Course Title: Automotive Systems and Control

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Automotive Systems and Control

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
AUTO1029	City Campus	Postgraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016
AUTO1029	City Campus	Postgraduate	172H School of Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023, Sem 2 2024
AUTO1029	City Campus	Postgraduate	172H School of Engineering	Face-to-Face or Internet	Sem 2 2021

Course Coordinator: Dr Hamid Khayyam

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4630

Course Coordinator Email: hamid.khayyam@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

The aim of the course is to familiarise you with the control issues of the core automotive systems that influence the general behaviour of the whole vehicle. This course will also address the design, control and implementation of these systems using the platform of MATLAB and SIMULINK.

The objective is to prepare you for real world applications in automotive systems and control. The course promotes hands-on practice by incorporating a course project that will enable you to apply the learned technologies to a real world automotive system application via the platform of MATLAB and SIMULINK.

The course will cover control system design and numerical simulation of automotive systems such as brake system, ride & handling systems, and power-train. It will start with the most widely used control structure in automotive applications and end with the advanced control topics that include system constraints in the design and the driver system close loop control. The course will provide you with the modern techniques of modelling, simulation and control of automotive systems, using MATLAB and SIMULINK computer packages.

The course has three modules:

1. Overview of main Automotive Systems. This module is limited to the principles and theory underlying the design and operation of the most representative automotive systems and their safety and energy subsystems, i.e. brakes (proportioning and ABS), ride & handling (suspension, steering, ESP) power-train (transmission, clutch, launch control, electronic differential), adaptive cruise control, lane change assistance, and intelligent transportation systems.
   
   
2. Control Systems. This module is limited to the principles, classical control and intelligent control methods as applied to the automotive systems.
   
   
3. Automotive systems simulation, control and data analysis. This module is dedicated to the modelling of automotive systems using MATLAB and SIMULINK computer software.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program:

MC230 Master of Engineering (International Automotive Engineering)

PLO 1. Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of engineering theories, principles and concepts within multi-disciplinary engineering practice ​
PLO 2. Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline
PLO 3. Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities, and bounds and a critical appreciation of trends in contemporary practice, sustainability, research and innovation in the engineering discipline.
PLO 4. Apply advanced knowledge of established engineering methods in the analysis of complex problems in the engineering discipline
PLO 5. Utilise advanced mathematics, software, tools and techniques, in the conduct of research into the design and analysis of complex engineering systems
PLO 6. Use a systems engineering approach to synthesize and apply procedures for design, prototyping and testing to develop creative, sustainable and integrated solutions to complex engineering problems.
PLO 7. Apply advanced contemporary engineering technologies and practices and research principles and methods, taking into account risk and economic, social, environmental and global context, to plan and execute complex projects.
PLO 8. Communicate engineering designs and solutions respectfully and effectively, employing a range of advanced communication methods in interpreting and transmitting knowledge, in an individual or team environment, to diverse audiences.​​
PLO 9. Demonstrate the capacity for personal accountability, professional and ethical conduct, intellectual independence, cultural sensitivity, autonomy, adaptability, and critical reflection on own learning and career ​​ when undertaking engineering projects
PLO 10. Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information, while exercising professional expert judgement in a dynamic environment in the absence of complete data, in an engineering context.
PLO 11. Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader in diverse specialist and multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to First Nations peoples and/or globally inclusive perspectives and participation in an engineering context.​

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

CLO1 Apply control theory methodologies to analyse complex engineering tasks related to core automotive systems Demonstrate advanced understanding of control engineering theory, principles and concepts related to the most representative automotive systems using the Control Theory methodology and methods
CLO2 Develop accurate representations of complex automotive systems using mathematical modelling tools MATLAB and SIMULINK Model and simulate complex automotive systems in computer interactive environment, using mathematical modelling tools MATLAB and SIMULINK
CLO3 Critically evaluate the outcomes of data modelling and simulations, comparing theoretical results with real-world automotive system behaviour Critically analsye outcomes of data modelling and evaluate compared to a real system
CLO4 Effectively communicate technical solutions and findings through written reports and oral presentations to an engineering audience Communicate solutions effectively through written reports and oral presentation to an engineering audience
CLO5 Critically self-reflect on contributions as both a team member and leader, while upholding professional and ethical conduct in engineering projects Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member or leader who demonstrates personal accountability, professional and ethical conduct

Overview of Learning Activities

The course will be offered with an emphasis on online teaching as a method of learning. Pre-recorded lecture videos will be supplemented by the computer class demonstrations and will be combined with tutorials. You will be provided with notes online with opportunities to discuss their use in class, during tutorials and consultations. You will demonstrate your ability to apply the acquired knowledge through completion of written tests and assignments.
During tutorials you will be provided with examples of industry relevant applications and you will conduct simulation studies. In particular, the MATLAB and SIMULINK platform will be taught in the tutorials for real time implementation of automotive control systems. This is intended to aid your understanding of the theory, design, algorithms and programming procedures of automotive systems and controls.

Overview of Learning Resources

Learning resources include the electronic learning package, lecture notes, class materials, recommended references, and other resources as advised by course coordinator. A detailed list of prescribed and recommended texts may be found on the course Canvas (accessed via myRMIT). Assignments, selected lecture notes and slides, examples of relevant MATLAB programs, SIMULINK designs, etc., will be provided through Canvas.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment 1: Technical essay, 10%, CLO1 and CLO2
Assessment 2: Analysis task, 20%, CLO1, CLO2 and CLO3
Assessment 3: Control design, 20%, CLO3
Assessment 4: Project, 50%, CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4 and CLO5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.