Some uses for Computer-Aided Control System Design software in control education

Several ways in which Computer-Aided Control System Design software and rapid prototyping tools have been used to enhance the controls educational program at our university are described. A key to the use in a lecture course has been to provide the students with a computer running the software during every exam. This motivates the students to learn to use the software and facilitates giving exam problems that focus on control design and analysis rather than on mechanical calculations. The use of computer-aided design software and rapid prototyping tools in the lab saves money and allows us to do more complicated experiments and simple projects. It also allows us to emphasize aspects of networked and embedded control systems that are not covered anywhere else within our curriculum.