved in mathematical modelling of real-world objects, such as aircraft and the surrounding environment (assignments and written exam) * Use objective approaches to problem-solving via computer coding of theoretical techniques (assignments) * Display teamwork skills in tackling group assignments (assignments)

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Lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory exercises will be used to meet the learning outcomes. Research activity in the field of aircraft control systems, will be included in the syllabus where relevant, particularly in relation to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The module is aligned to the following UL graduate attributes: Knowledgeable: Laplace transforms, Fourier transforms, numerical integration, matrix analysis, and eigenvalue analysis through practical application to aircraft control problems. Similar reinforcement of their knowledge on mechanics will occur. Major improvements in their computer programming and mathematical modelling capabilities take place through their completion of assignments. Proactive/Creative: Students will choose an aircraft of interest, and decide the best way to model and control it, including what aspects can be simplified or ignored, and what aspects cannot. Students will need to be proactive and creative in completing assignments related to these tasks. Responsible/Collaborative: Assignments will be carried out as part of a team. Each team member will be responsible for contributing to the assignment goals to ensure that targets are met. Articulate: Team members will be required to communicate effectively with one another to achieve their team goals.