Control Laboratory Activities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Control Systems Project Laboratory, including a biweekly lecture, is a one-term elective for Juniors and Seniors in Electrical Engineering. Independent projects are also undertaken during the Senior year and graduate study. The main objectives of the Laboratory are to develop insight and rule-of-thumb design techniques for first-cut controller design, and to teach the development of mathematical models for more complex physical systems, based on experimental measurements of systems properties. The analog computer and DC motor are primary teaching vehicles. At a more advanced level, graphical programs, digital simulation and design techniques, optimal control, and computer control are taught.