Control Design and Mechatronics: Educator and Classroom Resources
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Overview
National Instruments offers several tools for professors, researchers, and students to analyze and simulate dynamic systems and design and deploy control systems. From the LabVIEW Simulation Module to the reconfigurable I/O of CompactRIO, these tools help students gain a better understanding of linear systems and control design concepts by facilitating a hands-on, experiential learning environment that is flexible and interactive in nature.
Testimonial
“ With LabVIEW and NI control design tools, we were able to provide students with a complete learning environment from simulation to plant implementation.” Dr. Todd Murphey, University of Colorado
Resources
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Classroom Resources Download sample courseware, instructor slides and links to university course websites |
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Software Simulations & Examples |
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Textbooks & Applicable Courses Discover the textbooks that use LabVIEW to teach controls and mechatronics |
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Hardware Labs & Exercises |
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Case Studies & Conference Papers See how other schools use LabVlEW for controls and mechatronics |
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Videos & Webcasts |
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Software Licensing Options Adopt LabVIEW at your institution with these licensing options |
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Recommended Lab Configurations Outfit your teaching and research labs with these setups |
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Visit ni.com/academic for additional teaching and research resources
Classroom Resources
Introduction to Control Design and Simulation in 3 Hours using LabVIEW
This 3 hour short course is designed as an instructor-led and self study introduction to the control design process. This includes modeling, designing, simulating, and deploying a controller using LabVIEW, Control Design Toolkit and Simulation Module. The course includes a presentation, manual, exercises, and solutions. Visit the website...
Introduction to the LabVIEW Simulation Module - Finn Haugen, TechTeach
Introduction to the LabVIEW Control Design Toolkit - Finn Haugen, TechTeach
Introduction to the LabVIEW MathScript - Finn Haugen, TechTeach
Guidelines to PID Control with LabVIEW - Finn Haugen, TechTeach
ECEN 4638: Control Systems Lab - Dr. Todd Murphey, Univ of Colorado
This lab will cover the fundamentals of control in the context of simulations experiments. Topics include digital simulation, system identification, proportional control of 2nd order systems, root locus design, frequency response design, higher-order plant control design, etc. Visit the website...
ASE 170p: Dynamic Systems and Controls Lab - Dr. Robert Bishop, Univ of Texas (Austin)
This course introduces students to fundamental control systems theory with emphasis on design and implementation. These labs focus on technical implementation issues of classical control theory in the frequency domain and modern control theory in the state-space. Design and implementation for this course is done using National Instruments LabVIEW software and hardware for control and Educational Control Products (ECP) hardware for the plants. Visit the website...
ME 244L: Dynamic Systems and Controls Lab - Dr. Raul Longoria, Univ of Texas (Austin)
The goal of this senior-level laboratory course is to provide practical hands-on training and experience with methods used in modeling, analysis, simulation, and control of engineering systems. Emphasis will be given to developing and using experimental techniques that support these methods. The course also aims to provide instruction and experience with measurement and instrumentation concepts, testing techniques, and sensor technologies. Visit the website...
2E1242: Project Course in Automatic Control - Björn Johansson, KTH-Sweden
The project course provides practical knowledge about modeling, design and analysis of control systems. It should also give experience in project work and writing reports. Visit the website...
Introduction to Mechatronics - Washington State Univ
This short course from Washington State University uses LabVIEW to introduce students to the basic concepts of Mechatronics. Each exercise requires the student to develop their own solution and gives them hands-on experience with measurement, control, and analysis of mechatronic systems. Visit the website...
Stimulus and Acquisition Considerations in the System Identification Process
The identification of a model is substantially influenced by the selection of stimulus signals used as input to the system. The LabVIEW System Identification toolkit incorporates the identification algorithms, stimulus waveforms and data acquisition into a single integrated environment for system identification. Visit the website...
Identification of Closed Loop Systems
There are three basic approaches to closed-loop identification. These approaches are direct, indirect, and joint input-output. In this article we outline each approach and the system identification techniques that may be used to implement them. Visit the website...
Using NI System Identification, Control Design and Simulation Tools for Designing and Testing a Controller for an Unidentified System
For engineers who need to identify system behavior and design controllers to obtain the best possible closed loop system characteristics, National Instruments (NI) provides LabVIEW based software tools and flexible, low cost hardware solutions. Visit the website...
Software Simulations and Examples
Below is a comprehensive list of custom-made LabVIEW examples that can provide help with the explanation of controls and mechatronics concepts. These examples are software-only, and do not require any hardware.
Controls Tutorials for LabVIEW
Open and Closed Loop DC Motor Control |
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This VI demonstrates how to run a Motor (or any Single Input Single Output system) without and with a controller designed with the NI Control Design toolkit within the Express Workbench Environment. Download Now. |
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LabVIEW Simulation of Closed Loop DC Motor System |
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This VI Simulates the behavior of the designed closed loop system by loading the identified DC Motor plant and the designed controller. The response to different inputs can be investigated (square wave, triangle wave, saw tooth wave, etc.), and different ODE solvers in LabVIEW Simulation can be used. Download Now. |
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Flexible Joint Control Design Case Study |
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This case study shows the use of State-Feedback Controller to move a flexible joint from one setpoint to another. The springs simulate a joint that has flexible elements in the arm. During the design process, you can change the weights in the LQR matrices to penalize the states and generate the desired dynamic response for the system. Download Now. |
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Estimating a Partially Known Continuous Transfer Function Model (System Identification Toolkit) |
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This case study illustrates how to use prior knowledge about an RLC circuit to define and estimate a partially known continuous transfer function model for the RLC circuit. You can use the LabVIEW System Identification VIs to complete this task. Download Now. |
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Hardware Labs and Exercises
Below is a list of hardware-based exercises and labs that can be used to explore controls and mechatronics concepts.
