Description
Mathematical description and modeling of mechanical and electrical systems through linear differential equations and in the frequency domain with the help of the Laplace and Fourier transforms.
Prerequisites: ENGR 2170 (Electrical Circuits) or instructor's consent.

Class schedule Fall 2015:
TBD

• Introduction
• Syllabus
• Books
• Computer Lab
• Grading
• Resources
• Office hours
• Homeworks
• Links

What is a system? In one book, a system was defined as an assemblage of things that performs some sepcified function. A system can be anything from a water tank to a car suspension to an aeroplane. In the context of this class, a system has a defined state (e.g., the water level of a tank, the compression of the spring in a car suspension, the attitude of an aeroplane). We interpret this state as the output of the system, and we stipulate that the output is quantifiable and measurable. In addition, the system must have an input. A control signal (for example, electrical or mechanical) applied to the input changes the output of the system in a predictable way.

A linear, time-invariant system is a system that has several defined properties. Strictly, linear systems do not exist. However, within limits, many electrical and mechanical systems can be adequately described with the linear system model.

In this course, we will examine systems and learn to describe them with mathematical models. With the help of a model, the behvior of the system can be predicted. By association, we will also examine signals, that is, the inputs and outputs of a system. We will learn how to measure and analyze signals to obtain meaningful information that allows us to describe a system. Specifically,

1. We will learn how to describe and characterize a linear system
2. We will learn how to measure and interpret signals
3. We will use time-domain methods (differential equations) and frequency-domain methods (Fourier analysis, Laplace transform) to effectively model linear systems and predict their dynamic and steady-state behavior
4. We will also use computer simulations to help us analyze a system and support the purely mathematical model.

Suggested primary book: ENGINEERING SIGNALS AND SYSTEMS. By Fawwaz T. Ulaby and Andrew E. Yagle. National Technology and Science Press (2013). ISBN 978-1-934891-16-2.
We will focus on Chapters 1 through 5 (partially), and not use any of the later chapters.

Suggested complementary reading: LINAR FEEDBACK CONTROLS - THE ESSENTIALS. By M. Haidekker. Elsevier Insights series (2013). ISBN: 978-0-124-05875-0
Overview
Link to publisher's web site
NEW! Link to the e-resource from our library
Out of this book, Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 11 are of relevance. For those of you who will take Feedback Controls next semester, this book is highly recommended! Many examples that we use in Linear Systems are fully described in this book.

Computer lab 310 has Scilab/Scicos installed. You may login with your UGA password.

Scicos/Scilab is Free Software. You may download and install a copy free of charge and with the right to access the source code.

The grade will be based about equally on short quizzes, the Comprehensive Assignments, the midterm exam, the final exam, and -- if assigned -- the semester project. You will receive score points based on the fill-the-bucket principle, i.e. for each homework assignment and for each test, you accrue score points. Your final grade will be determined from the score you achieved relative to the maximum score achievable. Typically, you receive a maximum of 30-50 points per homework, 100 points for the semester project, a total of 100 pints in quizzes, and 100 points per test, resulting in a maximum score of around 600 points.

We use a fixed grading system. There will be no adjustment based on the overall class performance. To get a passing grade, you will have to achieve an overall score of at least 45%. The following table shows the percentage of your score you need to reach for a specific grade:

[No items yet]

Office hours: TBD

Queries by e-mail or on the blog: any time. In fact, I strongly encourage you discuss the topics on the Blog site so that everybody can benefit from the discussion.

Quiz assignments

Here are some interesting links:

• Scilab home page: Scilab is a Matlab replacement, a free open-source program. A particularly good feature is its block diagram simulation toolkit Scicos.
• Octave, another free, open-source Matlab replacement. Octave is more compatible than Scilab, but it does not come with a block diagram module.
• Sage Math, a Mathematica replacement, free and open source. Allows symbolic algebra.
• KTechLab: KTechLab is an Open Source Intergated Design Environment (IDE) for electronic and PIC microcontroller circuit design and simulation.
• LabPlot, a software package for 2D/3D data analysis and visualization. A very modern and powerful package.
• Gnuplot, well-known and widely used data plotting and visualization program. Has somewhat of a learning curve but comes with very powerful features.
• Grace, another data plotting program along the lines of Gnuplot. Loaded with useful features.
• Qtiplot, similar to Labplot, has a spreadsheet-like GUI and features amazing nonlinear fitting functions.
• Interested in Op-amps? Filter design? Texas Instruments offers a free book titled Op Amps For Everyone - a great resource!