Systems with feedback control are ubiquitous components of many modern devices, industrial processes, and scientific experiments. However, outside the realm of the control engineer there is little understanding of the power available and the limitations incurred when control is imposed on free systems. Even less generally appreciated are the artifacts generated when computers are improperly employed. This project is designed to improve the teaching of linear control theory and, in particular, the teaching of the methods of direct digital control by computers. Improved simulation methods will be introduced to upgrade the instruction regarding the theoretical aspects of control strategies. An expanded laboratory course will be established in which students will be able to experiment with the control strategies that they have developed. The equipment employed will be that which is now coming into widespread use both in industry and in scientific laboratories. The methods of networking and concurrent programming will be taught. The audience for the course will be undergraduate physics, chemistry, and computer science majors, and a few engineers from local industries. The college will match the award with an equal amount of funds.