Mechatronics Lab 1: Introduction to LabVIEW |
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In this laboratory, students learn how to use the National Instruments LabVIEW development environment, which is based on the graphical programming language G. They then write a LabVIEW program to acquire, display, and save an external voltage signal. Download Now. |
Mechatronics Lab 2: Hall Effect Sensors |
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In this laboratory, students learn how to use a Hall Effect sensor to detect the presence of a magnetic field due to a permanent magnet. Then, in a simulation of an attendance counter at a turnstile, they write a NI LabVIEW program to count the number of times that a magnet is moved past the Hall sensor. Finally, they write a program to compute and display the total (cumulative) duration of low pulses. Download Now. |
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Mechatronics Lab 3: Strain Gage Sensors |
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In this laboratory, students build an analog circuit that will enable them to use a strain gage to measure the deflection of a metal ruler. They then add a noninverting op-amp to amplify the voltage output from the circuit and an analog low-pass filter to remove voltage fluctuations caused by high-frequency noise. Download Now. |
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Mechatronics Lab 4: Open-Loop Analog Control |
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In this laboratory, students write a NI LabVIEW program to drive a DC motor using an analog voltage signal. They also learn how to measure and view both angular velocity and angular position feedback signals from the motor. The DC motor is part of the MS15 DC Motor Control Module. They can control the angular velocity of the motor using either an analog voltage signal or a pulse-width modulated (PWM) digital signal. This laboratory uses only analog signals. Download Now. |
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Mechatronics Lab 5: Frequency Response |
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In this laboratory, students build a NI LabVIEW VI to obtain the frequency response (magnitude and phase) of an external system. They then use this VI to obtain the frequency response of an analog low-pass filter, an analog high-pass filter, an analog band-pass filter, and a DC motor. Download Now. |
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Mechatronics Lab 6: Closed-Loop Analog Control of DC Motor Velocity |
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In this laboratory, students build analog circuits to implement proportional (P), integral (I), and proportional-integral (PI) control of a DC motor using NI LabVIEW. The ultimate goal is to control the DC motor so that the velocity (voltage) output VOUT is equal to a (desired) reference (voltage) input r. Download Now. |
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Mechatronics Lab 7: Open-Loop Digital Control of a DC Motor |
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In this laboratory, students learn how to obtain and view digital feedback signals from the motor. They obtain the digital feedback signals from two separate sources - a slotted disc and a four-bit gray-code disc. They also learn how to drive the motor using a digital pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. Download Now. |
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Mechatronics Lab 8: Stepper Motors |
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In this laboratory, students write a NI LabVIEW VI for generating digital TTL signals that they can use to generate the stepping sequence for a four-phase unipolar stepper motor. They then use a function generator and an analog drive circuit to control the rate of rotation of a unipolar stepper motor in full-step mode. Download Now. |
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Textbooks and Applicable Courses
Textbooks
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Dr. Robert H. Bishop, The University of Texas at Austin ISBN-10: 0131457330 |
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Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems Gene F. Franklin, Stanford University ISBN-10: 0130323934 |
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A. Smaili and F. Mrad - American University of Beirut ISBN-10: 019530702X |
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Introduction to Mechatronics and Measurement Systems David G. Alciatore, Colorado State University ISBN: 0072963050 |
Applicable Courses
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Case Studies and Conference Papers
Case Studies
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RPI Mechatronics Students Develop Two-Wheeled Human Object Transport Vehicle (HOT-V): A senior design team at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) set out to develop an interdisciplinary mechatronic system by designing and prototyping a two-wheeled robotic locomotion platform inspired by (and with the permission of) the Segway Corporation, maker of the Segway Human Transporter. Read more...
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Georgia Tech Uses NI LabVIEW Control Design Toolkit and LabVIEW Simulation Module for a Cylindrical Coordinate Measurement Machine: Dr. Kurfess used the NI controls software and hardware to design, implement, and test the control system for automated part centering in a cylindrical measurement machine. This reduced setup time by actively centering a bearing ring on a rotating spindle in a cylindrical coordinate measurement machine. Read more...
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Georgia Tech Intelligent Machines Lab uses NI Platform for Developing Haptics Devices: The focus of the research involves the algorithms required to control an energetically active slave using an energetically passive master. National Instruments (NI) PXI hardware and LabVIEW Real-Time software are used in the investigation of the haptic (force-feedback) teleoperation of master and slave robots. Read more...
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Texas A&M Uses NI LabVIEW Control Design Toolkit and LabVIEW Simulation Module for Novel PID Control Design Technique: Developing computer-aided design tools for fixed-order and PID controllers with guaranteed stability, performance, and robustness. Read more...
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Researchers at Univ of Limerick Use Graphical System Design for Development and Control of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles: Developing a platform for easy integration of survey equipment and advanced control development for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Read more...
Videos and Webcasts
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Video: RPI Students Riding HOT-V
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Animation: Flash Animation of HOT-V Design Process
Software Licensing Options
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NI Academic Site License
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Student Install Option
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Recommended Lab Configurations
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NI ELVIS/Quanser DC Motor Control Bundle (USB)
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NI ELVIS/Quanser Rotary Inverted Pendulum Bundle (USB)
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NI ELVIS/Quanser HVAC Trainer Bundle (USB)
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NI CompactRIO Academic Bundle
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NI Control Design (ETS) Academic Bundle
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This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).