The aim of this project is to enhance the undergraduate control engineering curriculum in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at Oakland University via modernization and expansion of the current control engineering facilities. The major laboratory equipment may be categorized as follows: 1) a pneumatic and hydraulic hardware-in-the-loop computer-based control experiment system, 2) a diesel engine simulator-control system, 3) two computer-aided control system design (CACSD) workstation with advanced graphics and software support, 4) two microcomputer-based controller hardware development stations for 8/16/32-bit microprocessors and digital signal processors, and 5) an electronic industrial sensors module. The equipment will be used to strengthen junior and senior offerings by introducing new laboratory experiments and projects in specific courses. A well-planned sequence of laboratory assignment involving analysis, design, simulation and experimentation will expose students to strong hands-on experience in an Integrated Computer Control Systems Engineering Laboratory (ICCSEL) environment. By incorporating the proposed hardware-and simulator-in-the-loop systems, students will become more familiar with applications, components, signal processing, computer-aided design and tools, implementation, and computer hardware technology for control engineering.
